With the continuous advancement of technology, the field of retinal surgery is poised to witness an increasing array of innovations and breakthroughs. The innovation in retinal surgery plays a pivotal role in enhancing the success rate of operations, reducing the risk of complications, and improving patient prognosis and quality of life. This encompasses innovations in vitrectomy systems, the novel application of vitrectomy in treating other ocular diseases, advancements in retinal surgical techniques, technological and conceptual innovations, as well as multidisciplinary collaboration, all of which contribute to the ongoing development in the treatment of retinal diseases. Therefore, innovations in retinal surgery should receive significant attention from ophthalmologists specializing in retinal diseases with the best service to patients.
Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is a hereditary retinal vascular dysplasia. So far, 6 genes have been found to be associated with FEVR: Wnt receptor Frizzled Protein 4, Norrie's disease, co-receptor low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5, tetraspanin 12, zinc finger protein 408, and kinesin family members 11 genes. Its clinical manifestations, pathological processes and genetic patterns are diverse, and it shows the relationship between gene polymorphism and clinical manifestation diversity. It is characterized by different symptoms between the same individual, the same family, and the same gene mutation; different clinical stages and gene mutation types of parents or unilateral genetic children; different clinical characteristics and gene mutation patterns of full-term and premature infant; combined with other eye disease and systemic diseases; double gene mutations and single gene mutations have different clinical manifestations and gene mutation characteristics. A comprehensive understanding of the different clinical manifestations and diverse genetics of FEVR can provide better guidance for the treatment of FEVR.
Objective To analyze the risk factors of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage (PVH) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for vitreous hemorrhage (VH) secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Methods A retrospective case-control study. A total of 195 RVO patients (195 eyes) with VH were first treated with PPV from November 2015 to December 2021 were included in this study. There were 102 males (102 eyes) and 93 females (93 eyes), with an age of (62.93±9.78) years. The patients were divided into PVH group (17 patients, 8.72%) and non-PVH group (178 patients, 91.28%) according to the occurrence of PVH. The time of occurrence of PVH was (140.33±130.85) days after PPV. All eyes were performed 23G or 25G systematic PPV by the same doctor. During the operation, different types of intraocular tamponade and intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor or triamcinolone acetonide after operation were selected according to the severity of retinopathy. The follow-up time was (9.45±6.68) months. The baseline systemic parameters, ocular parameters and intraoperative parameters affecting the occurrence of PVH were analyzed. Baseline systemic parameters included sex, age, diabetes mellitus and hypertension; ocular parameters included RVO type, lens status, VH course, preoperative best corrected visual acuity and intraocular pressure; intraoperative parameters included cataract phacoemulsification, removal of internal limiting membrane, type of intraocular tamponade, type of intravitreal injection drug at the end of operation, etc. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and Cox univariate and multivariate regression analysis were performed to analyze the risk factors of PVH after PPV in RVO with VH patients. Results In PVH group, the number of patients with diabetes was more than that in the non-PVH group, and the course of diabetes was longer, and differences were statistically significant. There were significant differences in RVO type, lens status and type of intraocular tamponade. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that the combination with diabetes [odds ratio (OR)=2.724, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.006-7.374, P=0.049], duration of diabetes (OR=1.071, 95%CI 1.013-1.134, P=0.016), central retinal vein occlusion (OR=4.387, 95%CI 1.421-13.546, P=0.010), intraocular lens (OR=3.493, 95%CI 1.229-9.925, P=0.019), and intraocular gas tamponade (OR=3.640, 95%CI 1.365-9.702, P=0.010) were associated with PVH. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that intraocular gas tamponade was independent risk factor for PVH. Conclusion Intraocular gas tamponade can increase the risk of PVH after PPV in patients with VH secondary to RVO.
Diabetes retinopathy (DR) is listed as one of the chronic diseases that should be focused on in the “14th Five-Year” National Eye Health Plan (2021-2025). Early screening is one of the effective measures to reduce blindness caused by DR. Establishing an efficient and practical community screening model is a powerful guarantee for completing early screening. The Ocular Fundus Diseases Group of the Ophthalmology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association has led the development of Expert consensus on community screening of diabetic retinopathy among DR community screening experts that is suitable for the current national situation, in order to guide and promote the further improvement of DR community screening work in China. This Expert Consensus provides detailed specifications on the current domestic trend of DR, the necessity of screening, the role of artificial intelligence grading, screening process, and quality control. This interpretation further emphasizes the importance of DR community screening, while emphasizing the responsibilities of different departments in the screening process. Finally, recommendations are provided for the sustainability of DR community screening. It is hoped that the screening rate of DR in China can be improved and blindness can be reduced by DR through Expert consensus on community screening of diabetic retinopathy and interpretation of the content.
Acquired syphilis uveitis, due to lack of the characteristic features, presents with various types. The most common type is posterior uveitis and panuveitis, including chorioretinitis, retinal vasculitis, optic nerve retinitis. The diagnosis and assessment of response to treatment depends mainly on the serological diagnostic tests, including nontreponemal and treponemal test. Acquired syphilis uveitis often presents with manifestations similar to various types of uveitis, especially to autoimmune uveitis and other infectious uveitis, so differential diagnosis is important. The gold standard treatment for active syphilitic uveitis is penicillin G, or doxycycline if patient is allergy to penicillin. Clinically misdiagnosis and delayed treatment may result in irreversible visual impairment and severe systemic and eye complications. However such timely treatment always has a good prognosis.
According to different experimental methods of induced diabetic retinopathy (DR) and different characteristics of the observed retinopathy, DR animal models can be divided into drug or dietary-induced models, oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) models, spontaneous inheritance models, and transgenic models. At present, induced model is one of the most commonly used animal model for DR study, which has the advantages of short modeling cycle, low cost, simple experimental operation and good repeatability. However, the drugs have certain side effects on various organs of animals and the risk of animal death is higher. OIR model has good repeatability, good stability and relatively low cost. However, due to the lack of metabolic changes of hyperglycemia in OIR mice, this model cannot accurately reflect the effects of metabolism on retina under hyperglycemia. The pathological changes of the spontaneous model are relatively stable, however, the application of this model is limited because the genetic homogeneity of diabetes differs from that of human and the cost is high. Transgenic model has definite etiology, however, its application is limited owing to the high cost and the high requirements of technology, operation and equipment. Therefore, researchers should comprehensively consider characteristics and limitations of different models while choosing suitable DR model based on research objectives, observation indicators, experimental conditions, and funds. In addition, animal models that can more accurately simulate DR need to be developed to provide more effective tools for studying the mechanism of DR and developing feasible prevention and treatment approaches.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the surgical outcomes of 25G+ vitrectomy with air tamponade and 1-day prone positioning for idiopathic macular hole (IMH).MethodsA prospective analysis was performed on 39 patients (39 eyes) underwent 25G+ pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with the internal limiting membrane (ILM) removal and fluid-air exchange for IMH from July 2012 to December 2013. After vitrectomy, patients were instructed to keep prone positioning for only 1 day (the air group). These patients were compared to 30 consecutive patients from July 2010 to July 2012, who were conducted 25G+ PPV with 25% SF6 tamponade. They remained in the same face-down position for 3 days postoperatively (SF6 group). Age, gender, logMAR BCVA, macular thickness, macular hole diameter, axial length, macular hole stages and pseudophakic status were collected as baseline characteristics in both groups. The initial hole-closure rate, visual outcome and intra-operative & post-operative complications were evaluated for 6 months. Group comparisons of numeric variables were made by using two sample t -test. Group difference of categorical variables was determined by using standard chi-square test or rank sum test.ResultsThirty nine patients (39 eyes) and 30 patients (30 eyes) were respectively enrolled in air group and SF6 group. The distribution of age (t=－1.63), gender (χ2=0.03), logMAR BCVA (t=0.39), macular thickness (t=－0.93), macular hole diameter (t=－0.70), axial length (t=－0.56), macular hole stages (Z=－0.47) and pseudophakic status (χ2=0.13) was similar in both groups. Anatomical closure of macular holes was achieved in 35 (89.7%) of the 39 eyes in the air group and in 27 eyes (90.0%) in the SF6 group. There was no significant difference of closure rate between the two groups (χ2=0.001, P=0.970). The postoperative visual acuity of gaining, stability and decreasing 2 or more 2 lines was achieved in 23 eyes,10 eyes and 6 eyes in air group and 18 eyes, 6 eyes and 6 eyes in SF6 group. The proportion of visual acuity improvement in air group was lower than that in SF6 group without the statistical significance (Z=－0.08, P=0.93). The gas bubble was absorbed sooner in the air group (mean 8.54±1.74 days) than in the SF6 group (mean 31.10±3.20 days). No retinal break, retinal detachment or endophthalmitis occurred in either group. Postoperatively intraocular pressure was elevated temporarily in 2 eyes of the air group and 3 eyes in the SF6 group. All returned to normal limit after local medication.ConclusionCompared to SF6 group, air group has similar anatomical macular hole closure rate and visual acuity rehabilitation.
Endogenous pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) shows great potential as a drug target for the treatment of diabetes retinopathy (DR) due to its anti-angiogenesis, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects. PEDF plays a biological role by combining with receptor proteins on cell membrane surface and regulating a variety of signaling pathways. Low density lipoprotein receptor related protein 6 plays a role in inhibiting oxidative stress reaction, inflammatory reaction, and neovascularization of DR. Adipose triglyceride lipase, laminin receptor, plexin domain containing 1 (PLXDC) 1, PLXDC2 and F1-adenosine triphosphate synthase have the effect of promoting endothelial cell apoptosis, among which PLXDC1 also has neuroprotective effect. By clarifying the receptor that PEDF acts on, exploring the affinity between the receptor and PEDF, the difference in the expression level of each receptor in the process of disease, and the specific function that PEDF plays after binding with specific receptors, we can develop fusion protein drugs for the active domain of high affinity of receptors, have a clearer understanding of the pathogenesis of DR, and take PEDF or PEDF receptor as the target to consolidate the theoretical basis for the development of new therapeutic drugs and strategies for DR.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes, which seriously threatens the vision of patients. The pathogenesis of DR Is complex and involves many pathophysiological processes. At present, the treatment methods for DR Mainly include panretinal laser photocoagulation, vitrectomy and vitreous cavity injection, etc. However, each treatment method has certain limitations. In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in the field of drug treatment of DR, especially in anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-oxidative stress damage drugs, neuroprotective agents, gene therapy and stem cell therapy. These drugs not only improve the effectiveness of treatment, but also expand the range of treatment options. In addition, by carrying DR Treatment drugs on carriers such as nanoparticles, hydrogels and photosensitive materials, continuous and efficient release of drugs in the eye is achieved, thereby extending the time interval of administration and reducing the need for frequent treatment of patients. In the future, based on biomarker detection technology, it is expected to promote the development of personalized and precise treatment, which can develop more accurate treatment plans for patients and improve the efficacy.
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the most threatening complication of diabetic retinopathy that affects visual function, which is characterized by intractability and recurrent attacks. Currently, the clinical routine treatments for DME mainly include intravitreal injection, grid laser photocoagulation in the macular area, subthreshold micropulse laser, periocular corticosteroid injection, and vitrectomy. Although conventional treatments are effective for some patients, persistent, refractory, and recurrent DME remains a clinical challenge that needs to be urgently addressed. In recent years, clinical studies have found that certain combination therapies are superior to monotherapy, which can not only restore the anatomical structure of the macular area and effectively reduce macular edema but also improve visual function to some extent while reducing the number of treatments and the overall cost. This makes up for the shortcomings of single treatment modalities and is highly anticipated in the clinical setting. However, the application of combination therapy in clinical practice is relatively short, and its safety and long-term effectiveness need further exploration. Currently, new drugs, new formulations, and new therapeutic targets are still under research and development to address different mechanisms of DME occurrence and development, such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents designed to anchor repetitive sequence proteins with stronger inhibition of vascular leakage, multiple growth factor inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, and stem cell therapy. With the continuous improvement of the combination application of existing drugs and treatments and the development of new drugs and treatment technologies, personalized treatment for DME will become possible.