scholarly journals Acceptability of intravitreal injections in geographic atrophy: protocol for a mixed-methods pilot study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e049495
Author(s):  
Jamie Enoch ◽  
Arevik Ghulakhszian ◽  
David P Crabb ◽  
Christiana Dinah ◽  
Deanna J Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Geographic Atrophy ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Intravitreal Injections ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Central Vision ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Wet Amd ◽  
Medical Retina

IntroductionAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of visual impairment, affecting central vision. Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of the non-neovascular (dry) type of AMD. Late-stage clinical trials suggest that intravitreal injections of novel therapeutics may slow down the rate of GA progression by up to 30% in 1 year, thus allowing people with GA to preserve central vision for a longer period. While intravitreal injections have become an established treatment modality for neovascular (wet) AMD, it is unknown whether patients with (more gradually progressing) GA would accept regular injections that slow down, but do not stop or reverse, vision loss. Therefore, this mixed-methods pilot study will aim to explore whether regular intravitreal injections will be acceptable as treatment for patients with GA, and the factors that may affect treatment acceptability.Methods and analysisA mixed-methods survey has been designed in collaboration with a GA patient advisory group. The survey comprises of structured questionnaires, semi-structured interview questions regarding patients’ perceptions of intravitreal injections and the burden of treatment, and a task eliciting preferences between different potential treatments. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this study will be conducted remotely by telephone. Thirty individuals will be recruited from NHS Medical Retina clinics at Central Middlesex Hospital, London. Half of the participants will be naïve to intravitreal injections, while half will have previous experience of intravitreal injections for neovascular (wet) AMD. Qualitative data analysis will be conducted using the Framework Method of analysis to identify key themes from participants’ accounts.Ethics and disseminationThe study received Health Research Authority approval on 23 March 2021 (IRAS Project ID: 287824). Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations to the medical retina community, as well as through dialogue with patients and macular disease charities.

scholarly journals Outer retinal tubulation formation and clinical course of advanced age-related macular degeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Arrigo ◽  
Emanuela Aragona ◽  
Ottavia Battaglia ◽  
Andrea Saladino ◽  
Alessia Amato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Müller Cells ◽  
Geographic Atrophy ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Advanced Age ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Dry Amd ◽  
Foveal Sparing ◽  
Wet Amd

AbstractOuter retinal tubulations (ORT) are a relatively new finding characterizing outer retinal atrophy. The main aim of the present study was to describe ORT development in advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to assess its relationship with disease’s severity. Patients with advanced AMD characterized either by macular neovascularization or geographic atrophy, showing signs of outer retinal disruption or retinal pigment epithelium atrophy on structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) at the inclusion examination were prospectively recruited. All the patients underwent complete ophthalmologic evaluation, structural OCT scans and fundus autofluorescence imaging. The planned follow-up was of 3-years. Main outcome measures were ORT prevalence, mechanism of ORT formation, mean time needed for complete ORT formation, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), definitely decreased autofluorescence (DDAF) area, questionably decreased autofluorescence (QDAF) area, retinal layer thickness, foveal sparing, number of intravitreal injections. We also assessed the possible role of external limiting membrane (ELM) and Müller cells in ORT pathogenesis. Seventy eyes (70 patients) were included; 43 showed dry AMD evolving to geographic atrophy, while 27 displayed the features of wet AMD. Baseline BCVA was 0.5 ± 0.5 LogMAR, decreasing to 0.9 ± 0.5 LogMAR at the 3-year follow-up (p < 0.01). We detected completely formed ORT in 26/70 eyes (37%), subdivided as follows: 20 eyes (77%) wet AMD and 6 eyes (23%) dry AMD (p < 0.01). ORT took 18 ± 8 months (range 3–35 months) to develop fully. We described the steps leading to ORT development, characterized by progressive involvement of, and damage to the photoreceptors, the ELM and the RPE. Eyes displaying ORT were associated with a smaller QDAF area, less retinal layers damage and lower rate of foveal sparing than eyes free of ORT (p < 0.01). We also described pigment accumulations simulating ORT, which were detected in 16/70 eyes (23%), associated with a greater loss of foveal sparing, increased DDAF area and smaller QDAF area at the 3-year follow-up (p < 0.01). In conclusion, this study provided a description of the steps leading to ORT development in AMD. ELM and Müller cells showed a role in ORT pathogenesis. Furthermore, we described a subtype of pigment hypertrophy mimicking ORT, evaluating its clinical utility.

Clinical and Functional Characteristics of Secondary Geographic Atrophy Against the Background of Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 384-393
Author(s):  
Vladimir V. Neroev ◽  
Marina V. Zueva ◽  
Natalia V. Neroeva ◽  
Ludmila A. Katargina ◽  
Oksana A. Losanova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Pigment Epithelium ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Antiangiogenic Therapy ◽  
Geographic Atrophy ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Flicker Erg ◽  
Wet Amd

Background.Studies demonstrate the need for long-term follow-up of patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated with inhibitors of angiogenesis to monitor long-term vision outcomes and assess the safety of antiangiogenic therapy in relation to the risk of secondary geographic atrophy. Aims to determine the characteristic clinical and functional signs of secondary GA that developed against the background of wet AMD. Methods.In 22 patients (25 eyes) with wet AMD and 18 healthy subjects comparable in age and sex standard ophthalmological and instrumental studies were performed and photopic electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded according to ISCEV standards, flicker-ERGs, multifocal ERGs and electrooculogram. Results.The appearance of the area of secondary atrophy against the background of wet AMD in eyes treated with inhibitors of angiogenesis is clinically indistinguishable from areas of geographic atrophy that developed as an outcome of dry AMD. The ERG-signs of secondary atrophy are described, which are similar to the biomarkers of primary atrophy and specifically differ from them. Secondary atrophy is characterized by the dependence of the increase in the b/a ratio on the atrophic area, reducing of the 8.3 Hz-flicker-ERG amplitude in the absence of 24 Hz-flicker ERG changes. In eyes with secondary atrophy, a significant decrease in the density of the multifocal ERG P1-peak was shown not only in the first hexagon but also in the parafoveal zone. The electrooculography results showed a sharper dark troughs decrease in with an increase in Ardens ratio in patients with secondary atrophya on the background of wet AMD, in contrast to the previously described changes in primary geographic atrophy. Conclusion.Comparison of the change in the b/a ratio with secondary atrophy area in patients with wet AMD may have clinical implications for assessing retinal dysfunction and predicting visual function. Secondary atrophy is associated with a pronounced inhibition of photoreceptor activity with better preservation of cone bipolar cells. The ERG and electrooculography data taking together indicate a more significant dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium in GA against the background of wet AMD and the associated deterioration of photoreceptor function than the changes characterizing primary geographic atrophy.

scholarly journals Ganglion Cell Complex Evaluation in Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration after Repeated Intravitreal Injections of Ranibizumab

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Perdicchi ◽  
Giacomo Peluso ◽  
Daniela Iacovello ◽  
Marco Balestrieri ◽  
Martina Delle Fave ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ganglion Cell ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Cell Complex ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Intravitreal Injections ◽  
Ganglion Cell Complex ◽  
Intravitreal Ranibizumab ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Wet Amd

Purpose. To detect the effects of intravitreal ranibizumab injections on GCC in patients with wet AMD.Methods. 32 wet AMD eyes were selected and submitted at three ranibizumab injections. RTVue-OCT GCC and MM5 protocol were performed before treatment and twenty days after each injection.Results. At baseline mean GCC thickness was 93.9 ± 18.5 μm. Twenty days after each intravitreal injection it was, respectively, 85.8 ± 10.1, 86.5 ± 9.3, and 91.1 ± 11.5 μm, without statistical significance. A significant improvement in visual acuity (P= 0.031) and a reduction of mean foveal (P= 0.001) and macular thickness (P= 0.001) were observed.Conclusion. The clinical results confirm therapeutic efficacy of intravitreal injections of ranibizumab in wet AMD. A contemporary not statistically significant reduction of GCC thickness suggests that the loading phase of ranibizumab does not have any toxic effects on ganglion cell complex.

scholarly journals AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION (ARMD) CLINICAL PROFILE AND MANAGEMENT

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjay Thokare
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Visual Loss ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Macular Area ◽  
Central Vision ◽  
Loss Of Vision ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Gradual Loss ◽  
Wet Amd ◽  
Additional Option

Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) next to cataract is the leading cause  visual loss in elderly. My study is to focus on cleanical profile of Age Related Macular Degeneration with effective Ayurveda management to increasing in average longitivity of an individual with advance in science and technology along with traditional  management.In research scenario it has been demonstrated that choroidal neovascular lesion of Age Related Macular Degeneration. Account for most of severe loss of vision attributed to this condition. My study tries to give additional option and contribution of Ayurveda to patient affected with Age Related Macular Degeneration. Macula is area which correspond to centre of vision. There are two types Dry and Wet ARMD based on appearance of  exudates and tiny haemorrhage in the macular area . in wet AMD treatment of Raktpitta should be followed. Though  description of macular degeneration is not described is classics . Gradual loss of vision in Timira we can assume this regenerative pathology as Prakopita Vatalakshana in Drushti Mandala .  Inn proper Tarpak Kapha result in weakening of function and death of life sensing cells of macula . In dry Age Related Macular Degeneration this cells breakdown slowly and result in loss of central vision . These can be stated Kaphavata Drushtijanya Timira . In case of wet AMD abnormal blood vessels start to grow under macula and eventually bleed . This explains Raktpitta Drushti . Management of Age Related Macular Degeneration should be done on the principle of Vatavyadhi with Rasayan Chikitsa . 

scholarly journals Treatments for Age-related Macular Degeneration

2010 ◽  
Vol 04 (01) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Winfried MK Amoaku ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Intravitreal Injections ◽  
Neovascular Amd ◽  
Fundus Fluorescein Angiography ◽  
Visual Rehabilitation ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Wet Amd

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible visual loss in the developed world. There are two types of AMD: dry and wet. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but is thought to result from interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Smoking, hypertension and low intake and/or low levels of serum antioxidants are known risk factors for both forms. As yet there are no treatments available for the dry form of AMD. Smoking cessation and healthy lifestyles are important in the prevention of progression of AMD. Progression of early stages of AMD to advanced forms is slowed by regular intake of ocular nutritional supplements as found in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) Study. Recently, there have been significant breakthroughs in the treatment of wet or neovascular AMD, including photodynamic therapy (PDT), intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs, including pegaptanib, ranibizumab and bevacizumab. Newer agents including aflibercept and anti-platelet-derived growth factor (anti-PDGF) compounds are under investigation. The current gold standard for treatment of wet AMD is intravitreal injections of ranibizumab. Combination therapy with PDT and anti-VEGF agents is useful especially in idiopathic polypoidal choroidopathy (IPCV) or when anti-VEGF monotherapy has failed. Rapid referral of patients with neovascular AMD is important as the visual outcome is dependent on the visual acuity at treatment. Diagnostic confirmation with retinal imaging, particularly fundus fluorescein angiography and optical coherent tomography, are required before treatment commencement. The new treatments for wet AMD are repetitive, and have significant service implications. These implications occur irrespective of which anti- VEGF agent is adopted. Visual rehabilitation is still important in the management of AMD.

scholarly journals Impact of living with a bilateral central vision loss due to geographic atrophy—qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e047861
Author(s):  
Gopinath Madheswaran ◽  
S Ve Ramesh ◽  
Shahina Pardhan ◽  
Raju Sapkota ◽  
Rajiv Raman
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Geographic Atrophy ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Central Vision ◽  
Central Vision Loss ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveGeographic atrophy (GA), a type of dry age-related macular degeneration, affects vision as central vision loss (CVL). The challenges faced due to bilateral CVL in activities of daily living and strategies taken to overcome those challenges are not very well understood in the Indian population. This qualitative study aims to understand the impact on everyday life activities and related adaptive and coping strategies in people with long-standing bilateral CVL due to GA in India.Design, participants, setting and methodsA qualitative study using a semistructured face-to-face interview was conducted on 10 people with bilateral CVL after obtaining written informed consent. The interviews were audio-recorded, and were transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was carried out to understand the challenges faced and adaptive methods due to the impact of CVL.ResultsTen participants (50% male) with a median age (IQR) of 72 (70, 74) years were interviewed. All the participants had best-corrected visual acuity of ≤6/60 in the better eye and reported an absolute central scotoma with the home Amsler chart. Qualitative thematic analysis identified four main themes: challenges in everyday living (difficulty in face identification, reading), challenges with lifestyle and socialisation (driving, cooking, reading for a longer duration, watching TV, socially inactive), psychological implications (depression, poor self-esteem, fear due to poor vision) and strategies to overcome the challenges (voice identification, technology support).ConclusionGA has a severe negative impact on the quality of life in people with CVL. Inability to recognise faces was the main reason for dependency on others and being socially disconnected. The findings will help clinicians in providing improved rehabilitative care.

scholarly journals Simultaneous Perception of Prosthetic and Natural Vision in AMD Patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Palanker ◽  
Yannick Le Mer ◽  
Saddek Mohand-Said ◽  
José-Alain Sahel
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Vision ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Geographic Atrophy ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Central Vision ◽  
Lighting Conditions ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Natural Vision ◽  
Simultaneous Use ◽  
Room Lighting

Abstract Loss of photoreceptors in atrophic age-related macular degeneration (AMD) results in severe visual impairment. Since the low-resolution peripheral vision is retained in such conditions, restoration of central vision should not jeopardize the surrounding healthy retina and allow for simultaneous use of the natural and prosthetic sight. We report the first clinical results with a photovoltaic substitute of photoreceptors providing simultaneous use of the central prosthetic and peripheral natural vision in atrophic AMD. Four patients with geographic atrophy have been implanted subretinally with a wireless 2x2mm-wide 30 µm-thick device, having 378 pixels of 100 µm in size. They demonstrated Landolt acuity of 1.17 ± 0.13 pixels, corresponding to the Snellen range of 20/460–20/565. With electronic magnification of up to a factor of 8, patients demonstrated acuity in the range of 20/63 − 20/98. Under room lighting conditions, patients could simultaneously use prosthetic central vision and their remaining peripheral vision in the implanted eye and in the fellow eye.

scholarly journals Association of Anti-VEGF Injections with Progression of Geographic Atrophy

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. OED.S38863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Enslow ◽  
Sai Bhuvanagiri ◽  
Sravanthi Vegunta ◽  
Benjamin Cutler ◽  
Michael Neff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinal Pigment Epithelium ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Pigment Epithelium ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Geographic Atrophy ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Wet Amd

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in developed countries in people over the age of 60 years. One of the forms of advanced AMD is wet AMD. Wet AMD is a result of leakage and bleeding from abnormal neovascularization. The principal treatment for wet AMD is intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. A second form of advanced AMD is geographic atrophy (GA). GA refers to large areas of retinal pigment epithelium loss. In the literature, there is some concern that anti-VEGF injections administered to treat wet AMD may be associated with progression of GA. This review discusses evidence suggesting the association of anti-VEGF injections with progression of GA.

scholarly journals Management of wet AMD in an elderly patient - case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 24-30
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Nowakowska ◽  
Przemyslaw Raczkiewicz ◽  
Martyna Lewkowicz ◽  
Karolina Raksa ◽  
Karolina Urbańska
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patient ◽  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Geographic Atrophy ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Age Related ◽  
One Year ◽  
Medical University ◽  
Wet Amd

Introduction: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of central vision loss in elderly people over 50 years of age. It is characterized by the presence of drusen on the fundus and may be associated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) or geographic atrophy. AMD is a condition caused by many factors including environmental, genetic, and vascular. Currently, it affects over 25 million people worldwide, but with the progressive aging of the population, the incidence of the disease is increasing. Disease is therefore an important issue in geriatrics.Case report: A 75-year-old patient was referred to the General and Pediatric Ophthalmology Clinic of the Medical University of Lublin due to the three-week deterioration of visual acuity in the left eye. The visual acuity of the left eye was: counting fingers at a distance of 1.5 m. Initial cataracts of this eye and wet AMD were diagnosed. In July 2018. an injection of ranibizumab was administered into the vitreous humor of the left eye. After achieving an improvement in visual acuity to 0.2 (on Snellen charts), in September the patient was qualified to the Drug Program for the treatment of the wet form of AMD. From September to October 2019. the patient received 9 doses of ranibizumab. In October 2019. visual acuity improved to 0.4. In November, due to the unsatisfactory results of the therapy, the drug was changed to aflibercept. The patient received a total of 3 injections of this drug and his visual acuity improved to a value of 0.7. The last injection was given in July 2020 and the clinical condition and visual acuity stabilized. After the end of the drug program, the patient regularly shows up for checkups, and the visual acuity of the left eye has normalized since July 2020. and is now 0.4 (due in part to atrophic changes and scarring).Conclusions: Treatment of the wet form of AMD is a difficult and lengthy process. Early diagnosis of the disease, starting treatment as soon as possible, regular checkups and cooperation with the patient are very important for the success of the therapy. During 3 years of treatment, the patient experienced a significant improvement in visual acuity for one year. The treatment allowed the disease progression to slow down. The morphological condition of the retina improved. The applied treatment and management of the elderly patient turned out to be effective, and the achieved effects of the therapy are satisfactory.

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