scholarly journals A comparative analysis of the course of wet age-related macular degeneration in eyes with incipient cataract and in eyes after phacoemulsification

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
Yuriy Sergeyevich Astakhov ◽  
Nikita Yur’yevich Dal’ ◽  
Natal’ya Viktorovna Chistyakova

Many patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) also have a cataract in the same eye. Because there is a theoretical risk of progression of the degenerative processes in the macular area after surgical lens removal, this raises some ethical, clinical and economical questions for ophthalmologists. The purpose of the study was to compare the course of wet AMD in eyes with incipient cataract and the course in eyes after surgical cataract removal. Materials and methods: 135 eyes with wet AMD, 48 eyes - treated group - were subjects to phacoemulsification during the study, 87 eyes - control group - with incipient cataract without indications for surgery. Regular visits every 1.5 months during 2 years of follow-up with visual acuity testing, central retinal thickness analysis by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Anti-VEGF injections were performed according to a PRN regimen. Results: there was no statistically significant difference in visual acuity, central retinal thickness, intravitreal injection frequency between both groups during the study period. Conclusions: No influence of phacoemulsification on the wet AMD course was found.

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 543-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne Fulcher ◽  
Charlotte A Hazel ◽  
Ian Pacey ◽  
Hasan Ali ◽  
Faruque D Ghanchi

Background/objectives: There is a significant variation in the way neovascular age-related macular degeneration patients respond to anti–vascular endothelial growth factor treatment. Both the financial and time cost of treatment are significant. As such, being able to predict patient response to treatment is valuable. Subjects/methods: 72 eyes treated with intravitreal aflibercept were retrospectively included in analysis. For each subject, visual acuity (letters) and central retinal thickness (µm) at baseline, second, third and fourth visits, as well as 12-month visits, were collated; a plot of visual acuity versus time was generated and a slope of the first three (slope3) and first four (slope4) visits was calculated. Differences in visual acuity at each visit compared to baseline were determined, as well as percentage differences in central retinal thickness at each visit compared to baseline. Lesion sub-type and the presence of fluid and haemorrhage were also recorded. Results: The average change in visual acuity over 12 months was +3.2 ± 13.4 letters with 91.2% of patients losing <15 letters. Slope4 was the only significant predictive factor for ‘visual acuity change over 12 months’ ( p < 0.001). Change in central retinal thickness, lesion sub-type, haemorrhage at baseline and the location of fluid at baseline were not useful predictive factors in long-term outcome. Conclusion: Aflibercept is an effective treatment option for neovascular age-related macular degeneration; however, the long-term response should not be predicted until at least three loading dose injections have been given. Visual acuity measures at each visit should be examined, as it is the trend in visual acuity across the first four visits (slope4) rather than the difference in visual acuity between two visits that is the predictive factor.


2020 ◽  
pp. 112067212096874
Author(s):  
María Cinta Puell ◽  
Francisco Javier Hurtado-Ceña ◽  
María Jesús Pérez-Carrasco ◽  
Inés Contreras

Purpose/Aim: To examine whether central retinal thickness (CRT) is related to mesopic visual acuity (VA) and low luminance deficit (LLD, difference between photopic and mesopic VA) in eyes with early and intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 50 pseudophakic subjects older than 63 years were divided into three groups (no AMD, early AMD and intermediate AMD). Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was used to measure CRT in the 1 mm-central-area. Best-corrected distance VA was measured under photopic or mesopic luminance conditions and LLD calculated. Subjects were stratified by VA impairment to compare CRTs across these groups. Relationships were examined by stepwise multiple linear regression. Results: No significant differences in mean CRT, photopic and mesopic VA or LLD were detected between the groups no AMD, early AMD and intermediate AMD. However, mean CRTs were 20 microns and 18 microns thicker in the eyes with impaired mesopic VA (> 0.3 logMAR) and impaired LLD (⩾ 0.3 logMAR) compared to the eyes with non-impaired VA or LLD respectively (both p < 0.01). CRT and mesopic pupil size were independent predictors of mesopic VA ( p  = 0.001). CRT emerged as the only independent predictor of LLD ( p  = 0.004). Conclusions: Increased CRT was linked to worse retinal function when measured under mesopic conditions in eyes without AMD and eyes with early to intermediate AMD. SD-OCT imaging combined with VA measurements under low luminance conditions could be a useful tool to detect early AMD.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Rencová ◽  
Milan Bláha ◽  
Jan Studnička ◽  
Vladimír Bláha ◽  
Miriam Lánská ◽  
...  

Aim. To evaluate the long-term effect of rheohemapheresis (RHF) treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) on photoreceptor IS/OS junction status.Methods. In our study, we followed 24 patients with dry AMD and drusenoid retinal pigment epithelium detachment (DPED) for a period of more than 2.5 years. Twelve patients (22 eyes) were treated by RHF and 12 controls (18 eyes) were randomized. The treated group underwent 8 RHF standardized procedures. We evaluated best-corrected visual acuity, IS/OS junction status (SD OCT), and macular function (multifocal electroretinography) at baseline and at 2.5-year follow-up.Results. RHF caused a decrease of whole-blood viscosity/plasma viscosity at about 15/12%. BCVA of treated patients increased insignificantlyP=0.187from median 74.0 letters (56.2 to 81.3 letters) to median 79.0 letters (57.3 to 83.4 letters), but it decreased significantly from 74.0 letters (25.2 to 82.6 letters) to 72.5 letters (23.4 to 83.1 letters) in the control groupP=0.041. The mfERG responses in the region of eccentricity between 1.8° and 7° were significantly higher in treated patientsP=0.04.Conclusions. RHF contributed to sparing of photoreceptor IS/OS junction integrity in the fovea, which is assumed to be a predictive factor for preservation of visual acuity.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Figurska ◽  
Marek Rękas

Background and Objectives: Wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) is a chronic, progressive disease of the central part of the retina. Standard treatment for wAMD consists of multiple intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs. The study goal was to evaluate the three-year effectiveness of wAMD treatment with aflibercept and ranibizumab as part of the therapeutic program in routine clinical practice. Materials and Methods: 1430 patients (possessing 1430 wAMD eyes) with median age of 78.0 years (71.0, 83.0) were enrolled in a non-randomized, retrospective, observational, multicenter study; 804 (56.2%) eyes were treatment-naïve. Therapy was carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the treatment program (the fixed or pro re nata regimen). Results: After the first year of treatment, there was a gain of 2.03 (12.15) letters; after the second, 0.94 (13.72) (p ˂ 0.001); and after the third, 0.17 (14.05) (p ˂ 0.001). There was a significant reduction in the central retinal thickness. In the first year, the patients received 7.00 (5.00, 8.00) injections. In the following years, a significantly lower number of injections (4.00 (2.00, 5.00)) was administered. After the first year, there was a significant difference in the distribution of the best corrected visual acuity according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study protocol, with more frequent values in the ranges > 35 ≤ 70 for this parameter and > 70 letters in the treatment naïve eye subgroup. After the first year, central retinal thickness in treatment-naïve eyes was significantly reduced. Conclusions: Regular treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration as part of the treatment program achieves functional stabilization and significant morphological improvement over a long-term, three-year follow-up, with significantly fewer injections needed after the first year of treatment.


Author(s):  
George W. Rozakis ◽  
Brian A. Bakke

The objective of the Hormones, Oxidative stress, Methylation, Inflammation and Gene expression (HOMING) trial was to assess the efficacy of personalized bio identical hormone, dietary supplement and nutritional care plans on dry and wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) outcomes.  We evaluated 220 Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) patients that followed a personalized clinical care plan for up to 9 months.   The care plans consisted of bio identical hormones, dietary supplements and nutrition recommendations with the objective to improve lab and clinical measurements linked to oxidative stress, inflammation and gene expression.  Serum concentrations of CRP, HbA1c and homocysteine responded favorably to the HOMING protocol with full program compliance. Sixty percent (42/70) of wet AMD patients reported improvement in visual acuity and/or a reduction in the frequency of anti-VEGF injections during the study period.  Forty eight percent (44/92) of dry AMD patients reported improvement in visual acuity during the study period.  Nine percent (4/45) patients reported improvement in visual acuity in the dry AMD control group and no (0/13) wet AMD patients in the control group reported improvement.  Six percent (4/70) of wet AMD patients reported that their vision declined and/or that their F frequency increased during the study period.  Five percent (4/92) of dry AMD patients reported that their vision was worse.  Keywords:  Bio identical Hormones, Oxidative stress, Methylation, Inflammation, Gene Expression, Nutrition and AMD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 62 (7) ◽  
pp. 939-947
Author(s):  
Young-Je Choi ◽  
Woong-Sun Yoo ◽  
Yong-Wun Cho ◽  
Yu-Jin Choi ◽  
In Young Chung

Purpose: This study investigated the 1-year outcomes of a treat-and-extend regimen of ranibizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration and examined the clinical results when drug treatment was changed within the same period. Methods: This retrospective analysis included 32 eyes first diagnosed with wet age-related macular degeneration and treated for more than 1 year with a treat-and-extend regimen of ranibizumab, as well as 24 eyes treated by changing from ranibizumab to aflibercept within the same period. The injection number, maximum injection interval, change in central retinal thickness, and best-corrected visual acuity were assessed in all eyes. Results: In 32 eyes that received a treat-and-extend regimen of ranibizumab, the mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from 59.46 ± 15.13 to 68.00 ± 12.48 at 12 months (p < 0.0001). The mean central retinal thickness decreased from 409 ± 141 μm to 273 ± 89 μm at 12 months (p < 0.0001). The average number of injections per year was 7.2 ± 0.85. One complication related to the 12 months of injections was a tear in the retinal pigment epithelium; no systemic complications were observed. Of 24 eyes that underwent a change in medication, the rate of maintenance or improvement in initial visual acuity was 83% (10 eyes). The central retinal thickness was initially 371.58 ± 109.96 μm, but improved to 290.33 ± 58.66 μm in 12 eyes that received three injections of aflibercept. Conclusions: At 1 year, good outcomes were obtained using treat-and-extend ranibizumab for exudative age-related macular degeneration. When the treatment was changed to aflibercept within the same period, vision was often maintained and short-term anatomical improvement was evident.


Author(s):  
В.В. Потемкин ◽  
С.Ю. Астахов ◽  
Ван Сяоюань ◽  
А.Р. Потемкина ◽  
Л.К. Аникина ◽  
...  

Цель работы - оценка влияния пседовэксфолиативного синдрома (ПЭС) на толщину центральной зоны сетчатки по данным оптической когерентной томографии (ОКТ) и на стадию возрастной макулярной дегенерации (ВМД) в соответствии с критериями AREDS у лиц старшей возрастной группы, проживающих в Санкт-Петербурге. Были обследованы 25 пациентов (30 глаз) пожилого возраста с ПЭС и 25 пациентов (29 глаз) пожилого возраста контрольной группы, не имеющих признаков ПЭС. Сравнение между группами проводили по следующим признакам: толщина сетчатки в фовеа и средняя толщина сетчатки в парафовеа по данным ОКТ-исследования, а также стадия ВМД в соответствии критериям AREDS. Толщина сетчатки в фовеа и средняя толщина сетчатки в парафовеа не имела статистически значимой разницы для двух групп (p>0,05). Также между двумя группами не было обнаружено разницы в стадии ВМД, установленной в соответствии с критериями AREDS (p>0,05). Показано, что наличие ПЭС не влияет на толщину центральной зоны сетчатки и на стадию ВМД у лиц пожилого возраста, проживающих в Санкт-Петербурге. Это позволяет предположить отсутствие прямой связи между этими двумя ассоциированными с возрастом заболеваниями, а выявленные в ряде работ признаки истончения макулярной зоны сетчатки рассматривать как признак возрастных изменений. Purpose: to evaluate the effect of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF) on the stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and central retinal thickness, measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in elderly patients living in Saint-Petersburg. 25 elderly patients (30 eyes) with PXF and 25 age-matched patients (29 eyes) without PXF (control group) were included in the study. Retinal thickness in fovea and parafovea as well as AMD stage were compared in the groups. Thickness of fovea and parafovea was measured with OCT, the stage of AMD was graded according AREDS criteria. The mean fovea and parafovea thickness in PXS group were not significantly different compared with control group (p>0,05). There was no significant difference between two groups in the stage of AMD, graded according AREDS criteria (p>0,05). The effect of PXS on central retinal thickness and the stage of AMD was not found in Saint-Petersburg elderly population.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Griffin ◽  
Preston P. Richmond ◽  
John C. Olson

Purpose. To assess whether intravitreal aflibercept (2.0 mg) can effectively reduce persistent macular exudate and enhance visual acuity in ranibizumab (0.5 mg) and/or bevacizumab (1.25 mg) treatment resistant patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.Methods. This retrospective study included 47 treatment resistant eyes from 47 patients switched to intravitreal aflibercept injections after receiving a minimum of 3 injections with either ranibizumab or bevacizumab. Snellen visual acuity and optical coherence tomography were assessed just prior to the first injection (baseline) and prior to the fourth injection (final). Additionally, anatomical regions of persistent macular exudate were tracked to determine if these areas yielded varying responses to aflibercept.Results. At baseline, patients had received an average of 11.3 injections with any prior anti-VEGF drug (SD 5.96). For whole group analysis, baseline and final central retinal thickness were 370.57 µm and 295.7 µm (P≤.001), respectively. Baseline and final retinal fluid volumes were 4.81 mm3and 4.37 mm3(P≤.001), respectively. Baseline and final logMAR were 0.56 and 0.53 (P=0.301), respectively. Anatomic location of persistent exudate did not appreciably alter treatment outcome.Conclusion. Central retinal thickness and total retinal fluid volume were reduced in ranibizumab and/or bevacizumab treatment resistant patients following three aflibercept injections. No appreciable change in visual acuity was noted.


2020 ◽  
pp. 90-96
Author(s):  
Darina Aleksandrovna Konovalova

Age−related macular degeneration is a threatening pathology, gradually leading to a complete loss of central vision, which adversely affects an individual physically and emotionally as well as socially, reducing the life quality of such patients. To analyze the anatomical and functional results of intravitreal injections of aflibercept in the patients with exudative age−related macular degeneration, 47 patients a were prospectively studied. Intravitreal injections of aflibercept were performed by the same surgeon under aseptic operating conditions at a dosage of 2 mg, which was 0.05 ml of the drug. All patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, which included visometry, autoceratorefractometry, tonometry, biomicroscopy, and ophthalmoscopy under medical mydriasis, as well as optical coherence tomography. The study took place before the intravitreal administration of aflibercept, one month after each of the three loading injections, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively, after the start of treatment, and 4 weeks after the fourth injection, which was performed 8 weeks after the third loading. The total follow−up period was 24 weeks. For assessing the anatomical and functional efficiency of the treatment the changes in visual acuity, which were adjusted as well as those in the central retinal thickness according to optical coherence tomography were accepted as the criteria. The treatment results showed a significant increase in visual acuity of patients with the most significant increase in the index at week 12 from the beginning of therapy, as well as to a statistically significant decrease in the central retinal thickness within six months of observation. It is obvious that a consistent use of this drug is necessary to achieve stable treatment results. Key words: exudative age−related macular degeneration, visual acuity, central retinal thickness, intravitreal antiangiogenic therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-173
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Wichrowska ◽  
Jarosław Kocięcki ◽  
Wojciech Suda

Introduction: Aflibercept and ranibizumab have become the most used drugs in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. Some patients; however, do not respond to aflibercept and ranibizumab treatment. Our aim was to determine whether the switch from aflibercept to ranibizumab, and then switchback, is effective in a group of patients poorly responding to aflibercept. We assessed best corrected visual acuity, central retinal thickness, and the presence of intra- and subretinal fluid (respectively). Material and methods: We conducted a retrospective comparative case series study. Twenty eyes of 20 patients, who had no inhibition of disease activity after at least one year of treatment with aflibercept, were included in the study. If after switch to ranibizumab the response to the drug was again inadequate, we returned to aflibercept. We divided the study population into two groups: treatment- naïve and patients who had received injections before entering the Drug Program for the Treatment of Age-Related Exudative Macular Degeneration. Results: We observed an improvement in both best corrected visual acuity and central retinal thickness parameters, but only in the treatment-naïve group. We did not observe any statistically credible effects for sub- and intraretinal fluid in the studied groups. Conclusions: Drug conversion may be beneficial for patients poorly responding to primary therapy. Greater improvement is seen in previously untreated patients.


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