scholarly journals The prevalence of undiagnosed age-related sight threatening diseases in self-proclaimed healthy individuals

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Lemmens ◽  
João Barbosa Breda ◽  
Karel Van Keer ◽  
Tine Jacobs ◽  
Ruben Van Landeghem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Ophthalmological Examination ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Medical Questionnaire

Abstract Background Age-related conditions such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DRP) and cataract have become the major cause of visual impairment and blindness in high-income countries and carry a major socio-economic burden. The aim of the current study is to investigate the prevalence of age-related eye diseases such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and cataract in a cohort of self-proclaimed healthy elderly, and thus get a rough estimation of the prevalence of undiagnosed age-related eye conditions in the Belgian population.Methods Individuals aged 55 and older without ophthalmological complaints were asked to fill in a general medical questionnaire and underwent an ophthalmological examination, which included a biomicroscopic examination, intraocular pressure measurement, axial length measurement, and acquisition of fundus pictures and Optical Coherence Tomography scans. Information regarding follow-up was collected in the subset of participants who received the advice of referral to an ophthalmologist or the advice to have more frequent follow-up visits, based on the ophthalmological changes detected in their evaluation.Results The cohort included 102 people and comprised 46% men (median age 70 years, range 57-85 years). Referral for additional examinations based on clinical findings, was made in 26 participants (25%). The advice to have more regular follow-up ophthalmologist visits was given to nine additional participants (9%). No significant correlations between baseline characteristics, including eye care consumption, and the need for referral could be identified. Follow-up information was available for 25 out of 26 referred volunteers (96%). Out of these, four (16%) underwent a therapeutical intervention based on study referral, up until 18 months after study participation. All four interventions took place in the age group 65 - 74 years.Conclusions This study shows that even in an elderly population with self-proclaimed healthy eyes and good general health, a significant proportion of subjects showed ocular findings that need regular follow up and/or intervention. Moreover, the frequency of prior ophthalmological examinations does not seem to be relevant to this proportion, meaning that everyone above 55 years old needs a routine ophthalmological evaluation.

scholarly journals The Prevalence of Undiagnosed Age-Related Sight-Threatening Diseases in Self-Proclaimed Healthy Individuals

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Sophie Lemmens ◽  
João Barbosa Breda ◽  
Karel Van Keer ◽  
Tine Jacobs ◽  
Ruben Van Landeghem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Ophthalmological Examination ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Study Evaluation ◽  
Belgian Population ◽  
Medical Questionnaire ◽  
Made In

Background. Age-related conditions such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and cataract have become the major cause of visual impairment and blindness in high-income countries. The aim of the current study is to investigate the prevalence of these eye diseases in a cohort of self-proclaimed healthy elderly and thus get a rough estimation of the prevalence of undiagnosed age-related eye conditions in the Belgian population. Methods. Individuals aged 55 and older without ophthalmological complaints were asked to fill in a general medical questionnaire and underwent an ophthalmological examination, which included a biomicroscopic examination, intraocular pressure measurement, axial length measurement, and acquisition of fundus pictures and optical coherence tomography scans. Information regarding follow-up was collected in those who received the advice of referral to an ophthalmologist or the advice to have more frequent follow-up visits, based on their study evaluation. Results. The cohort included 102 people and comprised 46% men (median age 70 years, range 57–85 years). Referral for additional examinations was made in 26 participants (25%). The advice to have more regular follow-up ophthalmologist visits was given to nine additional participants (9%). No significant correlations between baseline characteristics and the need for referral could be identified. Follow-up information was available for 25 out of 26 referred volunteers. Out of these, four underwent a therapeutic intervention based on study referral, up until 18 months after study participation. All four interventions took place in the age group 65–74 years. Conclusions. This study shows that, even in an elderly population with self-proclaimed healthy eyes and good general health, a significant proportion of subjects showed ocular findings that need regular follow-up and/or intervention. The frequency of prior ophthalmological examinations does not seem to be relevant to this proportion, meaning that everyone above 55 years old needs a routine ophthalmological evaluation.

scholarly journals Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Clinical Findings following Treatment with Antiangiogenic Drugs

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Casaroli-Marano ◽  
Roberto Gallego-Pinazo ◽  
Clemencia Torrón Fernández-Blanco ◽  
Marta S. Figueroa ◽  
Begoña Pina Marín ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Loading Dose ◽  
Vegf Inhibitors ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Antiangiogenic Drugs ◽  
Antiangiogenic Drug

Purpose. To survey the management of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD) in Spain.Methods. An observational retrospective multicenter study was conducted. The variables analyzed were sociodemographic characteristics, foveal and macular thickness, visual acuity (VA), type of treatment, number of injections, and the initial administration of a loading dose of an antiangiogenic drug.Results. 208 patients were followed up during 23.4 months in average. During the first and second years, patients received a mean of4.5±1.8and1.6±2.1injections of antiangiogenic drugs, and5.4±2.8and3.6±2.2follow-up visits were performed, respectively. The highest improvement in VA was observed at 3 months of follow-up, followed by a decrease in the response that stabilized above baseline values until the end of the study. Patients who received an initial loading dose presented greater VA gains than those without.Conclusions. Our results suggest the need for a more standardized approach in the management and diagnosis of nvAMD receiving VEGF inhibitors. To achieve the visual outcomes reported in pivotal trials, an early diagnosis, proactive approach (more treating than follow-up visits), and a close monitoring might be the key to successfully manage nvAMD.

scholarly journals Our Experience of Nutraceutical Effects in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 804-810
Author(s):  
S. V. Yanchenko ◽  
A. V. Malyshev ◽  
S. N. Sakhnov ◽  
A. S. Balayan ◽  
A. A. Sergienko
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Ophthalmological Examination ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Allergic Skin ◽  
Active Supplement ◽  
Allergic Skin Reaction ◽  
Observation Period

Purpose: to assess the possibilities of ophthalmonutraceuticals using in age-related macular degeneration (AND) patients.Patients Methods. The study included 35 patients (68.3 ± 6.3 years old; 15 men, 20 women) with AMD (AREDS-2 and AREDS-3 categories). As an ophthalmic nutraceutical, a biological active supplement was used, included vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxantine, cooper, selenium (Retinorm; 3 capsules per day with meals). The observation period was 12 months (6 courses of therapy). There were the main control points: examination at study entry and examination at study completion. All those observed patients were underwent standard ophthalmological examination; fundus state photo registration (Nidek); OCT (Opto-Vue). The significance of a possible increase in the proportion of AREDS-3–4 AMD category patients was assessed using the Pearson γ2 test. An additional criterion was the maximum corrected visual acuity (MCVA) stabilization. The mean and its standard deviation (M ± s) were calculated, the significance of differences was assessed using the Wilcoxon’s t-test.Results. The study was completed in 33 patients. In 2 eyes a transition of AMD from the AREDS-2 to AREDS-3 category was recorded (an increase in the number and size of druses, with the appearance of large druses). The increase in the proportion of patients with the AREDS-3 AMD category was statistically insignificant (γ2 = 0.267; p = 0.606). In no case was there a transition to the AREDS-4 category. In the vast majority of those who completed the study (31 eyes; 93.9 %), the manifestations of AMD were stable, which, taking in account the chosen criterion, allows us to consider nutraceutical support to be affective. MCVA during the observation period also remained stable with a slight, but statistically insignificant tendency to its increase (from 0.72 ± 0.07 to 0.75 ± 0.09; t = 37.5, p > 0.05). One patient was excluded from the study after 6 months of observation due to development of an allergic skin reaction (presumably to the components of a nutraceutical). In the vast majority of patients (97.1%), no significant side effects of therapy were observed, the nutraceutical regimen was comfortable. One more patient was excluded from the study (after 3 months) due to his failure to appear for next follow-up examination.Conclusion. The use of Retinorm ophthalmonutraceutical can stabilize the manifestations of AMD (AREDS-2–3) in 93.9 % of patients with follow-up periods of up to 12 months. Repeated courses of therapy in 97.1 % of patients are not accompanied by significant side effects, and the regimen for taking ophthalmonutraceuticals is characterized by patients as comfortable. 

Aflibercept in real-life for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration using a treat and extend protocol: The Armada study

2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110057
Author(s):  
Pierre Gascon ◽  
Prithvi Ramtohul ◽  
Charles Delaporte ◽  
Sébastien Kerever ◽  
Danièle Denis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Cumulative Number ◽  
Treat And Extend ◽  
Treatment Interval ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Treatment Naïve ◽  
The Mean

Purpose: To report the visual and anatomic outcomes in treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients treated with aflibercept under a standardized Treat and Extend (T&E) protocol for up to 3 years of follow-up in “real-life” practice. Methods: This retrospective, observational, multicenter study included patients with treatment-naïve nAMD and at least 12 months of follow-up. T&E regimen adjustment was initiated after loading phase. At each visit best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography parameters were performed. Results: One hundred and thirty-six eyes of 115patients had at least 1 year of follow-up with 114 and 82 eyes completing at least 2 and 3 years of follow-up, respectively (mean follow-up duration: 2.7 ± 1.3 years). Mean age was 78.6 ± 8.6 years old and 52% were women. Mean BCVA increased from 60.6 ± 18.7 letters at diagnosis to 66.9 ± 16.2 letters at 1 year (+6.3 letters, p = 0.003) and remained stable throughout the follow-up period (63.1 ± 20.3 letters (+2.5, p = 0.1) and 64.0 ± 20.1 letters (+3.4, p = 0.27) at 2 and 3 years, respectively). The mean central retinal thickness decreased significantly from 358.2 ± 87.9 µm at baseline to 302 ± 71.7 µm at 12 months and maintained stable after 36 months of follow-up (297.1 ± 76 µm, p < 0.0001). Mean number of injections was 6.6 ± 2.2, 4.8 ± 1.9, and 5.6 ± 1.7 at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Mean cumulative number of 16.4 ± 5.6 injections after 3 years. Mean treatment interval was 6.8 ± 2.5 weeks at 1 year. Eight-week and 12-week treatment interval were achieved in 59.5% and 19.1%, 65.8%, and 36.8% and 69.5% and 41.5% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that intravitreal injections of aflibercept initiated under a standardized T&E for patients with treatment-naïve nAMD allow for significant visual improvement at 12 months, which was maintained over a 3-year follow-up period.

scholarly journals Subthreshold laser treatment for reticular pseudodrusen secondary to age-related macular degeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Querques ◽  
Riccardo Sacconi ◽  
Francesco Gelormini ◽  
Enrico Borrelli ◽  
Francesco Prascina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Laser Treatment ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Treated Area ◽  
Reticular Pseudodrusen ◽  
End Point ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Subthreshold Laser

AbstractThere is a lack of treatment aimed at the regression of reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The aim of this prospective, pilot study is to evaluate the safety and short-term efficacy of subthreshold laser treatment (SLT) in patients affected by RPD secondary to dry AMD (dAMD). Twenty eyes of 20 patients (mean age 78.4 ± 6.8 years) with RPD secondary to dAMD were prospectively enrolled. All patients were treated in an extrafoveal area of 1.27 mm2 using end-point management yellow subthreshold laser and followed for 3 months. Best-corrected visual acuity was 0.140 ± 0.09 LogMAR at the baseline and no changes were observed during the follow-up (p = 0.232). No significant worsening was disclosed before and after the treatment analyzing the macular sensitivity of the treated area (p = 0.152). No topical and/or systemic side effects were disclosed during the 3-month follow-up. The distribution among the RPD stages changed after the treatment (p < 0.001). In detail, in the treated area, we observed a significant increase in the number of Stage 1 RPD during the follow-up (p = 0.002), associated with a significant decrease of Stage 3 RPD (p = 0.020). Outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness analysis showed a significant increase after the treatment associated with RPD regression (p = 0.001). End-point management SLT appears a safe treatment for RPD secondary to dAMD, showing short-term safety outcomes. Our results suggest that SLT could be effective in inducing a RPD regression in terms of RPD stage and ONL thickening.

scholarly journals Plasma Lutein, a Nutritional Biomarker for Development of Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Alienor Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 2047
Author(s):  
Bénédicte M. J. Merle ◽  
Audrey Cougnard-Grégoire ◽  
Jean-François Korobelnik ◽  
Wolfgang Schalch ◽  
Stéphane Etheve ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazard ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazard Models ◽  
Adjusted Model ◽  
Reduced Risk

Lutein and zeaxanthin may lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We evaluated the associations of plasma lutein and zeaxanthin with the incidence of advanced AMD in the Alienor study (Antioxydants Lipides Essentiels Nutrition et Maladies Oculaires). Alienor study is a prospective population-based cohort of 963 residents of Bordeaux, France, who were 73 years or older at baseline (2006–2008). The present study included 609 participants with complete ophthalmologic and plasma carotenoids data. Examinations were performed every two years over an eight-year period (2006 to 2017). Plasma lutein and zeaxanthin were determined at baseline from fasting blood samples using high-performance liquid chromatography. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess associations between plasma lutein, zeaxanthin, and their (total cholesterol (TC) + triglycerides (TG)) ratios with AMD. Among the 609 included participants, 54 developed advanced incident AMD during a median follow-up time of 7.6 years (range 0.7 to 10.4). Participants with higher plasma lutein had a reduced risk for incident advanced AMD in the fully adjusted model (HR = 0.63 per 1-SD increase (95% CI, 0.41–0.97), p = 0.03). A similar association was observed using the lutein/(TC + TG) ratio (HR = 0.59 (95% CI, 0.39–0.90), p = 0.01). No associations were evidenced for other carotenoids. Higher plasma lutein was associated with a 37% reduced risk of incident advanced AMD.

scholarly journals The Spectrum of Central Choriocapillaris Abnormalities on Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in the Fellow Eye of Unilateral Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients: From Flow Deficits to Subclinical Non-Exudative Neovascularization

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2658
Author(s):  
Alexis Khorrami Kashi ◽  
Eric Souied ◽  
Selim Fares ◽  
Enrico Borrelli ◽  
Vittorio Capuano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Coherence Tomography ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Optical Coherence ◽  
Swept Source ◽  
Exudative Amd ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Fellow Eyes

We evaluated the spectrum of choriocapillaris (CC) abnormalities in the fellow eyes of unilateral exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA). Fellow eyes of unilateral exudative AMD patients were prospectively included between May 2018 and October 2018. Patients underwent a multimodal imaging including a SS-OCTA. Demographics and clinical findings were analyzed. The estimated prevalence of macular neovascularization (MNV) was computed. Number and size of flow deficits (FDs) and percentage of flow deficits (FD%) were computed on the compensated CC flow images with the Fiji software. We included 97 eyes of 97 patients (mean age was 80 ± 7.66 years, 39 males, 58 females). The prevalence of MNV in the studied eyes was 8.25% (8/97 eyes). In the 89 non-neovascular eyes, FD% averaged 45.84% ± 11.63%, with a corresponding total area of FDs of 4.19 ± 1.12 mm2. There was a higher prevalence of drusenoid pigment epithelial detachment in eyes with subclinical neovascularization (p = 0.021). Fellow eyes with unilateral exudative AMD encompassed a series of CC abnormalities, from FDs of the aging CC to subclinical non-exudative MNV.

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.

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