Vaccination with a mutated variant of human Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) blocks VEGF-induced retinal neovascularization in a rabbit experimental model

Vitrectomy for Diabetic Complications: A Pooled Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Utilizing Modern Techniques and Equipment

PURPOSE

To report updated clinical outcomes in subjects undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) using modern techniques and equipment for the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)-related complications.

DESIGN

Pooled analysis of 5 randomized clinical trials conducted at the same institution and included both study and control subjects from the trials.

METHODS

There were 943 subjects who prospectively underwent small-gauge PPV with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pretreatment for PDR-related complications and completed 6-months follow up.

RESULTS

The visual acuity of the study population improved from median 2.00 (IQR 1.3, 2.3) at baseline to median 1.00 (IQR 0.5, 1.3) at 6 months. One hundred eighty-four patients (19.5%) achieved 20/50 or better acuity, and 652 patients (69.1%) achieved 20/200 or better acuity at 6 months. The vision improved or remained stable in 901 patients (95.5%), and 11 patients (1.2%) developed no light perception at 6 months. Intraoperative complications occurred in 343 cases (36.4%) of cases, and 199 cases (21.1 %) experienced a postoperative complication. The most common postoperative complication was vitreous hemorrhage in 124 cases (62.3% of all complications). Unplanned secondary PPV was necessary in 86 cases (9.1 %).

CONCLUSIONS

This study reports updated clinical outcomes in patients undergoing PPV for PDR-related complications which compares favorably to the age prior to small-gauge PPV and anti-VEGF pretreatment.

Intravitreal conbercept as an adjuvant in vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal conbercept (IVC) in pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

METHODS

A meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs) using online databases was performed. The intraoperative outcome measures were the incidence of intraoperative bleeding and endodiathermy application, and the mean surgical time. The postoperative outcome measures were mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline, postoperative vitreous clear-up time and incidence of recurrent vitreous hemorrhage (VH).

RESULTS

Eight RCTs were selected for meta-analysis. They included 409 eyes (215 eyes in IVC group and 194 eyes in no conbercept group). Preoperative IVC application was associated with less intraoperative bleeding and endodiathermy applications (RR = 0.34, 95% CI, 0.23-0.50, P < 0.00001, and RR = 0.26, 95% CI, 0.12-0.56, P = 0.0005) compared to no conbercept. It also shortened surgical time (WMD = -15.87, 95% CI, -22.04 to -9.69, P < 0.00001). In addition, preoperative or intraoperative IVC achieved better BCVA outcome (WMD = -0.37, 95% CI, -0.62 to -0.13, P = 0.003), shorter vitreous clear-up time postoperatively (WMD = -5.44, 95% CI, -6.31 to -4.57, P < 0.00001) and a lower rate of VH recurrence (RR = 0.45, 95% CI, 0.22-0.91, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

IVC is an effective adjuvant in PPV for PDR, with better intraoperative and postoperative outcomes.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Tractional Macular Detachment after Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Agent Pretreatment before Vitrectomy for Complicated Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

The study’s purpose was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of tractional macular detachment after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pretreatment before vitrectomy for complicated proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Patients who underwent primary vitrectomy for complicated proliferative diabetic retinopathy, from January 2012 to 31 December 2018, were enrolled. Ophthalmic and pre-operative data were extracted from electronic record systems. All eyes with a valuable Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)performed within 5 days before injection of anti-VEGF and on the day of vitrectomy were included. Multivariable logistic regression showed that significant risk factors for developing tractional macular detachment included days between anti-VEGF and vitrectomy (OR, 0.71 [95% CI 0.65–0.76]; p < 0.001), vitreous hemorrhage (OR, 0.23 [95% CI 0.11–0.49]; p < 0.001), and age (OR, 1.05 [95% CI 1.02–1.08]; p < 0.001). Decision-tree analysis showed that the stronger predictors of tractional macular detachment were the time between anti-VEGF injection and vitrectomy (p < 0.001). Secondary predictors were the presence of vitreous hemorrhage (p = 0.012) in eyes that underwent vitrectomy between 6 and 10 days after anti-VEGF injection and younger age (p = 0.031) in eyes that underwent vitrectomy 10 days after anti-VEGF injection. Tractional macular detachment occurs in 10% of eyes after anti-VEGF injection, the main risk factors being days between anti-VEGF injection and vitrectomy, vitreous hemorrhage, and age.

A clinical analysis of vitrectomy for severe vitreoretinopathy in patients with chronic renal

Background

The recent advancement in the management of chronic renal failure (CRF) has significantly increased the longevity of the patients, which increase the incidence of severe vitreoretinopathy. The vitrectomy is highly risky in this particular group of patients due to their systemic comorbidity. The timing surgical intervention is usually delayed because of the systemic conditions. This study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of 25-guage vitrectomy for severe vitreoretinopathy in the CRF patients.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 16 eyes of 16 CRF patients with severe vitreoretinopathy were undergone 25-guage vitrectomy in the department of Ophthalmology of the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from February 2015 to April 2017. The visual outcome, complications and perioperative medical management were documented and analyzed.

Results

The best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)of fourteen eyes were lower than 20/200 preoperatively. Surgery duration ranged from 28 to 72 min, with a mean of 48.4 ± 13.6 min. During the surgery, 12 eyes were diagnosed with DR, while two them were complicated with tractional retinal detachment and one with branch retinal vein occlusion. Three eyes were diagnosed with branch retinal vein occlusion, and one eye was diagnosed with hypertensive retinopathy. Postoperative BCVA of six eyes ≥20/40, seven eyes ≥20/200, and three eyes < 20/200. BCVA of eight eyes improved more than three lines, three eyes improved two lines, and four eyes improved one line. BCVA decreased from hand movement to light perception in one patient who developed neovascular glaucoma two weeks after surgery.

Conclusion

In chronic renal failure patients with severe vitreoretinopathy, the well-planned minimally invasive vitrectomy is effective and safe. Additionally, careful management of the perioperative systemic conditions is important to improve the visual acuity and quality of life as well.

Antivascular endothelial growth factor agents pretreatment before vitrectomy for complicated proliferative diabetic retinopathy: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Background/aims

To evaluate the efficacy of antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents pretreatment before vitrectomy for patients with complicated proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Methods

The PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched up to June 2017 to identify related studies. The Peferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were followed. The StataSE V.12.0 software was used to analyse the relevant data. The weighted mean difference, relative risk and their 95% CIs were used to assess the strength of the association.

Results

14 randomised controlled trials involving 613 patients were assessed, the anti-VEGF pretreatment group included 289 patients and the control group included 324 patients. Our analysis indicated that anti-VEGF pretreatment before vitrectomy for complicated PDR could facilitate much easier surgery regarding less intraoperative bleeding, less endodiathermy, shorter duration of surgery, less iatrogenic retinal breaks, less frequency of using silicone oil and relaxing retinotomy (P<0.05). Additionally, anti-VEGF pretreatment could also achieve better postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, less early recurrent vitreous haemorrhage (VH) and quicker absorption of recurrent VH (P<0.05). However, the incidence of late recurrent VH, recurrent retinal detachment or related secondary surgery could not be reduced (P>0.05).

Conclusion

The pretreatment of anti-VEGF agents before vitrectomy for patients with complicated PDR might facilitate much easier surgery and better visual rehabilitation, reduce the rate of early recurrent VH and accelerate its absorption. Moreover, future better-designed studies with larger sample sizes are required to further evaluate the efficacy of different anti-VEGF agents and reach a firmer conclusion.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Conbercept Pretreatment before Vitrectomy in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose. To determine the efficacy and safety of preoperative intravitreal conbercept (IVC) injection before vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Methods. 107 eyes of 88 patients that underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for active PDR were enrolled. All patients were assigned randomly to either preoperative IVC group or control group. Follow-up examinations were performed for three months after surgery. The primary bioactivity measures were severity of intraoperative bleeding, incidence of early and late recurrent VH, vitreous clear-up time, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) levels. The secondary safety measures included intraocular pressure, endophthalmitis, rubeosis, tractional retinal detachment, and systemic adverse events. Results. The incidence and severity of intraoperative bleeding were significantly lower in IVC group than in the control group. The average vitreous clear-up time of early recurrent VH was significantly shorter in IVC group compared with that in control group. There was no significant difference in vitreous clear-up time of late recurrent VH between the two groups. Patients that received pretreatment of conbercept had much better BCVA at 3 days, 1 week, and 1 month after surgery than control group. Moreover, both patients with improved BCVA were greater in IVC group than in control group at each follow-up. Conclusions. Conbercept pretreatment could be an effective adjunct to vitrectomy in accelerating postoperative vitreous clear-up and acquiring stable visual acuity restoration for PDR.