Nonglaucomatous Optic Atrophy

A bibliometric analysis of optic atrophy from 2003 to 2023: research trends and hot spots

Background

Optic atrophy (OA) is primarily caused by damage to the retinal pathway system, including widespread degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and axons, leading to visual impairment and blindness. Despite its clinical significance and diverse etiological factors, there is currently a lack of comprehensive bibliometric analyses exploring research trends and hotspots within this field.

Method

This study retrieved relevant literature on OA published between 2003 and 2023 from the Web of Science Core Collection database. We conducted a bibliometric analysis using tools such as CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and SCImago Graphica to examine annual publication trends, co-occurrence patterns, collaborative networks among countries and institutions, and the evolution of research hotspots of OA.

Results

A total of 5,274 publications were included in the bibliometric analysis, comprising 4,561 research articles and 713 review articles. The United States emerged as the leading country in OA research, followed by Germany and China. Over the past two decades, the primary research hotspots focused on "mitochondrial dysfunction," "hereditary optic neuropathy," "ocular hypertension" and "diagnostic techniques." Future research trends are likely to revolve around "molecular mechanisms" and "therapeutic targets."

Conclusion

This bibliometric analysis provides an overview of research developments in OA over the past 20 years, highlighting the emphasis on the pathological basis of OA and advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Future studies should continue to explore the molecular basis of mitochondrial dysfunction to identify potential gene therapy targets for treating OA.

Novel NR2F1 variant identified by whole-exome sequencing in a patient with Bosch-Boonstra-Schaaf optic atrophy syndrome

Bosch–Boonstra–Schaaf optic atrophy syndrome (BBSOAS) is an extremely rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by intellectual disability, developmental delay, seizures, hypotonia, hearing loss, and optic nerve atrophy. This syndrome is caused by loss-of-function variants in the nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group F member 1 (NR2F1) gene. To date, approximately 80 patients have been reported with BBSOAS. Here, we describe a 3-year-old infant with delayed development, intellectual disability, strabismus, nystagmus, and optic atrophy with well-characterized features associated with BBSOAS. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a novel heterozygous missense mutation (NM_005654.6:c.437G>A, p.Cys146Tyr) in the NR2F1 gene. This missense variant is predicted to be deleterious by the protein prediction tools (SIFT, PolyPhen-2, and MutationTaster). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first patient with BBSOAS reported from Turkey.

Demographics and etiologic characteristics of non-glaucomatous optic atrophy: a single-center cross-sectional study from Turkey

BACKGROUND

Optic atrophy is an end-stage pathology of optic nerve diseases that is characterized by optic nerve pallor and vision loss. Because of its sight-threatening effects, understanding its epidemiology and etiology is crucial. In this study, we aimed to determine the epidemiologic features of optic nerve pathologies which lead to optic atrophy.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study in which, medical records of optic atrophy patients who were followed up in our clinic between 1999 and 2020 were evaluated. Three hundred and sixty eyes of 226 patients were included in the study. Demographic data were received from the patients' files. Patients with glaucomatous optic atrophy, consecutive optic atrophy and patients with less than a year follow-up were excluded from the study.

RESULTS

The most frequent reason of optic atrophy was central nervous system diseases (27.43%) followed by secondary non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (26.99%). The most frequent etiology of optic atrophy was non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy in males and central nerve system-related pathologies in females. The highest presentation age (mean 63.6 ± 17.85 years) was observed in arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy and central nerve system-related optic atrophy had the lowest presentation age (median 14 years, IQR [34]).

CONCLUSION

Central nerve system diseases and non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathies were the most common causes of non-glaucomatous and non-consecutive optic atrophy in Turkey. Better understanding of underlying etiologies of optic atrophy may lead us to take precautions timely for irreversible optic nerve dysfunction which is an important reason of blindness.

[Modern treatment of different forms of optic nerve atrophy]

Optic nerve atrophy (ONA) is one of the most common causes of blindness and low vision in the world. The disease occurs in 60-68% of cases. The causes of optic nerve atrophy are diverse: inflammatory and vascular diseases of the optic nerve and retina, glaucoma, atherosclerosis of the main vessels of head and neck, diseases of central nervous system, intoxication of various etiologies, as well as congenital and hereditary diseases. The literature review presents data on the diagnosis and classification of optic nerve atrophy, as well as on drug and non-drug treatment in combination with physiotherapy.

Efficacy for Differentiating Nonglaucomatous Versus Glaucomatous Optic Neuropathy Using Deep Learning Systems

PURPOSE

We sought to assess the performance of deep learning approaches for differentiating nonglaucomatous optic neuropathy with disc pallor (NGON) vs glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) on color fundus photographs by the use of image recognition.

DESIGN

Development of an Artificial Intelligence Classification algorithm.

METHODS

This single-institution analysis included 3815 fundus images from the picture archiving and communication system of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital consisting of 2883 normal optic disc images, 446 NGON images, and 486 GON images. The presence of NGON and GON was interpreted by 2 expert neuro-ophthalmologists and had corroborated evidence on visual field testing and optical coherence tomography. Images were preprocessed in size and color enhancement before input. We applied the convolutional neural network (CNN) of ResNet-50 architecture. The area under the precision-recall curve (average precision) was evaluated for the efficacy of deep learning algorithms to assess the performance of classifying NGON and GON.

RESULTS

The diagnostic accuracy of the ResNet-50 model to detect GON among NGON images showed a sensitivity of 93.4% and specificity of 81.8%. The area under the precision-recall curve for differentiating NGON vs GON showed an average precision value of 0.874. False positive cases were found with extensive areas of peripapillary atrophy and tilted optic discs.

CONCLUSION

Artificial intelligence-based deep learning algorithms for detecting optic disc diseases showed excellent performance in differentiating NGON and GON on color fundus photographs, necessitating further research for clinical application.

Manual Acupuncture for Optic Atrophy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives. This systematic review aims to critically evaluate the efficacy of manual acupuncture for optic atrophy. Eight English and Chinese databases, including Cochrane Library, EMbase, PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), as well as ongoing trials registered with the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, were searched to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying manual acupuncture for optic atrophy compared to medication alone. The quality of evidence was assessed using Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager version 5.3. Nine studies were identified and included for meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed significant differences in favor of manual acupuncture or manual acupuncture plus medication compared with medication alone in the following outcome measures: visual acuity (MD = 0.18, 95% CI [0.17, 0.20], P < 0.00001), mean sensitivity of visual field (MD = 2.11, 95% CI [1.90, 2.32], P < 0.00001), the latent period of P-VEP100 (MD = -6.80, 95% CI [-8.94, -4.66], P < 0.00001), the total effectiveness (264 eyes) (OR = 3.22, 95% CI [1.88, 5.51], P<0.0001), and the total effectiveness (344 participants) (OR = 4.29, 95% CI [2.56, 7.19], P < 0.00001). Despite statistical advantages of manual acupuncture in the literature, due to serious methodological flaws in study design, it cannot be concluded that manual acupuncture is more effective than medicine alone. It is essential that a properly controlled clinical trial is designed and controls are established to exclude placebo effects.

Reconciling visual field defects and retinal nerve fibre layer asymmetric patterns in retrograde degeneration: an extended case series

BACKGROUND

Accurate diagnosis in patients presenting with lesions at various locations within the visual pathway is challenging. This study investigated functional and structural changes secondary to such lesions to identify patterns useful to guide early and effective management.

METHODS

Over 10,000 records from patients referred for optic nerve head assessment were reviewed and 31 patients with a final diagnosis of likely neuropathic lesions posterior to the eye were included in the current study. Fundus photographs, optic coherence tomography images and visual field tests were evaluated for changes with respect to retinal nerve fibre layer topography and prediction of structure-function paradigms. Emerging clinical patterns were examined for their consistency with the likely anatomical origin of the underlying insult in the presence of varying diagnoses.

RESULTS

Data from patients with lesions along the visual system allowed identification of retinal nerve fibre layer asymmetry correlated with visual field defects and ganglion cell analysis. Bilateral discordance in retinal nerve fibre loss easily discernible from an altered pattern of the temporal-superior-nasal-inferior-temporal curve was characteristic for post-chiasmal lesions. These sometimes-subtle changes supported diagnosis in cases with multiple aetiologies or with ambiguous visual field analysis and/or ganglion cell loss.

CONCLUSION

Intricate knowledge of the retinal architecture and projections allows coherent predictions of functional and structural deficits following various lesions affecting the visual pathway. The integration of adjunct imaging and retinal nerve fibre layer thinning will assist clinicians to guide clinical investigations toward a likely diagnosis in the light of significant individual variations. The case series presented in this study aids in differential diagnosis of retrograde optic neuropathies by using retinal nerve fibre layer asymmetric patterns as an important clinical marker.

Clinical characteristics of nonglaucomatous optic disc cupping

Pathological optic disc cupping (ODC) is predominantly referred to as glaucoma; however, it is not only glaucoma that leads to pathological optic disc excavation. A number of other nonglaucomatous diseases also result in optic atrophy and excavation of the optic disc. Therefore, in the present study, the etiology of nonglaucomatous optic disc cupping (NGODC) was analyzed and differentiated from glaucomatous optic disc cupping (GODC). The morphology and clinical data of 19 eyes, from 12 patients exhibiting NGODC, were analyzed. Of the 12 cases, none were diagnosed with glaucoma, four presented with optic neuritis, one with Devic’s disease, one with Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy, two with pituitary adenoma, one with basal ganglia cerebral hemorrhage, one with cilioretinal artery occlusion associated with central retinal vein occlusion, one with central retinal artery occlusion and the remaining patient exhibited optic nerve injuries. The key features that differentiated NGODC from GODC were the color of the optic disc rim and the correlation between visual field defects and the disc appearance. The focally notched disc also aided in distinguishing between the two disorders. The results of the present study indicated that it is critical to acknowledge that nonglaucomatous diseases also lead to ODC and that distinguishing between them is necessary.