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Lujan BJ, Griffin S, Makhijani VS, Antony BJ, Chew EY, Roorda A, McDonald HR. DIRECTIONAL OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY IMAGING OF MACULAR PATHOLOGY. Retina 2024; 44:1124-1133. [PMID: 38564762 PMCID: PMC11189747 DOI: 10.1097/iae.0000000000004105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To survey the impact of directional reflectivity on structures within optical coherence tomography images in retinal pathology. METHODS Sets of commercial optical coherence tomography images taken from multiple pupil positions were analyzed. These directional optical coherence tomography sets revealed directionally reflective structures within the retina. After ensuring sufficient image quality, resulting hybrid and composite images were characterized by assessing the Henle fiber layer, outer nuclear layer, ellipsoid zone, and interdigitation zone. Additionally, hybrid images were reviewed for novel directionally reflective pathological features. RESULTS Cross-sectional directional optical coherence tomography image sets were obtained in 75 eyes of 58 patients having a broad range of retinal pathologies. All cases showed improved visualization of the outer nuclear layer/Henle fiber layer interface, and outer nuclear layer thinning was, therefore, more apparent in several cases. The ellipsoid zone and interdigitation zone also demonstrated attenuation where a geometric impact of underlying pathology affected their orientation. Misdirected photoreceptors were also noted as a consistent direction-dependent change in ellipsoid zone reflectivity between regions of normal and absent ellipsoid zone. CONCLUSION Directional optical coherence tomography enhances the understanding of retinal anatomy and pathology. This optical contrast yields more accurate identification of retinal structures and possible imaging biomarkers for photoreceptor-related pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon J. Lujan
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, 545 SW Campus Drive, Portland, OR 97239
| | - Shane Griffin
- Department of Ophthalmology, California Pacific Medical Center, 711 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 250, San Francisco, CA 94102
| | - Vikram S. Makhijani
- Department of Ophthalmology, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, 3782 W Martin Luther King Jr, Los Angeles, CA 90008
| | - Bhavna J. Antony
- Federation University Australia, University Dr, Mount Helen VIC 3350, Australia
| | - Emily Y. Chew
- National Eye Institute, 31 Center Drive MSC 2510, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Austin Roorda
- Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of California, Berkeley, 485 Minor Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720
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Ríos HA, Lövestam-Adrian M, Plainis S, Tsilimbaris M, Joussen AM, Keegan D, Charles M, Cunha-Vaz J, Midena E. Additional measures of macular function beyond visual acuity. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2024; 262:1723-1736. [PMID: 37938378 PMCID: PMC11106142 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-023-06272-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Visual function is a complex process in which external visual stimuli are interpreted. Patients with retinal diseases and prolonged follow-up times may experience changes in their visual function that are not detected by the standard visual acuity measure, as they are a result of other alterations in visual function. With the advancement of different methods to evaluate visual function, additional measurements have become available, and further standardization suggests that some methods may be promising for use in clinical trials or routine clinical practice. The objectives of this article are to review these additional measurements and to provide guidance on their application. METHODS The Vision Academy's membership of international retinal disease experts reviewed the literature and developed consensus recommendations for the application of additional measures of visual function in routine clinical practice or clinical trials. RESULTS Measures such as low-luminance visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, retinal fixation and microperimetry, and reading performance are measures which can complement visual acuity measurements to provide an assessment of overall visual function, including impact on patients' quality of life. Measures such as dark adaptation, color vision testing, binocular vision testing, visual recognition testing, and shape discrimination require further optimization and validation before they can be implemented in everyday clinical practice. CONCLUSION Additional measurements of visual function may help identify patients who could benefit from earlier diagnosis, detection of disease progression, and therapeutic intervention. New and additional functional clinical trial endpoints are required to fully understand the early stages of macular disease, its progression, and the response to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hernán Andrés Ríos
- Retina y Vítreo, Fundación Oftalmológica Nacional, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Sotiris Plainis
- Laboratory of Optics and Vision, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Miltiadis Tsilimbaris
- Laboratory of Optics and Vision, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | | | - David Keegan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - José Cunha-Vaz
- AIBILI - Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Edoardo Midena
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
- IRCCS Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy.
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Vujosevic S, Loewenstein A, O'Toole L, Schmidt-Erfurth UM, Zur D, Chakravarthy U. Imaging geographic atrophy: integrating structure and function to better understand the effects of new treatments. Br J Ophthalmol 2024; 108:773-778. [PMID: 38290804 DOI: 10.1136/bjo-2023-324246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced and irreversible form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Chronic low grade inflammation is thought to act as an initiator of this degenerative process, resulting in loss of photoreceptors (PRs), retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the underlying choriocapillaris. This review examined the challenges of clinical trials to date which have sought to treat GA, with particular reference to the successful outcome of C3 complement inhibition. Currently, optical coherence tomography (OCT) seems to be the most suitable method to detect GA and monitor the effect of treatment. In addition, the merits of using novel anatomical endpoints in detecting GA expansion are discussed. Although best-corrected visual acuity is commonly used to monitor disease in GA, other tests to determine visual function are explored. Although not widely available, microperimetry enables quantification of retinal sensitivity (RS) and macular fixation behaviour related to fundus characteristics. There is a spatial correlation between OCT/fundus autofluorescence evaluation of PR damage outside the area of RPE loss and RS on microperimetry, showing important associations with visual function. Standardisation of testing by microperimetry is necessary to enable this modality to detect AMD progression. Artificial intelligence (AI) analysis has shown PR layers integrity precedes and exceeds GA loss. Loss of the ellipsoid zone has been recognised as a primary outcome parameter in therapeutic trials for GA. The integrity of the PR layers imaged by OCT at baseline has been shown to be an important prognostic indicator. AI has the potential to be invaluable in personalising care and justifying treatment intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stela Vujosevic
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Eye Clinic, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
| | - Anat Loewenstein
- Ophthalmology Division, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | | | - Dinah Zur
- Ophthalmology Division, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Rauscher FG, Elze T, Francke M, Martinez-Perez ME, Li Y, Wirkner K, Tönjes A, Engel C, Thiery J, Blüher M, Stumvoll M, Kirsten T, Loeffler M, Ebert T, Wang M. Glucose tolerance and insulin resistance/sensitivity associate with retinal layer characteristics: the LIFE-Adult-Study. Diabetologia 2024; 67:928-939. [PMID: 38431705 PMCID: PMC10954961 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-024-06093-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS As the prevalence of insulin resistance and glucose intolerance is increasing throughout the world, diabetes-induced eye diseases are a global health burden. We aim to identify distinct optical bands which are closely related to insulin and glucose metabolism, using non-invasive, high-resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in a large, population-based dataset. METHODS The LIFE-Adult-Study randomly selected 10,000 participants from the population registry of Leipzig, Germany. Cross-sectional, standardised phenotyping included the assessment of various metabolic risk markers and ocular imaging, such as SD-OCT-derived thicknesses of ten optical bands of the retina. Global and Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) subfield-specific optical retinal layer thicknesses were investigated in 7384 healthy eyes of 7384 participants from the LIFE-Adult-Study stratified by normal glucose tolerance, prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance and/or HbA1c 5.7-6.4% [39-47 mmol/mol]) and diabetes. The association of optical retinal band characteristics with different indices of glucose tolerance (e.g. fasting glucose, area under the glucose curve), insulin resistance (e.g. HOMA2-IR, triglyceride glucose index), or insulin sensitivity (e.g. estimated glucose disposal rate [eGDR], Stumvoll metabolic clearance rate) was determined using multivariable linear regression analyses for the individual markers adjusted for age, sex and refraction. Various sensitivity analyses were performed to validate the observed findings. RESULTS In the study cohort, nine out of ten optical bands of the retina showed significant sex- and glucose tolerance-dependent differences in band thicknesses. Multivariable linear regression analyses revealed a significant, independent, and inverse association between markers of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance (e.g. HOMA2-IR) with the thickness of the optical bands representing the anatomical retinal outer nuclear layer (ONL, standardised β=-0.096; p<0.001 for HOMA2-IR) and myoid zone (MZ; β=-0.096; p<0.001 for HOMA2-IR) of the photoreceptors. Conversely, markers of insulin sensitivity (e.g. eGDR) positively and independently associated with ONL (β=0.090; p<0.001 for eGDR) and MZ (β=0.133; p<0.001 for eGDR) band thicknesses. These global associations were confirmed in ETDRS subfield-specific analyses. Sensitivity analyses further validated our findings when physical activity, neuroanatomical cell/tissue types and ETDRS subfield categories were investigated after stratifying the cohort by glucose homeostasis. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION An impaired glucose homeostasis associates with a thinning of the optical bands of retinal ONL and photoreceptor MZ. Changes in ONL and MZ thicknesses might predict early metabolic retinal alterations in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska G Rauscher
- Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics, and Epidemiology (IMISE), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Medical Data Science, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tobias Elze
- Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mike Francke
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics, and Epidemiology (IMISE), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - M Elena Martinez-Perez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y en Sistemas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Yangjiani Li
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kerstin Wirkner
- Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics, and Epidemiology (IMISE), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anke Tönjes
- Medical Department III - Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christoph Engel
- Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics, and Epidemiology (IMISE), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Joachim Thiery
- Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matthias Blüher
- Medical Department III - Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of the Helmholtz Zentrum München at the University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Stumvoll
- Medical Department III - Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Toralf Kirsten
- Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics, and Epidemiology (IMISE), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Medical Data Science, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Markus Loeffler
- Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics, and Epidemiology (IMISE), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Ebert
- Medical Department III - Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Mengyu Wang
- Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases (LIFE), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Barresi C, Chhablani J, Dolz-Marco R, Gallego-Pinazo R, Berni A, Bandello F, Borrelli E. Retinal neurodegeneration in age-related macular degeneration. Eur J Ophthalmol 2024; 34:624-630. [PMID: 37394731 DOI: 10.1177/11206721231186166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex and multifactorial disease characterized by the damage of the unit comprised of the photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), Bruch's membrane, and choriocapillaris. Although the outer retina appears to be mainly affected in this disorder, several evidences exhibit that also the inner retina may be impaired. In this review we will provide a description of the prominent histologic and imaging findings suggesting an inner retinal loss in these eyes. In details, structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology proved either the inner and outer retina is impacted by AMD and that these two impairments are associated. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to provide a description of the role of neurodegeneration in AMD in order to better understand the relationship between neuronal loss and the outer retinal damage in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costanza Barresi
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University Milan, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Jay Chhablani
- UPMC Eye Centre, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Alessandro Berni
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University Milan, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Bandello
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University Milan, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Borrelli
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University Milan, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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Cicinelli MV, Barlocci E, Giuffrè C, Rissotto F, Introini U, Bandello F. Integrating Machine Learning and Traditional Survival Analysis to Identify Key Predictors of Foveal Involvement in Geographic Atrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:10. [PMID: 38709525 PMCID: PMC11078169 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.5.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of foveal involvement in geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), using machine learning to assess the importance of risk factors. Methods Retrospective, longitudinal cohort study. Patients diagnosed with foveal-sparing GA, having GA size ≥ 0.049 mm² and follow-up ≥ 6 months, were included. Baseline GA area, distance from the fovea, and perilesional patterns were measured using fundus autofluorescence. Optical coherence tomography assessed foveal involvement, structural biomarkers, and outer retinal layers thickness. Onset of foveal involvement was recorded. Foveal survival rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Hazard ratios (HRs) were assessed with mixed model Cox regression. Variable Importance (VIMP) was ranked with Random Survival Forests (RSF), with higher scores indicating greater predictive significance. Results One hundred sixty-seven eyes (115 patients, average age = 75.8 ± 9.47 years) with mean follow-up of 50 ± 29 months, were included in this study. Median foveal survival time was 45 months (95% confidence interval [CI] = 38-55). Incidences of foveal involvement were 26% at 24 months and 67% at 60 months. Risk factors were GA proximity to the fovea (HR = 0.97 per 10-µm increase, 95% CI = 0.96-0.98), worse baseline visual acuity (HR = 1.37 per 0.1 LogMAR increase, 95% CI = 1.21-1.53), and thinner outer nuclear layer (HR = 0.59 per 10-µm increase, 95% CI = 0.46-0.74). RSF analysis confirmed these as main predictors (VIMP = 16.7, P = 0.002; VIMP = 6.2, P = 0.003; and VIMP = 3.4, P = 0.01). Lesser baseline GA area (HR = 1.09 per 1-mm2 increase, 95% CI = 1.01-1.16) and presence of a double layer sign (HR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.20-0.88) were protective but less influential. Conclusions This study identifies anatomic and functional factors impacting the risk of foveal involvement in GA. These findings may help identify at-risk patients, enabling tailored preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vittoria Cicinelli
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2938-0409
| | - Eugenio Barlocci
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Giuffrè
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Rissotto
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Ugo Introini
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Bandello
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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Shen LL, Keenan JD, Chahal N, Taha AT, Saroya J, Ma CJ, Sun M, Yang D, Psaras C, Callander J, Flaxel C, Fawzi AA, Schlesinger TK, Wong RW, Bryan Leung LS, Eaton AM, Steinle NC, Telander DG, Afshar AR, Neuwelt MD, Lim JI, Yiu GC, Stewart JM. METformin for the MINimization of Geographic Atrophy Progression (METforMIN): A Randomized Trial. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2024; 4:100440. [PMID: 38284098 PMCID: PMC10810745 DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2023.100440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Purpose Metformin use has been associated with a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) progression in observational studies. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oral metformin for slowing geographic atrophy (GA) progression. Design Parallel-group, multicenter, randomized phase II clinical trial. Participants Participants aged ≥ 55 years without diabetes who had GA from atrophic AMD in ≥ 1 eye. Methods We enrolled participants across 12 clinical centers and randomized participants in a 1:1 ratio to receive oral metformin (2000 mg daily) or observation for 18 months. Fundus autofluorescence imaging was obtained at baseline and every 6 months. Main Outcome Measures The primary efficacy endpoint was the annualized enlargement rate of the square root-transformed GA area. Secondary endpoints included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and low luminance visual acuity (LLVA) at each visit. Results Of 66 enrolled participants, 34 (57 eyes) were randomized to the observation group and 32 (53 eyes) were randomized to the treatment group. The median follow-up duration was 13.9 and 12.6 months in the observation and metformin groups, respectively. The mean ± standard error annualized enlargement rate of square root transformed GA area was 0.35 ± 0.04 mm/year in the observation group and 0.42 ± 0.04 mm/year in the treatment group (risk difference = 0.07 mm/year, 95% confidence interval = -0.05 to 0.18 mm/year; P = 0.26). The mean ± standard error decline in BCVA was 4.8 ± 1.7 letters/year in the observation group and 3.4 ± 1.1 letters/year in the treatment group (P = 0.56). The mean ± standard error decline in LLVA was 7.3 ± 2.5 letters/year in the observation group and 0.8 ± 2.2 letters/year in the treatment group (P = 0.06). Fourteen participants in the metformin group experienced nonserious adverse events related to metformin, with gastrointestinal side effects as the most common. No serious adverse events were attributed to metformin. Conclusions The results of this trial as conducted do not support oral metformin having effects on reducing the progression of GA. Additional placebo-controlled trials are needed to explore the role of metformin for AMD, especially for earlier stages of the disease. Financial Disclosures Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangbo Linus Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Jeremy D Keenan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
- Francis I. Proctor Foundation for Research in Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Noor Chahal
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Abu Tahir Taha
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Jasmeet Saroya
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Chu Jian Ma
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Mengyuan Sun
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Gladstone Institute, San Francisco, California
| | - Daphne Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Catherine Psaras
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Jacquelyn Callander
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Christina Flaxel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Amani A Fawzi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | | | - Loh-Shan Bryan Leung
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
| | | | | | | | - Armin R Afshar
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Melissa D Neuwelt
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Jennifer I Lim
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Glenn C Yiu
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California
| | - Jay M Stewart
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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Vallino V, Berni A, Coletto A, Serafino S, Bandello F, Reibaldi M, Borrelli E. Structural OCT and OCT angiography biomarkers associated with the development and progression of geographic atrophy in AMD. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2024:10.1007/s00417-024-06497-8. [PMID: 38689123 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-024-06497-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced, irreversible, and progressive form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) have been largely used to characterize this stage of AMD and, more importantly, to define biomarkers associated with the development and progression of GA in AMD. METHODS Articles pertaining to OCT and OCTA biomarkers related to the development and progression of GA with relevant key words were used to search in PubMed, Researchgate, and Google Scholar. The articles were selected based on their relevance, reliability, publication year, published journal, and accessibility. RESULTS Previous reports have highlighted various OCT and OCTA biomarkers linked to the onset and advancement of GA. These biomarkers encompass characteristics such as the size, volume, and subtype of drusen, the presence of hyperreflective foci, basal laminar deposits, incomplete retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy (iRORA), persistent choroidal hypertransmission defects, and the existence of subretinal drusenoid deposits (also referred to as reticular pseudodrusen). Moreover, biomarkers associated with the progression of GA include thinning of the outer retina, photoreceptor degradation, the distance between retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch's membrane, and choriocapillaris loss. CONCLUSION The advent of novel treatment strategies for GA underscores the heightened need for prompt diagnosis and precise monitoring of individuals with this condition. The utilization of structural OCT and OCTA becomes essential for identifying distinct biomarkers associated with the initiation and progression of GA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Vallino
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti 14, Turin, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, "City of Health and Science" Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Berni
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University Milan, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Coletto
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti 14, Turin, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, "City of Health and Science" Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Sonia Serafino
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti 14, Turin, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, "City of Health and Science" Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Bandello
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University Milan, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Reibaldi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti 14, Turin, Italy
- Department of Ophthalmology, "City of Health and Science" Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Enrico Borrelli
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti 14, Turin, Italy.
- Department of Ophthalmology, "City of Health and Science" Hospital, Turin, Italy.
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Berlin A, Fischer NA, Clark ME, Kar D, Swain TA, Martindale RM, McGwin G, Crosson JN, Sloan KR, Owsley C, Curcio CA. Quantitative Autofluorescence at AMD's Beginnings Highlights Retinal Topography and Grading System Differences: ALSTAR2 Baseline. Ophthalmologica 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38599207 DOI: 10.1159/000538696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aims of the study were to describe baseline quantitative (short-wavelength) autofluorescence (qAF) findings in a large pseudophakic cohort at age-related macular degeneration (AMD)'s beginnings and to assess qAF8 as an outcome measure and evaluate Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and Beckman grading systems. METHODS In the ALSTAR2 baseline cohort (NCT04112667), 346 pseudophakic eyes of 188 persons (74.0 ± 5.5 years) were classified as normal (N = 160 by AREDS, 158 by Beckman), early AMD (eAMD) (N = 104, 66), and intermediate AMD (iAMD) (N = 82, 122). Groups were compared via mean qAF intensities in a 6°-8° annulus (qAF8) and maps of differences between observations and the overall mean, divided by standard deviation (Z-score). RESULTS qAF8 did not differ significantly among diagnostic groups by either stratification (p = 0.0869 AREDS; p = 0.0569 by Beckman). Notably, 45 eyes considered eAMD by AREDS became iAMD by Beckman. For AREDS-stratified eyes, Z-score maps showed higher centrally located qAF for normal, near the mean in eAMD, and lower values for iAMD. Maps deviated from this pattern for Beckman-stratified eyes. CONCLUSIONS In a large sample of pseudophakic eyes, qAF8 does not differ overall from normal aging to iAMD but also does not capture the earliest AMD activity in the macula lutea. AREDS classification gives results more consistent with a slow decline in histologic autofluorescence than Beckman classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Berlin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA,
- University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany,
| | - Nathan A Fischer
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Retina Consultants of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Mark E Clark
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Deepayan Kar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Thomas A Swain
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Richard M Martindale
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Retina Consultants of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Gerald McGwin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Jason N Crosson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Retina Consultants of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Kenneth R Sloan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Cynthia Owsley
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Christine A Curcio
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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10
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Mares V, Nehemy MB, Bogunovic H, Frank S, Reiter GS, Schmidt-Erfurth U. AI-based support for optical coherence tomography in age-related macular degeneration. Int J Retina Vitreous 2024; 10:31. [PMID: 38589936 PMCID: PMC11000391 DOI: 10.1186/s40942-024-00549-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology across various fields, and its applications in the medical domain, particularly in ophthalmology, has gained significant attention. The vast amount of high-resolution image data, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) images, has been a driving force behind AI growth in this field. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes for blindness in the world, affecting approximately 196 million people worldwide in 2020. Multimodal imaging has been for a long time the gold standard for diagnosing patients with AMD, however, currently treatment and follow-up in routine disease management are mainly driven by OCT imaging. AI-based algorithms have by their precision, reproducibility and speed, the potential to reliably quantify biomarkers, predict disease progression and assist treatment decisions in clinical routine as well as academic studies. This review paper aims to provide a summary of the current state of AI in AMD, focusing on its applications, challenges, and prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Mares
- Laboratory for Ophthalmic Image Analysis, Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marcio B Nehemy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Hrvoje Bogunovic
- Laboratory for Ophthalmic Image Analysis, Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sophie Frank
- Laboratory for Ophthalmic Image Analysis, Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor S Reiter
- Laboratory for Ophthalmic Image Analysis, Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth
- Laboratory for Ophthalmic Image Analysis, Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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11
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Alagorie AR, Corradetti G, Byon I, Tiosano L, Ji Y, Nittala M, Velaga S, Nassisi M, Verma A, Sadda SR. Impact of slab selection on the relationship between choriocapillaris flow deficits and enlargement rate of geographic atrophy. Eye (Lond) 2024; 38:847-852. [PMID: 37865725 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-023-02788-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of changing slab position on the correlation between choriocapillaris (CC) flow deficits (FD) in eyes with geographic atrophy (GA) and yearly enlargement rate (yER) of GA. METHODS OCT and OCTA images obtained on Cirrus HD-OCT device were collected from patients with GA. Each patient underwent OCTA scan at baseline and two OCT scans, one at baseline and one after at least 12 months. GA was delineated on en-face fundus image to calculate yER. OCTA images were generated from three 10 µm thick slabs 11, 21 and 31 µm posterior to RPE-fit line. 100 µm-wide concentric rings were generated around GA to calculate FD% in each ring which was correlated with yER. RESULTS For the 11-21 µm slab, FD% was not significantly correlated with yER for any of the rings (p > 0.05). For the 21-31 and 31-41 µm slab, FD% of rings located in the 600 µm region around GA was significantly correlated with yER (p < 0.05). However, in all slab locations, there was no significant correlation between yER and CC FD% of rings located beyond the 600 µm region (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Slab selection for quantification of CC FD% may have a significant impact on quantitative results in eyes with GA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Roshdy Alagorie
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Giulia Corradetti
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Retinal Disorders and Ophthalmic Genetics Division, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Iksoo Byon
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea
| | - Liran Tiosano
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yongsok Ji
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Muneeswar Nittala
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Swetha Velaga
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marco Nassisi
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aditya Verma
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Srinivas R Sadda
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Hung JH, Tsai PH, Aala WJF, Chen CC, Chiou SH, Wong TW, Tsai KJ, Hsu SM, Wu LW. TIMP3/Wnt axis regulates gliosis of Müller glia. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167087. [PMID: 38369214 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have confirmed the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3) in Müller glia (MG). However, the role of TIMP3 in MG remains unknown. METHODS A mouse model of laser-induced retinal damage and gliosis was generated using wild-type C57BL/6 mice. TIMP3 and associated proteins were detected using Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. RNA sequencing (GSE132140) of mouse laser-induced gliosis was utilized for pathway analysis. TIMP3 overexpression was induced in human MG. Human vitreous samples were obtained from patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and healthy controls for protein analysis. RESULTS TIMP3 levels increased in mouse eyes after laser damage. Morphology and spatial location of TIMP3 indicated its presence in MG. TIMP3-overexpressing MG showed increased cellular proliferation, migration, and cell nuclei size, suggesting TIMP3-induced gliosis for retinal repair. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin levels were elevated in TIMP3-overexpressing MG and laser-damaged mouse retinas. RNA sequencing and Western blotting suggested a role for β-catenin in mediating TIMP3 effects on the retina. Human vitreous samples from patients with PDR showed a positive correlation between TIMP3 and GFAP levels, both of which were elevated in patients with PDR. CONCLUSIONS TIMP3 is associated with MG gliosis to enhance the repair ability of damaged retinas and is mediated by the canonical Wnt/β-catenin. Changes in TIMP3 could potentially be used to control gliosis in a range of retinal diseases However, given the multifaceted nature of TIMP3, care must be taken when developing treatments that aim solely to boost the function of TIMP3. FUNDING National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Taiwan (NCKUH-10604009 and NCKUH-11202007); the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST 110-2314-B-006-086-MY3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Horung Hung
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Ophthalmology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ping-Hsing Tsai
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wilson Jr F Aala
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Chung Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Hwa Chiou
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tak-Wah Wong
- Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Center of Applied Nanomedicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Kuen-Jer Tsai
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Min Hsu
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
| | - Li-Wha Wu
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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13
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Iezzi R, Scruggs BA, Gandhi J, Zenti FN, Shafi N, Berger A, Marmorstein AD. Early Choriocapillaris Loss in a Porcine Model of RPE Cell Debridement Precedes Pathology That Simulates Advanced Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:8. [PMID: 38568620 PMCID: PMC10996981 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.4.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose No large-mammal surgical models exist for geographic atrophy (GA), choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and pachychoroidal vascular remodeling. Our goal was to develop a porcine RPE debridement model of advanced macular degeneration to study photoreceptor cell loss and choroidal remodeling. Methods Seven 2-month-old female domestic pigs were used for this study. After 25G vitrectomy, the area centralis was detached via subretinal bleb. A nitinol wire (Finesse Flex Loop) was used to debride RPE cells across a 3- to 5-mm diameter region. Fluid-air exchange was performed, and 20% SF6 gas injected. Animals underwent fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT-angiography (OCTA) at 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Retinal histology was obtained at euthanasia, 2 months (n = 3), 3 months (n = 2), or 6 months (n = 2) after surgery. Results RPE debridement resulted in GA with rapid loss of choriocapillaris, progressive loss of photoreceptors, and pachychoroidal changes in Sattler's and Haller's layers in all seven eyes undergoing debridement within 2 months. OCT and histological findings included subretinal disciform scar with overlying outer retinal atrophy; outer retinal tubulations and subretinal hyper-reflective material. OCTA revealed type 2 CNV (n = 4) at the edges of the debridement zone by 2 months, but there was no significant exudation noted at any time point. Conclusions Surgical debridement of the RPE results in GA, CNV, and pachychoroid and reproduced all forms of advanced macular degeneration. This surgical model may be useful in examining the role of RPE and other cell replacement in treating advanced macular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Iezzi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Brittni A. Scruggs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Jarel Gandhi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Francesca N. Zenti
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Noah Shafi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Aubrey Berger
- Regenerative Sciences, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Alan D. Marmorstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
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14
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Curcio CA, Kar D, Owsley C, Sloan KR, Ach T. Age-Related Macular Degeneration, a Mathematically Tractable Disease. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:4. [PMID: 38466281 PMCID: PMC10916886 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.3.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A progression sequence for age-related macular degeneration onset may be determinable with consensus neuroanatomical nomenclature augmented by drusen biology and eye-tracked clinical imaging. This narrative review proposes to supplement the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (sETDRS) grid with a ring to capture high rod densities. Published photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) densities in flat mounted aged-normal donor eyes were recomputed for sETDRS rings including near-periphery rich in rods and cumulatively for circular fovea-centered regions. Literature was reviewed for tissue-level studies of aging outer retina, population-level epidemiology studies regionally assessing risk, vision studies regionally assessing rod-mediated dark adaptation (RMDA), and impact of atrophy on photopic visual acuity. The 3 mm-diameter xanthophyll-rich macula lutea is rod-dominant and loses rods in aging whereas cone and RPE numbers are relatively stable. Across layers, the largest aging effects are accumulation of lipids prominent in drusen, loss of choriocapillary coverage of Bruch's membrane, and loss of rods. Epidemiology shows maximal risk for drusen-related progression in the central subfield with only one third of this risk level in the inner ring. RMDA studies report greatest slowing at the perimeter of this high-risk area. Vision declines precipitously when the cone-rich central subfield is invaded by geographic atrophy. Lifelong sustenance of foveal cone vision within the macula lutea leads to vulnerability in late adulthood that especially impacts rods at its perimeter. Adherence to an sETDRS grid and outer retinal cell populations within it will help dissect mechanisms, prioritize research, and assist in selecting patients for emerging treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A. Curcio
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Deepayan Kar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Cynthia Owsley
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Kenneth R. Sloan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Thomas Ach
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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15
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Csincsik L, Muldrew KA, Bettiol A, Wright DM, Rosenfeld PJ, Waheed NK, Empeslidis T, De Cock E, Yamaguchi TCN, Hogg RE, Peto T, Chakravarthy U. The Double Layer Sign Is Highly Predictive of Progression to Exudation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmol Retina 2024; 8:234-245. [PMID: 37839548 DOI: 10.1016/j.oret.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The presences of a double layer sign (DLS) and a shallow irregular retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) elevation (SIRE) were investigated using spectral domain-OCT (SD-OCT) imaging to determine their ability to predict progression to exudative macular neovascularization (eMNV) in the unaffected fellow eyes (study eye) of participants with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with newly diagnosed unilateral eMNV. DESIGN Retrospective, reanalysis of SD-OCT scans of study eyes from the Early Detection of Neovascular AMD (EDNA) study with 3 years follow-up (FU). PARTICIPANTS The EDNA study repository of SD-OCT scans was assessed for inclusion. Cases with incomplete data sets, low quality scans, or exhibiting other pathology were excluded, which resulted in 459 eligible cases. METHODS Spectral domain-OCT volume scans of study eyes were graded for irregular elevation of the RPE (IE), with length, and height measurements made on the most affected B-scan. Eyes with heterogeneous reflectivity within the IE were classified as exhibiting the DLS. Eyes with DLS where the length of separation between RPE and Bruch's membrane was ≥ 1000 μm in length and < 100 μm in height were subclassified as SIRE. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Hazard of progression to eMNV for DLS and SIRE. RESULTS Of the 459 eyes, 268 had IE, of which 101 were DLS-like and 51 also fulfilled criteria for SIRE. Over the 3 years FU period, 104 (23%) eyes progressed to eMNV. After an FU of 18 months, a significantly higher proportion of study eyes (P < 0.001) with IE, DLS, and SIRE developed eMNV compared with those without these features (IE: 17% vs. no IE 6.3%; DLS: 23% vs. no DLS 9.9%; SIRE: 22% vs. no SIRE 11%). In the adjusted Cox regression models, a significantly greater hazard of progression (P < 0.001) was associated with the presence of IE (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 3.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.88-4.82), DLS (adjusted HR, 3.41; 95% CI, 2.26-5.14), or SIRE (adjusted HR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.68-4.75). CONCLUSION The DLS is a highly sensitive predictor of progression to eMNV, and the use of SIRE does not improve predictability. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lajos Csincsik
- Centre for Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine A Muldrew
- Centre for Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandra Bettiol
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - David M Wright
- Centre for Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Philip J Rosenfeld
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Nadia K Waheed
- The Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Theo Empeslidis
- Therapeutic Area CNS, Retinopathies & EA Retinopathies Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Germany
| | - Eduard De Cock
- Therapeutic Area CNS, Retinopathies & EA Retinopathies Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Germany
| | - Taffeta Ching Ning Yamaguchi
- Therapeutic Area CNS, Retinopathies & EA Retinopathies Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Germany
| | - Ruth E Hogg
- Centre for Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Tunde Peto
- Centre for Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Usha Chakravarthy
- Centre for Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
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16
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Greig EC, Moult EM, Despotovic IN, Hodgson LAB, Pramil V, Fujimoto JG, Waheed NK, Guymer RH, Wu Z. Assessment of Choriocapillaris Flow Prior to Nascent Geographic Atrophy Development Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:33. [PMID: 38236187 PMCID: PMC10807498 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.1.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To assess the relationship between choriocapillaris (CC) loss and the development of nascent geographic atrophy (nGA) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) imaging. Methods In total, 105 from 62 participants with bilateral large drusen, without late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or nGA at baseline, were included in this prospective, longitudinal, observational study. Participants underwent swept-source OCTA imaging at 6-month intervals. CC flow deficit percentage (FD%) and drusen volume measurements were determined for the visit prior to nGA development or the second-to-last visit if nGA did not develop. Global and local analyses, the latter based on analyses within superpixels (120 × 120-µm regions), were performed to examine the association between CC FD% and future nGA development. Results A total of 15 (14%) eyes from 12 (19%) participants developed nGA. There was no significant difference in global CC FD% at the visit prior to nGA development between eyes that developed nGA and those that did not (P = 0.399). In contrast, CC FD% was significantly higher in superpixels that subsequently developed nGA compared to those that did not (P < 0.001), and a model utilizing CC FD% was significantly better at predicting foci of future nGA development at the superpixel level than a model using drusen volume alone (P ≤ 0.040). Conclusions This study showed that significant impairments in CC blood flow could be detected locally prior to the development of nGA. These findings add to our understanding of the pathophysiologic changes that occur with atrophy development in AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Custo Greig
- New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Eric M. Moult
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Ivana N. Despotovic
- New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Lauren A. B. Hodgson
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Varsha Pramil
- New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - James G. Fujimoto
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Nadia K. Waheed
- New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Robyn H. Guymer
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zhichao Wu
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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17
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Lu J, Cheng Y, Hiya FE, Shen M, Herrera G, Zhang Q, Gregori G, Rosenfeld PJ, Wang RK. Deep-learning-based automated measurement of outer retinal layer thickness for use in the assessment of age-related macular degeneration, applicable to both swept-source and spectral-domain OCT imaging. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2024; 15:413-427. [PMID: 38223170 PMCID: PMC10783897 DOI: 10.1364/boe.512359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Effective biomarkers are required for assessing the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a prevalent and progressive eye disease. This paper presents a deep learning-based automated algorithm, applicable to both swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) and spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) scans, for measuring outer retinal layer (ORL) thickness as a surrogate biomarker for outer retinal degeneration, e.g., photoreceptor disruption, to assess AMD progression. The algorithm was developed based on a modified TransUNet model with clinically annotated retinal features manifested in the progression of AMD. The algorithm demonstrates a high accuracy with an intersection of union (IoU) of 0.9698 in the testing dataset for segmenting ORL using both SS-OCT and SD-OCT datasets. The robustness and applicability of the algorithm are indicated by strong correlation (r = 0.9551, P < 0.0001 in the central-fovea 3 mm-circle, and r = 0.9442, P < 0.0001 in the 5 mm-circle) and agreement (the mean bias = 0.5440 um in the 3-mm circle, and 1.392 um in the 5-mm circle) of the ORL thickness measurements between SS-OCT and SD-OCT scans. Comparative analysis reveals significant differences (P < 0.0001) in ORL thickness among 80 normal eyes, 30 intermediate AMD eyes with reticular pseudodrusen, 49 intermediate AMD eyes with drusen, and 40 late AMD eyes with geographic atrophy, highlighting its potential as an independent biomarker for predicting AMD progression. The findings provide valuable insights into the ORL alterations associated with different stages of AMD and emphasize the potential of ORL thickness as a sensitive indicator of AMD severity and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Lu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Yuxuan Cheng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Farhan E. Hiya
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Mengxi Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Gissel Herrera
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Qinqin Zhang
- Research and Development, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA, USA
| | - Giovanni Gregori
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Philip J. Rosenfeld
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Ruikang K. Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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18
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Pfau M, Künzel SH, Pfau K, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG. Multimodal imaging and deep learning in geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration. Acta Ophthalmol 2023; 101:881-890. [PMID: 37933610 PMCID: PMC11044135 DOI: 10.1111/aos.15796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration is among the most common causes of irreversible vision loss in industrialized countries. Recently, two therapies have been approved by the US FDA. However, given the nature of their treatment effect, which primarily involves a relative decrease in disease progression, discerning the individual treatment response at the individual level may not be readily apparent. Thus, clinical decision-making may have to rely on the quantification of the slope of GA progression before and during treatment. A panel of imaging modalities and artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithms are available for such quantifications. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of GA imaging, the procedures for diagnosis and classification using these images, and the cutting-edge role of AI algorithms in automatically deriving diagnostic and prognostic insights from imaging data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Pfau
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Kristina Pfau
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Steffen Schmitz-Valckenberg
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Monika Fleckenstein
- John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Frank G. Holz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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19
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Di Pippo M, Santia C, Rullo D, Ciancimino C, Grassi F, Abdolrahimzadeh S. The Choroidal Vascularity Index Versus Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in the Evaluation of the Choroid with a Focus on Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Tomography 2023; 9:1456-1470. [PMID: 37624109 PMCID: PMC10458084 DOI: 10.3390/tomography9040116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The choroid is the most vascularized structure of the eye and it is fundamental for the trophism of the outer retina. Its proper functioning and homeostasis represent key points in maintaining normal retinal physiology. Choroidal alterations may be implicated in the development and progression of numerous pathologies; therefore, in-depth studies using imaging techniques can be of crucial relevance to understanding the pathophysiology of retinal-choroidal diseases. The advent of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) has enabled the non-invasive study of the choroid in vivo and the most recent development, optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), allows for the high-resolution visualization of the choriocapillaris and the choroid in regard to vascularization. The choroidal vascularity index (CVI) is a new parameter calculated on SDOCT scans and is defined as the ratio of the luminal area to the total choroidal area. In this review, a study of the choroid using OCTA and CVI will be evaluated in depth and the pros and cons of these two methods will be analyzed, with a particular focus on age-related macular degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Solmaz Abdolrahimzadeh
- Ophthalmology Unit, Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sense Organs (NESMOS) Department, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome Sapienza, St. Andrea Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy; (M.D.P.); (C.C.)
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20
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Blasiak J, Chojnacki J, Szczepanska J, Fila M, Chojnacki C, Kaarniranta K, Pawlowska E. Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate, an Active Green Tea Component to Support Anti-VEGFA Therapy in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Nutrients 2023; 15:3358. [PMID: 37571296 PMCID: PMC10421466 DOI: 10.3390/nu15153358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a largely incurable disease and an emerging problem in aging societies. It occurs in two forms, dry and wet (exudative, neovascular), which may cause legal blindness and sight loss. Currently, there is not any effective treatment for dry AMD. Meanwhile, repeated intravitreal injections with antibodies effective against vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) slow down wet AMD progression but are not free from complications. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is an active compound of green tea, which exerts many beneficial effects in the retinal pigment epithelium and the neural retina. It has been reported to downregulate the VEGFA gene by suppressing its activators. The inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases 1 and 3 (MAPK1 and MAPK3) may lie behind the antiangiogenic action of EGCG mediated by VEGFA. EGCG exerts protective effects against UV-induced damage to retinal cells and improves dysfunctional autophagy. EGCG may also interact with the mechanistic target rapamycin (MTOR) and unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase (ULK1) to modulate the interplay between autophagy and apoptosis. Several other studies report beneficial effects of EGCG on the retina that may be related to wet AMD. Therefore, controlled clinical trials are needed to verify whether diet supplementation with EGCG or green tea consumption may improve the results of anti-VEGFA therapy in wet AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janusz Blasiak
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Jan Chojnacki
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterological Diagnostics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-647 Lodz, Poland; (J.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Joanna Szczepanska
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-217 Lodz, Poland; (J.S.); (E.P.)
| | - Michal Fila
- Department of Developmental Neurology and Epileptology, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute, 93-338 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Cezary Chojnacki
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterological Diagnostics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-647 Lodz, Poland; (J.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Kai Kaarniranta
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kuopio University Hospital, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Elzbieta Pawlowska
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-217 Lodz, Poland; (J.S.); (E.P.)
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21
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Abdolrahimzadeh S, Di Pippo M, Sordi E, Cusato M, Lotery AJ. Subretinal drusenoid deposits as a biomarker of age-related macular degeneration progression via reduction of the choroidal vascularity index. Eye (Lond) 2023; 37:1365-1370. [PMID: 35739243 PMCID: PMC10169760 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-022-02134-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES This study aimed to analyse the role of the choroid in early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by analysing choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in pure cohorts of patients with subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD) or conventional drusen (CD). SUBJECTS/METHODS This was an observational cross-sectional study. Comprehensive ophthalmologic examination and multimodal imaging including fundus photography, autofluorescence, near infrared reflectance, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) was performed. CVI processing was performed on a foveal horizontal SDOCT scan with binarization using Image J Image software and calculated as the ratio between luminal area (LA) and total area (TA). RESULTS Sixty-nine eyes of 69 participants were included; 23 eyes with SDD alone, 22 eyes with CD alone, and 24 control eyes of healthy age-matched subjects. CVI was significantly reduced in the SDD and CD group compared to controls (p = 0.0001). Post-hoc analysis revealed a significant reduction of CVI in the SDD versus the control group (p = 0.0002), in the CD versus the control group (p = 0.001), and in the SDD versus the CD group (p = 0.006). Covariance analysis showed a significant difference of LA (p = 0.033) but no significant difference of TA (p = 0.106) between the three groups. Direct comparison between CD and SDD showed a significant reduction of LA and TA in the SDD group. CONCLUSIONS CVI may have prognostic implications in early AMD. SDD is a biomarker of AMD progression and the mechanism for this could be via reduction of the CVI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solmaz Abdolrahimzadeh
- Ophthalmology Unit, Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sense Organs (NESMOS) Department, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
- St. Andrea Hospita, Via di Grottarossa 1035/1039, Rome, 00189, Italy.
| | - Mariachiara Di Pippo
- Ophthalmology Unit, Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sense Organs (NESMOS) Department, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Sordi
- Ophthalmology Unit, Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sense Organs (NESMOS) Department, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Cusato
- Ophthalmology Unit, Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Sense Organs (NESMOS) Department, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrew John Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
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22
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Hammadi S, Tzoumas N, Ferrara M, Meschede IP, Lo K, Harris C, Lako M, Steel DH. Bruch's Membrane: A Key Consideration with Complement-Based Therapies for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. J Clin Med 2023; 12:2870. [PMID: 37109207 PMCID: PMC10145879 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12082870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The complement system is crucial for immune surveillance, providing the body's first line of defence against pathogens. However, an imbalance in its regulators can lead to inappropriate overactivation, resulting in diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally affecting around 200 million people. Complement activation in AMD is believed to begin in the choriocapillaris, but it also plays a critical role in the subretinal and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) spaces. Bruch's membrane (BrM) acts as a barrier between the retina/RPE and choroid, hindering complement protein diffusion. This impediment increases with age and AMD, leading to compartmentalisation of complement activation. In this review, we comprehensively examine the structure and function of BrM, including its age-related changes visible through in vivo imaging, and the consequences of complement dysfunction on AMD pathogenesis. We also explore the potential and limitations of various delivery routes (systemic, intravitreal, subretinal, and suprachoroidal) for safe and effective delivery of conventional and gene therapy-based complement inhibitors to treat AMD. Further research is needed to understand the diffusion of complement proteins across BrM and optimise therapeutic delivery to the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hammadi
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Nikolaos Tzoumas
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
- Sunderland Eye Infirmary, Queen Alexandra Rd., Sunderland SR2 9H, UK
| | | | - Ingrid Porpino Meschede
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, a Novartis Company, Rolling Stock Yard, 6th Floor, 188 York Way, London N7 9AS, UK
| | - Katharina Lo
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, a Novartis Company, Rolling Stock Yard, 6th Floor, 188 York Way, London N7 9AS, UK
| | - Claire Harris
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, a Novartis Company, Rolling Stock Yard, 6th Floor, 188 York Way, London N7 9AS, UK
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Majlinda Lako
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - David H. Steel
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
- Sunderland Eye Infirmary, Queen Alexandra Rd., Sunderland SR2 9H, UK
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23
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Liu TYA, Wang J, Csaky KG. Correlation between hyperreflective foci and visual function testing in eyes with intermediate age-related macular degeneration. Int J Retina Vitreous 2023; 9:24. [PMID: 37029401 PMCID: PMC10080743 DOI: 10.1186/s40942-023-00461-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To investigate the relationship between intraretinal hyperreflective foci (HRF) and visual function in intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD). METHODS Retrospective, cross-sectional study. iAMD patients underwent spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) imaging and vision function testing: normal luminance best corrected visual acuity (VA), low luminance VA (LLVA), quantitative contrast sensitivity function (qCSF), low luminance qCSF (LLqCSF), and mesopic microperimetry. Each OCT volume was graded for the presence and number of HRF. Each HRF was graded for: separation from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), above drusen, and shadowing. Central drusen volume was calculated by the built-in functionality of the commercial OCT software after manual segmentation of the RPE and Bruch's membrane. RESULTS HRF group: 11 eyes; 9 patients; mean age 75.7 years. No-HRF group: 11 eyes; 10 patients; mean age 74.8 years. In linear mixed effect model adjusting for cube-root transformed drusen volume, HRF group showed statistically significant worse VA, LLVA, LLqCSF, and microperimetry. HRF group showed worse cone function, as measured by our pre-defined multicomponent endpoint, incorporating LLVA, LLqCSF and microperimetry (p = 0.018). For eyes with HRF, # of HRF did not correlate with any functional measures; however, % of HRF separated from RPE and # of HRF that created shadowing were statistically associated with low luminance deficit (LLD). CONCLUSIONS The association between the presence of HRF and worse cone visual function supports the hypothesis that eyes with HRF have more advanced disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Y Alvin Liu
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jiangxia Wang
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Karl G Csaky
- Retina Foundation of the Southwest, 9600 N Central Expy #200, Dallas, TX, 75231, USA.
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24
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A laser-induced mouse model of progressive retinal degeneration with central sparing displays features of parafoveal geographic atrophy. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4194. [PMID: 36918701 PMCID: PMC10014848 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31392-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
There are no disease-modifying treatments available for geographic atrophy (GA), the advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration. Current murine models fail to fully recapitulate the features of GA and thus hinder drug discovery. Here we describe a novel mouse model of retinal degeneration with hallmark features of GA. We used an 810 nm laser to create a retinal lesion with central sparing (RLCS), simulating parafoveal atrophy observed in patients with progressive GA. Laser-induced RLCS resulted in progressive GA-like pathology with the development of a confluent atrophic lesion. We demonstrate significant changes to the retinal structure and thickness in the central unaffected retina over a 24-week post-laser period, confirmed by longitudinal optical coherence tomography scans. We further show characteristic features of progressive GA, including a gradual reduction in the thickness of the central, unaffected retina and of total retinal thickness. Histological changes observed in the RLCS correspond to GA pathology, which includes the collapse of the outer nuclear layer, increased numbers of GFAP + , CD11b + and FcγRI + cells, and damage to cone and rod photoreceptors. We demonstrate a laser-induced mouse model of parafoveal GA progression, starting at 2 weeks post-laser and reaching confluence at 24 weeks post-laser. This 24-week time-frame in which GA pathology develops, provides an extended window of opportunity for proof-of-concept evaluation of drugs targeting GA. This time period is an added advantage compared to several existing models of geographic atrophy.
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25
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Edwards MM, McLeod DS, Shen M, Grebe R, Sunness JS, Bhutto IA, McDonnell E, Pado AM, Gregori G, Rosenfeld PJ, Lutty GA. Clinicopathologic Findings in Three Siblings With Geographic Atrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:2. [PMID: 36862121 PMCID: PMC9983703 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.3.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness among the elderly worldwide. Clinical imaging and histopathologic studies are crucial to understanding disease pathology. This study combined clinical observations of three brothers with geographic atrophy (GA), followed for 20 years, with histopathologic analysis. Methods For two of the three brothers, clinical images were taken in 2016, 2 years prior to death. Immunohistochemistry, on both flat-mounts and cross sections, histology, and transmission electron microscopy were used to compare the choroid and retina in GA eyes to those of age-matched controls. Results Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA) lectin staining of the choroid demonstrated a significant reduction in the percent vascular area and vessel diameter. In one donor, histopathologic analysis demonstrated two separate areas with choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Reevaluation of swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) images revealed CNV in two of the brothers. UEA lectin also revealed a significant reduction in retinal vasculature in the atrophic area. A subretinal glial membrane, composed of processes positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein and/or vimentin, occupied areas identical to those of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroidal atrophy in all three AMD donors. SS-OCTA also demonstrated presumed calcific drusen in the two donors imaged in 2016. Immunohistochemical analysis and alizarin red S staining verified calcium within drusen, which was ensheathed by glial processes. Conclusions This study demonstrates the importance of clinicohistopathologic correlation studies. It emphasizes the need to better understand how the symbiotic relationship between choriocapillaris and RPE, glial response, and calcified drusen impact GA progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malia M. Edwards
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - D. Scott McLeod
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Mengxi Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Rhonda Grebe
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Janet S. Sunness
- Hoover Low Vision Rehabilitation Services, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Towson, United States
| | - Imran A. Bhutto
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Erin McDonnell
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Alexandra M. Pado
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Giovanni Gregori
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Philip J. Rosenfeld
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Gerard A. Lutty
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
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26
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Shen LL, Xie Y, Sun M, Ahluwalia A, Park MM, Young BK, Del Priore LV. Associations of systemic health and medication use with the enlargement rate of geographic atrophy in age-related macular degeneration. Br J Ophthalmol 2023; 107:261-266. [PMID: 34489337 PMCID: PMC8898317 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2021-319426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The associations of geographic atrophy (GA) progression with systemic health status and medication use are unclear. METHODS We manually delineated GA in 318 eyes in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study. We calculated GA perimeter-adjusted growth rate as the ratio between GA area growth rate and mean GA perimeter between the first and last visit for each eye (mean follow-up=5.3 years). Patients' history of systemic health and medications was collected through questionnaires administered at study enrolment. We evaluated the associations between GA perimeter-adjusted growth rate and 27 systemic health factors using univariable and multivariable linear mixed-effects regression models. RESULTS In the univariable model, GA perimeter-adjusted growth rate was associated with GA in the fellow eye at any visit (p=0.002), hypertension history (p=0.03), cholesterol-lowering medication use (p<0.001), beta-blocker use (p=0.02), diuretic use (p<0.001) and thyroid hormone use (p=0.03). Among the six factors, GA in the fellow eye at any visit (p=0.008), cholesterol-lowering medication use (p=0.002), and diuretic use (p<0.001) were independently associated with higher GA perimeter-adjusted growth rate in the multivariable model. GA perimeter-adjusted growth rate was 51.1% higher in patients with versus without cholesterol-lowering medication use history and was 37.8% higher in patients with versus without diuretic use history. CONCLUSIONS GA growth rate may be associated with the fellow eye status, cholesterol-lowering medication use, and diuretic use. These possible associations do not infer causal relationships, and future prospective studies are required to investigate the relationships further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangbo L Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yangyiran Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Mengyuan Sun
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Aneesha Ahluwalia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Michael M Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Benjamin K Young
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lucian V Del Priore
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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27
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Völkner M, Wagner F, Kurth T, Sykes AM, Del Toro Runzer C, Ebner LJA, Kavak C, Alexaki VI, Cimalla P, Mehner M, Koch E, Karl MO. Modeling inducible neuropathologies of the retina with differential phenotypes in organoids. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1106287. [PMID: 37213216 PMCID: PMC10196395 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1106287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases remain incompletely understood and therapies are needed. Stem cell-derived organoid models facilitate fundamental and translational medicine research. However, to which extent differential neuronal and glial pathologic processes can be reproduced in current systems is still unclear. Here, we tested 16 different chemical, physical, and cell functional manipulations in mouse retina organoids to further explore this. Some of the treatments induce differential phenotypes, indicating that organoids are competent to reproduce distinct pathologic processes. Notably, mouse retina organoids even reproduce a complex pathology phenotype with combined photoreceptor neurodegeneration and glial pathologies upon combined (not single) application of HBEGF and TNF, two factors previously associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Pharmacological inhibitors for MAPK signaling completely prevent photoreceptor and glial pathologies, while inhibitors for Rho/ROCK, NFkB, and CDK4 differentially affect them. In conclusion, mouse retina organoids facilitate reproduction of distinct and complex pathologies, mechanistic access, insights for further organoid optimization, and modeling of differential phenotypes for future applications in fundamental and translational medicine research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Völkner
- Technische Universität Dresden, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Dresden, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Dresden, Germany
| | - Felix Wagner
- Technische Universität Dresden, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Dresden, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Kurth
- Technische Universität Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technology Platform Core Facility Electron Microscopy and Histology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alex M. Sykes
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Lynn J. A. Ebner
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Dresden, Germany
| | - Cagri Kavak
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Dresden, Germany
| | - Vasileia Ismini Alexaki
- Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Peter Cimalla
- Technische Universität Dresden, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Clinical Sensoring and Monitoring, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mirko Mehner
- Technische Universität Dresden, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Clinical Sensoring and Monitoring, Dresden, Germany
| | - Edmund Koch
- Technische Universität Dresden, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Clinical Sensoring and Monitoring, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mike O. Karl
- Technische Universität Dresden, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Dresden, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Dresden, Germany
- *Correspondence: Mike O. Karl, ,
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Sacconi R, Fragiotta S, Sarraf D, Sadda SR, Freund KB, Parravano M, Corradetti G, Cabral D, Capuano V, Miere A, Costanzo E, Bandello F, Souied E, Querques G. Towards a better understanding of non-exudative choroidal and macular neovascularization. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 92:101113. [PMID: 35970724 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Non-exudative macular and choroidal neovascularization (MNV and CNV) usually refers to the entity of treatment-naïve type 1 neovascularization in the absence of associated signs of exudation. Histopathological studies, dating back in the early 70s, identified the presence of non-exudative MNV, but the first clinical report of this finding was in the late 90s using indocyanine green angiography in eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). With more advanced retinal imaging, there has been an ever increasing appreciation of non-exudative MNV associated with AMD and CNV with other macular disorders. However, consensus regarding the exact definition and the clinical management of this entity is lacking. Furthermore, there may be variation in the imaging features and clinical course suggesting that a spectrum of disease may exist. Herein, we review the large body of published work that has provided a better understanding of non-exudative MNV and CNV in the last decade. The prevalence, multimodal imaging features, clinical course, and response to treatment are discussed to elucidate further key insights about this entity. Based on these observations, this review also proposes a new theory about the origin and course of different sub-types of non-exudative MNV/CNV which can have different etiologies and pathways according to the clinical context of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Sacconi
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Serena Fragiotta
- UniCamillus-Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - David Sarraf
- Retinal Disorders and Ophthalmic Genetics Division, Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - SriniVas R Sadda
- Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - K Bailey Freund
- Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York, New York, NY, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Giulia Corradetti
- Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Diogo Cabral
- Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York, New York, NY, United States; Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Vittorio Capuano
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Intercommunal de Creteil, University Paris Est Creteil, Creteil, France
| | - Alexandra Miere
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Intercommunal de Creteil, University Paris Est Creteil, Creteil, France
| | | | - Francesco Bandello
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Eric Souied
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Intercommunal de Creteil, University Paris Est Creteil, Creteil, France
| | - Giuseppe Querques
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
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Morgan JIW, Chui TYP, Grieve K. Twenty-five years of clinical applications using adaptive optics ophthalmoscopy [Invited]. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2023; 14:387-428. [PMID: 36698659 PMCID: PMC9841996 DOI: 10.1364/boe.472274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Twenty-five years ago, adaptive optics (AO) was combined with fundus photography, thereby initiating a new era in the field of ophthalmic imaging. Since that time, clinical applications of AO ophthalmoscopy to investigate visual system structure and function in both health and disease abound. To date, AO ophthalmoscopy has enabled visualization of most cell types in the retina, offered insight into retinal and systemic disease pathogenesis, and been integrated into clinical trials. This article reviews clinical applications of AO ophthalmoscopy and addresses remaining challenges for AO ophthalmoscopy to become fully integrated into standard ophthalmic care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica I. W. Morgan
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Contributed equally
| | - Toco Y. P. Chui
- Department of Ophthalmology, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10003, USA
- Contributed equally
| | - Kate Grieve
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, and CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, INSERM-DGOS CIC 1423, 28 rue de Charenton, F-75012 Paris, France
- Contributed equally
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Hess K, de Silva T, Grisso P, Wiley H, Thavikulwat AT, Keenan TDL, Chew EY, Cukras CA. Evaluation of Cone- and Rod-Mediated Parameters in Dark Adaptation Testing as Outcome Measures in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmol Retina 2022; 6:1173-1184. [PMID: 35643387 DOI: 10.1016/j.oret.2022.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the suitability of 6 rod- or cone-mediated dark adaptation (DA) parameters as outcome measures for clinical trials in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), including their retest reliability, association with age and disease severity, and measurable longitudinal change over time. DESIGN Prospective, longitudinal study (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01352975). PARTICIPANTS A total of 191 patients with AMD and older participants followed longitudinally over 5 years. METHODS Dark adaptation testing was performed using the AdaptDx dark adaptometer with a maximum test time of 40 minutes. A 2-part exponential-linear curve was fitted to obtain values for cone decay, cone plateau, time to rod-cone break, rod intercept time (RIT), rod adaptation rate (S2), and area under the curve. Intersession retest reliability was assessed in tests performed within 2 weeks using the Bland-Altman analysis. The relationship of DA parameters with age, AMD severity, and reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) presence was evaluated using linear mixed models. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Retest reliability, association with disease severity, and longitudinal change of 6 DA parameters. RESULTS A total of 1329 DA curves were analyzed. Rod intercept time was the parameter that showed the greatest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.88) and greatest association with age, AMD severity, and RPD (marginal R2 of 0.38), followed by the rod-mediated parameters area under the curve and rod-cone break. Cone plateau appeared constant at lower RIT values but increased with progressive rod dysfunction (RIT > 22.8 minutes) with a slope of 0.07 log units per 10 minutes RIT prolongation. Therefore, it might provide additional information in the advanced stages of AMD. CONCLUSIONS Age-related macular degeneration severity and RPD presence are each associated with large differences in multiple DA curve parameters. In addition, substantial differences in some parameters occur with age, even accounting for AMD severity and RPD status. This supports the 2-hit hypothesis of age and disease status on DA (and perhaps AMD pathophysiology itself). Of the DA parameters, RIT has the highest retest reliability, closest correlation with AMD severity and RPD, and largest longitudinal changes. This underscores the suitability of RIT as an outcome measure in clinical trials. The cone plateau increases only in advanced stages of kinetic rod dysfunction, indicating rod dysfunction preceding cone dysfunction and degeneration in the temporal sequence of pathology in AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Hess
- Unit on Clinical Investigation of Retinal Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tharindu de Silva
- Unit on Clinical Investigation of Retinal Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Peyton Grisso
- Unit on Clinical Investigation of Retinal Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Henry Wiley
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Alisa T Thavikulwat
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Tiarnan D L Keenan
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Emily Y Chew
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Catherine A Cukras
- Unit on Clinical Investigation of Retinal Disease, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
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31
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Mai J, Riedl S, Reiter GS, Lachinov D, Vogl WD, Bogunovic H, Schmidt-Erfurth U. Comparison of Fundus Autofluorescence Versus Optical Coherence Tomography-based Evaluation of the Therapeutic Response to Pegcetacoplan in Geographic Atrophy. Am J Ophthalmol 2022; 244:175-182. [PMID: 35853489 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2022.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To perform an optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based analysis of geographic atrophy (GA) progression in patients treated with pegcetacoplan. DESIGN Post hoc analysis of a phase 2 multicenter, randomized, sham-controlled trial. METHODS Manual annotation of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), ellipsoid zone (EZ), and external limiting membrane (ELM) loss was performed on OCT volumes from baseline and month 12 from the phase 2 FILLY trial of intravitreal pegcetacoplan for the treatment of GA secondary to age-related macular degeneration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Correlation of GA areas measured on fundus autofluorescence and OCT. Difference in square root transformed growth rates of RPE, EZ, and ELM loss between treatment groups (monthly injection [AM], injection every other month [AEOM], and sham [SM]). RESULTS OCT volumes from 113 eyes of 113 patients (38 AM, 36 AEOM, and 39 SM) were included, resulting in 11 074 B-scans. The median growth of RPE loss was significantly slower in the AM group (0.158 [0.057-0.296]) than the SM group (0.255 [0.188-0.359], P = .014). Importantly, the growth of EZ loss was also significantly slower in the AM group (0.127 [0.041-0.247]) than the SM group (0.232 [0.130-0.349], P = .017). There was no significant difference in the growth of ELM loss between the treatment groups (P = .114). CONCLUSIONS OCT imaging provided consistent results for GA growth compared with fundus autofluorescence. In addition to slower RPE atrophy progression in patients treated with pegcetacoplan, a significant reduction in EZ impairment was also identified by OCT, suggesting the use of OCT as a potentially more sensitive monitoring tool in GA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Mai
- From the OPTIMA-Laboratory for Ophthalmic Image Analysis, Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sophie Riedl
- From the OPTIMA-Laboratory for Ophthalmic Image Analysis, Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor S Reiter
- From the OPTIMA-Laboratory for Ophthalmic Image Analysis, Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dmitrii Lachinov
- From the OPTIMA-Laboratory for Ophthalmic Image Analysis, Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolf-Dieter Vogl
- From the OPTIMA-Laboratory for Ophthalmic Image Analysis, Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hrvoje Bogunovic
- From the OPTIMA-Laboratory for Ophthalmic Image Analysis, Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth
- From the OPTIMA-Laboratory for Ophthalmic Image Analysis, Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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32
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Zhang Q, Shi Y, Shen M, Cheng Y, Zhou H, Feuer W, de Sisternes L, Gregori G, Rosenfeld PJ, Wang RK. Does the Outer Retinal Thickness Around Geographic Atrophy Represent Another Clinical Biomarker for Predicting Growth? Am J Ophthalmol 2022; 244:79-87. [PMID: 36002074 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine whether the outer retinal layer (ORL) thickness around geographic atrophy (GA) could serve as a clinical biomarker to predict the annual enlargement rate (ER) of GA. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of a prospective, observational case series. METHODS Eyes with GA were imaged with a swept-source OCT 6 × 6 mm scan pattern. GA lesions were measured from customized en face OCT images and the annual ERs were calculated. The ORL was defined and segmented from the inner boundary of outer plexiform layer (OPL) to the inner boundary of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer. The ORL thickness was measured at different subregions around GA. RESULTS A total of 38 eyes from 27 participants were included. The same eyes were used for the choriocapillaris (CC) flow deficit (FD) analysis and the RPE to the Bruch membrane (RPE-BM) distance measurements. A negative correlation was observed between the ORL thickness and the GA growth. The ORL thickness in a 300-μm rim around GA showed the strongest correlation with the GA growth (r = -0.457, P = .004). No correlations were found between the ORL thickness and the CC FDs; however, a significant correlation was found between the ORL thickness and the RPE-BM distances around GA (r = -0.398, P = .013). CONCLUSIONS ORL thickness showed a significant negative correlation with annual GA growth, but also showed a significant correlation with the RPE-BM distances, suggesting that they were dependently correlated with GA growth. This finding suggests that the loss of photoreceptors was associated with the formation of basal laminar deposits around GA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinqin Zhang
- From the Department of Bioengineering (Q.Z., Y.C., H.Z., R.K.W.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Yingying Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology (Y.S., M.S., W.F., G.G., P.J.R.), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Mengxi Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology (Y.S., M.S., W.F., G.G., P.J.R.), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Yuxuan Cheng
- From the Department of Bioengineering (Q.Z., Y.C., H.Z., R.K.W.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Hao Zhou
- From the Department of Bioengineering (Q.Z., Y.C., H.Z., R.K.W.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - William Feuer
- Department of Ophthalmology (Y.S., M.S., W.F., G.G., P.J.R.), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Luis de Sisternes
- Research and Development (L.d.S.), Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc, Dublin, California, USA
| | - Giovanni Gregori
- Department of Ophthalmology (Y.S., M.S., W.F., G.G., P.J.R.), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Philip J Rosenfeld
- Department of Ophthalmology (Y.S., M.S., W.F., G.G., P.J.R.), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Ruikang K Wang
- From the Department of Bioengineering (Q.Z., Y.C., H.Z., R.K.W.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; Department of Ophthalmology (R.K.W.), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
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33
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The OCT angular sign of Henle fiber layer (HFL) hyperreflectivity (ASHH) and the pathoanatomy of the HFL in macular disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022:101135. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Pfau M, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Ribeiro R, Safaei R, McKeown A, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG. Association of complement C3 inhibitor pegcetacoplan with reduced photoreceptor degeneration beyond areas of geographic atrophy. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17870. [PMID: 36284220 PMCID: PMC9596427 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22404-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Preservation of photoreceptors beyond areas of retinal pigment epithelium atrophy is a critical treatment goal in eyes with geographic atrophy (GA) to prevent vision loss. Thus, we assessed the association of treatment with the complement C3 inhibitor pegcetacoplan with optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based photoreceptor laminae thicknesses in this post hoc analysis of the FILLY trial (NCT02503332). Retinal layers in OCT were segmented using a deep-learning-based pipeline and extracted along evenly spaced contour-lines surrounding areas of GA. The primary outcome measure was change from baseline in (standardized) outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness at the 5.16°-contour-line at month 12. Participants treated with pegcetacoplan monthly had a thicker ONL along the 5.16° contour-line compared to the pooled sham arm (mean difference [95% CI] + 0.29 z-score units [0.16, 0.42], P < 0.001). The same was evident for eyes treated with pegcetacoplan every other month (+ 0.26 z-score units [0.13, 0.4], P < 0.001). Additionally, eyes treated with pegcetacoplan exhibited a thicker photoreceptor inner segment layer along the 5.16°-contour-line at month 12. These findings suggest that pegcetacoplan could slow GA progression and lead to reduced thinning of photoreceptor layers beyond the GA boundary. Future trials in earlier disease stages, i.e., intermediate AMD, aiming to slow photoreceptor degeneration warrant consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Pfau
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- GRADE Reading Center, Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Steffen Schmitz-Valckenberg
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
- GRADE Reading Center, Bonn, Germany.
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, 65 North Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84312, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Monika Fleckenstein
- GRADE Reading Center, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, 65 North Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84312, USA
| | - Frank G Holz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- GRADE Reading Center, Bonn, Germany
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35
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HBEGF-TNF induce a complex outer retinal pathology with photoreceptor cell extrusion in human organoids. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6183. [PMID: 36261438 PMCID: PMC9581928 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33848-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Human organoids could facilitate research of complex and currently incurable neuropathologies, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which causes blindness. Here, we establish a human retinal organoid system reproducing several parameters of the human retina, including some within the macula, to model a complex combination of photoreceptor and glial pathologies. We show that combined application of TNF and HBEGF, factors associated with neuropathologies, is sufficient to induce photoreceptor degeneration, glial pathologies, dyslamination, and scar formation: These develop simultaneously and progressively as one complex phenotype. Histologic, transcriptome, live-imaging, and mechanistic studies reveal a previously unknown pathomechanism: Photoreceptor neurodegeneration via cell extrusion. This could be relevant for aging, AMD, and some inherited diseases. Pharmacological inhibitors of the mechanosensor PIEZO1, MAPK, and actomyosin each avert pathogenesis; a PIEZO1 activator induces photoreceptor extrusion. Our model offers mechanistic insights, hypotheses for neuropathologies, and it could be used to develop therapies to prevent vision loss or to regenerate the retina in patients suffering from AMD and other diseases.
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36
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Balaratnasingam C, An D, Hein M, Yu P, Yu DY. Studies of the retinal microcirculation using human donor eyes and high-resolution clinical imaging: Insights gained to guide future research in diabetic retinopathy. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022; 94:101134. [PMID: 37154065 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The microcirculation plays a key role in delivering oxygen to and removing metabolic wastes from energy-intensive retinal neurons. Microvascular changes are a hallmark feature of diabetic retinopathy (DR), a major cause of irreversible vision loss globally. Early investigators have performed landmark studies characterising the pathologic manifestations of DR. Previous works have collectively informed us of the clinical stages of DR and the retinal manifestations associated with devastating vision loss. Since these reports, major advancements in histologic techniques coupled with three-dimensional image processing has facilitated a deeper understanding of the structural characteristics in the healthy and diseased retinal circulation. Furthermore, breakthroughs in high-resolution retinal imaging have facilitated clinical translation of histologic knowledge to detect and monitor progression of microcirculatory disturbances with greater precision. Isolated perfusion techniques have been applied to human donor eyes to further our understanding of the cytoarchitectural characteristics of the normal human retinal circulation as well as provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of DR. Histology has been used to validate emerging in vivo retinal imaging techniques such as optical coherence tomography angiography. This report provides an overview of our research on the human retinal microcirculation in the context of the current ophthalmic literature. We commence by proposing a standardised histologic lexicon for characterising the human retinal microcirculation and subsequently discuss the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying key manifestations of DR, with a focus on microaneurysms and retinal ischaemia. The advantages and limitations of current retinal imaging modalities as determined using histologic validation are also presented. We conclude with an overview of the implications of our research and provide a perspective on future directions in DR research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandrakumar Balaratnasingam
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; Department of Ophthalmology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Dong An
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Martin Hein
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Paula Yu
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Dao-Yi Yu
- Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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37
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Saßmannshausen M, Behning C, Isselmann B, Schmid M, Finger RP, Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Pfau M, Thiele S. Relative ellipsoid zone reflectivity and its association with disease severity in age-related macular degeneration: a MACUSTAR study report. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14933. [PMID: 36056113 PMCID: PMC9440143 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18875-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantification of the relative ellipsoid zone reflectivity (rEZR) might be a structural surrogate parameter for an early disease progression in the context of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Within the European multicenter, cross-sectional MACUSTAR study, we have devised an automatic approach to determine the mean rEZR [arbitrary units, AU] at two independent visits in SD-OCT volume scans in study participants. Linear mixed-effects models were applied to analyze the association of AMD stage and AMD associated high-risk features including presence of pigmentary abnormalities, reticular pseudodrusen (RPD), volume of the retinal-pigment-epithelial-drusenoid-complex (RPEDC) with the rEZR. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were determined for rEZR reliability analysis. Within the overall study cohort (301 participants), we could observe decreased rEZR values (coefficient estimate ± standard error) of - 8.05 ± 2.44 AU (p = 0.0011) in the intermediate and of - 22.35 ± 3.28 AU (p < 0.0001) in the late AMD group. RPD presence was significantly associated with the rEZR in iAMD eyes (- 6.49 ± 3.14 AU; p = 0.0403), while there was a good ICC of 0.846 (95% confidence interval: 0.809; 0.876) in the overall study cohort. This study showed an association of rEZR with increasing disease severity and the presence of iAMD high-risk features. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the rEZR's value as a novel biomarker for AMD and disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Saßmannshausen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- GRADE Reading Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Charlotte Behning
- Institute for Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ben Isselmann
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Matthias Schmid
- Institute for Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Robert P Finger
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Frank G Holz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- GRADE Reading Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Steffen Schmitz-Valckenberg
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- GRADE Reading Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Maximilian Pfau
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- GRADE Reading Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sarah Thiele
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
- GRADE Reading Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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Paques M, Norberg N, Chaumette C, Sennlaub F, Rossi E, Borella Y, Grieve K. Long Term Time-Lapse Imaging of Geographic Atrophy: A Pilot Study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:868163. [PMID: 35814763 PMCID: PMC9257004 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.868163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Geographic atrophy (GA), the late stage of age-related macular degeneration, is a major cause of visual disability whose pathophysiology remains largely unknown. Modern fundus imaging and histology revealed the complexity of the cellular changes that accompanies atrophy. Documenting the activity of the disease in the margins of atrophy, where the transition from health to disease occurs, would contribute to a better understanding of the progression of GA. Time-lapse imaging facilitates the identification of structural continuities in changing environments. In this retrospective pilot study, we documented the long-term changes in atrophy margins by time-lapse imaging of infrared scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) images in 6 cases of GA covering a mean period of 32.8 months (range, 18–72). The mean interval between imaging sessions was 2.4 months (range, 1.4–3.8). By viewing time-lapse sequences we observed extensive changes in the pattern of marginal hyperreflective spots, which associated fragmentation, increase and/or disappearance. Over the entire span of the follow-up, the most striking changes were those affecting hyperreflective spots closest to margins of atrophy, on the non-atrophic side of the retina; a continuum between the successive positions of some of the hyperreflective spots was detected, both by SLO and OCT. This continuum in their successive positions resulted in a subjective impression of a centrifugal motion of hyperreflective spots ahead of atrophy progression. Such mobilization of hyperreflective spots was detected up to several hundred microns away from atrophic borders. Such process is likely to reflect the inflammatory and degenerative process underlying GA progression and hence deserves further investigations. These results highlight the interest of multimodal time-lapse imaging to document cell-scale dynamics during progression of GA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Paques
- Paris Eye Imaging Group, Clinical Investigation Center 1423, Quinze-Vingts Hospital, INSERM-DHOS, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France
- Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Nathaniel Norberg
- Paris Eye Imaging Group, Clinical Investigation Center 1423, Quinze-Vingts Hospital, INSERM-DHOS, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Céline Chaumette
- Paris Eye Imaging Group, Clinical Investigation Center 1423, Quinze-Vingts Hospital, INSERM-DHOS, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France
| | | | - Ethan Rossi
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Ysé Borella
- Paris Eye Imaging Group, Clinical Investigation Center 1423, Quinze-Vingts Hospital, INSERM-DHOS, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France
- Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Kate Grieve
- Paris Eye Imaging Group, Clinical Investigation Center 1423, Quinze-Vingts Hospital, INSERM-DHOS, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris, France
- Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
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Zhang X, Li M, Li B, Liao N, Wei Z, Gao J, Sun Y, Chen J, Rao J, Wen F. Ageing fundus degenerations of Macaca fascicularis on multi-modal imaging and histopathology: Similarities and differences compared to human. Exp Eye Res 2022; 220:109126. [PMID: 35618041 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
To characterize the ageing fundus degenerations in Macaca fascicularis, we used multimodal imaging including color fundus photograph, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, fundus fluorescence angiography, and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) to survey and track fundus changes of 84 Macaca fascicularis, ranging from 5 to 24 years old over 2 years, and followed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. The Macaca fascicularis in our cohort showed ageing characteristics different from human, including the more common yellow dot maculopathy, the unique appearance of patchy hyperautoflurescence, and the absence of subretinal drusenoid deposit, basal laminar deposit, geographic atrophy or choroidal neovascularization. Same with human, hard drusen, soft drusen, atherosclerosis, tessellated retina, staining of vessels in peripheral choroid on late-phase ICGA, and peripheral hard drusen were detected. HE and IF staining suggested the patchy hyperautoflurescence to be drusenoid deposits. BMI were significantly higher in the Macaca fascicularis with yellow dot maculopathy and hard drusen, compared to the ones without (p < 0.05). Our study reveals fundus degenerations that develop with ageing in the nonhuman primate of Macaca fascicularis. Their differences and similarities compared to human worth notice by future translational research in degenerative fundus diseases, especially age-related macular degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiongze Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Miaoling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bihai Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nanying Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiyuan Wei
- Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jiangmei Gao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunxiao Sun
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianhuan Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China; Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
| | - Junhua Rao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Feng Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China.
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Moult EM, Shi Y, Wang L, Chen S, Waheed NK, Gregori G, Rosenfeld PJ, Fujimoto JG. Comparing Accuracies of Length-Type Geographic Atrophy Growth Rate Metrics Using Atrophy-Front Growth Modeling. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2022; 2:100156. [PMID: 36245762 PMCID: PMC9560575 DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2022.100156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To compare the accuracies of the previously proposed square-root-transformed and perimeter-adjusted metrics for estimating length-type geographic atrophy (GA) growth rates. Design Cross-sectional and simulation-based study. Participants Thirty-eight eyes with GA from 27 patients. Methods We used a previously developed atrophy-front growth model to provide analytical and numerical evaluations of the square-root-transformed and perimeter-adjusted growth rate metrics on simulated and semisimulated GA growth data. Main Outcome Measures Comparison of the accuracies of the square-root-transformed and perimeter-adjusted metrics on simulated and semisimulated GA growth data. Results Analytical and numerical evaluations showed that the accuracy of the perimeter-adjusted metric is affected minimally by baseline lesion area, focality, and circularity over a wide range of GA growth rates. Average absolute errors of the perimeter-adjusted metric were approximately 20 times lower than those of the square-root-transformed metrics, per evaluation on a semisimulated dataset with growth rate characteristics matching clinically observed data. Conclusions Length-type growth rates have an intuitive, biophysical interpretation that is independent of lesion geometry, which supports their use in clinical trials of GA therapeutics. Taken in the context of prior studies, our analyses suggest that length-type GA growth rates should be measured using the perimeter-adjusted metric, rather than square-root-transformed metrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M. Moult
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts,Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard & Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Yingying Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Siyu Chen
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Nadia K. Waheed
- New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Giovanni Gregori
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Philip J. Rosenfeld
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - James G. Fujimoto
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts,Correspondence: James G. Fujimoto, PhD, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Research Laboratory of Electronics, 36-361 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139.
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García-Ben A, Baquero-Aranda I, García-Basterra I, García-Campos JM. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTEGRITY OF HENLE FIBERS AND VISUAL ACUITY IN MYOPIC FOVEOSCHISIS. Retina 2022; 42:689-696. [PMID: 34923512 DOI: 10.1097/iae.0000000000003384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To analyze the relationship between Henle fiber (HF) integrity and visual acuity in highly myopic eyes with foveoschisis. METHODS Three hundred and fifty-eight highly myopic eyes were included in this study and divided into three groups according to the Triton optical coherence tomography results. Group 1 included 19 eyes with myopic foveoschisis where the inner and outer retina were connected by a columnar structure in the HF layer at the foveolar area. Group 2 included 17 eyes with myopic foveoschisis where the columnar structure was disrupted in the HF layer at the foveolar area. Group 3 included 322 eyes without myopic foveoschisis or other ocular disease. Clinical and optical coherence tomography findings were obtained and compared. RESULTS Eyes with vitreomacular traction, arteriolar traction, and longer axial length were more likely to have myopic foveoschisis with intact columnar structure in the HF layer (odds ratio [OR], 12.84; P = 0.001; OR, 7.63; P = 0.04; OR, 2.03; P = 0.03) and with disrupted columnar structure in the HF layer (OR, 65.21; P = 0.001; OR, 6.60; P = 0.02; OR, 2.63; P = 0.01). Moreover, eyes with disrupted columnar structure in the HF layer presented a lower best-corrected visual acuity (P = 0.001), longer axial length (P = 0.001; P = 0.009), higher central foveolar thickness (P = 0.001; P = 0.02), and a higher prevalence of vitreomacular traction (P = 0.001; P = 0.04) than control or integrity HF eyes. Furthermore, worse best-corrected visual acuity was related to myopic foveoschisis with disrupted columnar structure in the HF layer (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The integrity of HF in patients with myopic foveoschisis appears to play an important role in visual acuity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio García-Ben
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ferrol University Medical School, Ferrol-La Coruña, Spain
| | - Isabel Baquero-Aranda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital, Málaga, Spain; and
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A common finding in foveal-sparing extensive macular atrophy with pseudodrusen (EMAP) implicates basal laminar deposits. Retina 2022; 42:1319-1329. [DOI: 10.1097/iae.0000000000003463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Sacconi R, Battista M, Borrelli E, Senni C, Tombolini B, Grosso D, Querques L, Bandello F, Querques G. CHOROIDAL VASCULARITY INDEX IS ASSOCIATED WITH GEOGRAPHIC ATROPHY PROGRESSION. Retina 2022; 42:381-387. [PMID: 34561405 DOI: 10.1097/iae.0000000000003305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the correlation between choroidal vascularity index and the enlargement of geographic atrophy (GA) lesion secondary to age-related macular degeneration during the 2-year follow-up. METHODS In this longitudinal observational study, 26 eyes (26 patients, mean age 75.7 ± 8.8 years) affected by GA were included. Choroidal vascularity index was calculated in the subfoveal 3000-µm area. The main outcome measure included correlation analysis between baseline choroidal vascularity index and the rate of GA enlargement. RESULTS During the 2-year follow-up, the mean GA area increased from 6.99 ± 5.28 mm2 to 10.69 ± 6.61 mm2(P < 0.001), accounting for a growth rate of 0.35 ± 0.20 and 0.31 ± 0.17 mm/year after the square root transformation in the first and second year of follow-up, respectively. Stromal choroidal area significantly decreased during the 2-year follow-up (P = 0.002). Interestingly, there was a significant correlation between the baseline choroidal vascularity index and the rate of GA enlargement (r=-0.432, P = 0.027) and between stromal choroidal area and the rate of GA enlargement (r = 0.422, P = 0.032). No other significant relationship was disclosed among choroidal parameters with the rate of GA enlargement. CONCLUSION Choroidal vascularity index impairment is strictly related to the rate of GA enlargement during the 1-year and 2-year follow-up in patients affected by GA. For this reason, choroidal vascularity index could be considered a predictor of GA progression in the clinical setting, and it could be considered as a new potential biomarker in the efficacy evaluation of new GA interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Sacconi
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; and
- Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy;
| | - Marco Battista
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; and
- Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy;
| | - Enrico Borrelli
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; and
- Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy;
| | - Carlotta Senni
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; and
- Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy;
| | - Beatrice Tombolini
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; and
- Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy;
| | - Domenico Grosso
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; and
- Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy;
| | - Lea Querques
- Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy;
| | - Francesco Bandello
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; and
- Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Querques
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; and
- Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy;
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Chen L, Cao D, Messinger JD, Ach T, Ferrara D, Freund KB, Curcio CA. Histology and clinical imaging lifecycle of black pigment in fibrosis secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Exp Eye Res 2022; 214:108882. [PMID: 34890604 PMCID: PMC8809488 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Melanotic cells with large spherical melanosomes, thought to originate from retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), are found in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD). To generate hypotheses about RPE participation in fibrosis, we correlate histology to clinical imaging in an eye with prominent black pigment in fibrotic scar secondary to nvAMD. METHODS Macular findings in a white woman with untreated inactive subretinal fibrosis due to nvAMD in her right eye were documented over 9 years with color fundus photography (CFP), fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). After death (age 90 years), this index eye was prepared for light and electron microscopy to analyze 7 discrete zones of pigmentation in the fibrotic scar. In additional donor eyes with nvAMD, we determined the frequency of black pigment (n = 36 eyes) and immuno-labeled for retinoid, immunologic, and microglial markers (RPE65, CD68, Iba1, TMEM119; n = 3 eyes). RESULTS During follow-up of the index eye, black pigment appeared and expanded within a hypoautofluorescent fibrotic scar. The blackest areas correlated to melanotic cells (containing large spherical melanosomes), some in multiple layers. Pale areas had sparse pigmented cells. Gray areas correlated to cells with RPE organelles entombed in the scar and multinucleate cells containing sparse large spherical melanosomes. In 94% of nvAMD donor eyes, hyperpigmentation was visible. Certain melanotic cells expressed some RPE65 and mostly CD68. Iba1 and TMEM119 immunoreactivity, found both in retina and scar, did not co-localize with melanotic cells. CONCLUSION Hyperpigmentation in CFP results from both organelle content and optical superimposition effects. Black fundus pigment in nvAMD is common and corresponds to cells containing numerous large spherical melanosomes and superimposition of cells containing sparse large melanosomes, respectively. Melanotic cells are molecularly distinct from RPE, consistent with a process of transdifferentiation. The subcellular source of spherical melanosomes remains to be determined. Detailed histology of nvAMD eyes will inform future studies using technologies for spatially resolved molecular discovery to generate new therapies for fibrosis. The potential of black pigment as a biomarker for fibrosis can be investigated in clinical multimodal imaging datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Chongqing Eye Institute, Chongqing Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Chongqing, PR China,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Dongfeng Cao
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jeffrey D. Messinger
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Thomas Ach
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - K. Bailey Freund
- Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York, New York, NY, USA,Department of Ophthalmology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christine A. Curcio
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA,Corresponding author. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Vision Research Laboratories, 1670 University Boulevard Room 360; University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35294-0099, USA. (C.A. Curcio)
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Automated foveal location detection on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in geographic atrophy patients. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2022; 260:2261-2270. [PMID: 35044505 PMCID: PMC9203415 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-021-05520-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop a fully automated algorithm for accurate detection of fovea location in atrophic age-related macular degeneration (AMD), based on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans. METHODS Image processing was conducted on a cohort of patients affected by geographic atrophy (GA). SD-OCT images (cube volume) from 55 eyes (51 patients) were extracted and processed with a layer segmentation algorithm to segment Ganglion Cell Layer (GCL) and Inner Plexiform Layer (IPL). Their en face thickness projection was convolved with a 2D Gaussian filter to find the global maximum, which corresponded to the detected fovea. The detection accuracy was evaluated by computing the distance between manual annotation and predicted location. RESULTS The mean total location error was 0.101±0.145mm; the mean error in horizontal and vertical en face axes was 0.064±0.140mm and 0.063±0.060mm, respectively. The mean error for foveal and extrafoveal retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy (RORA) was 0.096±0.070mm and 0.107±0.212mm, respectively. Our method obtained a significantly smaller error than the fovea localization algorithm inbuilt in the OCT device (0.313±0.283mm, p <.001) or a method based on the thinnest central retinal thickness (0.843±1.221, p <.001). Significant outliers are depicted with the reliability score of the method. CONCLUSION Despite retinal anatomical alterations related to GA, the presented algorithm was able to detect the foveal location on SD-OCT cubes with high reliability. Such an algorithm could be useful for studying structural-functional correlations in atrophic AMD and could have further applications in different retinal pathologies.
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Chen G, Svirskis D, Lu W, Ying M, Li H, Liu M, Wen J. N-trimethyl chitosan coated nano-complexes enhance the oral bioavailability and chemotherapeutic effects of gemcitabine. Carbohydr Polym 2021; 273:118592. [PMID: 34560993 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
N-trimethyl chitosan (TMC) is a multifunctional polymer that can be used in various nanoparticle forms in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and biomedical fields. In this study, TMC was used as a mucoadhesive adjuvant to enhance the oral bioavailability and hence antitumour effects of gemcitabine formulated into nanocomplexes composed of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA NPs) conjugated with d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS). A central composite design was applied to achieve the optimal formulation. Cellular uptake and drug transportation studies revealed the nanocomplexes permeate over the intestinal cells via adsorptive-mediated and caveolae-mediated endocytosis. Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated the oral drug bioavailability of the nanocomplexes was increased 5.1-fold compared with drug solution. In pharmacodynamic studies, the formulation reduced tumour size 3.1-fold compared with the drug solution. The data demonstrates that TMC modified nanocomplexes can enhance gemcitabine oral bioavailability and promote the anticancer efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanyu Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China; School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Darren Svirskis
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Weiyue Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Man Ying
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongyu Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, AR, USA
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingyuan Wen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Kim JH, Kim JW, Kim CG, Lee DW. LONG-TERM COURSE AND VISUAL OUTCOMES OF PRECHOROIDAL CLEFT IN NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION AND POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY. Retina 2021; 41:2436-2445. [PMID: 34173365 DOI: 10.1097/iae.0000000000003242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the regression of prechoroidal cleft, its influence on visual outcomes, and differences in visual outcomes between neovascular age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. METHODS This retrospective study included 61 patients exhibiting prechoroidal cleft who were treated with antivascular endothelial growth factors. The patients were divided into two groups according to the following categories: 1) regression of prechoroidal cleft: regression group versus nonregression group and 2) type of neovascularization: neovascular age-related macular degeneration group versus polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy group. Changes in the visual acuity during the follow-up period were also compared between the two groups. RESULTS During the 52.4 ± 17.4-month follow-up period, regression of prechoroidal cleft was noted in 17 patients (27.9%) at a mean of 25.7 ± 18.3 months after the first identification. The degree of the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution of visual deterioration was greater in the nonregression group (0.59 ± 0.56, n = 17) than that in the regression group (0.25 ± 0.61, n = 44) (P = 0.007) and in the neovascular age-related macular degeneration group (0.56 ± 0.61, n = 51) than that in the polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy group (0.18 ± 0.33, n = 10) (P = 0.034). CONCLUSION Approximately 27.9% of prechoroidal cleft cases eventually regressed, in conjunction with relatively favorable visual outcomes. Considering the poor visual prognosis in neovascular age-related macular degeneration accompanied by prechoroidal cleft, more caution is required for this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Hui Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kim's Eye Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
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Mokrane A, Zureik A, Bonnin S, Erginay A, Lavia C, Gaudric A, Tadayoni R, Couturier A. Retinal Sensitivity Correlates With the Superficial Vessel Density and Inner Layer Thickness in Diabetic Retinopathy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:28. [PMID: 34846517 PMCID: PMC8648065 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.14.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper was to present our study on the relationship between the parafoveal sensitivity measured using microperimetry and the vessel density (VD) assessed by optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A) in eyes with diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods The observational case series was conducted in a tertiary ophthalmology center. Eyes with DR and without macular edema were consecutively included. All eyes underwent microperimetry and OCT-A. The correlation between the regional retinal sensitivity and the corresponding local capillary changes and structural alterations seen on OCT-A was assessed in each retinal quadrant. Results Thirty-seven eyes of 21 patients were included. The mean retinal sensitivity was 28.7 ± 2 decibel (dB). The mean parafoveal VD was 43.2 ± 4.2% in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and 48.1 ± 3.3% in the deep capillary complex (DCC). In the multivariate linear regression model, the mean retinal sensitivity was positively correlated with the VD in the SCP in the parafoveal ring (P = 0.01) and with the inner nuclear layer (INL) thickness (P = 0.01). The qualitative analysis of each quadrant showed the presence of areas of capillary dropout with a normal sensitivity. Conversely, all areas of decreased sensitivity (<25 dB) were associated with a decreased VD in the SCP and the DCC. Conclusions The parafoveal sensitivity positively correlated with the VD in the SCP in DR eyes. Areas with a low retinal sensitivity were always co-located with a loss of capillaries in the SCP and the DCC despite preserved outer retinal layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azzeddine Mokrane
- Université de Paris, Ophthalmology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Lariboisière, F-75010, Paris, France
| | - Abir Zureik
- Université de Paris, Ophthalmology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Lariboisière, F-75010, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Bonnin
- Université de Paris, Ophthalmology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Lariboisière, F-75010, Paris, France
| | - Ali Erginay
- Université de Paris, Ophthalmology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Lariboisière, F-75010, Paris, France
| | - Carlo Lavia
- Université de Paris, Ophthalmology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Lariboisière, F-75010, Paris, France
| | - Alain Gaudric
- Université de Paris, Ophthalmology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Lariboisière, F-75010, Paris, France
| | - Ramin Tadayoni
- Université de Paris, Ophthalmology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Lariboisière, F-75010, Paris, France
| | - Aude Couturier
- Université de Paris, Ophthalmology Department, AP-HP, Hôpital Lariboisière, F-75010, Paris, France
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Sacconi R, Vella G, Battista M, Borrelli E, Balasubramanian S, Querques L, Bandello F, Querques G. Choroidal Vascularity Index in Different Cohorts of Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:26. [PMID: 34665234 PMCID: PMC8543393 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.12.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the choroidal luminal and interstitial stromal alterations using choroidal vascularity index (CVI) among different cohorts of dry age-related macular degeneration (dAMD) compared to healthy subjects. Methods Four distinct cohorts were collected: three different cohorts of patients with dAMD (i.e. drusen, reticular pseudodrusen [RPD], and geographic atrophy [GA]) and an age-matched cohort of healthy subjects (controls). CVI (the ratio between the luminal choroidal area [LCA] and the total choroidal area [TCA]) was calculated in the subfoveal 1000 µm area. Results One hundred twenty eyes (from 120 patients) were included (30 eyes in each cohort). The mean age was 76.6 ± 7.1 years. No statistical differences were disclosed in terms of age, axial length, and central macular thickness among study groups. TCA showed a different distribution among the four cohorts (P = 0.003), mainly due to the LCA changes (P = 0.001). Interestingly, CVI showed a different distribution among the four cohorts (P < 0.001). RPD showed a lower CVI in comparison to controls (P = 0.040), whereas GA showed a lower CVI in comparison to drusen, RPD, and controls (P = 0.001, P = 0.046, and P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions Different cohorts of dAMD are characterized by different impairments of the choroidal vascular and stromal components, reflecting different degrees of AMD severity. Translational Relevance CVI provides insights for better understanding the pathogenesis of AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Sacconi
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Vella
- Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and of Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Battista
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Borrelli
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Siva Balasubramanian
- Advanced Clinical, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lea Querques
- Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Bandello
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Querques
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,Division of Head and Neck, Ophthalmology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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Shen LL, Sun M, Ahluwalia A, Park MM, Young BK, Del Priore LV. Local Progression Kinetics of Geographic Atrophy Depends Upon the Border Location. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:28. [PMID: 34709347 PMCID: PMC8558522 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.13.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To assess the influence of lesion morphology and location on geographic atrophy (GA) growth rate. Methods We manually delineated GA on color fundus photographs of 237 eyes in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study. We calculated local border expansion rate (BER) as the linear distance that a point on the GA border traveled over 1 year based on a Euclidean distance map. Eye-specific BER was defined as the mean local BER of all points on the GA border in an eye. The percentage area affected by GA was defined as the GA area divided by the total retinal area in the region. Results GA enlarged 1.51 ± 1.96 mm2 in area and 0.13 ± 0.11 mm in distance over 1 year. The GA area growth rate (mm2/y) was associated with the baseline GA area (P < 0.001), perimeter (P < 0.001), lesion number (P < 0.001), and circularity index (P < 0.001); in contrast, eye-specific BER (mm/y) was not significantly associated with any of these factors. As the retinal eccentricity increased from 0 to 3.5 mm, the local BER increased from 0.10 to 0.24 mm/y (P < 0.001); in contrast, the percentage of area affected by GA decreased from 49.3% to 2.3%. Conclusions Using distance-based measurements allows GA progression evaluation without significant confounding effects from baseline GA morphology. Local GA progression rates increased as a function of retinal eccentricity within the macula which is opposite of the trend for GA distribution, suggesting that GA initiation and enlargement may be mediated by different biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangbo L Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States
| | - Mengyuan Sun
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Gladstone Institute, San Francisco, California, United States
| | - Aneesha Ahluwalia
- Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, United States
| | - Michael M Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States
| | - Benjamin K Young
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Lucian V Del Priore
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
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