Changes in choroidal thickness in advanced diabetic retinopathy treated with pan-retinal photocoagulation using a pattern scanning laser versus a conventional laser

Wide-Field Optical Coherence Tomography in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema

Background: The goal of the study was to analyze variations in central, perifoveal, and peripheral retinal thickness (RT) and choroidal thickness (CT) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) measured with ultra-wide-field optical coherence tomography (UWF-OCT). Additionally, correlations between RT and CT in the central, perifoveal, and peripheral sectors and the presence of selected systemic factors were evaluated. Methods: A total of 74 consecutive adult diabetic patients with DME and 75 healthy controls were included. Study participants were divided into three groups: DME patients without panretinal photocoagulation (PRP; 84 eyes), DME patients after PRP (56 eyes), and healthy controls (125 eyes). RT and CT were analyzed in three zones: a central circle of 3 mm diameter (central), a ring contained between a centered 9 mm circle and the central 3 mm circle (perifoveal), and a second, more peripheral ring between centered 18 mm and 9 mm circles (peripheral). Additionally, DME subgroups were analyzed according to the correlation of RT and CT with age, axial length, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), diabetes duration, insulin therapy duration, body mass index (BMI), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values, intravitreal injection (IVI) count, and the advancement of retinopathy assessed by the simplified diabetic retinopathy severity scale (DRSS). Results: The increase in RT in the far peripheral sectors in DME patients was not significant. The increases in central and perifoveal RT and lower values of CT in PRP-naive DME patients were strongly associated with poorer BCVA. Patients with DME after PRP presented with BCVA improvements significantly related to the number of IVIs. The amount of DME and RT in peripheral sectors were both independent of systemic factors such as BMI, duration of diabetes, duration of insulin intake, retinopathy severity, and HbA1c levels. Conclusions: Peripheral retinal sectors in DME patients are less affected in terms of increase in their thickness compared to central ones. Functional and morphological associations of DME with UWF-OCT testing refer to central and perifoveal sectors.

Practical treatment options for persistent central serous chorioretinopathy and early visual and anatomical outcomes

PURPOSE

Persistent central serous chorioretinopathy (pCSC) may be treated by laser photocoagulation (PC), selective retina therapy (SRT), or photodynamic therapy (PDT). We conducted retrospective analyses regarding the choice of therapy for pCSC in the best clinical practice and the outcomes of these modalities.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective interventional study.

METHODS

The records of 71 eyes of 68 treatment naïve pCSC cases who underwent PC, SRT, or PDT were reviewed. First, the baseline clinical parameters were evaluated to find significant factors associated with the choice of treatment option. Second, the 3 months' visual and anatomical outcomes of each modality were assessed.

RESULTS

The PC, SRT, and PDT groups included 7, 22, and 42 eyes, respectively. The leakage pattern in fluorescein angiography (FA) was significantly associated with the choice of treatment (p<0.005). The dry macula ratio at 3 months post-treatment was 29%, 59%, and 81% in the PC, SRT, and PDT groups, respectively, which significantly differed among the groups (p<0.01). The best-corrected visual acuities tended to be improved after the treatments in all groups. Central choroidal thickness (CCT) was significantly decreased in all groups (p<0.05, p<0.01, and p<0.00001, in PC, SRT, and PDT groups, respectively). Logistic regression analysis for dry macula revealed that SRT (p<0.05), PDT (p<0.05), and the changes in CCT (p<0.01)were the significant association factors.

CONCLUSION

The leakage pattern in FA was associated with the choice of treatment option for pCSC. PDT achieved a significantly higher dry macula ratio than PC, 3 months after the treatment.

Comparison of Chorioretinal Parameters in Diabetic Retinopathy with or without Pan-Retinal Photocoagulation Using Ultrawide-Field Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

INTRODUCTION

To compare structural and vascular parameters in the central and peripheral retina and choroid of eyes diagnosed with severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) with or without pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) using ultrawide-field swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA).

METHODS

All participants underwent SS-OCTA imaging centered on the fovea. Retinal and choroidal thickness, vessel density of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), choroidal capillary plexus (CCP), and choroidal Sattler's and Haller's layer (CSHL) were analyzed in nine grids using built-in angiography analysis software.

RESULTS

A total of 82 eyes from 82 participants were enrolled in this study, including 40 eyes diagnosed with severe NPDR or PDR without PRP and 42 eyes with PRP. Retinal thickness in part grids was higher in eyes with PRP than in eyes without PRP. Vessel density of the SCP in nasal-superior (p = 0.003) grid was lower in eyes with PRP than in eyes without PRP. No significant difference was found in the vessel density of the DCP between the two groups (all p > 0.05). The choroidal thickness and vessel density of the CSHL of all grids were significantly lower in eyes with PRP than in eyes without PRP (all p < 0.05). A statistically significant decrease in vessel density in CCP was found in the superior (p = 0.043), nasal-superior grid (p = 0.003), macular grid (p < 0.001), and optic disc grid (p = 0.001) of eyes with PRP, compared to eyes without PRP. A significant decrease in the vessel density of CSHL was observed in all grids of PDR eyes with PRP compared to PDR eyes without PRP (all p < 0.05). Significant decrease in choroidal thickness was observed in most grids of PDR eyes with PRP, except for macular grid (p = 0.090) and optic disc grid (p = 0.057).

CONCLUSION

Structural and vascular parameters in the central and peripheral retinal and choroidal layers in eyes diagnosed with severe NPDR or PDR with or without PRP could be quantified using a ultrawide-field SS-OCTA. Eyes with PRP showed a significant decrease in choroidal thickness and vessel density of CCP and CSHL, compared with eyes without PRP. This trend was more obvious in eyes with PDR.

Influence of Intravitreal Therapy on Choroidal Thickness in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the variation in subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and its relationship with the variation in central macular thickness (CME) in response to intravitreal therapy with an antiangiogenic (anti-VEGF) drug or corticosteroid in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic macular edema (DME).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 70 eyes of 35 patients: 26 eyes received 4-5 intravitreal injections of aflibercept, 26 eyes were treated with a single intravitreal implant injection of dexamethasone, and 18 eyes without DME did not receive intravitreal therapy. SPECTRALIS® optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) was used to measure the SFCT and CME before and at the end of the follow-up period.

RESULTS

The mean reductions in CME were 18.8 +/- 14.7% (aflibercept) and 29.7 +/- 16.9% (dexamethasone). The mean reductions in SFCT were 13.8 +/- 13.1% (aflibercept) and 19.5 +/- 9.6% (dexamethasone). The lowering effects of both parameters were significantly greater in the group treated with the dexamethasone implant (p = 0.022 and p = 0.046 for CMT and SFCT, respectively). Both therapies significantly decreased both CME and SFCT, independent of factors such as age, sex, previous intravitreal therapy, antidiabetic treatment, and the time of diabetes progression. There were no changes in the mean values of CME and SFCT in the untreated eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

SFCT significantly decreased in response to intravitreal therapy with anti-VEGF or corticosteroids, irrespective of age, sex, previous intravitreal therapy, antidiabetic treatment, and the time of diabetes progression. There was a correlation between the changes in CME and SFCT after intravitreal therapy with aflibercept or dexamethasone implantation. SFCT was not a good predictor of the CME response but could be used to monitor the response to treatment. Local intravitreal therapy only affected the treated eye.

Optical Coherence Tomography Combined with Fluorescein Fundus Angiography under Intelligent Algorithm to Evaluate the Clinical Efficacy of Ranibizumab Combined with Panretinal Photocoagulation in the Treatment of Macular Edema of Diabetic Retinopathy Patients

This study aimed at investigating the clinical effect of ranibizumab combined with panretinal photocoagulation in the treatment of macular edema in diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients. A parametric deformation model was constructed, and based on this, it was evaluated using optical coherence tomography (OCT) combined with fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA). 56 DR patients (80 eyes) who needed surgery were selected for OCT and FFA scanning, and 0.5 mg ranibizumab was administered intravitreal injection before surgery. It should observe the OCT and FFA image characteristics of patients. In addition, the vision correction status before the surgery, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the surgery, the thickness of the macular retina, operation time, the number of intraoperative electrocoagulation, and complications of patients were recorded. It was found that 82.85% of patients had improved visual acuity after surgery. Compared with preoperative, the average logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) of patients at 6 months after surgery increased significantly ( $P<0.01$ ). With the increase of the grade of fibrosis and the grade of hemorrhage, the logMAR visual acuity recovery at 6 months after the surgery became worse; the macular retinal thickness at 6 months after the surgery decreased significantly ( $P<0.01$ ). With the increase of the grade of fibrous proliferation and the grade of bleeding, the operation time, the number of electrocoagulation, and the possibility of iatrogenic holes of patient would increase. It can be known that ranibizumab combined with panretinal photocoagulation surgery could not only reduce the macular edema but also effectively reduce the intraoperative bleeding, simplify the removal of proliferative membranes, decrease the number of electrocoagulation, and shorten the operation time, enhancing the visual function of patients.