Investigation of retinal microvasculature and choriocapillaris in adolescent myopic patients with astigmatism undergoing orthokeratology

Background

To observe alterations of fundus microcirculation and retinal thickness in adolescent myopic patients with astigmatism after toric and spherical orthokeratology using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), to explore the effects of orthokeratology on the retinal thickness and choroidal blood flow.

Methods

A total of 48 patients were enrolled and divided into two group (toric orthokeratology (T) group and spherical orthokeratology (S) group) according to the type of lens design. OCTA was used to measure the superficial and deep retinal vessel densities at the macular region, radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) density, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, and choriocapillaris (ChC) perfusion area before and after orthokeratology for 3 months. The data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 19.0 software.

Results

Compared with before orthokeratology, the superficial vessel density in the fovea and parafovea in the T group significantly increased, and the deep vessel density in the whole area and fovea were significantly elevated after 3 months (P < 0.05). The superficial vessel density was significantly higher only in the parafovea in the S group after 3 months than that before orthokeratology (P < 0.05), deep vessel density in the whole area and parafovea after 3 months was significantly higher than that before orthokeratology (P < 0.05). RPC density in the two groups increased after 3 months of orthokeratology in the whole area and inside the disc area (P < 0.05).

Three months after toric orthokeratology, FAZ area in the T group was significantly reduced by 0.05 (− 0.41 to + 0.08) mm², while ChC perfusion area was enlarged by 0.06 ± 0.12 mm². FAZ area in the S group significantly decreased by 0.01 (− 0.19 to + 0.01) mm², whereas ChC perfusion area increased by 0.06 (− 0.07 to + 0.50) mm². Retinal thickness in the two groups increased after 3 months of orthokeratology in the whole area and parafoveal area (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Orthokeratology improved retinal blood flow in macular area and RPC while controlling myopia. The changes in FAZ and ChC perfusion areas did not significantly differ between toric and spherical orthokeratology.

Mesenchymal stem cells for repairing glaucomatous optic nerve

Glaucoma is a common and complex neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and axons. Currently, there is no effective method to address the cause of RGCs degeneration. However, studies on neuroprotective strategies for optic neuropathy have increased in recent years. Cell replacement and neuroprotection are major strategies for treating glaucoma and optic neuropathy. Regenerative medicine research into the repair of optic nerve damage using stem cells has received considerable attention. Stem cells possess the potential for multidirectional differentiation abilities and are capable of producing RGC-friendly microenvironments through paracrine effects. This article reviews a thorough researches of recent advances and approaches in stem cell repair of optic nerve injury, raising the controversies and unresolved issues surrounding the future of stem cells.

Removing anchorage-dependent cells from culture flasks

We have described an inexpensive and simple method for removal of monolayered cells from tissue culture flasks that, when combined with the reusable procedure of Shepard and Hartmann (2), will save both time and money in laboratories on a limited budget or that do not desire to use a rubber policeman.

P6565The relation between the variation of CL and atrial tachycardia

Background

Complex ATs with a complicated circuit have been increasing because of the native or iatrogenic scars in atrium. However, development of resolution in the EAM allows us to reach the correct diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to reassess the relationship between characteristics of ATs and cycle length based on the correct diagnosis with high-resolution mapping system.

Method

Among 85 consecutive AT patients treated with with high-resolution mapping system “Rhythmia”, patients with at least one mappable AT during procedure were prospectively included in this study. Maximal, minimal, and variation of ATCL was calculated from the decapolar in the coronary sinus (CS) during 2minutes, and the relation between CL and respiration was measured on the Rhythmia (Figure 1). These values were compared to AT types.

Results

90 ATs in 65 patients (mean 59±13 yrs, 16 females, 55 post-AF ATs) including 4 focal-ATs, 23 localized-AT, and 63 macroreentrant ATs were analyzed. As shown in the table 1, the maximum and minimum CL was similar between focal-AT, localized-AT, and, macroreentrant-AT. However, both absolute CL-variation and ratio of CL-variation were significantly smaller in macroreentrant ATs (P=0.009 and P=0.0012, respectively). Table 2 described the comparison between 66 left-ATs and 24 right-ATs. Although the maximum and minimum CL were similar, both absolute CL-variation and ratio of CL-variation were significantly larger in right ATs (P=0.001 and P=0.007, respectively). Additionally, the correlation of CL to the respiration was significantly more frequently seen in the right-ATs (3.0% in left-ATs and 62.5% in right-ATs, P<0.0001).

Table 1, 2 and Figure 1

Conclusions

CL-variation of ATs may be significantly smaller in macroreentrant ATs and significantly larger in right ATs. CL-variation correlated to the respiration may suggest right-ATs. These information may be helpful to diagnose ATs before mapping.

Clinical significance of episcleral venous fluid wave in gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy

AIM

To evaluate the clinical significance of checking episcleral venous fluid wave (EVFW) during gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG).

METHODS

This retrospective case series study comprised 30 patients (45 eyes) with OAG underwent GATT. The location and extent of EVFW were examined and graded after intraoperative compression flushing of the anterior chamber angle during the operation. Patients were followed up for 1y. A complete success for surgery is defined as a postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) <18 mm Hg without any anti-glaucoma medication. IOP<18 mm Hg with less than two anti-glaucoma medications is defined as qualified success, while the control of IOP requiring three anti-glaucoma medications is considered as unsuccess.

RESULTS

The mean IOP was 35.38±7.16 mm Hg before surgery and 15.52±4.22 mm Hg 1y after surgery (P<0.01). The average number of anti-glaucoma medication was 2.8±1.2 (2-4) preoperation and 0.6±1.3 (0-3) 1y postoperation (P<0.01). The success rate of the operation was 93.33%. Complete success rate was 66.67%, qualified success rate was 26.67%, and 6.66% of unsuccessful cases required reoperation. EVFW of all cases was grade 2-4, and the percentages of grade 2, 3 and 4 were 33.33%, 40.0% and 26.67%, respectively. The distribution and percentage of EVFW were inferior (36%), nasal (28%), superior (20%), and temporal (16%). The EVFW grade of complete success patients was 3.4±0.6 (3-4), and that of qualified success patients was 2.6±1.0 (2-4). The larger the range of EVFW, the lower the IOP, and the better the IOP reduction effect.

CONCLUSION

During GATT surgery, pressurized irrigation of anterior chamber to check EVFW can reduce the outflow resistance of aqueous humor and increase the effect of postoperative IOP. The range of EVFW is negatively correlated with postoperative IOP. Therefore, EVFW may be a valuable prognostic indicator for the success of GATT surgery.