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DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0318857

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Scientific Reports  

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in cytokine levels in the aqueous humor and factors of treatment resistance following intravitreal faricimab injection in treatment-naïve patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. A total of 32 eyes were analyzed before and after a single faricimab injection. Although the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) showed no significant improvement, the mean central retinal thickness decreased significantly by 73.7% (P < 0.01), and more than 90% of the eyes showed improvement in exudative changes 1 month after faricimab injection. Moreover, the aqueous humor concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, angiopoietin (Ang)-2, and placental growth factor considerably decreased 1 month after faricimab injection. Multivariate analyses adjusted for age, sex, BCVA, central choroidal thickness, and aqueous humor cytokines revealed that higher Ang-2 levels in the aqueous humor at baseline were associated with better treatment response to faricimab injection. These findings suggest that the dual inhibition of VEGF-A and Ang-2 by faricimab is effective in reducing exudative changes and that Ang-2 may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting faricimab treatment response.

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-024-83473-6

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science  

PURPOSE. To examine the changes in aqueous humor cytokine levels and clinical outcomes of switching from aflibercept to faricimab in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). METHODS. Fifty-four eyes of 54 patients with AMD undergoing treatment with aflibercept under a treat-and-extend (TAE) regimen were switched to faricimab and studied prospectively. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA; in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution), central retinal thickness (CRT), central choroidal thickness (CCT), and exudative status were analyzed using optical coherence tomography. Aqueous humor was collected before and after the switch, and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), placental growth factor (PlGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A levels were measured. RESULTS. After switching from aflibercept to faricimab, exudative changes improved in 28 eyes (52%), remained stable in eight eyes (15%), and worsened in 18 eyes (33%). BCVA changed from 0.27 ± 0.31 to 0.26 ± 0.29 (P = 0.46), CRT decreased from 306.2 ± 147.5 μm to 278.6 ± 100.4 μm (P = 0.11), and CCT changed from 189.5 ± 92.8 μm to 186.8 ± 93.9 μm (P = 0.21). VEGF-A levels were below the detection sensitivity in many cases throughout the pre- and post-switching periods. Ang-2 significantly decreased from 23.8 ± 23.5 pg/mL to 16.4 ± 21.9 pg/mL (P < 0.001), and PlGF significantly increased from 0.86 ± 0.85 pg/mL to 1.72 ± 1.39 pg/mL (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS. Switching from aflibercept to faricimab in patients with nAMD may not only suppress VEGF-A but also Ang-2 and reduce exudative changes.

DOI： 10.1167/iovs.65.11.15

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Retinal Cases and Brief Reports  

Purpose:To discuss a case of a macular hole formation after vitrectomy for myopic retinoschisis with foveal detachment and spontaneous closure, during long-term follow-up.Methods:Case report.Results:A 71-year-old man with myopic retinoschisis with foveal detachment had a vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling combined with cataract surgery in the left eye. The preoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 8/20, and the axial length was 27.11 mm. A macular hole with foveal detachment was observed 1 month after surgery. However, the macular hole closed spontaneously with foveal detachment at 4 months of follow-up. Foveal detachment resolved, and the best-corrected visual acuity improved to 20/20 at nine months of follow-up.Conclusion:This case suggests that the macular hole formed after vitrectomy for myopic retinoschisis with foveal detachment with internal limiting membrane peeling can close spontaneously.

DOI： 10.1097/ICB.0000000000001130

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology  

Purpose: We investigated the differences in displacement of the outer and inner macular retina toward the optic disc after vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for epiretinal membrane (ERM). Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area changes were also investigated. Study design: Retrospective observational study Methods: This retrospective observational case series included 45 eyes of 43 patients that underwent vitrectomy with ERM and ILM peeling for ERM and 38 normal eyes. The locations of the centroid of the FAZ (C-FAZ, center of the foveal inner retina) and foveal bulge (center of the foveal outer retina) were determined using 3×3mm superficial optical coherence tomography angiography. C-FAZ and foveal bulge displacements, and the pre- and postoperative FAZ areas and their associated factors, were investigated. Results: Postoperative C-FAZ dislocated significantly more toward the optic disc than in pre-operative or normal eyes (P<0.001). C-FAZ and foveal bulge displaced toward the optic disc after surgery; C-FAZ showed significantly greater displacement than foveal bulge (P<0.001). The pre- and postoperative FAZ areas were correlated (P=0.01). Preoperative FAZ areas ≧0.10mm2 were reduced after surgery, and FAZ areas < 0.10mm2 were increased, independent of foveal displacement. Conclusion: ILM peeling during vitrectomy for ERM caused larger displacement of the inner and smaller displacement of the outer retinas, towards the optic disc. Postoperative changes in the FAZ area were dependent on the baseline FAZ area, but not on the foveal displacement. ILM may physiologically exert centrifugal tractional forces on the fovea.

DOI： 10.1007/s10384-022-00964-7

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Authorship：Lead author   Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Retina  

DOI： 10.1097/IAE.0000000000003173

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：American Journal of Ophthalmology  

In the July 2020 issue, in incorrect reference was inadvertently switched with the correct reference. Reference 11 should read: Pinilla I, Idoipe M, Perdices L, et al. Changes in total and inner retinal thicknesses in type 1 diabetes with no retinopathy after 8 years of follow-up. Retina 2020; 40:1379–1386. The publisher would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

DOI： 10.1016/j.ajo.2020.12.017

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Scientific Reports  

Pachyvessels are pathologically dilated large choroidal vessels and are associated with the pathogenesis of several pachychoroid-related disorders, including central serous chorioretinopathy. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for pachyvessels in the Japanese population. We included 316 participants (aged ≥ 40 years) with normal right eyes. The presence of pachyvessels (vertical diameter > 300 µm, distance to the retinal pigment epithelium < 50 µm) was determined using 6 × 6 mm macular swept-source optical coherence tomography images, and associated risk factors were investigated. Subfoveal choroidal thickness was measured, and its associated risk factors investigated. The overall prevalence of pachychoroids was 9.5%. Regression analysis showed that a younger age, shorter axial length, male sex, and smoking were significantly associated with the presence of pachyvessels (p = 0.047; odds ratio [OR] 0.96 per year, p = 0.021; OR 0.61 per 1 mm, p = 0.012; OR 3.08 vs. female, and p = 0.011; OR 3.15 vs. non-smoker, respectively) and greater choroidal thickness (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.003, and p < 0.017, respectively). The results were consistent with other research findings which showed that pachychoroid-related disorders such as central serous chorioretinopathy were associated with younger age, male sex, shorter axial length, and smoking. Smoking may be associated with choroidal circulatory disturbance in the Japanese population.

DOI： 10.1038/s41598-021-90493-z

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：American Journal of Ophthalmology  

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the association between changes in retinal layer thickness and perfusion status in the extramacular areas of eyes with diabetic retinopathy. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods: The medical records of 70 eyes from 55 patients with diabetes were reviewed. The status of retinal perfusion in extramacular areas was evaluated using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography. Retinal layer thickness was measured in nonperfused areas (NPA) larger than 2 optic disc areas, areas of sparse capillaries (SC), and perfused areas (PA-DR) in eyes with diabetic retinopathy. Retinal layer thickness was also measured in perfused areas in eyes without diabetic retinopathy (PA-NDR), and the thicknesses were then compared. In addition, swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography images and retinal thickness maps were compared to investigate the distribution of retinal thickness changes and spatial relationships to areas of retinal perfusion. Results: The inner retinal thickness in NPA was significantly thinner than the inner retinal thicknesses in SC, PA-DR, and PA-NDR (all P < .001), and the inner retinal thickness in PA-NDR and SC was significantly thinner than that in PA-DR (P = .006 and .031, respectively). In a distribution analysis of the extramacular areas, NPA spatially overlapped with areas of severe retinal thinning in all locations. Local thickening with smooth shapes and gentle borders overlapped with areas of capillary abnormalities. Neovascularization was present at sites of local thickening with irregular shapes and unnatural clear borders. Conclusions: Changes in retinal layer thickness were associated with perfusion status, suggesting that retinal thickness maps can reflect perfusion status.

DOI： 10.1016/j.ajo.2020.03.019

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Retina  

Purpose: To study B-scan flow overlay and en face flow optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) images of Type 3 neovascularization (NV) and to characterize a staging system for Type 3 NV based on the OCT-A findings. Methods: We retrospectively collected data on consecutive treatment-naive eyes with Type 3 NV. All eyes underwent fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, structural spectral domain OCT, and OCT-A (AngioPlex). Localization and extension of abnormal flows detected by B-scan flow overlay and en face OCT-A images were assessed. Results: Of 24 eyes of 22 patients with Type 3 NV, B-scan flow overlay images showed that 4.2% had telangiectatic flow in the deep retinal layer without outer plexiform layer disruption (Stage 1), 8.3% had downward intraretinal flow and subretinal flow without retinal pigment epithelium disruption (Stage 2), and 87.5% had downward flow and retinal pigment epithelium disruption (Stage 3). Of the Stage 3 eyes, 95.2% showed flow signal penetrating at the site of the retinal pigment epithelium disruption on the B-scan flow overlay images. Conclusion: We showed the characteristics of Type 3 NV using B-scan flow overlay and en face OCT-A images. B-scan flow overlay OCT-A images seem useful to improve the detection and accurate diagnosis of Type 3 NV.

DOI： 10.1097/IAE.0000000000002357

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：PLoS ONE  

Purpose Vessel maturation is considered to proceed by pruning branches resulting in less branching vessels. This study investigated the vessel junction densities of type 1 and type 2 choroidal neovascularizations (CNVs) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods We collected consecutive data from treatment-naïve eyes diagnosed with typical age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The OCTA images with CNV were analyzed to calculate vessel areas, vessel lengths, and vessel junction densities. Results Of 60 eyes in 60 patients, type 1 CNV diagnoses had been made in 40 eyes, and type 2 CNV in 20 eyes. We found no significant difference in vessel areas between type 1 CNV and type 2 CNV (type 1 CNV, 0.44 ± 0.37 mm2; type 2 CNV, 0.37 ± 0.48 mm2), and no significant difference in vessel lengths (type 1 CNV, 18.24 ± 15.96 mm; type 2 CNV, 16.13 ± 21.45 mm). However, the vessel junction density of type 1 CNV was significantly lower than that of type 2 CNV by 16.0% (P = 0.008). Conclusion OCTA revealed that the vessel junction densities of type 1 CNVs were lower than those of type 2 CNVs, suggesting type 1 CNV vessels are more mature than type 2 CNV vessels.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0216304

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