OBJECTIVE: In this study we investigated the efficacy of short-term intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGF) in treating traumatic submacular hemorrhage.
METHODS: A total of 115 patients were diagnosed with submacular hemorrhage between 2018 and 2022 at Shenzhen Eye Hospital. In a retrospective analysis, we examined 13 of these patients who presented with submacular hemorrhage and choroidal rupture due to ocular trauma. Eight patients were treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF injection and 5 with oral drugs. We systematically analyzed changes in their ocular conditions pre and post-treatment. The evaluations encompassed best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography, fundus fluorescein angiography, and retinal imaging.
RESULTS: The 13 patients diagnosed with submacular hemorrhage comprised of 10 males and 3 female, with their age ranging between 27 and 64 years, with an average age of 38.1 years (standard deviation [SD]: 11.27). A statistically significant reduction in central foveal thickness (CFT) was observed following intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF drugs (P = 0.03). In control group, the CFT was reduced without statistical significance (P = 0.10). The BCVA of the patients in treatment group improved significantly from 1.15 (SD: 0.62. Range: 0.4-2) to 0.63 (SD: 0.59. Range: 0.1-1.6), indicating an average increase of 4.13 lines (SD: 3.36. Range: 0-9) as measured by the visual acuity test using an eye chart (P = 0.01). The difference between baseline visual acuity and final visual acuity was not statistically significant in control group (P = 0.51).
CONCLUSIONS: Short-term administration of anti-VEGF drugs exhibited significant efficacy in reducing submacular hemorrhage following ocular trauma and enhancing visual acuity.

Congenital simple hamartoma of the retinal pigment epithelium (CSHRPE) is a rare benign tumor often detected incidentally during routine eye exams. We present a case of multifocal CSHRPE in a 32-year-old Hispanic woman, emphasizing the diagnostic challenges posed by its presentation and the pivotal role of multimodal imaging in accurate diagnosis. Despite initial difficulties due to a history of trauma and pigmented fundus, advanced imaging techniques, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography (OCTA), fluorescein angiography (FA), and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), facilitated a precise diagnosis. Notably, OCTA revealed high signal intensity and flow at the largest nodule site while FA and ICGA exhibited characteristic blockage patterns. Moreover, smaller nodules exhibited OCT findings supporting the theory of islands of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells proliferating ectopically within the retina. Our case underscores the importance of comprehensive imaging assessment in distinguishing CSHRPE from other lesions, contributing to a deeper understanding of this rare ocular condition.

UNASSIGNED: We investigated the natural history of retinal dystrophy owing to variants in the MYO7A gene.
UNASSIGNED: Fifty-three patients (mean age, 33.6 ± 16.7 years) with Usher syndrome owing to biallelic, mostly pathogenic, variants in MYO7A underwent baseline and two annual follow-up visits. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), semiautomatic kinetic visual field, full-field electroretinogram, color fundus imaging, microperimetry, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and fundus autofluorescence were assessed.
UNASSIGNED: At baseline, all patients presented with decreased BCVA (66.4 ± 17.9 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy score and 59.5 ± 21.7 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy score, in the better- and worse-seeing eyes, respectively), restricted semiautomatic kinetic visual field (III4e area, 3365.8 ± 4142.1°2; 4176.4 ± 4400.3°2) and decreased macular sensitivity (9.7 ± 9.9 dB; 9.0 ± 10.2 dB). Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography revealed reduced central macular thickness (259.6 ± 63.0 µm; 250.7 ± 63.3 µm) and narrowed ellipsoid zone band width (2807.5 ± 2374.6 µm; 2615.5 ± 2370.4 µm). Longitudinal analyses (50 patients) showed a significant decrease of BCVA in better-seeing eyes, whereas no changes were observed in worse-seeing eyes for any parameter. BCVA, semiautomatic kinetic visual field (III4e and V4e) and macular sensitivity were related significantly to age at baseline. Hyperautofluorescent foveal patch (16 eyes [31.4%]) and abnormal central hypoautofluorescence (9 eyes [17.6%]) were significantly associated with worse morphological and functional read-outs compared with the hyperautofluorescent ring pattern (22 eyes [43.1%]).
UNASSIGNED: Our European multicentric study offers the first prospective longitudinal analysis in one of the largest cohorts of MYO7A patients described to date, confirming the slow disease progression. More important, this study emphasizes the key role of fundus autofluorescence patterns in retinal impairment staging and advocates its adoption as an objective biomarker in patient selection for future gene therapy clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes, a health crisis afflicting millions worldwide, is increasing rapidly in prevalence. The microvascular complications triggered by diabetes have emerged as the principal cause of renal disease and blindness. The retinal microvascular network may be sensitive to early systemic vascular structural and functional changes. Therefore, this research endeavored to discern the systemic determinants influencing the retinal microvascular network in patients with and without diabetes.
METHODS: The Kailuan Eye Study is a cross-sectional study based on the community-based cohort Kailuan Study. Participants underwent optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) (Zeiss Cirrus 5000; Carl Zeiss Meditec) and comprehensive systemic examination. Metrics such as perfusion density (PD), vascular density (VD), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) in the macula were assessed.
RESULTS: This study included 860 eligible participants (average age = 62.75 ± 6.52 years; 21.9% female), of which 449 were diabetics. People with diabetes had diminished PD and VD in the entire macular and parafoveal regions compared to people without diabetes. Reduced PD in the whole macular region was correlated with higher fasting plasma glucose (FPG, mmol/L) concentration (Beta = -0.19, 95% CI = -0.42 to -0.36, P < 0.001), longer axial length (AL, mm) (Beta = -0.13, 95%CI = -0.48 to -0.25, P = 0.002), and elevated heart rate (Beta = -0.10, 95%CI = -0.14 to -0.19, P = 0.014), after adjusting for younger age (Beta = -0.18, 95%CI = -0.24 to -0.35, P < 0.001), consistent with VD of the whole macular region. A higher FPG level was significantly correlated with lower SCP density of both PD and VD in the macular and parafoveal region (P < 0.05 for all), as well as increased systolic blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (P < 0.01 for all).
CONCLUSIONS: In this large-sample cross-sectional study, OCTA evaluation revealed that high prevalence of diabetes and elevated FPG levels were correlated with reduced retinal VD and PD. Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are important risk factors for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease but have no significant effect on retinal microvascular abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of factors that affect the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in healthy eyes may aid in the early identification of patients at risk of retinal pathology, thereby allowing better management and preventive measures to be implemented.
OBJECTIVE: The size and shape of the FAZ can change due to retinal diseases associated with oxidative stress, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. This study aimed to assess the relationship, if any, between factors that may affect the superficial FAZ (i.e., vessel density, vessel perfusion, overweight/obesity) and possible links with macular pigment optical density in young, healthy participants.
METHODS: One hundred thirty-nine participants aged 18 to 35 years were recruited to this cross-sectional study. The superficial FAZ area, foveal vascularity, and central macular thickness (CMT) were assessed using the Cirrus 5000. Health parameters, body mass index, trunk fat %, and macular pigment were analyzed to determine possible associations with the superficial FAZ.
RESULTS: Mean FAZ area was 0.23 ± 0.08 mm2. Females had a significantly larger mean FAZ area than males (p=0.002). The FAZ area was positively correlated with body mass index (Pearson\'s r = 0.189, p=0.026). Significant correlates of the FAZ area in the multivariate model included vessel perfusion (central), CMT, and trunk fat %, collectively explaining 65.1% of the overall variability.
CONCLUSIONS: Study findings suggest that reduced vessel perfusion, thinner CMT, and higher trunk fat % are plausible predictors of a larger FAZ area in healthy Caucasian adults. Low macular pigment optical density was, however, not associated with increased FAZ size in young healthy eyes. Noninvasive optical coherence tomography angiography testing, in association with these predictors, may aid in the early detection and monitoring of retinal diseases associated with oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), the leading cause of visual impairment in the developed world, relies on the interpretation of various imaging tests of the retina. These include invasive angiographic methods, such as Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA) and, on occasion, Indocyanine-Green Angiography (ICGA). Newer, non-invasive imaging modalities, predominately Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA), have drastically transformed the diagnostic approach to nAMD. The aim of this study is to undertake a comprehensive diagnostic accuracy assessment of the various imaging modalities used in clinical practice for the diagnosis of nAMD (OCT, OCTA, FFA and, when a variant of nAMD called Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy is suspected, ICGA) both alone and in various combinations.
METHODS: This is a non-inferiority, prospective, randomised diagnostic accuracy study of 1067 participants. Participants are patients with clinical features consistent with nAMD who present to a National Health Service secondary care ophthalmology unit in the UK. Patients will undergo OCT as per standard practice and those with suspicious features of nAMD on OCT will be approached for participation in the study. Patients who agree to take part will also undergo both OCTA and FFA (and ICGA if indicated). Interpretation of the imaging tests will be undertaken by clinicians at recruitment sites. A randomised design was selected to avoid bias from consecutive review of all imaging tests by the same clinician. The primary outcome of the study will be the difference in sensitivity and specificity between OCT+OCTA and OCT+FFA (±ICGA) for nAMD detection as interpreted by clinicians at recruitment sites.
BACKGROUND: The study has been approved by the South Central-Oxford B Research Ethics Committee with reference number 21/SC/0412.Dissemination of study results will involve peer-review publications, presentations at major national and international scientific conferences.
BACKGROUND: ISRCTN18313457.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the clinical effects of double-dose (4 mg) aflibercept treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), compared with the standard-dose (2 mg) treatment.
METHODS: A total of 108 eyes from 97 patients with nAMD and received intravitreal aflibercept 2 mg and/or 4 mg treatment were retrospectively reviewed. The changes of central macular thickness (CMT)/ pigmental epithelium detachment height and the recurrence rate of exudation during the 12-month follow-up were compared between the 2 mg group and the 4 mg group. Self-control comparisons (2 mg switch to 4 mg) were also made between two regimens.
RESULTS: Compared with the 2 mg group, tendencies of lower intraretinal fluid incidence and more CMT reduction were observed in the 4 mg group. The later one was also observed when eyes switching from 2 mg to 4 mg regimen. The median remission interval was 5 months in the 4 mg group, 2 months longer than the 3 months in the 2 mg group (P = 0.452). Injections needed in the 4 mg group were 3.644 ± 1.670, less than the 4.286 ± 2.334 injections in the 2 mg group within 12 months as well (P = 0.151). However, no associated vision benefits were gained from the double-douse regimen. No markedly increased-intraocular pressure events, or other adverse events were found in two groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the aflibercept 2 mg treatment in nAMD, tendencies of anatomic gains and relieving treatment burden were brought by the aflibercept 4 mg treatment. This study may have additional importance, given the further application of high-dose aflibercept in real-world settings.

OBJECTIVE: This article studies the relationship between structural changes according to the findings of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA), microperimetry (MP), multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) parameters in topographically corresponding areas of the macular region in idiopathic full-thickness macular holes (FTMH).
METHODS: OCT, OCTA, MP and mfERG were performed in 14 eyes with FTMH stages I-IV according to Gass. In 13 points at a distance of 0-2.5°, 2.5-5.0°, and 5.0-10.0° from the fixation point, the light sensitivity (LS), amplitude and latency of the P1 component were compared with the size of the hole, the area of cystic changes (CC) at the level of the inner nuclear layer (INL) and the outer plexiform layer and Henle fiber layer complex (OPL+HFL), vessel density in the superficial and deep capillary plexus (SCP and DCP).
RESULTS: LS and P1 component amplitude were significantly reduced at a distance of up to 5.0° from the fixation point. LS correlates with the apical and basal diameter of the hole (R> -0.53), the area of CC in the INL (R> -0.62) and the OPL+HFL complex (R> -0.55), the density of vessels in the SCP at a distance of up to 2.5° from the fixation point (R>0.51) and in the DCP at a distance of up to 5° from the fixation point (R>0.49). The P1 amplitude correlates with the basal diameter of the hole (R= -0.38), the area of CC in the INL and the OPL+HFL complex (R> -0.33) and vessel density in the SCP (R=0.37) at a distance of up to 2.5° from the fixation point, as well as vessel density in the DCP at a distance of up to 5° from the fixation point (R=0.47). Vessel density in the DCP is significantly lower in the presence of CC in the retina (p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: In FTMH, there is a relationship between bioelectrical activity and LS, and structural disorders, capillary perfusion in different layers of the retina. A multimodal topographically oriented approach allows studying the relationship between structural and functional parameters in individual points of the retina and can be used in monitoring of FTMH after surgical treatment.
UNASSIGNED: Изучить взаимосвязь структурных изменений по данным оптической когерентной томографии (ОКТ) и ОКТ-ангиографии (ОКТ-А) и показателей микропериметрии (МП), мультифокальной электроретинографии (мфЭРГ) в топографически соответствующих областях макулярной области при идиопатических сквозных макулярных разрывах (СМР).
UNASSIGNED: На 14 глазах с СМР I—IV стадии по Gass проведены ОКТ, ОКТ-А, МП, мфЭРГ. В 13 точках на удалении 0—2,5°, 2,5—5,0° и 5,0—10,0° от точки фиксации сопоставлены световая чувствительность (СЧ), амплитуда и латентность компонента Р1 с размерами разрыва, площадью кистозных изменений (КИ) на уровне внутреннего ядерного слоя (ВЯС) и комплекса наружного плексиформного слоя и слоя Генле (НПС + СГ), плотностью сосудов в поверхностном и глубоком капиллярном сплетении (ПКС и ГКС).
UNASSIGNED: СЧ и амплитуда компонента P1 значимо снижены на удалении до 5,0° от точки фиксации. СЧ коррелирует с апикальным и базальным размером разрыва (R> –0,53), площадью КИ в ВЯС (R> –0,62) и комплексе НПС + СГ (R> –0,55), плотностью сосудов в ПКС на удалении до 2,5° от точки фиксации (R>0,51) и в ГКС на удалении до 5° от точки фиксации (R>0,49). Амплитуда P1 коррелирует с базальным диаметром разрыва (R= –0,38), площадью КИ в ВЯС и комплексе НПС + СГ (R> –0,33) и плотностью сосудов в ПКС (R=0,37) на удалении до 2,5° от точки фиксации, а также плотностью сосудов в ГКС на удалении до 5° от точки фиксации (R=0,47). Плотность сосудов в ГКС значимо ниже при наличии КИ в сетчатке (p<0,001).
UNASSIGNED: При СМР существует взаимосвязь между биоэлектрической активностью и СЧ и структурными нарушениями, капиллярной перфузией в различных слоях сетчатки. Мультимодальный топографически ориентированный подход позволяет изучить взаимосвязь структурных и функциональных показателей в отдельных точках сетчатки и может быть использован при наблюдении за СМР после хирургического лечения.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to employ Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) to comprehensively assess changes in the optic nerve head (ONH) and macular perfusion before and after the Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking (CCL) procedure in patients with keratoconus.
METHODS: A total of 22 keratoconus patient\'s candidate for CCL procedures were included based on specific criteria, with meticulous exclusion criteria in place to minimize potential confounders. Participants underwent OCTA assessments of the ONH and macula using the Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg) before CCL, as well as at 1- and 3-months post-CCL. MATLAB software was utilized for image analysis.
RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 20.09 ± 6.11, including 59% male, and the mean intraocular pressure (IOP) before the surgery was 13.59 ± 2.85 mmHg. Peripapillary Retinal nerve fiber layer (ppRNFL) thickness and overall retinal thickness remained stable post-CCL. However, significant alterations were observed in macular vessel density, emphasizing regional variations in vascular response. For macular large vessel density (LVD), both superficial and deep vascular complex (SVC and DVC) demonstrated significant differences between before surgery and the 3 months post-surgery follow-up (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Optic nerve head markers demonstrated relative stability, except for changes in avascular complex density, which was 49.2 ± 2.2% before the surgery and decrease to 47.6 ± 1.7% three months after the operation (P-value = 0.005).
CONCLUSIONS: While CCL appears to maintain the integrity of certain ocular structures, alterations in macular perfusion post-CCL suggest potential effects on retinal blood supply. Long-term monitoring is crucial to understand the implications of these changes, particularly in the context of conditions such as diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To study the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and compare them to normal age- and refractive error-matched healthy controls.
METHODS: Using OCTA, the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, cup:disk ratio, vessel density (VD) of the optic nerve head (ONH) and peripapillary area and the macular VD in superficial (SCP) and deep vascular complexes in both 3 mm and 6 mm scans of both groups were compared. Clinical data included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), cycloplegic refraction, intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior and posterior segments examination findings, including ONH cup:disk ratio.
RESULTS: A total of 48 eyes of 48 children (24 eyes in each group) were included. There was no difference in the mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, cup:disk ratio, baseline visual acuity, or spherical equivalent between groups (P > 0.05). In the 3 mm macular scan, the VD of the SCP at the fovea was significantly higher in the PCG group compared to controls (P = 0.04). In the ONH scans, there was a significantly reduced inside the disk VD in the PCG group compared to controls (P = 0.03). There was no significant difference in other macular and ONH vascular parameters between groups (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: In our study cohort, there was no difference in most of the macular and ONH vascular parameters between groups. However, the fellow eyes of PCG patients exhibited higher VD of the SCP at the fovea and reduced inside the disk VD compared with control eyes.