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Role of combined phacoemulsification and intravitreal injection of bevacizumab in prevention of postoperative macular edema in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Ranibizumab for Retinal Neovascularization

Objective To investigate the distribution patterns of diabetic macular edema (DME) based on optical coherence tomography (OCT), and explore its correlation with diabetic retinopathy (DR) stages and systemic factors. Methods A total of 135 patients (242 eyes) with type 2 diabetes were included in this retrospective study. There were 75 males (138 eyes) and 60 females (104 eyes), the ages were from 29 to 83 years, with an average age of (58.8±11.1) years. The general information such as height, weight, smoking history and blood glucose [such as glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)], blood pressure, blood lipid, 24 hours urine protein and other examinations were collected. The diagnosis of DR and DME were made, and the staging of DR and typing of DME were performed based on fundus color imaging and OCT. DR were divided into mild non-proliferative DR (NPDR), moderate NPDR, severe NPDR and proliferative DR (PDR). DME were categorized into 4 types including sponge-like retinal swelling (SME), cystoid macular edema (CME), serous retinal detachment (SRD) and posterior hyaloid traction (PHT). The correlation between DME types and DR staging were analyzed by χ2 test and Fisher exact test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between DME types and systemic factors. Results In 242 DR eyes the proportions of mild, moderate, severe NPDR and PDR were 30.99%, 32.64%, 23.14% and 13.23%, respectively. There were 199 eyes (82.23%) with DME. There were statistically significant differences in the proportion of DME in different stages of DR (χ2=21.077, P<0.01). In the 199 eyes with DME, There were 165 eyes (68.18%) of SME, 22 eyes (9.09%) of CME, 7 eyes (2.89%) of SRD and 5 eyes (2.07%) of PHT. The distribution of DME patterns in different stages of DR was statistically significant (χ2=156.273, P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that the duration of diabetes, HbA1c and macroalbuminuria were independent risk factors for DME [odds ratio (OR)= 1.090, 1.510, 4.123; P<0.05], and were also independent for SME (OR=1.092, 1.445, 3.942; P<0.05); HbA1c was an independent risk factor for SRD (OR=2.337, P<0.05). Conclusions There are differences in the distribution of different DME types in each stage of DR. The duration of diabetes, HbA1c and macroalbuminuria were independent risk factors for DME and SME, and macroalbuminuria and HbA1c for CME and SRD. Key words: Macular edema/diagnosis; Risk factors; Diabetic retinopathy/diagnosis; Tomography, optical coherence

Cataract Surgery in Uveitis

PurposeTo characterize the natural course of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in contemporary clinical practice.Patients and MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of US claims data collected between January 1, 2006, and April 30, 2017. Patients aged ≥18 years with continuous medical and prescription insurance coverage for 18 months before DR diagnosis (index date) and for a follow-up period of 5 years were included (N=14,490). The time and risk of progressing to severe nonproliferative DR (NPDR) or proliferative DR (PDR) and of developing diabetic macular edema (DME) were evaluated over 5 years in patients stratified by DR severity at initial diagnosis.ResultsThe estimated probability of progressing to severe NPDR or PDR within 5 years of diagnosis was 17.6% for patients with moderate NPDR versus 5.8% for mild NPDR. The probability of developing DME within 5 years was 62.6%, 44.6%, and 28.4% for patients diagnosed with severe NPDR, moderate NPDR, and PDR, respectively, versus 15.6% for mild NPDR. Among those observed to progress, median time to severe NPDR or PDR was approximately 2.0 years in patients with moderate NPDR, whereas median time to DME was approximately 0.5 years in patients with severe NPDR, 1.3 years in moderate NPDR, and 1.6 years in PDR. Relative to mild NPDR, adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for progression to severe NPDR or PDR within 5 years were 3.12 (2.61–3.72) in patients with moderate NPDR, and for incident DME were 5.92 (5.13–6.82), 3.54 (3.22–3.91), and 1.96 (1.80–2.14) in patients with severe NPDR, moderate NPDR, and PDR, respectively.ConclusionThe risk of DR progression and DME over 5 years was highest among patients diagnosed with moderate and severe NPDR, respectively. Our findings reinforce the importance of close monitoring for these patients to avoid unobserved disease progression toward PDR and/or DME.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) metrics in the superficial (SCP), intermediate (ICP), and deep (DCP) vascular plexuses across diabetic retinopathy (DR) severity levels.MethodsThis was a cross sectional observational retrospective chart review study. Eligible patients with diabetes who underwent same day RTVue XR Avanti OCTA, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and 200-degree Optos ultrawide field color imaging. SCP, ICP, and DCP vessel density (VD) and vessel length density (VLD) were assessed using 3-D projection artifact removal software (PAROCTA) software.ResultsOf 396 eyes (237 patients), 16.1% had no DR, 26.9% mild nonproliferative DR (NPDR), 21.1% moderate NPDR, 12.1% severe NPDR, 10.1% proliferative DR (PDR) without panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), and 13.4% PDR with PRP. When comparing mild NPDR to no DR eyes, ICP and DCP VD and VLD were significantly lower, but there was no difference for SCP metrics. In eyes with more severe DR, there were significant differences in SCP VD and VLD between DR severity levels (mild versus moderate NPDR: VD 35.45 ± 3.31 vs. 34.14 ± 3.38, P = 0.008 and VLD 17.59 ± 1.83 vs. 16.80 ± 1.83, P = 0.003; moderate versus severe NPDR: VLD 16.80 ± 1.83 vs. 15.79 ± 1.84, P = 0.019), but no significant differences in ICP or DCP.ConclusionsAlthough VD of each of the three individual layers decreases with increasing DR severity, DR severity has a substantially different effect on OCTA parameters within each layer. Vascular changes in eyes with no to early DR were present primarily in the deeper vascular layers, whereas in eyes with advanced DR the opposite was observed. This study highlights the effects of ICP and the importance of assessing SCP and DCP changes independently across each DR severity level.

Introduction: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains a visually debilitating disease and is commonly classified according to its severity as non-proliferative DR (NPDR) or proliferative DR (PDR). Those suffering from PDR tend to have worse vascular complications and prognosis. Platelets exposed by vasculopathy caused by DR maybe activated to try to maintain haemostasis. This activity can be illustrated by the mean platelet component (MPC). Therefore, by MPC monitoring we may be able to predict the progression from NPDR into PDR.Purpose: To investigate the difference of MPC in patients with NPDR and PDR.Study design: Cross-sectional.Materials and methods: This study involved 71 DR patients. Preliminary data regarding the patients’ demographic characteristics, diabetes history, related diseases, medication history, and general eye examination were recorded. Fundus photographs were taken after dilating eyedrops and DR was graded by an ophthalmologist. The patients were grouped into NPDR and PDR. Mean platelet component was analyzed using the automatic hematology analyzer ADVIA 120.Results: Mean platelet component (MPC) was 26.69 g/dl (± 1.79) and 25.52 g/dl (± 1.20) in the NPDR and PDR group, respectively (p = 0.002), but was not clinically significant. In depth analysis into the DR grades differed significantly between mild NPDR and high-risk PDR (p = 0.015), and moderate NPDR and high-risk PDR (p = 0.024). Using our definition of mild DR (mild and moderate NPDR) and severe DR (high-risk and advanced PDR), there was a significant difference with mean MPC of 27.01 g/dl (± 1.64) and 25.31 g/dl (± 1.22), respectively (p = 0.001). The proportion of activated platelets was also higher in severe DR. Negative correlations were found between MPC with duration of DM (r = -0.333; p = 0.004) and MPC with systolic blood pressure (r = -0.241; p = 0.043).Conclusion: There was a significant difference in MPC between NPDR and PDR, but the results should be interpreted carefully. Further analysis between the mild and severe form of DR strengthened this finding.

BackgroundWith the diabetes mellitus (DM) prevalence increasing annually, the human grading of retinal images to evaluate DR has posed a substantial burden worldwide. SmartEye is a recently developed fundus image processing and analysis system with lesion quantification function for DR screening. It is sensitive to the lesion area and can automatically identify the lesion position and size. We reported the diabetic retinopathy (DR) grading results of SmartEye versus ophthalmologists in analyzing images captured with non-mydriatic fundus cameras in community healthcare centers, as well as DR lesion quantitative analysis results on different disease stages.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study. All the fundus images were collected from the Shanghai Diabetic Eye Study in Diabetics (SDES) program from Apr 2016 to Aug 2017. 19,904 fundus images were acquired from 6013 diabetic patients. The grading results of ophthalmologists and SmartEye are compared. Lesion quantification of several images at different DR stages is also presented.ResultsThe sensitivity for diagnosing no DR, mild NPDR (non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy), moderate NPDR, severe NPDR, PDR (proliferative diabetic retinopathy) are 86.19, 83.18, 88.64, 89.59, and 85.02%. The specificity are 63.07, 70.96, 64.16, 70.38, and 74.79%, respectively. The AUC are PDR, 0.80 (0.79, 0.81); severe NPDR, 0.80 (0.79, 0.80); moderate NPDR, 0.77 (0.76, 0.77); and mild NPDR, 0.78 (0.77, 0.79). Lesion quantification results showed that the total hemorrhage area, maximum hemorrhage area, total exudation area, and maximum exudation area increase with DR severity.ConclusionsSmartEye has a high diagnostic accuracy in DR screening program using non-mydriatic fundus cameras. SmartEye quantitative analysis may be an innovative and promising method of DR diagnosis and grading.

The use of intravitreal corticosteroids in the management of macular oedema has recently gained widespread acceptance. New long-acting steroid preparations and methods of delivery have facilitated the use of these new modalities. This review describes the various types of macular oedema for which this therapeutic option is used and the results.

Inadequacies and inaccuracies in grading non proliferative diabetic retinopathy without fluorescein fundus angiography in Chinese patients.

Diabetes-related retinal disease (DR) is the subject of the investigation. One of the main reasons why diabetic individuals become blind is diabetic retinopathy syndrome. DR is classified into two major types, first Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR) and the second Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR). The treatment can be given to the patients based on the neovascularization (Abnormal Blood Vessel Growth) in the retina. Early findings of neovascularization are much important. Based on this report only an optometrist can identify, whether if the patient comes under NPDR or PDR. NPDR is further classified into three stages, Mild NPDR, Moderate NPDR and Severe NPDR. The main causes of vision impairment in this group of patients are of concern. Early diagnosis, careful observation, and appropriate evidence-based management—which frequently involves several different health care disciplines and professions—are necessary for diabetes and diabetic retinopathy (DR). The one area of the body where physical damage to blood vessels brought on by systemic disorders can be seen noninvasively is treated and observed by an optometrist. This highlights how crucial it is to keep an eye on all diabetic patients and collaborate with endocrinologists or primary care physicians (PCPs) to properly manage these individuals. In the past, skilled professionals would treat patients by hand. However, with the rapid advancement of technology, diabetic retinopathy may now be treated digitally. A specialist can identify the more intricate characteristics of the eye and treat patients appropriately.

To investigate the clinical value of epiretinal macrophage-like cells (eMLCs) in different stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR), including diabetic macular edema (DME). One hundred and seventy-six eyes of 176 patients, including 31 diabetes eyes without retinopathy, 24 with mild nonproliferative DR (NPDR), 37 with moderate NPDR, 32 with severe NPDR, and 52 with proliferative DR, were compared with 30 healthy controls. The optic nerve head and macular region were examined using en face optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography. A previously described technique was employed to measure the eMLCs on the inner limiting membrane. The optic nerve head and macular eMLC densities increased with worsening DR stage and were higher in moderate, severe NPDR, and proliferative DR, especially in eyes with DME (all adjusted P < 0.01). The optic nerve head and macular eMLC densities in the DME groups were higher than those in their corresponding non-DME groups at the same DR stage (all P < 0.05). The average macular thickness was correlated with macular eMLC density (standardized β = 0.661, P < 0.001) in patients with diabetes. The proportion of eyes with larger and plumper eMLCs increased with worsening DR and was higher in moderate, severe NPDR, proliferative DR, and eyes with DME ( P = 0.018, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). Increased density along with morphological changes of eMLCs is observed beginning with moderate NPDR and correlates with the progression of DR, including DME.

Association of serum Nε-Carboxy methyl lysine with severity of diabetic retinopathy

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the long-term efficacy of conventional laser photocoagulation in the treatment of diabetic macular edema.Methods: In this retrospective study, the records of patients presented with diabetic macular edema (DME) and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy were reviewed. DME defined as clinically significant macular edema was treated by using argon green or yellow dye laser with focal, grid, and modified grid techniques according to Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study parameters. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured. BCVA change after the treatment and its relationship with other factors were evaluated.Results: The study included 133 eyes of 81 patients. The mean follow-up was 28.26 months. BCVA demonstrated the increase of 2 lines or more in 20.7% of the eyes, stabilization within 2 lines in 60.7% of the eyes, and loss of 2 lines or more in 18.3% of the eyes. The eyes with baseline BCVA lower than or equal to 0.50 showed a statistically significant increase (p=0.001) whereas the eyes with baseline BCVA of more than 0.50 did not show a statistically significant change (p=0.070) after laser photocoagulation treatment.Conclusions: Conventional laser photocoagulation is an effective treatment in diabetic macular edema including center-involved type and stabilizes visual acuity in the majority of the patients. Improvement in BCVA is significant in the group with lower baseline BCVA.Abbreviations: DM = diabetes mellitus, DME = diabetic macular edema, ETDRS = early treatment diabetic retinopathy study, CSME = clinically significant macular edema, CLP = conventional laser photocoagulation, VEGF = vascular endothelial growth factor, BCVA = best-corrected visual acuity, ANOVA = analysis of variance, VA = visual acuity

Wide-field optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCTA) may provide insights to peripheral capillary dropout in eyes with diabetic retinopathy (DR). To describe the diagnostic performance of wide-field OCTA with and without large vessel removal for assessment of DR in persons with diabetes. This case-control study was performed from April 26, 2018, to April 8, 2019, at a single tertiary eye center in Singapore. Case patients were those with type 2 diabetes for more than 5 years and bilateral DR diagnosed by fundus imaging; control participants included those with no self-reported history of diabetes, a fasting glucose level within the normal range in the past year, and no ocular pathologic findings. A wide-field (12 × 12-mm2) fovea-centered scan was performed using a prototype swept source OCTA system. Retinal microvasculature was examined by separating the angiograms into large vessels, capillaries, and capillary dropout regions. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for DR severity discrimination using wide-field vascular metrics. Retinal perfusion density (RPD), capillary perfusion density (CPD), large vessel density (LVD), and capillary dropout density (CDD) were calculated. Low-contrast regions were excluded from the calculation. A total of 49 eyes in 27 control participants (17 male [63.0%]; mean [SD] age, 59.96 [7.63] years; age range, 44-79 years) and 76 eyes in 47 patients with diabetes (29 male [61.7%]; mean [SD] age, 64.36 [8.08] years; range, 41-79 years) were included. Among eyes in patients with diabetes, 23 were in those with diabetes but no DR, 25 in those with mild nonproliferative DR, and 28 in those with moderate to severe nonproliferative DR. There was no difference in RPD, CPD, LVD, and CDD between the control group and the group with diabetes and no DR. There was a stepwise decrease in RPD, CPD, and CDD in the diabetes with no DR, mild nonproliferative DR, and moderate to severe nonproliferative DR groups, whereas LVD was not associated with DR staging. The nonproliferative DR group had decreased RPD, CPD, and CDD compared with the control group. The CPD had higher AUCs than RPD for discriminating diabetes with nonproliferative DR (combined mild and moderate to severe nonproliferative DR) vs no DM (AUC, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.87-0.98] vs 0.89 [95% CI, 0.83-0.95], P = .01), diabetes with no DR vs mild nonproliferative DR (AUC, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.68-0.94] vs 0.77 [95% CI, 0.64-0.91], P = .18), and mild nonproliferative DR vs moderate to severe nonproliferative DR (AUC, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.71-0.94] vs 0.78 [95% CI, 0.65-0.91], P = .01) but similar AUCs for no DM vs diabetes with no DR. The total perfusion density and CPD in wide-field OCTA had better discriminative power than the central 6 × 6-mm2 field (CPD, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.83-0.95] vs 0.84 [95% CI, 0.77-0.92], P = .06; total perfusion density, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.87-0.98] vs 0.90 [95% CI, 0.83-0.96], P = .06). The findings suggest that wide-field OCTA provides information on microvascular perfusion and may be useful for detecting predominant peripheral capillary dropout in eyes with nonproliferative DR. A vascular selectivity approach excluding the large vessels may improve the discriminative power for different stages of DR.