To examine the expression of pro-interleukin-1β (pro-IL-1β) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the vitreous body of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration(nAMD), polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), retinal vein occlusion (RVO) or Eales’ disease to further elucidate the role of IL-1β and inflammation in the pathogenesis of neovascular retinal disease. Prospective clinical laboratory investigation study. All patients enrolled had vitreous hemorrhage due to nAMD, PCV, PDR, RVO or Eales’ disease that required vitrectomy. Patients were excluded for any history of active intraocular inflammation, or other ophthalmic surgery besides vitrectomy. Control samples were obtained from patients with idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane. A total of fifty vitreous samples were collected from patient during vitrectomy. Pro-IL-1β and IL-1β expression were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results were analyzed statistically using nonparametric tests. Expression of pro-IL-1β protein was increased by 2.83-fold and 9.19-fold in PCV and nAMD vitreous samples relative to control, respectively. Expression of IL-β protein was increased by 10-fold and 4.83-fold in PCV and nAMD vitreous samples relative to control, respectively. Our results demonstrate that expression of pro-IL-1β and IL-1β proteins is higher in PCV and nAMD. The roles of pro-IL-1β and IL-1β as inflammatory mediators in the development of PCV and nAMD may be associated with photoreceptor degeneration and neovascularization which necessitates further study.

Purpose.: We explored associations between age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and genetic variants of 10 genes in a nationwide Chinese population. Methods.: In this multicenter case-control study, 535 AMD patients and 469 controls were recruited from 16 centers that spread from the north to the south of China. All participants underwent comprehensive eye examinations, and 40 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of 10 genes were selected. DNA samples were genotyped with the MassArray system. The effect of the genotypes and haplotypes on AMD was assessed with logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age, sex, long-term residence, and family origin. Results.: In our study, 11 SNPs in complement H (CFH), 2 in age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 (ARMS2), and 2 in high-temperature requirement factor A1 (HTRA1) were associated significantly with AMD. They were rs551397, rs800292, rs1329424, rs1061170, rs10801555, rs12124794, rs10733086, rs10737680, rs2274700, rs1410996, and rs380390 in CFH; rs10490924 and rs2736912 in ARMS2; and rs11200638 and rs3793917 in HTRA1. Three haplotypes in CFH, predisposed the patients significantly to AMD (P < 0.001, P = 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). With the sample size of our study, no relationship was found for AMD and the SNPs tested in complement 3 (C3); serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade G, member 1 (SERPING1); vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP); lipoprotein lipase (LPL); hepatic lipase (LIPC); and metallopeptidase inhibitor 3 (TIMP3) genes. Conclusions.: Gene variants in CFH, ARMS2, and HTRA1 contribute to AMD in the Chinese population.

To present a comprehensive approach for the management of patients with neovascular glaucoma (NVG) aiming to preserve visual function and complement pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) by anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment and anti-glaucoma surgery. This study includes a prospective, interventional case series. A process flow chart for NVG management was designed. Totally 50 patients (51 eyes) with NVG were included. Of these, 43 patients (44 eyes) completed the treatment process. Patients were divided into central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) groups according to their original diagnosis. Intraocular pressure (IOP), visual function, and the status of iris and angle neovascularization were recorded before and after treatment. Patients were followed up for 6–30 months (mean 12.2 months). The IOP of all 44 patients was effectively controlled and was significantly less after treatment (16.68 ± 4.69 mmHg) than before treatment (42.59 ± 9.44 mmHg, P < 0.05). Thirty-nine eyes displayed controlled IOP (≤21 mmHg) after treatment. Visual acuity improved, to some extent, in 32 eyes (72.9 %), and 12 eyes (27.3 %) had a visual acuity better than 0.1. There was no significant difference in IOP between the PDR and CRVO groups at the end of follow-up (P = 0.8657), but the visual acuity in the PDR group was much better than that in the CRVO group (P = 0.0079). A comprehensive therapy for NVG can effectively control IOP and preserve visual function in patients by anti-VEGF injection and anti-glaucoma surgery.

To demonstrate the efficacy and safety of ranibizumab 0.5 mg pro re nata (PRN) versus laser photocoagulation for the treatment of Chinese patients with visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema (DME).

Purpose: To evaluate photoreceptor inner/outer segment (IS/OS) defects, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), macular sensitivity, and fixation stability to correlate morphologic changes with visual functional outcomes at different stages after macular hole surgery using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography combined with microperimetry. Methods: This study was an interventional, retrospective case series. Sixteen eyes of 16 patients with successfully operated idiopathic full-thickness macular holes were included in this study. The IS/OS defect maximal diameter and area, BCVA, central macular sensitivity, mean macular sensitivity, and fixation stability were measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography combined with microperimetry, preoperatively, and with a follow-up of 3 months postoperatively. Results: Both the IS/OS defect diameter and area improved after successful macular hole surgery (P < 0.001; P < 0.001). The BCVA, central macular sensitivity, mean macular sensitivity, and fixation stability of the central 2° also improved (P = 0.001; P = 0.004; P = 0.036; P = 0.031). Stable BCVA improvement was achieved as early as 1-month postoperation despite continuous repair of the IS/OS junction defect diameter and area and improvement in fixation and macular sensitivity within the first 3 months after surgery. The postoperative central macular sensitivity and mean macular sensitivity negatively correlated with preoperative linear IS/OS junction defect diameter (P = 0.033; P = 0.006) and the defect area (P < 0.001; P = 0.002). However, the postoperative BCVA and the improvement in BCVA, macular sensitivity, and fixation stability were not correlated with preoperative IS/OS defect diameter or area. Conclusion: Continuous anatomical and functional improvements can be observed after successful microinvasive macular hole surgery. The preoperative extent of the IS/OS junction defect is of good predictive value for postoperative macular sensitivity. However, the factors that influence BCVA are multiple. Prediction of BCVA based on a single anatomical parameter or assessment of macular function only based on BCVA should be avoided.