Macular function assessment by multifocal electroretinogram and microperimetry in macular hole and correlation with visual acuity

Multifocal electroretinographic findings in angiographic macular leakage in the setting of intermediate, posterior, or panuveitis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the functional implications of angiographic macular leakage without the presence of intraretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography (OCT) in eyes with intermediate, posterior, or panuveitis.

METHODS

Retrospective study on patients with a diagnosis of intermediate, posterior, or panuveitis. Patients who had fluorescein angiography, OCT, and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) within a predetermined time frame were included. Demographic and clinical data including types of ocular inflammation and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), in addition to OCT, fluorescein angiography, and mfERG data were collected. The study cohort was divided into 2 groups based on the presence of angiographic macular leakage and macular edema (ME): group 1 (no ME and no macular leakage) and group 2 (presence of macular leakage without ME).

RESULTS

A total of 29 patients (43 eyes) were included in the study, with 13 patients (17 eyes) in group 1 and 16 patients (26 eyes) in group 2. No statistically significant differences in age, sex, anterior-chamber cells, lens status, vitreous cells, vitreous haze, BCVA, or mean central subfoveal thickness were found between groups 1 and 2. All mfERG values, including N1 and P1 response densities and timings for rings 1-5, did not show any statistically significant difference between group 1 and 2. No correlation was found between either BCVA or central subfoveal thickness and any of mfERG values for rings 1-3.

CONCLUSIONS

In absence of ME, angiographic macular leakage in eyes with uveitis might not be associated with worse macular function when compared with eyes without angiographic macular leakage.

Internal limiting membrane peeling combined with mouse nerve growth factor injection for idiopathic macular hole

BACKGROUND

The study was intended to confirm whether Pars Plana Vitrectomy (PPV) with Internal Limiting Membrane (ILM) peeling and intravitreal injection mouse Nerve Growth Factor(mNGF) was effective for the treatment of Idiopathic Macular Hole(IMH) by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography(OCTA) and microperimetry.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed in adults' patients. A total of 44 eyes (March 2021-October 2021) with IMH who received surgical treatment in the Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province were selected. The subjects were treated using PPV combined with ILM peeling and intravitreal mNGF (combined group) or PPV combined with ILM peeling (placebo group). The Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA), Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) and MP-3 microperimetry were carried out and observed at baseline, 1 week(1W), 1,3 and 6 months (1 M,3 M,6 M) postoperatively.

RESULTS

The minimum diameter of MH were (568.650 ± 215.862)μm and (533.348 ± 228.836)μm in the Placebo and Combine group pre-operative. During the observation, the macular hole closure rate in the placebo group and combined group were 90% and 95.8% respectively and the difference was not statistically significant(p = 0.583). Compared to pre-surgery, the perimeter and circularity of Foveal Avascular Zone (FAZ) in the placebo group decreased at 1,3,6 M (p = 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.001) and 1W,1,6 M (p = 0.045,0.010, < 0.001) post-surgery respectively. And the perimeter and circularity of FAZ showed significant reduction in the combined group at 1,3,6 M (p = 0.005,0.004, < 0.001) and at each follow-up time point (all values of p < 0.001). The vascular density of SCP increased at 1W(p = 0.031) and 6 M(p = 0.007), the perfusion density of SCP was significantly improved at each follow-up time point (p = 0.028, 0.011, 0.046, 0.004) in the combined group. The BCVA in the combined group was more obvious than that in the placebo group at 1 M, 3 M and 6 M after operation (t₁ = 2.248, p₁ = 0.030; t₃ = 3.546, p₃ = 0.001; t₆ = 3.054, p₆ = 0.004). The changes of BCVA in the combined group was more conspicuous than that in the placebo group at each follow-up time point, and the difference was statistically significant (t₁ = 2.206,p₁ = 0.033;t₂ = 2.54,p₂ = 0.015;t₃ = 3.546,p₃ = 0.001;t₆ = 3.124,p₆ = 0.003).At 1 M, 3 M and 6 M, the MRS of 2° and 4° in the combined group was better than that in the placebo group(t = -2.429,-2.650,-3.510,-2.134,-2.820,-3.099 p = 0.020,0.011,0.001,0.039,0.007,0.004). During various time points, the MRS of 12°in the combined group was better than that in the placebo group, the difference was statistically significant (t = -3.151, -3.912, -4.521, -4.948, p₁ = 0.003, < 0.001, < 0.001 < 0.001). The integrity of External Limiting Membrane (ELM) in combination group was better than that in placebo group at 6 M postoperative(p = 0.022) and that of Ellipsoid Zone(EZ) was preferable in the combined group at 3 M and 6 M after surgery(p = 0.012,0.004). Correlation analysis showed that the integrity of EZ was correlated with 12°MRS at 1 M, 3 M and 6 M after surgery(r = -0.318, -0.343,-0.322;p = 0.023,0.033, < 0.001). There was no correlation between postoperative ELM integrity and postoperative BCVA and 12°MRS(p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results manifested that PPV combined with ILM peeling and intravitreal injection mNGF might be more effective for initial IMH. This method increased the blood flow, MRS and promoted the recovery of ELM and EZ in the macular and might improve the visual function of patients postoperatively.

Comparison of Idiopathic Macular Hole Interventions Using Frequency Domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

Objective

We aimed to determine the efficacy of different idiopathic macular hole treatment methods to improve recovery time and patient outcomes using Frequency Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA).

Methods

This retrospective study included patients with idiopathic macular hole who were admitted to our hospital between 1st January 2019 and 31st October 2021. The control group was treated with internal limiting membrane tamponade, and the study group was treated with clamshell therapy. Treatment conditions (internal limiting membrane treatment duration and hole closure rate), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and after surgery, OCTA measurements, and SD-OCT were assessed. The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL), and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) thicknesses were also analyzed.

Results

The treatment time and hole closure rate of the internal limiting membrane in the study group were higher than those in the control group. The curative effect of the study group was better than that of the control group. The postoperative DCP blood vessel density in both groups was higher than that before operation, and the study group was higher than the control group. The FAZ area and circumference were lower than those before surgery, and the study group was lower than the control group. At 3 months after operation, the thickness of DIOA, nasal temporal RNFL, and GCL were decreased in both groups, and the observed values in the study group were lower than those in the control group. At 3-month follow-up, there was no significant difference in RPE thickness between the two groups.

Conclusion

Flip and cover therapy is the most effective treatment. SD-OCT and OCTA provide an objective basis for clinical intervention by comparing the effects of different procedures on the retinal condition of patients.