Best vitelliform macular dystrophy in a Swedish family: genetic analysis and a seven-year follow-up of photodynamic treatment of a young boy with choroidal neovascularization.

Purpose: To determine the mutation in a Swedish family with Best disease (vitelliform macular dystrophy; VMD) and to investigate the short- and long-term effects of photodynamic treatment (PDT) on subretinal neovascularization in a young boy.

Methods: The five members of three generations of a family with VMD underwent a thorough ophthalmological examination, including best-corrected visual acuity (VA), visual field, colour vision, biomicroscopy of the posterior segment (dilated), fundus photography and electro-oculography (EOG). For the proband, an eleven-year-old boy, his father and grandfather, dark adaptation test, angiography and electroretinography (ERG) were also performed.

A three-year follow-up of ranibizumab treatment of exudative AMD: impact on the outcome of carrying forward the last acuity observation in drop-outs.

Purpose: To analyse a 3-year clinical patient cohort of ranibizumab treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), to investigate the impact on visual outcome of carrying forward the last acuity observation in drop-outs and to explore possible differences between the early and the late phase of the study.

Methods: A retrospective study of 312 eyes with neovascular AMD. The patients were followed up monthly, received three initial monthly injections of 0.

What does the commonly used DCF test for oxidative stress really show?

H(2)DCF-DA (dihydrodichlorofluorescein diacetate) is widely used to evaluate 'cellular oxidative stress'. After passing through the plasma membrane, this lipophilic and non-fluorescent compound is de-esterified to a hydrophilic alcohol [H(2)DCF (dihydrodichlorofluorescein)] that may be oxidized to fluorescent DCF (2',7'-dichlorofluorescein) by a process usually considered to involve ROS (reactive oxygen species). It is, however, not always recognized that, being a hydrophilic molecule, H(2)DCF does not cross membranes, except for the outer fenestrated mitochondrial ones.

Prophylactic laser treatment of soft drusen maculopathy: a prospective, randomized Nordic study.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether mild laser treatment of soft drusen maculopathy might reduce the incidence of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and/or significantly reduce loss of visual acuity compared with outcomes in a control group.

Methods:  A total of 135 patients (mean age 70.4 years) were randomized into a treatment group of 67 subjects and a control group of 68 subjects.

Decreased thickness and integrity of the macular elastic layer of Bruch's membrane correspond to the distribution of lesions associated with age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the elderly. In its severest form, choroidal neovessels breach the macular Bruch's membrane, an extracellular matrix compartment comprised of elastin and collagen laminae, and grow into the retina. We sought to determine whether structural properties of the elastic lamina (EL) correspond to the region of the macula that is predilected toward degeneration in AMD.

Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in patients with age-related macular degeneration and juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a clinical patient material.

Methods: Thirty eyes in 30 consecutive patients with AMD and a juxtafoveal CNV underwent PDT with verteporfin with standard parameters. The patients were followed up for 12 months and retreated every 12 weeks in the event of leakage from CNV.

Encouraging results of photodynamic therapy with Visudyne in a clinical patient material of age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a Swedish patient material with smaller lesions than those investigated in the TAP (Treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration with Photodynamic Therapy) and VIP (Verteporfin in Photodynamic Therapy) Studies.

Methods: Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin was performed according to the results and recommendations of the TAP and VIP Studies. The patients were followed up for 12 months and retreatment was performed every 12 weeks when leakage from CNV was present.

Prophylactic laser treatment in early age-related maculopathy: an 8-year follow-up in a randomized pilot study shows a reduced incidence of exudative complications.

Purpose: To study the effect of mild laser treatment on the incidence of exudative complications in patients with soft drusen maculopathy in a longterm perspective.

Methods: In a prospective study, 38 patients with early age-related maculopathy and good visual acuity (VA) were randomized either to laser treatment using an argon green laser or to observation. At 8 years, 29 patients remained in the study, 16 in the control group and 13 in the treatment group.