Publisher Correction: TGF-β concentrations and activity are down-regulated in the aqueous humor of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

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TGF-β concentrations and activity are down-regulated in the aqueous humor of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Controversy still exists regarding the role of the TGF-β in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), a major cause of severe visual loss in the elderly in developed countries. Here, we measured the concentrations of active TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3 by ELISA in the aqueous humor of 20 patients affected by nAMD, who received 3 consecutive monthly intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF-A antibody. Samples were collected at baseline (before the first injection), month 1 (before the second injection), and month 2 (before the third injection).

HTRA1 and TGF-β1 Concentrations in the Aqueous Humor of Patients With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of high-temperature requirement A serine peptidase 1 (HTRA1), TGF-β1, bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), growth differentiation factor 6 (GDF6), and VEGFA proteins in the aqueous humor of patients with naïve choroidal neovascularization (nCNV) secondary to AMD.

Methods: We measured by ELISA the concentrations of HTRA1, TGF-β1, BMP4, GDF6, and VEGFA in the aqueous humor of 23 patients affected by nCNV who received three consecutive monthly intravitreal injections of 0.5 mg ranibizumab.

CD93 as a Potential Target in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

In patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), choroidal neovascularization is the major cause of severe visual loss. In these patients, the persistence of neovascular growth despite vascular endothelial growth factor-A blockage needs the discovery of new endothelial cell targets. The glycoprotein CD93, highly expressed in activated endothelial cells, has been recently involved in the regulation of the angiogenic process both as transmembrane and soluble protein.

The Incidence of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Complications in Macular Surgery After Prophylactic Preoperative Laser Retinopexy: A Retrospective Study.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics of intraoperative retinal breaks (RBs) and postoperative retinal detachment (RRD) in patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for macular disorders, who were treated preoperatively with prophylactic peripheral laser retinopexy.This observational cohort study comprised of 254 patients who underwent macular surgery and were preoperatively subjected to prophylactic laser retinopexy anterior to the equator. The main outcome measures were the incidence and characteristics of intraoperative RBs and postoperative RRD.

Forty-two-month outcome of intravitreal bevacizumab in myopic choroidal neovascularization.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of bevacizumab in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathological myopia.

Methods: In this retrospective single-center non-comparative study the medical records of 29 eyes from 29 patients with naïve CNV secondary to high myopia and at least 42 months of follow up were reviewed. All eyes received a loading dose of one intravitreal injection per month for two consecutive months and were retreated on an as-needed basis during the course of follow up.

Treatment of macular edema because of occlusive vasculitis with bevacizumab (avastin): efficacy of three consecutive monthly injections.

Purpose: To report the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab, administered in a series of three monthly injections followed by a period of observation, in the treatment of cystoid macular edema because of occlusive vasculitis.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of 13 consecutive eyes of 13 patients with cystoid macular edema because of occlusive vasculitis, which had been unresponsive to other medications and were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg).

Rifabutin corneal deposits in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: in vivo confocal microscopy investigation.

Purpose: To establish the real localization of rifabutin-related corneal deposits in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by in vivo HRT II confocal microscopy with related clinicopathologic implications.

Methods: Observational case report. After Siena University Institutional Review Board approval in May 2008 and specific informed consent, a 54-year-old patient with HIV infection under rifabutin treatment for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related Mycobacterium avium complex prevention who developed diffuse corneal deposits was examined at the Department of Ophthalmology of Siena University.

Fractal analysis of fluoroangiographic patterns in anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy and optic neuritis: a pilot study.

Background: To evaluate by means of fractal analysis the vascular pattern of the optic nerve head obtained by fluorescein angiogram, in non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and optic neuritis (ON).

Methods: Twenty-nine patients at the Department of Ophthalmology of the University of Siena, diagnosed as having either NAION or ON by clinical and instrumental criteria, were prospectively subjected to fractal analysis: 11 patients with NAION and 18 patients with ON. In the ON group, 12 patients showed optic disc oedema, whereas six patients showed no optic disc oedema.