A Randomized Prospective Trial Comparing Repository Corticotropin Injection and Intravenous Methylprednisolone for Neuroprotection in Acute Optic Neuritis.

Background: Repository corticotrophin injection (RCI, Acthar Gel) and intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) improve the rate but not the extent of visual recovery following acute optic neuritis. RCI has adrenal-stimulating and melanocortin receptor-stimulating properties that may endow it with unique anti-inflammatory properties relative to IVMP.

Methods: Individuals with acute optic neuritis of less than 2 weeks duration were prospectively enrolled and randomized 1:1 to receive either RCI or IVMP.

The association between drusen extent and foveolar choroidal blood flow in age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between drusen extent and foveolar choroidal blood flow in nonexudative age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: Total drusen area, average druse area, and total drusen number were determined using a computer program developed to quantify the extent of manually outlined drusen from fundus photographs of 157 patients (239 eyes) with nonexudative age-related macular degeneration. Laser Doppler flowmetry was used to assess relative choroidal blood velocity (ChBVel), volume (ChB Vol), and flow (ChBF low) in the center of the fovea.

Effect of isometric exercise on choroidal blood flow in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Aim: We compared the regulatory responses induced by isometric exercise in control subjects and patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to investigate choroidal vascular regulation in AMD.

Methods: Seventeen eyes of 17 patients with dry AMD in the study eye and 19 eyes of 19 controls were included in this study. Both groups were well matched for age, race and sex.

Association of risk factors for choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration with decreased foveolar choroidal circulation.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between known risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) progression and foveolar choroidal circulation in eyes with nonexudative AMD.

Design: Cross-sectional study of nonexudative AMD.

Methods: Laser Doppler flowmetry measurements of relative choroidal blood velocity, choroidal blood volume (ChBVol), and choroidal blood flow (ChBFlow) were obtained in the center of the fovea of 273 study eyes of 204 AMD patients investigated at the Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Medical School.

Foveolar choroidal circulation and choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To investigate in a longitudinal study whether foveolar choroidal blood flow changes are associated with the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in AMD.

Methods: Relative foveolar choroidal blood velocity (ChBVel), volume (ChBVol), and flow (ChBFlow) were assessed in 135 patients with AMD, at baseline and then annually with laser Doppler flowmetry. All study eyes had visual acuity of 20/40 or better and no CNV at the time of enrollment.

Effect of viagra on retinal vein diameter in AMD patients.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of sildenafil citrate (viagra) on retinal venous diameter in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We investigated 14 male patients in a double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study. In each subject, one eye with typical non-exudative AMD fundus features was studied.

Long-term effect of laser treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration on choroidal hemodynamics.

Purpose: To determine whether laser treatment applied according to the complications of age-related macular degeneration prevention trial (CAPT) has an effect on the choroidal circulation.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Methods: This study included 30 CAPT patients with bilateral drusen.

Effect of Viagra on the foveolar choroidal circulation of AMD patients.

To investigate the effects of sildenafil citrate (Viagra) on foveolar choroidal circulation in patients with age related macular degeneration (AMD). Double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Fifteen male AMD patients received a dose of 100 mg of sildenafil or matching placebo on two separate days.

Laser Doppler flowmetry in asymmetric glaucoma.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between extent of glaucoma damage and optic nerve blood flow, we investigated optic nerve head bloodflow in patients with asymmetric glaucoma damage between their two eyes and also in glaucomatous eyes with asymmetric damage inferiorly versus superiorly.

Methods: From our institutional practice, 16 subjects with asymmetric glaucoma damage between their two eyes and 25 eyes of 20 patients with asymmetric damage superiorly versus inferiorly were included in the study. Determinations of relative optic nerve head blood flow, velocity, and volume were obtained with laser Doppler flowmetry in the superotemporal and inferotemporal neuroretinalrim and in the cup.

Reduced foveolar choroidal blood flow in eyes with increasing AMD severity.

Purpose: In an earlier study, the authors reported that foveolar choroidal blood flow (ChBFlow) decreases in patients with AMD and drusen. To explore further the choroidal circulatory changes in patients with AMD, the relationship between ChBFlow and fundus features associated with increased risk of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) were investigated.

Methods: The study included 26 control eyes of 17 normal subjects and 163 eyes with early AMD characteristics of 123 patients with AMD.

Foveolar choroidal hemodynamics in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Purpose: We studied the choroidal circulation in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) to assess whether choroidal hemodynamic abnormalities may exist in PDR.

Methods: Eighteen eyes of 18 patients with PDR and high-risk characteristics for visual loss were included in this study. Mean duration of diabetes was 20 +/- 9 years (mean +/- SD), hemoglobin A1c was 8.