The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tele-ophthalmology-Based Retinal Screening.

Introduction: This study reports our experiences with systematic retinal screening in Denmark through optometrists with access to tele-ophthalmological services before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We evaluated an optometrist-based retinal screening system with a referral option for tele-ophthalmological service by a consultant ophthalmologist within the time period of August 1, 2018 to September 30, 2023. The optometrist collected patient history, refraction, best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, basic slit-lamp examination, 4-in-1 visual field report, and retinal imaging using color fundus 45° photography.

Complement factor H Y402H polymorphism results in diminishing CD4 T cells and increasing C-reactive protein in plasma.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of visual loss among the elderly. Genetic variants in the gene encoding complement factor H (CFH) have been identified as an AMD susceptibility gene, however, the mechanistic link is debated. Here, we investigated the link between the CFH Y402H genotype and low-grade inflammation.

Driving vision in patients with neovascular AMD in anti-VEGF treatment.

Purpose: To report real-world experiences on driving vision in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) undergoing intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of treatment-naïve patients with neovascular AMD commenced in anti-VEGF treatment (n = 416) and followed for 4 years in a pro re nata treatment regimen. Monocular best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measured using ETDRS was performed on the treatment eye at all visits and on the fellow eye at baseline, every 6 months, and upon any patient-reported change in vision.

Chemokine Profile and the Alterations in CCR5-CCL5 Axis in Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: Geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive disease with no treatment option. Previous studies show chemokine-mediated recruitment of immune cells in the retina, and therefore we investigated systemic levels of chemokines and chemokine receptors in patients with GA.

Methods: This observational prospective study was conducted at a single center.

Systemic Levels of Interleukin-6 Correlate With Progression Rate of Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: Geographic atrophy (GA) is a clinical phenotype of late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with no current treatment available. In this study, we investigated markers of chronic inflammation in plasma of patients with GA and how these relate to progression rate.

Methods: We prospectively included 42 patients with GA, 41 patients with neovascular AMD, and 27 healthy controls.

Patients with a fast progression profile in geographic atrophy have increased CD200 expression on circulating monocytes.

Importance: Geographic atrophy (GA) is a progressing atrophy of the neuroretina with no treatment option.

Background: Age-related malfunction of retinal microglia amplifies response towards age-related tissue stress in age-related macular degeneration. Here, we investigated monocyte CD200 expression - the circulating middleman negotiating retinal microglial activity - in a poorly understood subtype of age-related macular degeneration.

Extended HLA-G haplotypes in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

The study aims to determine if genetic polymorphisms in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G gene are associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). HLA-G is important for immunological tolerance, and it is also known to have angiogenic effects. Polymorphisms in the 5'-upstream regulatory region (URR) and 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of HLA-G have been associated with a number of diseases, especially with respect to a 14 bp insertion/deletion (ins/del) polymorphism in the 3'UTR.

Serum carotenoids and macular pigment optical density in patients with intestinal resections and healthy subjects: an exploratory study.

Reduced absorption capacity in patients with intestinal resections (IR) could result in malabsorption of fat-soluble components like carotenoids, which are of clinical interest in relation to visual health. In this case cohort, we investigated the association between IR and serum lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene and macular pigment optical density, when compared with healthy controls. Ten patients with IR and twelve healthy controls were included in the study.

Systemic frequencies of T helper 1 and T helper 17 cells in patients with age-related macular degeneration: A case-control study.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disease of the retina and a leading cause of irreversible vision loss. We investigated the systemic differences in the frequency of T helper (Th) 1 and Th17 cells in patients with non-exudative and exudative AMD and compared to age-matched controls. Flow cytometry was used to determine the systemic frequency of Th1 (CD4CXCR3IL12RB2) and Th17 (CD4CCR6IL23R) cells, and percentage of CD4 T-cells expressing CXCR3, IL12RB2, CCR6, IL23R, and co-expressing CXCR3 and CCR6.

Systemic and Ocular Long Pentraxin 3 in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been associated with both systemic and ocular alterations of the immune system. In particular dysfunction of complement factor H (CFH), a soluble regulator of the alternative pathway of the complement system, has been implicated in AMD pathogenesis. One of the ligands for CFH is long pentraxin 3 (PTX3), which is produced locally in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).

The association between neovascular age-related macular degeneration and regulatory T cells in peripheral blood.

Purpose: To investigate regulatory T cells (Tregs) and subsets of the Treg population in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Patients And Methods: Twenty-one neovascular AMD cases and 12 age-matched controls without retinal pathology were selected. Patients were recruited from our outpatient retinal clinic.

CX3CL1/CX3CR1 and CCL2/CCR2 chemokine/chemokine receptor complex in patients with AMD.

Purpose: The chemokine receptors CX3CR1 and CCR2 have been implicated in the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The evidence is mainly derived from experimental cell studies and murine models of AMD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between expression of CX3CR1 and CCR2 on different leukocyte subsets and AMD.

Early and exudative age-related macular degeneration is associated with increased plasma levels of soluble TNF receptor II.

Purpose: We have recently identified homeostatic alterations in the circulating T cells of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In cultures of retinal pigment epithelial cells, we have demonstrated that T-cell-derived cytokines induced the upregulation of complement, chemokines and other proteins implicated in AMD pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to test whether increased plasma levels of cytokines were present in patients with AMD.

Dysregulation of CXCR3 expression on peripheral blood leukocytes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: The chemokine receptor CXCR3 has been strongly related to inhibition of angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between expression of CXCR3 on peripheral blood leukocytes and age-related wet macular degeneration. Furthermore, we measured the plasma concentration of chemokines CXCL9 to -11.

Blood expression levels of chemokine receptor CCR3 and chemokine CCL11 in age-related macular degeneration: a case-control study.

Background: Dysregulation of the CCR3/CCL11 pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularisation, a common feature of late age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of CCR3 and its ligand CCL11 in peripheral blood in patients with neovascular AMD.

Methods: Patients with neovascular AMD and healthy controls were included.

In patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, physical activity may influence C-reactive protein levels.

Purpose: Association of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with C-reactive protein (CRP) was previously reported, indicating a relation to systemic low-grade inflammation. However, visual impairment limits physical activity, and physical activity modulates CRP levels. Here, we investigated the impact of physical activity on CRP levels in patients with neovascular AMD and control individuals.

The association between plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D and subgroups in age-related macular degeneration: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To evaluate potential differences in plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin in subtypes of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and in patients in Clinical Age-Related Maculopathy Staging (CARMS) group 5 with or without subretinal fibrosis.

Methods: This single-center cross-sectional study included 178 participants during a period of 20 months. Ninety-five patients belonged to CARMS 5; twelve belonged to CARMS 4; twenty-two belonged to CARMS 2 or 3; and 49 individuals did not have AMD (CARMS 1).

Increased expression of CD200 on circulating CD11b+ monocytes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Objective: Dysregulation of retinal microglial activity has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Microglia activity can be regulated through the membrane protein CD200 and its corresponding receptor, the CD200 receptor (CD200R). Because both the ligand and the receptor are expressed on a broad spectrum of cell types, we set out to study the expression of CD200 and CD200R on CD11b+ monocytes, granulocytes, and subsets of T lymphocytes.

Altered expression of CD46 and CD59 on leukocytes in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To investigate the expression of the complement regulatory proteins CD46, CD55, and CD59 on peripheral leukocytes in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Design: Prospective, case-control study.

Methods: Thirty-five unrelated patients with neovascular AMD and 30 control individuals were included in this case-control study.