Onset of Retinal Pigment Epithelium Atrophy Subsequent to Anti-VEGF Therapy in Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors for the development of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Procedures: This post hoc analysis of the prospective RESPONSE study includes 52 therapy-naive nAMD patients without baseline RPE atrophy, who were treated with ≥9 anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections for ≥3 years. RPE atrophy was assessed via multimodal imaging.

Association of Genetic Variants With Response to Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Importance: Visual acuity (VA) outcomes differ considerably among patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs. Identification of pharmacogenetic associations may help clinicians understand the mechanisms underlying this variability as well as pave the way for personalized treatment in nAMD.

Objective: To identify genetic factors associated with variability in the response to anti-VEGF therapy for patients with nAMD.

Correlation of morphological parameters and visual acuity with neurological development in former preterm children aged 4-10 years.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between visual acuity, peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL), retinal thickness at the fovea and other factors with the neurologic status of former preterm children.

Methods: In this cross-sectional hospital based study in a maximum care tertiary centre, detailed anthropometric and ophthalmological data of former preterm children ranging from 4 to 10 years of age with a gestational age (GA) ≤32 weeks were assessed. Analyses of the correlation between pRNFL and foveal thickness, as well as visual acuity (VA) parameters at 4-10 years of age, with neurological development were evaluated at 2 years of age by Bayley Scales II of Infant Development, including Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI) and Mental Developmental Index (MDI).

Corneal Aberrations in Former Preterm Infants: Results From The Wiesbaden Prematurity Study.

Purpose: To compare corneal aberrations in former preterm infants to that of full-term infants.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out measuring the corneal shape with Scheimpflug imaging in former preterm infants of gestational age (GA) ≤32 weeks and full-term infants with GA ≥37 weeks now being aged between 4 to 10 years. The main outcome measures were corneal aberrations including astigmatism (Zernike: Z2-2; Z22), coma (Z3-1; Z31), trefoil (Z3-3; Z33), spherical aberration (Z40) and root-mean square of higher-order aberrations (RMS HOA).

Prevalence and associated factors of strabismus in former preterm and full-term infants between 4 and 10 Years of age.

Background: Limited data exist collating most of the associated factors for strabismus in one analysis. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of strabismus and to analyse associated factors in former preterm and full-term infants.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 239 former preterm infants with gestational age (GA) ≤ 32 weeks and 264 former full-term born infants with GA ≥ 37 weeks underwent detailed ophthalmologic examination in the age of 4-10 years and perinatal data assessment for risk factor analysis.

[Evaluation of Ophthalmic Follow-up Care of Former Pre-term and Full-term Infants Aged from 4 to 10 Years in Germany - Results of the Wiesbaden Prematurity Study (WPS)].

Background: The purpose of this investigation was to analyse the ophthalmic follow-up care of former pre-term and full-term born infants aged 4 to 10 years in the clinical practice and the comparison to the recommendations of the national ophthalmic guidelines.

Methods: For the prospective Wiesbaden Prematurity Study (WPS), 503 infants were examined: 239 former pre-term infants (PT) with gestational age (GA) ≤ 32 weeks and 264 former full-term born infants (FT) with a GA ≥ 37 weeks aged 4 to 10 years. Ophthalmic examination was performed including refractive measurements and orthoptic examination.

Macular morphology in former preterm and full-term infants aged 4 to 10 years.

Objective: To analyse macular retinal and choroidal layer thickness in former preterm and full-term infants and to assess associated perinatal influence factors and functional correlation.

Methods: This prospective controlled, cross-sectional, hospital-based study in a tertiary center of maximum care examined former preterm infants with a gestational age (GA) ≤ 32 weeks and full-term neonates currently aged 4 to 10 years. We investigated data from 397 infants, analysing total foveal retinal thickness and six distinct macular retinal layer and choroidal layer measurements via spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

Axial Length and Anterior Segment Alterations in Former Preterm Infants and Full-Term Neonates Analyzed With Scheimpflug Imaging.

Purpose: To compare the axial length and anterior segment alterations in preterm infants with and without retinopathy of prematurity with those of full-term infants.

Methods: The Wiesbaden Prematurity Study investigated 503 participants of former gestational age ≤32 weeks and gestational age ≥37 weeks now being aged 4 to 10 years. This study included 485 participants in the prospective controlled cross-sectional, hospital-based study with successful Pentacam Scheimpflug imaging.

Functional analysis and associated factors of the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer in former preterm and full-term infants.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFLT) in former preterm infants and full-term neonates using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Methods: The prospective, controlled, cross-sectional, hospital-based study in a tertiary centre with maximum care examined 503 infants with a former gestational age (GA) of ≥37 and ≤32 weeks now aged between 4 and 10 years. In total, we analysed 432 participants with successful circular peripapillary RNFLT OCT measurements.

Retinal Nerve Fiber Loss in Anti-VEGF Therapy for Age-Related Macular Degeneration Can Be Decreased by Anterior Chamber Paracentesis.

Purpose: To analyze peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) change after long-term intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy. Patients with regular anterior chamber paracentesis (ACP) prior to intravitreal injections (IVIs) were compared to those without ACP.

Methods: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) was treated in a pro re nata regimen with a minimum of 9 IVIs.

Peripapillary Choroidal Thickness in Former Preterm and Full-Term Infants Aged From 4 to 10 Years.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate peripapillary choroidal thickness in former preterm and full-term infants with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Methods: Subanalysis of infants with successful peripapillary choroidal thickness measurements of a prospective, controlled, cross-sectional, hospital-based study in a tertiary center of maximum care. The study examined 503 infants aged 4 to 10 years at the time of examination.

GWAS study using DNA pooling strategy identifies association of variant rs4910623 in OR52B4 gene with anti-VEGF treatment response in age-related macular degeneration.

Pooled DNA based GWAS to determine genetic association of SNPs with visual acuity (VA) outcome in anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treated neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients. We performed pooled DNA based GWAS on 285 anti-VEGF treated nAMD patients using high density Illumina 4.3 M array.

Clinical correlation to differences in ranibizumab and aflibercept vascular endothelial growth factor suppression times.

Aim: To determine clinical correlations to intraocular vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) suppression times (VSTs) on the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with ranibizumab (Lucentis) or aflibercept (Eylea).

Methods: Seven of 89 treatment-naïve nAMD eyes showed persistent choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) activity throughout a spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT)-driven pro re nata (PRN) regimen of intravitreal ranibizumab injections over 28±4 months. The treatment was switched to PRN aflibercept injections and patients were followed for another 15±2 months.

Running Exercise in Obese Pregnancies Prevents IL-6 Trans-signaling in Male Offspring.

Purpose: Maternal obesity is known to predispose the offspring to impaired glucose metabolism and obesity associated with low-grade inflammation and hypothalamic dysfunction. Because preventive approaches in this context are missing to date, we aimed to identify molecular mechanisms in the offspring that are affected by maternal exercise during pregnancy.

Methods: Diet-induced obese mouse dams were divided into a sedentary obese (high-fat diet [HFD]) group and an obese intervention (HFD-running intervention [RUN]) group, which performed voluntary wheel running throughout gestation.

A genetic variant in NRP1 is associated with worse response to ranibizumab treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the role of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the neuropilin-1 (NRP1) gene in treatment response to antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD).

Methods: Four SNPs in the NRP1 gene (rs2229935, rs2247383, rs2070296, and rs2804495) were genotyped in a study cohort of 377 nvAMD patients who received the loading dose of three monthly ranibizumab injections. Treatment response was assessed as the change in visual acuity after three monthly loading injections compared with baseline.

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)-Related Cytokines in the Aqueous Humor of Phakic and Pseudophakic Fuchs' Dystrophy Eyes.

Purpose: The present study aimed to analyze the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related cytokines in the aqueous humor of phakic and pseudophakic Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) eyes and their correlation to FECD severity.

Methods: Aqueous humor samples from phakic FECD eyes (FECDph, n = 9), from pseudophakic FECD eyes more than 1 year after cataract surgery (FECDpsph, n = 13), and from cataract controls without FECD (Controlcat, n = 28) were obtained during Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) or cataract surgery. Expression of EMT-related cytokines (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, MCP-1, BFGF, TNF-α, IL-1β) was measured using multiplex bead assay.

Intraocular and systemic inflammation-related cytokines during one year of ranibizumab treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To determine inflammation-related intraocular and systemic cytokine concentrations in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) compared with controls and to assess the influence of long-term intravitreal ranibizumab treatment over 1 year.

Methods: Aqueous humour and blood plasma of 21 controls and 17 treatment-naive nAMD patients were collected prior to cataract surgery or ranibizumab treatment. Follow-up specimens in nAMD patients were acquired immediately prior to subsequent ranibizumab injections as needed.

A model of the ocular pharmacokinetics involved in the therapy of neovascular age-related macular degeneration with ranibizumab.

Background: To develop a model of the pharmacokinetics of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) determined in samples of aqueous humour from patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated with ranibizumab (Lucentis).

Methods: Post hoc analysis of data from 31 eyes of 31 patients with AMD treated with ranibizumab gathered in a non-randomised, prospective clinical study. VEGF-A concentrations were measured in 440 aqueous humour samples by Luminex multiplex bead analysis (Luminex, Austin, Texas, USA).

Long-term alterations of systemic vascular endothelial growth factor levels in patients treated with ranibizumab for age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To analyze long-term changes of systemic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in patients treated with ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: Sixty-one patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration and 68 age-matched controls were included in the study. Patients were treated with ranibizumab on a pro re nata regimen.

Predicting non-response to ranibizumab in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To validate known and determine new predictors of non-response to ranibizumab in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to incorporate these factors into a prediction rule.

Methods: This multicenter, observational cohort study included 391 patients treated with ranibizumab for neovascular AMD. We performed genetic analysis for single nucleotide polymorphisms in AMD-associated genes and collected questionnaires regarding environmental factors and disease history.

Influence of ocular volume and lens status on pharmacokinetics and duration of action of intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors.

Purpose: To assess the effects of ocular axial length, refraction, and lens status on pharmacokinetics and duration of action of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors ranibizumab and bevacizumab after intravitreal injection in humans.

Methods: In 119 eyes of 119 patients, aqueous humor was sampled at different time points after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab or bevacizumab, and either drug or VEGF concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and Luminex multiplex bead technology, respectively. Relative deviation of the measured drug concentrations from the time-corrected mean values was calculated (n = 41).

Fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment is a risk factor for long-term visual decay in neovascular age-related macular degeneretion.

Background: The individual outcome of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration is variable. To investigate the prognostic value of spectral domain optical coherence tomography structures for best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) outcome, volumetric analysis of spectral domain optical coherence tomography structures was performed in neovascular age-related macular degeneration correlated with BCVA after 24 months.

Methods: At the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Germany, 75 patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration were analyzed prospectively over 24 months.

Suppression of intraocular vascular endothelial growth factor during aflibercept treatment of age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To determine the duration of suppression of aqueous humor concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) treated with aflibercept.

Design: Nonrandomized prospective clinical study.

Methods: Twenty-seven eyes of 27 neovascular AMD patients receiving intravitreal aflibercept injections on a pro re nata regimen driven by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) were included in this study.

The effect of previous surgery and topical eye drops for primary open-angle glaucoma on cytokine expression in aqueous humor.

Purpose: To evaluate cytokine expression in the aqueous humor of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) after previous glaucomatous and/or cataract surgery, and to determine the effect of intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering eye drops on cytokine expression.

Methods: This prospective consecutive case study included 32 eyes diagnosed with POAG (19 with previous surgery and 13 without previous surgery, treated with topical antiglaucoma medication) and 12 eyes without signs of glaucoma. The Luminex 200 multiplex bead immunoassay was used to measure 27 cytokines in aqueous humor.