Grad-CAM-Based Investigation into Acute-Stage Fluorescein Angiography Images to Predict Long-Term Visual Prognosis of Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion.

: The purpose of this study was to analyze relevant areas in acute-stage fluorescein angiography (FA) images, predicting the long-term visual prognosis of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) based on gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM). : This retrospective observational study included 136 eyes with BRVO that were followed up for more than a year post-FA. Cropped grayscale images centered on the fovea (200 × 200 pixels) were manually pre-processed from early-phase FA at the acute phase.

Stratified choroidal vascular structure in treatment-naïve diabetic retinopathy.

Objective: To analyze the anatomical choroidal vascular layers in topical treatment-naïve diabetic retinopathy (DR) eyes.

Design: A retrospective, clinical case-control study.

Methods: A total of 328 eyes from 228 patients with treatment-naive DR and 192 eyes matched for axial length from 174 healthy controls were enrolled in the study.

Factors to Reduce Drug-Related Recidivism Among Paroled Methamphetamine Users in Japan: 10-Year Data Analysis.

This study explored factors to reduce drug-related recidivism among paroled methamphetamine users in Japan, especially the significance of continuing care and motivation, internationally shown as positively related to better treatment outcomes. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed on 10-year drug-related recidivism data from 4,084 methamphetamine users paroled in 2007 who received a mandatory educational program conducted by professional and volunteer probation officers. Independent variables included participant characteristics, an index of motivation, and the length of parole as a substitute for the duration of continuing care with consideration of the Japanese legal system structures and socio-cultural context.

Changes in choriocapillaris structure occurring in idiopathic macular hole before and after vitrectomy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the anatomical choroidal vascular layers and the changes in idiopathic macular hole (IMH) eyes over time after vitrectomy.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational case-control study. Fifteen eyes from 15 patients who received vitrectomy for IMH and age-matched 15 eyes from 15 healthy controls were enrolled in this study.

Peripapillary circulatory dysfunction precedes structural loss in treatment-naive diabetic retinopathy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the timing of peripapillary vascular damage between functional and structural parameters and examine their involvement with neurovascular coupling at different stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods: One hundred ninety eyes of 143 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and 88 healthy control eyes were enrolled. Eyes of DM patients were divided into 3 stages with no diabetic retinopathy (NDR), non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Involvements of choroidal vascular structures with local treatments in patients with diabetic macular edema.

Purpose: To examine changes of the choroidal morphology in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) before and after local treatments.

Methods: This study was on 20 eyes with DME, observed for more than 24 months. All patients underwent laser photocoagulation (Laser), sub-tenon triamcinolone acetonide injection (TA), or intravitreal aflibercept injection (IVA).

Factors based on optical coherence tomography correlated with vision impairment in diabetic patients.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between retinal structures and visual acuity in diabetic patients using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA). This study was a retrospective observational study conducted at a single medical center in Japan. Evaluation of retinal images was analyzed using spectral domain OCT.

Alteration of choroidal vascular structure in diabetic macular edema.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze choroidal structures in healthy subjects and patients with/without diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods: This was a retrospective observation case control study. Four hundred and two eyes of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), and 124 age-matched eyes of healthy subjects were enrolled in this study.

Relationship between diabetic macular edema and choroidal layer thickness.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between diabetic macular edema (DME) and the choroidal layer thickness in diabetic patients.

Methods: This is a retrospective observation study. Three hundred eighteen eyes of 159 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients and age-matched 100 eyes of 79 healthy controls were enrolled.

Alteration of choroidal vascular structure in diabetic retinopathy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyse choroidal structures in normal patients and patients with diabetes with various severities of diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods: This is a retrospective observation case control study. Three hundred and forty-two diabetic eyes, and age-matched 112 eyes without diabetes mellitus (DM) were enrolled in this study.

Relationship between choroidal structure and duration of diabetes.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the choroidal structure of diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR) and duration of diabetes.

Methods: This study is a retrospective observational study in diabetic patients without DR. Eyes with diabetes mellitus (DM) (n = 105) were divided into two groups based on the duration: long duration group (over 10 years, n = 31) and short duration group (less than 10 years, n = 74).

Alteration of layer thickness in the choroid of diabetic patients.

Importance: Choroidal thickness changes in diabetic retinopathy improve the understanding of the pathophysiology and managements of this disease.

Background: To examine the choroidal layer thickness in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients and normal individuals, and to compare the findings based on medical history of systemic DM treatments, and stage of diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Design: Case control study.

Alteration of layer thickness in the choroid of diabetic patients.

Importance: Choroidal thickness changes in diabetic retinopathy improve understanding the pathophysiology and managements of this disease.

Background: To examine the choroidal layer thickness in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients and normal individuals, and to compare the findings based on medical history of systemic DM treatments, and stage of diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Design: Case control study.

Cognitive Distortions Among Sexual Offenders Against Women in Japan.

Research in Western countries has indicated that the cognitive distortions of sexual offenders play an etiological and maintenance role in offending. The present study examines whether the cognitive distortions hypothesized by previous Western studies can be found in Japanese sexual offenders against women. This study used the questionnaire administered by probation officers in the special cognitive-behavioral treatment programs for sexual offenders, which have been implemented since 2006 in Japan.

Choroidal thickness in diabetic retinopathy in relation to long-term systemic treatments for diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: To measure central choroidal thickness (CCT) in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and analyze the correlation with clinical backgrounds regarding medications for diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods: We retrospectively identified 86 patients with DR (172 eyes) and 43 healthy subjects (57 eyes) who underwent spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Among the 86 patients with DM who had received no intraocular treatments, 61 were diabetic patients who had continuously received systemic treatments for DM (under treatment group).

Retinal angiography and optical coherence tomography disclose focal optic disc vascular leakage and lipid-rich fluid accumulation within the retina in a patient with leber idiopathic stellate neuroretinitis.

A 52-year-old woman with clinical features of Leber idiopathic stellate neuroretinitis (LISN) underwent retinal fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography that revealed lipid-containing fluid leakage from a single arteriole in the superficial nerve fiber layer of the optic disc. The fluid expanded gradually into the upper half of the optic disc and the adjacent peripapillary retina. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) demonstrated fluid accumulation in two separate subretinal spaces and in the outer nuclear-plexiform layer, which extended from the optic disc margin to the fovea.