Nonexudative morphologic changes of neovascularization on optical coherence tomography angiography as predictive factors for exudative recurrence in age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To evaluate morphologic changes of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) during the nonexudative period and to correlate the features and timing of recurrence in neovascular age-related macular degeneration. (AMD).

Methods: Two hundred thirty-eight eyes with type 1 CNV were retrospectively reviewed.

Changes in the Ocular Parameters of Patients with Graves' Disease after Antithyroid Drug Treatment.

To find the differences in ocular axial length, keratometric measurements, and intraocular lens (IOL) power in patients with Graves' disease (GD) after treatment with a thionamide antithyroid drug (ATD), methimazole. The medical charts of 28 patients (4 males and 24 females; mean age: 47.2 ± 21.

Progression of macular atrophy in patients undergoing anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To assess differences in the progression of macular atrophy (MA) between neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) subtypes and to identify the risk factors associated with the foveal involvement among patients with MA undergoing long-term anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment.

Methods: Eighty eyes of 80 patients with neovascular AMD who developed incident MA following anti-VEGF therapy were retrospectively included. Macular atrophy (MA) was quantified using autofluoresence (AF) images within 24 months after the onset of MA, and the enlargement rate was compared between neovascular AMD subtypes.

Effects of Stuffer DNA on the Suppression of Choroidal Neovascularization by a rAAV Expressing a mTOR-Inhibiting shRNA.

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the defining characteristic of the wet subtype of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is a rapidly growing global health problem. Previously, we had demonstrated the therapeutic potential of gene therapy against CNV using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) delivered via recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV), which abrogates mammalian-to-mechanistic (mTOR) activity in a novel manner by simultaneously inhibiting both mTOR complexes. Both the target and use of gene therapy represent a novel treatment modality against AMD.

mTORC1 and mTORC2 are differentially engaged in the development of laser-induced CNV.

Background: The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is a potential target to inhibit pathologic processes in choroidal neovascularization. However, the exact role of mTOR signaling in the development of CNV remains obscure. In this study, we assessed the role of mTORC1 and mTORC2 as well as the effect of rapamycin (sirolimus) on choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in a laser-induced mouse model.

The role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the restoration of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium after laser photocoagulation.

To investigate the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the restoration of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium (hiPSC-RPE) after laser photocoagulation. After differentiation of RPE cells from hiPSCs, laser photocoagulation was performed. Activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling at days 1 and 5 after laser photocoagulation was evaluated by expression of β-catenin.

Transduction Patterns of Adeno-associated Viral Vectors in a Laser-Induced Choroidal Neovascularization Mouse Model.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector is a promising platform technology for ocular gene therapy. Recently clinical successes to treat choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in wet type age-related macular degeneration have been reported. However, because pathologic conditions of the retina may alter the tropism of viral vectors, it is necessary to evaluate the transduction efficiency of different serotypes of AAV vectors in the retinas with CNVs.

Adeno-Associated Viral Vector-Mediated mTOR Inhibition by Short Hairpin RNA Suppresses Laser-Induced Choroidal Neovascularization.

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the defining characteristic feature of the wet subtype of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and may result in irreversible blindness. Based on anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF), the current therapeutic approaches to CNV are fraught with difficulties, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has recently been proposed as a possible therapeutic target, although few studies have been conducted. Here, we show that a recombinant adeno-associated virus-delivered mTOR-inhibiting short hairpin RNA (rAAV-mTOR shRNA), which blocks the activity of both mTOR complex 1 and 2, represents a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of CNV.

A Prospective, Comparative Study of the Pain of Local Anesthesia Using 2% Lidocaine, 2% Lidocaine With Epinephrine, and 2% Lidocaine With Epinephrine-Bupivicaine Mixture for Eyelid Surgery.

Purpose: A mixture of 2% lidocaine with epinephrine and bupivacaine was developed to achieve the fast-onset anesthetic effect of lidocaine and the long-lasting effect of bupivacaine. The authors compared pain scores between 2% lidocaine, 2% lidocaine with epinephrine, and 2% lidocaine with epinephrine-bupivicaine mixture during local anesthesia for eyelid surgeries.

Methods: This was a double-blind, randomized, prospective, comparative study.