Purpose: To describe the morphologic characteristics of the vitreomacular interface in intermediate age-related macular degeneration associated with tangential traction due to premacular membrane formation and to correlate with optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings and clinical data.
Methods: Premacular membrane specimens were removed sequentially with the internal limiting membrane from 27 eyes of 26 patients with intermediate age-related macular degeneration during standard vitrectomy. Specimens were processed for immunocytochemical staining of epiretinal cells and extracellular matrix components. Ultrastructural analysis was performed using transmission electron microscopy. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography images and patient charts were evaluated in retrospect.
Results: Immunocytochemistry revealed hyalocytes and myofibroblasts as predominant cell types. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated evidence of vitreoschisis in all eyes. Myofibroblasts with contractile properties were observed to span between folds of the internal limiting membrane and vitreous cortex collagen. Retinal pigment epithelial cells or inflammatory cells were not detected. Mean visual acuity (Snellen) showed significant improvement from 20/72 ± 20/36 to 20/41 ± 20/32 (P < 0.001) after a mean follow-up period of 19 months (median, 17 months). During this period, none of the eyes required anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.
Conclusion: Fibrocellular premacular proliferation in intermediate age-related macular degeneration predominantly consists of vitreous collagen, hyalocytes, and myofibroblasts with contractile properties. Vitreoschisis and vitreous-derived cells appear to play an important role in traction formation of this subgroup of eyes. In patients with intermediate age-related macular degeneration and contractile premacular membrane, release of traction by vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling results in significantly functional and anatomical improvement.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/IAE.0000000000001573 | DOI Listing |
J Vitreoretin Dis
December 2024
Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
To evaluate the prevalence of geographic atrophy (GA) lesions in patients with a diagnosis of intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD). A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed of patients with an International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, diagnosis of iAMD. The primary outcome was the percentage of eyes diagnosed with iAMD with an undocumented GA lesion identified on imaging.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCells Dev
December 2024
Max Perutz Labs, Vienna Biocenter Campus (VBC), Vienna, Austria; Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical Biochemistry, Department of Molecular Biology, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address:
The mammalian heart contains cardiac stem cells throughout life, but it has not been possible to harness or stimulate these cells to repair damaged myocardium in vivo. Assuming physiological relevance of these cells, which have evolved and have been maintained throughout mammalian evolution, we hypothesize that cardiac stem cells may contribute to cardiomyogenesis in an unorthodox manner. Since the intermediate filament protein desmin and the matricellular Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC) promote cardiomyogenic differentiation during embryogenesis in a cell-autonomous and paracrine manner, respectively, we focus on their genes and employ mouse embryonic and cardiac stem cell lines as in vitro models to ask whether desmin and SPARC cooperatively influence cardiomyogenesis in cardiac stem and progenitor cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEye (Lond)
December 2024
Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore, Singapore.
Objectives: To determine the association between telomere length (TL) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and examine the potential variations with sex and ethnicity.
Methods: Population-based, cross-sectional study. A total of 52,083 participants from the UK Biobank were included.
Parasit Vectors
December 2024
State Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment of High Incidence Diseases in Central Asia, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China.
Echinococcosis, a neglected zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus tapeworms, presents significant public health challenges worldwide. Cystic and alveolar echinococcosis has substantial health and economic impacts, necessitating effective prevention and control strategies. The present review provides a framework to expand our knowledge regarding key components of echinococcosis prevention and control, including phases, options, targets and available tools as well as current gaps and challenges in the field.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt Ophthalmol Clin
January 2025
Department of Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic condition that causes gradual central vision loss, most commonly in patients 50 years or older. This disease is commonly classified as either dry (non-exudative) or wet (exudative). Most patients with AMD have the non-exudative form, characterized by the presence of drusen in the macula.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!