scholarly journals Intravitreal injections during the COVID-19 pandemic era

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-55
Author(s):  
Selda Celik Dulger ◽  
Mehmet Citirik ◽  
Esra Bahadir Camgoz ◽  
Mehmet Yasin Teke

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and changes in the number of patients receiving intravitreal injections (IVIs) at a tertiary hospital during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as compared to the pre-pandemic period. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 3,211 patients with retinal disease, who received IVIs of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) between January and May 2020. This 5-month period was divided into a pre-pandemic and a pandemic period. Clinical and demographic data were collected and were compared between the patients in each period. All COVID-19 infection precautions were implemented to minimize the potential transmission of COVID-19 to both healthcare workers and patients. Results: A total of 3,211 IVIs were administered to patients with diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, and other retinal conditions. Diabetic retinopathy was the most common indication for treatment in the pre-pandemic as well as pandemic periods. Bevacizumab (Avastin, Roche) was the most common IVI type, followed by aflibercept (Eylea, Bayer). Of 3,211 IVIs, 2,943 (91.7%) were administered during the pre-pandemic period and 268 (8.3%) during the pandemic period. There was a statistically significant decrease in injections between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, with an overall reduction of 90.8% in IVIs (P < 0.05). No cases of confirmed transmission of COVID-19 orcomplications associated with IVIs were recorded. Conclusions: This study showed that the number of IVIs and patient visits decreased significantly, by more than 10-fold, during the lockdown period. These findings show that COVID-19 has turned the management of sight-threatening eye diseases into a challenging process and must be addressed if future healthcarerestrictions are imposed.

2008 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 270-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laima Brazionis ◽  
Kevin Rowley ◽  
Catherine Itsiopoulos ◽  
Kerin O'Dea

Diabetic retinopathy increases with duration of diabetes and may be associated with carotenoid status. Carotenoids alter the pro-oxidation/antioxidation balance, and circulating levels depend largely on dietary intake. Lower levels have been reported in diabetes and age-related macular degeneration; however, little is known of the relationship between carotenoids and diabetic complications. Consequently, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between plasma carotenoids and diabetic retinopathy. We assessed the carotenoid–retinopathy relationship in 111 individuals with type 2 diabetes in a community-based, cross-sectional study. We photodocumented retinal status and used HPLC to measure plasma carotenoid concentrations. Data for clinical and demographic variables and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy were obtained from 24 h urine and fasting blood samples, and an interviewer-assisted lifestyle questionnaire. We found that the combined lycopene and lutein/zeaxanthin (non-pro-vitamin A (non-PVA) carotenoid) concentration when compared with the pro-vitamin A (PVA) carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin) was significantly lower in the retinopathy than non-retinopathy group (OR 1·2 (95 % CI 1·0, 1·4)v.1·6 (95 % CI 1·4, 1·7), respectively;P = 0·009). A higher non-PVA:PVA ratio also predicted a lower risk of diabetic retinopathy, after adjustment for potential confounders (OR 0·33 (95 % CI 0·12, 0·95);P = 0·039). Finally, a higher concentration of PVA carotenoids was associated with greater odds of diabetic retinopathy, after adjustment for risk factors (P = 0·049). We suggest synergies between carotenoids are implicated in diabetic retinopathy, independent of established risk factors. Importantly, our observations indicate dietary modulation of retinopathy risk may be possible by increasing intakes of lutein- and lycopene-rich foods.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleh Mohammad Sulaiman Harun ◽  
Mounkaila Noma ◽  
Zeinab Yahia El Roubi

Introduction: Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD or ARMD), also known as Macular Degeneration, is an eye disorder that slowly destroys sharp, central vision. The causal factors of ARMD remain a controversy. The proposed study aimed to participate in controversy in focusing on the magnitude of ARMD in tertiary hospital in Khartoum state.  Methods: A hospital-based retrospective cross sectional study design was implemented in Makkah Eye Complex. Data on ARMD was derived from an electronic data based made available to the researcher. The data in excel format was uploaded in the SPSS version 21. All the 79 cases of ARMD was retained and summarized through descriptive statistics to produce graphics and frequency tables to address the research objectives and chi square test was performed to assess the association between ARMD and gender and age. A decision role was set prior to the test to reject the null hypothesis that there was no association whenever the p value is < 0.05.Results: During the period covered by the study a total of 86,788 patients attended Makkah Eye Complex, 79 patients among those was diagnosed as Age Related Macular Degeneration disease. This represents a prevalence of Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) of 0.09 % (79/86,788).Discussion: Regarding age, our findings confirmed that the condition is related to aging. It occurred earlier in our research contrary to the commonly reported years of occurrence. However, the limited data available to us indicates the need to establish an electronic patient registry to enable to describe patients sociodemographic characteristics, the disease risk factors and patient management and related outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (241) ◽  
pp. 858-861
Author(s):  
Arjun Shrestha ◽  
Rinkal Suwal ◽  
Rajan Shrestha ◽  
Barsha Suwal ◽  
Deepak Khadka

Introduction: Intravitreal Bevacizumab injection has now become a routine procedure for retina specialists throughout the world. Easy availability of this monoclonal antibody molecule even in Nepal has brought a revolution in the management of various retinal diseases. This study aims to find out the prevalence of the use of intravitreal Bevacizumab for retinal diseases at the tertiary eye hospital. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the retina department at a tertiary care hospital from January 2017 to December 2019 after obtaining ethical clearance from Nepal Health Research Council (Ref: 125/2020P). The sample size was calculated and the study enrolled all patients who received intravitreal Bevacizumab for retinal diseases using convenience sampling technique. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science Version 21. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated, along with frequency and percentage for binary data. Results: Out of 959 total surgical retinal interventions done 296 (30.86%) at 95% Confidence Interval (27.93-33.78) patients received intravitreal Bevacizumab. Out of total intravitreal Bevacizumab injections, 143 (36.7%) injections were given to retinal vein occlusions patients, 127 (32.6%) injections were given to diabetic retinopathy patients and 66 (17%) injections was given to age-related macular degeneration patients. Males 176 (59.5%) outnumbered the females 120 (40.5%) in receiving intravitreal Bevacizumab. Mean baseline Logarithm of the Minimal Angle of Resolution visual acuity, 1.1, improved to, 0.75, after 3 months of intravitreal Bevacizumab. Conclusions: Intravitreal Bevacizumab was one of the commonest retinal interventions used. Retinal vein occlusion, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration were the commonest retinal diseases needing intravitreal Bevacizumab.


2021 ◽  
pp. 247412642198922
Author(s):  
Brittany C. Tsou ◽  
T.Y. Alvin Liu ◽  
Jun Kong ◽  
Susan B. Bressler ◽  
J. Fernando Arevalo ◽  
...  

Purpose: This work evaluated the use and type of dietary supplements and home monitoring for nonneovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as well as the prevalence of genetic testing among patients with AMD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted of 129 participants older than 50 years who completed self-administered questionnaires regarding usage and type of dietary supplements and home monitoring, as well as the participants’ use of genetic testing for AMD. Results: Of 91 participants with AMD, 83 (91.2%) took vitamins, including 55 (60.4%) who used an Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) or AREDS2 formulation. Of 38 without AMD, 31 (81.6%) took vitamins (difference from participants with AMD = 9.6% [95% CI, 0%-23.2%]), including 2 on an AREDS formulation. Among 82 participants with AMD who were AREDS candidates (intermediate or advanced AMD in 1 or both eyes), 51 (62.2%; 95% CI, 51.7%-72.7%) took an AREDS or AREDS2 formulation, and 31 (37.8%) did not (5 were unsure). Additionally, 50 (61.0%; 95% CI, 50.4%-71.6%) AREDS candidates did some type of home monitoring. Only 1 (1.2%; 95% CI, 0%-3.6%) underwent genetic testing for AMD. Among 9 with AMD who were not AREDS candidates, 4 (44.4%) used an AREDS formulation, 4 (44.4%) did not, and 1 (11.1%) was unsure; only 1 (11.1%) of these 9 performed home monitoring. Conclusions: Despite similar results from past surveys and AREDS2 data supporting supplement use in 2013 and home monitoring in 2014, these findings suggest about one-third of AREDS candidates do not do so, providing further support for improving education regarding appropriate supplement and home monitoring usage. Genetic testing for AMD also appears infrequent.


Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 183
Author(s):  
Kevin M Mendez ◽  
Janice Kim ◽  
Inês Laíns ◽  
Archana Nigalye ◽  
Raviv Katz ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between plasma metabolite levels and dark adaptation (DA) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This was a cross-sectional study including patients with AMD (early, intermediate, and late) and control subjects older than 50 years without any vitreoretinal disease. Fasting blood samples were collected and used for metabolomic profiling with ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Patients were also tested with the AdaptDx (MacuLogix, Middletown, PA, USA) DA extended protocol (20 min). Two measures of dark adaptation were calculated and used: rod-intercept time (RIT) and area under the dark adaptation curve (AUDAC). Associations between dark adaption and metabolite levels were tested using multilevel mixed-effects linear modelling, adjusting for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking, race, AMD stage, and Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) formulation supplementation. We included a total of 71 subjects: 53 with AMD (13 early AMD, 31 intermediate AMD, and 9 late AMD) and 18 controls. Our results revealed that fatty acid-related lipids and amino acids related to glutamate and leucine, isoleucine and valine metabolism were associated with RIT (p < 0.01). Similar results were found when AUDAC was used as the outcome. Fatty acid-related lipids and amino acids are associated with DA, thus suggesting that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction likely play a role in AMD and visual impairment in this condition.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e035805
Author(s):  
Zhuoting Zhu ◽  
Huan Liao ◽  
Sen Liu ◽  
Jian Zhang ◽  
Yifan Chen ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo explore the association between age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and arthritis in a representative sample of the US population.DesignPopulation-based, cross-sectional study.SettingThe National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2008.ParticipantsA total of 4813 participants aged 40 years and older with available information on AMD and arthritis in the 2005–2008 NHANES.MethodsThe status and types of arthritis were obtained from questionnaires. Non-mydriatic fundus photographs were collected. The types of AMD were assessed using the modified Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading Classification Scheme. The association between arthritis and AMD was evaluated using logistic regression models.ResultsAfter adjusting for covariates, participants with any or early AMD had significantly lower odds of having any type of arthritis (any AMD: OR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.36–0.86; early AMD: OR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.34–0.88) or osteoarthritis (OA) (any AMD: OR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.26–0.71; early AMD: OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.25–0.76) compared with those without AMD. When considering AMD as the outcome, significant negative associations were also found between any arthritis or OA and any (any arthritis: OR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.43–0.94; OA: OR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.33–0.82) or early AMD (any arthritis: OR=0.61, 95% CI: 0.40–0.93; OA: OR=0.51, 95% CI: 0.31–0.86) in the multivariable logistic models. There was no significant association between different types of arthritis and late AMD.ConclusionsPeople with arthritis, especially those with OA, were less likely to have AMD compared with those without arthritis and vice versa. Further studies are needed to confirm this potential protective effect of arthritis and/or arthritis treatment on AMD and to explore the underlying mechanisms.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e2015038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo De Sanctis

Objective: This cross-sectional study was designed to give insights into relationship between Insulin-Growth-Factor 1 (IGF-1) levels and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in a sample of  thalassaemia major(TM) patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Τhis relation was not previously evaluated, despite the fact that both diseases co-exist  in the same patient. The  study   also  describes the clinical and biochemical profile of the associated complications in TM patients with and without IDDM.   Design: A population-based cross-sectional study.  Participants:The study  includes 19 consecutive TM patients with IDDM and 31 age- and sex-matched TM patients without  IDDM who visited our out-patient clinics for an endocrine assessment Methods: An extensive medical history, with data on associated complications and current medications, was obtained. Blood samples were drawn in the morning after an overnight fast to measure the serum concentrations of IGF-1, glucose, fructosamine , free thyroxine (FT4), thyrotropin (TSH) and biochemical analysis . Serologic screening assays for hepatitis C virus seropositivity (HCVab and HCV-RNA) were also evaluated,  applying routine laboratory methods.Plasma total IGF-1 was measured by a chemiluminescent immunometric assay (CLIA) method. Ophthalmology evaluation was done by the same researcher using stereoscopic fundus biomicroscopy through dilated pupils. DR was graded using the scale developed by the Global Diabetic Retinopathy Group. Iron stores were assessed by direct and indirect methods. Results:Eighteen TM patients with IDDM (94.7 %) and 10 non-diabetic patients (32.2 %) had IGF-1 levels below the 2.5th percentile of the normal values for the Italian population. The mean serum IGF-1 concentrations were significantly lower in the diabetic versus the non-diabetic TM groups (p < 0.001). DR was present in in 4 (21 %) of 19 TM patients with IDDM and was associated with the main classical risk factors, namely inefficient glycemic control  and duration of disease but not  hypertension. Using the scale developed by the Global Diabetic Retinopathy Group, the DR in our patients was classified as non proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Only few numbers of microaneurysms [1-3] were detected. Our data also confirm the strong association of IDDM in TM patients with other endocrine and non-endocrine complications.Conclusions: These results , although on a small number of patients, suggest a possible ‘protective’ role of low IGF-1 in the development of DR in TM patients 


2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (8) ◽  
pp. 1064-1069
Author(s):  
Vincent Daien ◽  
Vuong Nguyen ◽  
Rohan W Essex ◽  
Robin Guymer ◽  
Jennifer J Arnold ◽  
...  

BackgroundTo assess the prevalence and characteristics associated with macular atrophy (MA) in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors.MethodsThis was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of nAMD eyes that commenced anti-VEGF between January 2006 and August 2016. MA (absent/extrafoveal/subfoveal) was graded by treating practitioners based on multimodal imaging from April 2016. The prevalence of MA over time and risk factors of MA were assessed.ResultsThe prevalence of MA in a cohort of 1689 eyes was 9.9% (22/222) in eyes within 1 year of starting treatment, 41.5% (71/171) after 5 years and 48.4% (30/62) after 9 years of treatment. Risk factors for subfoveal MA included the proportion of visits at which the lesion was graded as inactive ((adjusted OR (AOR) 3.72 for the highest vs lowest the quartile of frequency of inactive gradings (95% CI 2.33 to 6.07)), age (AOR 1.05 per year (95% CI 1.02 to 1.07)), baseline visual acuity (AOR 3.9 for ≤35 letters vs ≥70 letters (95% CI 2.4 to 6.4)) and the number of injections received (AOR 1.20 every 10 injections (95% CI 1.08 to 1.33)). Similar associations were observed with extrafoveal MA.ConclusionsThe risk of MA appeared to drop in eyes that had not developed it within 5 years. Low choroidal neovascularisation activity was by far the strongest predictor. We could not determine whether the increased prevalence of MA with time was due to anti-VEGF treatment or the natural history of the condition.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ratna Sitompul ◽  
Yeni D. Lestari ◽  
Simon Siregar ◽  
Asti Ayudianingrum ◽  
Isfiyanto Isfiyanto ◽  
...  

Background: Prevalence estimates of ocular diseases in a given district are important to plan the programs of eye care services. This study aimed to describe the burden of ocular diseases as an initial step in improving eye care services in underdeveloped areas in Indonesia.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among residents of Perobatang Village in Southwest Sumba district in July 2016. Eye examinations were conducted by ophthalmologists, and visual acuity was measured by optometrists. Participants were provided with appropriate treatment according to diagnosis. Surgical services were offered two months after the examination.Results: After eximining a total of 667 of 1,459 (46%) residents, the result showed that the most frequent ocular problems were presbyopia (30.8%), cataract (12.8%), refractive error (11.3%), and pterygium (10.7%). The proportion of myopia was 5.9%, hyperopia was 5.0%, and astigmatism was 2.2%. Moreover, the proportion of blindness was 10%. Cataract caused blindness in 44 participants. Other causes of blindness included age-related macular degeneration, retinopathy, optic atrophy, glaucoma, retinal detachment and trauma.Conclusion: The burden of ocular problems in Perobatang Village, Southwest Sumba, Eastern Indonesia was high. These findings showed the importance of public health action from local government and non-governmental organizations to improve eye care services in Southwest Sumba district.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Borrelli ◽  
Riccardo Sacconi ◽  
Gerd Klose ◽  
Luis de Sisternes ◽  
Francesco Bandello ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study explored whether rotational three-dimensional (3D) visualization of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) volume data may yield valuable information regarding type 3 macular neovascularization (MNV). In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, we collected data from 15 eyes (13 patients) with treatment-naïve type 3 MNV in their post-nascent stage and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Subjects were imaged with the SS-OCT system (PLEX Elite 9000, Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Dublin, CA, USA). The OCTA volume data were processed with a prototype volume projection removal algorithm and then analyzed using volumetric visualization techniques in order to obtain a 3D visualization of the region occupied by type 3 MNV. The two-dimensional and three-dimensional OCTA images were investigated. Mean ± SD age was 75.1 ± 7.4 years. BCVA was 0.42 ± 0.21 LogMAR in the study eyes. Considering the cohort of analyzed eyes, on rotational 3D OCTA images, a total of 35 neovascular lesions (vs 22 lesions detected on 2D OCTA images) rising from the deep vascular complex and variably spanning the outer retinal layers and eventually reaching the RPE/sub-RPE space were detected. Nine of 35 lesions had a saccular shape, while the remaining cases had a filiform shape. On rotational 3D OCTA images, these lesions were inclined on the three planes, instead of perpendicular to the RPE/Bruch’s membrane. In conclusion, this study used an algorithm to obtain rotational three-dimensional visualization of type 3 MNV. This approach seems to increase the detection rate for these lesions and to be useful to offer new insight into type 3 MNV.


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