Severity Of Diabetic Macular Edema Research Articles

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor therapy reduces the administration frequency of steroid injection in patients with diabetic macular edema: A cohort study using the Japanese health insurance claims database.

Severe diabetic macular edema (DME) is often resistant to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Steroids are particularly effective at reducing edema by suppressing inflammation; they are also used as an alternative to expensive anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in some patients. Therefore, the use of steroids in DME reflects an unmet need for anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Notably, triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injections are widely used in Japan. Here, we evaluated the frequency of TA as an indicator of the efficacy of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) in DME treatment using a health insurance claims database. In this cohort study, we retrospectively analyzed the health insurance claims data of 11 million Japanese individuals from 2005 to 2019. The frequency and duration of TA injection after the initiation of SGLT2is or other antidiabetic drugs were analyzed. Among the 2,412 matched patients with DME, the incidence rate of TA injection was 63.8 times per 1,000 person-years in SGLT2i users and 94.9 times per 1,000 person-years in non-users. SGLT2is reduced the risk for the first (P = 0.0024, hazard ratio 0.66, 95% confidence interval 0.50-0.87), second (P = 0.0019, hazard ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.35-0.80) and third TA (P = 0.0053, hazard ratio 0.44, 95% confidence interval 0.25-0.80) injections. A subanalysis of each baseline characteristic of the patients showed that SGLT2is were effective regardless of the background factors. The use of SGLT2is reduced the frequency of TA injection in patients with DME. Therefore, SGLT2i therapy might be a novel, noninvasive and low-cost adjunctive therapy for DME.

CST3 alleviates retinal vascular leakage by regulating the Rap1 signaling pathway

Retinal vascular leakage is a major event in several retinal diseases, including diabetic retinopathy (DR). In a previous study, we demonstrated that the aqueous humor concentration of Cystatin C (CST3), a physiological inhibitor of cysteine protease, is negatively correlated with the severity of diabetic macular edema. However, its function in the retina has not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we found a significant decrease in the aqueous humor concentration of CST3 with DR progression. Furthermore, we found that CST3 was expressed in retinal endothelial cells and that its expression was significantly downregulated in high glucose-treated human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) and the retinal vessels of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mice. Silencing CST3 expression resulted in decreased HRMEC migration and tubule formation ability. Exogenous addition of the CST3 protein significantly improved HRMEC migration and tubular formation. In-vivo experiments demonstrated that CST3 silencing induced retinal vascular leakage in WT mice, while its intravitreal injection significantly reduced retinal leakage in OIR mice. Mechanistically, CST3 promoted the expression of the downstream adhesion molecules, claudin5, VE-cadherin, and ZO-1, in retinal vascular cells by regulating the Rap1 signaling pathway. Therefore, this study revealed a novel mechanism by which CST3 improves retinal vascular function and provided evidence that it is a potential therapeutic target for retinal vascular leakage.

ASSOCIATION OF DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA WITH QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES: The Fushun Diabetic Retinopathy Cohort Study.

To report the vision-related quality of life in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) in a population-based study. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed 1,659 subjects with type 2 diabetes. Questionnaires were administered to assess the patient's vision-related quality of life. Diabetic macular edema severity was graded according to the established protocols. A subject's DME score ranged from 1 (no DME in either eye) to 7 (severe bilateral DME) using predefined criteria. Composite 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) scores for participants with DME were 88.9 (interquartile range [IQR]: 76.2-94.9) compared with 92.0 (IQR: 82.7-96.0) for those without DME ( P < 0.001). Locally weighted scatterplot smoothing plots depicted a consistent decline in composite NEI-VFQ-25 scores corresponding to the escalation of bilateral DME severity: starting from 88.59 for no DME in either eye, progressing through 86.65, 85.83, 85.31, 84.91, 83.85, and culminating at 82.71 for bilateral severe DME. Notably, the locally weighted scatterplot smoothing plots highlighted significant NEI-VFQ-25 composite score reduction at unilateral mild DME (slope m = -1.94). Significant changes in vision-related quality of life manifest in the early stage of DME. Therefore, early identification and intervention for these patients are crucial clinical objectives.

Visual Outcome after Anti-Vascular Epithelial Growth Factor Therapy Using New Classification of Diabetic Macular Edema by Optical Coherence Tomography.

The aim of the study was to examine alterations in visual acuity in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), classified according to the TCED-HFV optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, following anti-vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. The medical records of patients with DME receiving anti-VEGF therapy were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into four groups according to the TCED-HFV OCT classification. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and after treatment were compared among the groups. The BCVA before treatment was 0.49 ± 0.18, 0.81 ± 0.41, 0.83 ± 0.41, and 0.82 ± 0.49 in the early DME, advanced DME, severe DME, and atrophic maculopathy groups, respectively. The BCVA in the early DME group was therefore significantly lower than that in the other three groups (p = 0.042). After treatment, the BCVA improved to 0.15 ± 0.17, 0.52 ± 0.31, 0.62 ± 0.32, and 0.69 ± 0.47 in the early DME, advanced DME, severe DME, and atrophic maculopathy groups, respectively (p &lt; 0.005). There were some differences among patients in the four groups in terms of the duration of diabetes, percentage of hemoglobin A1c, and duration of hypertension. The TCED-HFV OCT classification of patients with DME is exact and functional and can allow the severity of DME, and its response to anti-VEGF therapy, to be estimated.

MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBABILITY OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESSING OF DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

Background. The participation of fractalkine, clusterin and sICAM in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications of the fundus was established. The development of methods of mathematical assessment of the prognosis of the development and course of diabetic macular edema (DME) with the participation of these cytokines is an actual problem of modern ophthalmology and endocrinology.&#x0D; Aim: To develop the prognostic mathematical models for assessing the probability of development and progression of DME in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2 based on the study of the content of blood serum fractalkine, clusterin and sICAM-1.&#x0D; Material and methods. A single-center selective one-moment open observational study of 82 patients (145 eyes) with DME in type 2 diabetes, divided into 4 groups according to the severity of DME, was conducted. The average age of the patients was 65.25±10.85 years, the average duration of diabetes was 14.0±7.05 years (±SD). The concentration of blood serum fractalkine (Frl), clusterin (Cls) and sICAM-1 was determined by the ELISA, and an instrumental examination of the fundus was performed. Multivariate discriminant analysis was used with the “SPSS 9.0” program. Differences at p&lt;0.05 were considered statistically significant. 3 models with linear combinations of the investigated indicators were developed and corresponding formulas of classification functions (FC) were obtained.&#x0D; Results. Models for assessing the risk of DME development and progression in patients with type 2 DM characterize by the fact that, at the first stage, fix the duration of diabetes mellitus (DD), and measure the concentration of blood serum fractalkine, clusterin, and sICAM-1. Further, with the helpness of ophthalmoscopy, determine the presence and severity of DMN, assigning the code 1 - the presence of concomitant diabetic retinopathy (DRP), the code 2 - the absence of DRP. At the final stage, calculate the classification functions FK1 and FK2 or FK2 and FK3 (depending on the model), compare FK1 with FK2 or FK2 with FK3, and determine which of them is larger according to the appropriate formulas. Moreover, the prognostic decision takes as the choice of the FC that is more important. So, if FK1&gt;FK2, the prognosis is possible the stabilization of the pathological process, and if FK2&gt;FK1 or FK3&gt;FK2, then the prognosis is the probability of progression of the DME.&#x0D; The main model is presented below:&#x0D; FK1DME(0) = -111,278 + 8,57411*Frl + 0,562616*Cls + 0,257994*sICAM -0,139202*DD +7,72433*DRP&#x0D; FK2DME(1) = -101,108 + 8,5887* Frl + 0,544401* Cls + 0,235155*sICAM + +0,0261057*DD + 10,1873*DRP&#x0D; FK3DME(2+3) = -105,68 + 9,06663* Frl + 0,552074* Cls + 0,241348*sICAM -0,102963*DD + 11,8493*DRP&#x0D; Conclusion. The informativeness of mathematical models for assessing the prognostic significance of serum cytokines fractalkine, clusterin and sICAM-1 in the development and progression of DME in patients with type 2 diabetes is 62.5-77.5%, depending on the type of model.

Optical coherence tomography angiography analysis of choroidal microvasculature in various forms of diabetic macular edema

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) research in diabetic macular edema (DME) has focused on the retinal microvasculature with little attention to the choroid. The goal of this study was to analyze the association between quantitative choroidal OCTA parameters and various forms of DME observed on optical coherence tomography. We conducted a retrospective study of 61 eyes of 53 patients with DME. DME was classified as early or advanced, and as sponge-like diffuse retinal thickening (DRT), cystoid macular edema (CME) or serous retinal detachment (SRD). Quantitative OCTA parameters (vessel density [VD] in the superficial capillary plexus [SCP], middle capillary plexus [MCP], deep capillary plexus [DCP] and choriocapillaris [CC]) were recorded. The VD in the CC and SCP was significantly higher in patients with early DME compared to patients with advanced DME (P value<0.01). CC VD was lower in subjects with SRD compared to DRT and CME (P value<0.001). Moreover, it was lower in CME compared to DRT (P value<0.05). No statistical differences were found between VD in the MCP and DCP (P value>0.05). Furthermore, CC VD was lower in patients with increased retinal thickness, disruption of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) or external limiting membrane (ELM), and disorganization of the inner retinal layers (DRIL) (P value<0.05). CC ischemia plays an important role in the pathogenesis of DME. We demonstrated a decrease in CC VD in patients with severe DME, SRD, retinal thickening, EZ and/or ELM disruption and DRIL.

Generating OCT B-Scan DME images using optimized Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs)

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) represents a significant visual impairment among individuals with diabetes, leading to a dramatic reduction in visual acuity and potentially resulting in irreversible vision loss. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a technique that produces high-resolution retinal images, plays a vital role in the clinical assessment of this condition. Physicians typically rely on OCT B-Scan images to evaluate DME severity. However, manual interpretation of these images is susceptible to errors, which can lead to detrimental consequences, such as misdiagnosis and improper treatment strategies. Hence, there is a critical need for more reliable diagnostic methods. This study aims to address this gap by proposing an automated model based on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to generate OCT B-Scan images of DME. The model synthesizes images from patients' baseline OCT B-Scan images, which could potentially enhance the robustness of DME detection systems. We employ five distinct GANs in this study: Deep Convolutional GAN, Conditional GAN, CycleGAN, StyleGAN2, and StyleGAN3, drawing comparisons across their performance. Subsequently, the hyperparameters of the best-performing GAN are fine-tuned using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to produce more realistic OCT images. This comparative analysis not only serves to improve the detection of DME severity using OCT images but also provides insights into the appropriate choice of GANs for the effective generation of realistic OCT images from the baseline OCT datasets.

Fuzzy Logic-Based System for Identifying the Severity of Diabetic Macular Edema from OCT B-Scan Images Using DRIL, HRF, and Cystoids.

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) is a severe ocular complication commonly found in patients with diabetes. The condition can precipitate a significant drop in VA and, in extreme cases, may result in irreversible vision loss. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a technique that yields high-resolution retinal images, is often employed by clinicians to assess the extent of DME in patients. However, the manual interpretation of OCT B-scan images for DME identification and severity grading can be error-prone, with false negatives potentially resulting in serious repercussions. In this paper, we investigate an Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven system that offers an end-to-end automated model, designed to accurately determine DME severity using OCT B-Scan images. This model operates by extracting specific biomarkers such as Disorganization of Retinal Inner Layers (DRIL), Hyper Reflective Foci (HRF), and cystoids from the OCT image, which are then utilized to ascertain DME severity. The rules guiding the fuzzy logic engine are derived from contemporary research in the field of DME and its association with various biomarkers evident in the OCT image. The proposed model demonstrates high efficacy, identifying images with DRIL with 93.3% accuracy and successfully segmenting HRF and cystoids from OCT images with dice similarity coefficients of 91.30% and 95.07% respectively. This study presents a comprehensive system capable of accurately grading DME severity using OCT B-scan images, serving as a potentially invaluable tool in the clinical assessment and treatment of DME.

INTEGRATING MACULAR OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY WITH ULTRAWIDE-FIELD IMAGING IN A DIABETIC RETINOPATHY TELEMEDICINE PROGRAM USING A SINGLE DEVICE.

To determine the effect of combined macular spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and ultrawide field retinal imaging (UWFI) within a telemedicine program. Comparative cohort study of consecutive patients with both UWFI and SD-OCT. Ultrawide field retinal imaging and SD-OOCT were independently evaluated for diabetic macular edema (DME) and nondiabetic macular abnormality. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated with SD-OCT as the gold standard. Four hundred twenty-two eyes from 211 diabetic patients were evaluated. Diabetic macular edema severity by UWFI was as follows: no DME 93.4%, noncenter involved DME (nonciDME) 5.1%, ciDME 0.7%, ungradable DME 0.7%. SD-OCT was ungradable in 0.5%. Macular abnormality was identified in 34 (8.1%) eyes by UWFI and in 44 (10.4%) eyes by SD-OCT. Diabetic macular edema represented only 38.6% of referable macular abnormality identified by SD-OCT imaging. Sensitivity/specificity of UWFI compared with SD-OCT was 59%/96% for DME and 33%/99% for ciDME. Sensitivity/specificity of UWFI compared with SDOCT was 3%/98% for epiretinal membrane. Addition of SD-OCT increased the identification of macular abnormality by 29.4%. More than 58.3% of the eyes believed to have any DME on UWF imaging alone were false-positives by SD-OCT. The integration of SD-OCT with UWFI markedly increased detection and reduced false-positive assessments of DME and macular abnormality in a teleophthalmology program.

Effects of Calcium Dobesilate on Inner Retinal Thickness in Severe Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose: To investigate the effect of calcium dobesilate on inner macular thickness measured with optical coherence tomography in the eyes with severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).Methods: The study participants were 28 patients (n = 28 eyes) who had severe NPDR without severe diabetic macular edema and who were followed up after treatment with calcium dobesilate for ≥ 3 months. Central macular thickness (CMT), total macular volume (TMV), and ganglion cell complex (GCC) at baseline and the 3 months follow-up were analyzed retrospectively. The matched patients with bilberry dried extract were selected and compared as a control group.Results: In the calcium dobesilate group, the CMT and TMV measured before and 3 months after treatment were 265.36 ± 16.31 µm, 8.72 ± 0.45 mm3 and 262.39 ± 15.13 µm, 8.67 ± 0.46 mm3, respectively. A significant decrease in observation time was observed p = 0.009, p = 0.010). GCC decreased from 106.31 ± 8.16 µm to 105.18 ± 7.53 µm p = 0.036), of which retinal nerve fiber layer decreased from 34.27 ± 3.96 µm to 33.93 ± 3.80 µm p = 0.219), and GCL from 39.47 ± 3.61 µm to 38.87 ± 3.217 µm p = 0.012), inner plexiform layer changed from 32.56 ± 2.24 µm to 32.39 ± 2.14 µm p = 0.211).Conclusions: In patients with severe NPDR, a decrease in inner retinal thickness was observed after 3 months of taking calcium dobesilate, and the ganglion cell layer showed a significant decrease in thickness.

109-OR: Prior Cerebrovascular Disease Was Positively Associated with Severe Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema in Type 2 Diabetes

Background and Purpose: Although it is well established that diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) are risk factors for incident cerebrovascular disease (CVD), whether the CVD history could be a predictor of severe DR or DME remains unknown among people with type 2 diabetes. Also, the effects of aging or systolic blood pressure on incident severe DR or DME in individuals with a history of CVD remains unknown. Methods: Severe DR and DME were defined as vision-threatening treatment-required diabetic eye diseases (TRDED). Enrolled were 31,638 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. We longitudinally explored the existence of such an association not only overall but also according to various factors. Results: The main outcome of TRDED was observed in 854 (2.7%) patients during a mean follow-up of 5.3 years (5.1/1,000 person-years). Prior CVD was present in 694 of 31,638 (2.2%) patients at baseline. In a multivariate adjusted Cox regression model, prior CVD was positively associated with incident TRDED in analysis of the study population (hazard ratio, 1.63 [95% confidence interval, 1.11-2.37] overall; 1.47 [0.54, 3.99] for age ≤49 y; 1.69 [1.12, 2.55] for age ≥50 y; 1.46 [0.89, 2.39] for SBP ≤139 mmHg; 1.97 [1.09, 3.58] for SBP ≥140 mmHg). All results, including several stratified analyses, correlated with visual inspection of the corresponding Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank tests indicating gaps between curves for those with and without prior CVD. Conclusions: These results indicate that CVD is a predictor of vision-threatening severe retinopathy, and suggested that they shared a common background pathophysiology. It also contributed to preventing severe visual impairment and further deterioration of the quality of life after stroke. Disclosure M.Yamamoto: None. M.Iwanaga: None. T.Yamada: None. H.Sone: Research Support; Novo Nordisk, Astellas Pharma Inc., Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd., Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. K.Fujihara: None. H.Hasebe: None. H.Shiozaki: None. R.Kodera: None. T.Sato: None. Y.Yaguchi: None. T.Osawa: None. Y.Matsubayashi: None. Funding Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JP21K11569, JP22K16212)

Association of serum lipids and random plasma glucose levels with severity of diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common vision-threatening chronic microvascular, microangiopathy complication of diabetes militias.We have designed this cross sectional observational study to understand the role of serum lipids and random plasma glucose level with severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR). This study was accomplished with 210 patients that came to us in the diabetic clinic. There were two groups: Group A - All DM patients with no apparent sign of diabetic retinopathy (Grade I) and Group B - All DM Patients with any signs of diabetic retinopathy (Grade II - V). Diabetic retinopathy (DR) was graded according to The International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity Scale on dilated fundus examination and fundus phtotograpgy. Serum lipids (Total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) were then assessed according to NCEP ATP III guidlines. The correlation of the severity DR was then assessed with serum lipids and random plasm glucose.We found that total cholesterol and triglycerides played a detrimental role in the severity of diabetic retinopathy and the likelihood of developing a more severe form of diabetic retinopathy was dependent on their levels (P&amp;#60;0.05). The Association of HDL and LDL with different grades of diabetic retinopathy was also found significant (P&amp;#60;0.05). However, the association of VLDL (P&amp;#62;0.05) was found insignificant. Similarly, the values of total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL showed a significant rise with severity of diabetic macular edema (DME)In this present study, the significant association of total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL with DR thus concludes that along with strict glycemic monitoring and control, the of control of hyperlipidemia is also noteworthy to prevent the progression of DR and DME.

Predictive effect of TCED-HFV grading and imaging biomarkers on anti-VEGF therapy in diabetic macular edema

BackgroundTo evaluate the predictive effect of TCED-HFV grading and imaging biomarkers on anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment in diabetic macular edema (DME).Methods81 eyes of 81 DME patients who were treated with anti-VEGF were included in this retrospective cohort study. All patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination at baseline and follow-up, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus photography, and spectral domain–optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Baseline imaging biomarkers were qualitatively and quantitatively graded according to the TCED-HFV classification protocol, and DME was divided into early stage, advanced stage, severe stage, and atrophy stage.ResultsSix months post treatment, central subfield thickness (CST) in 49 eyes (60.5%) had decreased by 10% from baseline, 30 eyes (37.0%) had achieved CST < 300 μm, and 45 eyes (55.6%) had BCVA improved by more than five letters. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that eyes with baseline CST ≥ 390 μm had a higher probability of ≥ 10% reduction in CST from baseline, and eyes with abundant hyperreflective dots (HRD) had a lower probability of 10% reduction in CST (all P < 0.05). Eyes with vitreomacular traction (VMT) or epiretinal membrane (ERM) at baseline were less likely to reach the end point of CST < 300 μm (P < 0.05). BCVA increases of more than five letters were less likely in eyes with baseline BCVA ≥ 69 letters, complete or partial destruction of ellipsoid zone (EZ) at baseline (all P < 0.05). TCED-HFV staging was negatively correlated with BCVA at both baseline and 6 months (Kendall’s tau-b=-0.39 and − 0.55, all P < 0.01). TCED-HFV staging was positively correlated with CST at 6 months (Kendall’s tau-b = 0.19, P = 0.049) and negatively correlated with the reduction of CST (Kendall’s tau-b=-0.32, P < 0.01).ConclusionThe TCED-HFV grading protocol facilitates a comprehensive assessment of DME severity, standardizes the grading of multiple imaging biomarkers, and predicts the anatomical and functional outcomes of anti-VEGF treatment.

Aflibercept for long-term treatment of diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy: a meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis compared the long-term (12 months or 24 months) efficacy and safety of intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI) for diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). We selected 16 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) performed after 2015 that had a minimum of 12 months and up to 24 months of treatment and conducted a meta-analysis with Review Manager version 5.3. Visual acuity (VA), central subfield thickness (CST) and adverse events were the outcomes selected for evaluation from the eligible studies. Based on 16 RCTs, we evaluated a total of 7125 patients. For PDR and severe DME with poor baseline vision, after a minimum of 12 months and up to 24 months of treatment, the aflibercept treatment group obtained better VA improvement than the focal/grid laser photocoagulation treatment group (MD=13.30; 95%CI: 13.01~13.58; P<0.001) or other treatments (ranibizumab, focal/grid laser photocoagulation, PRP, etal.) group (MD=1.10; 95%CI: 1.05~1.16; P<0.001). In addition, the aflibercept treatment group got higher CST reduction than the focal/grid laser photocoagulation treatment (MD=-33.76; 95%CI: -45.53 ~ -21.99; P<0.001) or other treatments (ranibizumab, focal/grid laser photocoagulation, etal.) group (MD=-33.76; 95%CI: -45.53 ~ -21.99; P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the overall incidence of ocular and non-ocular adverse eventsin eachtreatmentgroup. This meta-analysis showed that the advantages of IAI are obvious in the management of DME and PDR with poor baseline vision for long-term observation (a minimum of 12 months and up to 24 months) with both VA improvement and CST reduction. Applied IAI separately trended to be more effective than panretinal photocoagulation separately in VA improvement for PDR. More parameters should be required to assess functional and anatomic outcomes.

Circadian Rhythm Types in Individuals with Diabetic Macular Edema

Background and Hypothesis:Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of vision loss in patients with diabetes. Diabeticmacular edema (DME) can be associated with any stage of DR, causing thickening and swelling of the macula, leading to vision impairment. Circadian rhythm, the body’s natural clock thatgoverns physiological processes and dictates our sleep-wake cycle, is known to be affected by DR and DME. This study hypothesizes that DME will be associated with a more extreme circadian rhythm type.&#x0D; Methods:Individuals 18 years or older with a diagnosis of type I or type II diabetes complicated by DMEwere given a 19-item Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) to determine their circadian rhythm and sleep patterns. Information regarding demographics, metabolic parameters, diabetes, visual acuity and DME severity was collected.&#x0D; Results:In this ongoing study, we compiled data from 54 individuals out of a targeted enrollment of 160. Overall, the MEQ scores characterized more individuals as morning types, followed by intermediate and evening types. The preliminary analysis shows a weak, insignificant positive correlation with retinal thickness in the right eye and a weak, insignificant negative in the left eye. In addition, a weak, insignificant negative correlation was also observed between MEQ and right eye visual acuity, with the opposite trend occurring in the left eye. DME variables such as mean central foveal thickness decreased insignificantly in right eyes from morning to evening groups but increased in the left eye.&#x0D; Conclusion and Potential Impact: Our study suggests DME individuals are mostly morning type instead of evening type. However, there is no strong relationship between MEQ scores and DME parameters. As we recruit more individuals in the future, we hope to establish a more significant relationship that could improve our understanding of how circadian rhythms and DME are interconnected and could lead to new treatments.

A comparative qualitative assessment of the severity of diabetic retinopathy in patients with stages III, IV and V, requiring hemodialysis, of chronic renal insufficiency

Purpose. Comparative qualitative assessment of the severity of proliferative diabetic vitreoretinopathy (PDR) in patients with stages III, IV and V of chronic renal failure (CRF). Material and methods. 150 patients (64 % women; 36 % men, aged 38 to 79, mean age 61.3 ± 2.3 years) were examined. The patients were divided into three groups, each consisting of 50 subjects (100 eyes), according to the stages of CRF diagnosed in terms of glomerular filtration rate — CRF-3; CRF-4; and CRF-5, the latter requiring hemodialysis (НD). All groups were approximately equally distributed as to age and gender. A total of 11 qualitative indicators were assessed, including the condition of the fundus, the severity of diabetic macular edema, the degree of fibrovascular tissue neovascularization, the spread of traction retinal detachment to the periphery. All examinations were performed by one ophthalmic surgeon (A.S. Golovin) in order to increase the reliability of the qualitative assessment. The following scoring system was used: 1 point— no changes; 2 points — insignificant (weak) changes; 3 points — moderate severity of changes; 4 points — pronounced changes. Results. For all qualitative indicators, the severity of PDR in patients with HD was significantly higher than in patients with CRF-3 or CRF-4. The average severity of clinical manifestations of PDR for all criteria was 2.10 ± 0.27; 2.35 ± 0.30 and 3.21 ± 0.10 points (p &lt; 0.05) for CRF-3; CRF-4 and CRF-5 (HD), respectively. Conclusion. The severity of retinal violations in patients with HD is 36.5–52.9 % higher compared with patients with CRF-4 and CRF-3. Considering the more severe nature of PDR and somatic status of HD patients, it seems expedient to develop an advanced vitrectomy technology for HD patients, its medical maintenance and anesthetic means.

Macrophage-like Cells Are Increased in Patients with Vision-Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy and Correlate with Macular Edema.

Macrophage-like cells (MLCs) are potential inflammatory biomarkers. We previously showed that MLCs are increased in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) eyes. Vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR) includes PDR, severe non-PDR (NPDR), and diabetic macular edema (DME). No prior data exist on MLCs in eyes with severe NPDR or DME. This prospective, cross-sectional optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A) imaging study included 40 eyes of 37 participants who had NPDR classified as non-VTDR (n = 18) or VTDR (n = 22). Repeated OCT-A images were registered, averaged, and used to quantify the main outcome measures: MLC density and percent area. MLC density and percent area were correlated with clinical characteristics, NPDR stage, presence of DME, and OCT central subfield thickness (CST). In VTDR eyes, MLC density (2.6-fold, p &lt; 0.001) and MLC percent area (2.5-fold, p &lt; 0.01) were increased compared with non-VTDR eyes. Multiple linear regression analysis between MLC metrics and clinical characteristics found that MLC density was positively correlated with worse NPDR severity (p = 0.023) and higher CST values (p = 0.010), while MLC percent area was only positively associated with increased CST values (p = 0.006). MLCs are increased in patients with VTDR. Macular edema is the most strongly associated factor with increased MLC numbers in NPDR eyes.

Optical coherence tomography angiography analysis of microvascular abnormalities and vessel density in treatment-naïve eyes with diabetic macular edema

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the structural retinal vascular integrity using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in treatment-naïve eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) and to compare it with findings in diabetic eyes without DME.MethodsIn this prospective study, 70 eyes with diabetic retinopathy were included (37 eyes with DME and 33 eyes without DME). The medical records, including swept-source optical coherence tomography and 9 × 9 mm swept-source OCTA images were reviewed and compared between DME and non-DME groups. Microaneurysms, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IRMA), areas of capillary non perfusion, foveal avascular zone (FAZ), and capillary vascular density (CVD) were analyzed in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and the deep capillary plexus (DCP).ResultsCompared to the non-DME eyes, DME eyes had more microaneurysms in the SCP and the DCP (p = 0,039 and p = 0,024 respectively), more IRMA in the SCP (p = 0,005), larger areas of capillary non perfusion in the SCP and the DCP (p = 0,026 and p = 0,02 respectively) and larger FAZ in both plexuses (p = 0,048 in the SCP and p = 0,012 in the DCP). The CVD in the DCP was lower in DME eyes compared to non-DME eyes (p = 0,007). The severity of DME was significantly correlated to the number of microaneurysms and to the FAZ surface. Central macular thickness was significantly correlated with the number of microaneurysms in the DCP, the surface of capillary non perfusion areas and the FAZ area in both plexuses.ConclusionsOCTA with a 9 × 9 mm field of view showed that the retinal vascular integrity regarding the number of microaneurysms, the number of IRMA, the surface of capillary non perfusion areas, the FAZ area and the CVD, was significantly more impaired in DME eyes compared to diabetic eyes without DME. The DCP seemed to be more affected in diabetic eyes with and without DME than the SCP.

Classification of diabetic macular edema severity using deep learning technique

Classification of diabetic macular edema severity using deep learning technique

Clinical and Molecular Characteristics of Diabetic Retinopathy and Its Severity Complications among Diabetic Patients: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication associated with uncontrolled DM. It is a leading preventable cause of visual impairment in the world and a cause of blindness in those under 75 years old in developing countries. We aimed to explore the prevalence and associated risk factors of DR among diabetic patients in the West Bank. Materials and Methods:A quantitative multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in all West Bank cities. Nearly, 385 patients underwent a comprehensive eye examination in addition to blood and urine tests. A previously validated questionnaire for ocular examination classification was used together with a socio-demographic and past medical history information sheet. Results: The prevalence of all DR in the West Bank was 41.8%. The prevalence of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) was 50.3% (38.5% for mild NPDR, 10.6% for moderate NPDR and 1.2% for severe NPDR). The prevalence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) was 9.9% and 39.7% for diabetic macular edema (DME) (17.4% for mild, 15.5% for moderate and 6.8% for severe DME). The prevalence of vision-threatening PDR and DME was 49.7% for both. In a univariate analysis, DR was significantly associated with body mass index; BMI (p = 0.035), DM duration (p = 0.002), Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (p = 0.034), glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) level (p = 0.016) andblood urea (BU) (p = 0.044). A multivariate analysis showed a strong significant association between DR andpatients who had DM for 10-19years (adjusted odds ratio; AOR (95%CI); 1.843 (1.05–3.22)), abnormal levels of LDL (AOR (95%CI); 0.50 (0.30–0.83)), abnormal levels of GOT (AOR (95%CI); 0.49 (0.27–0.89)), and overweight (AOR (95%CI); 0.39 (0.19–0.80)). Conclusions: We found that the prevalence of DR in Palestine was higher than the global prevalence. Referral coordination between ophthalmologists and internal physicians is necessary to better follow up with DR patients. An interventional educational program by clinicians and public health professionals is recommended.