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Clinical Research Advances in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Ophthalmology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 May 2022) | Viewed by 13817

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sense Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome Sapienza, St. Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035/1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
Interests: age-related macular degeneration; multimodal imaging; diabetic retinopathy; retina and choroid in systemic disease, including rare diseases; angiogenesis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Age-related macular degeneration is one of the main causes of visual impairment today. Ongoing research in the field aims to better clarify the multifactorial mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of the disease and improve treatment strategies. Novel imaging methods such as near-infrared reflectance, enhanced depth imaging, and spectral domain optical coherence angiography have given new insight to both retinal and choroidal alterations in age-related macular degeneration, but further research is warranted. A major aim of current research is the search for retinal and choroidal biomarkers that can facilitate clinical assessment, improve diagnosis and inform on factors involved in disease progression with the ultimate aim to refine management strategies.

This Special Issue is focused on clinical research advances in age-related macular degeneration. Potential topics include but are not limited to the following: multimodal imaging of the retina and choroid, identification of biomarkers for improved classification, prediction of progression of disease, and management strategies.

Prof. Dr. Solmaz Abdolrahimzadeh
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • age-related macular degeneration
  • angiogenesis
  • retinal and choroidal biomarkers
  • multimodal imaging

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 190 KiB  
Editorial
Research Advances in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
by Solmaz Abdolrahimzadeh
J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(13), 3627; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11133627 - 23 Jun 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1290
Abstract
The first descriptions of the condition now known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) appeared in 1852; however, it is only since the 1970s that our knowledge on AMD has substantially increased [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Research Advances in Age-Related Macular Degeneration)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

12 pages, 2851 KiB  
Article
Retinal Vessel Density in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients with Geographic Atrophy
by Suji Hong, Mihyun Choi, Cheolmin Yun and Seong-Woo Kim
J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(6), 1501; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11061501 - 9 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2216
Abstract
We compared the retinal vessel density and inner retinal thickness in patients who had one eye with geographic atrophy (GA) and a fellow eye with intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD). The vessel density from the superficial vascular complex (SVC) and deep vascular complex [...] Read more.
We compared the retinal vessel density and inner retinal thickness in patients who had one eye with geographic atrophy (GA) and a fellow eye with intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD). The vessel density from the superficial vascular complex (SVC) and deep vascular complex (DVC) through optical coherence tomography angiography and the thickness of the nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer nuclear layer (ONL) on a structural optical coherence tomography thickness map were measured in 28 eyes of 14 GA patients with iAMD in the fellow eye. GA eyes had significantly lower vessel density in the SVC (26.2 ± 3.9% vs. 28.3 ± 4.4%; p = 0.015) and DVC (24.2 ± 2.6% vs. 26.8 ± 1.9%; p = 0.003) than fellow eyes (iAMD). GCIPL and ONL were significantly thinner in GA eyes than in the fellow eyes (p = 0.032 and 0.024 in the foveal areas, p = 0.029 and 0.065 in the parafovea areas, respectively). Twenty-four eyes of 12 patients were followed up for 2 years and seven of the fellow eyes (58.3%) developed GA during the follow-up period and showed reduced vessel density in the SVC (26.4 ± 3.0% vs. 23.8 ± 2.9%; p = 0.087) and DVC (25.8 ± 2.2% vs. 22.4 ± 4.4%; p = 0.047) compared to baseline. Vessel density and GCIPL thickness map measurements are potential GA markers in non-neovascular AMD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Research Advances in Age-Related Macular Degeneration)
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10 pages, 1229 KiB  
Article
Inner Retinal Layer Thickness Alterations in Early Age Related Macular Degeneration in Eyes with Subretinal Drusenoid Deposits or Conventional Drusen
by Solmaz Abdolrahimzadeh, Mariachiara Di Pippo, Edoardo Sordi and Sandrine Anne Zweifel
J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(21), 5136; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10215136 - 31 Oct 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1861
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate central and parafoveal inner retinal layer thickness in patients with subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD) or conventional drusen (CD). Participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmoscopic examination. Evidence of SDD or CD was evaluated with near infrared reflectance and [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate central and parafoveal inner retinal layer thickness in patients with subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD) or conventional drusen (CD). Participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmoscopic examination. Evidence of SDD or CD was evaluated with near infrared reflectance and spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Quantification of subfoveal lesions was made through a qualitative analysis of vertical and horizontal SD-OCT scans centered on the fovea. Inner retinal layer macular thickness measurements were obtained for central circles with 1, 3, and 5 mm diameter. Continuous variables were compared by the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with post-hoc Tukey HSD correction for multiple comparison analysis. Fifty-five patients were included in the study; 18 eyes with SDD alone, 19 eyes with CD alone, and 18 eyes of healthy age-matched subjects. Eight eyes with SDD (44%) and 13 eyes with CD (68%) had subfoveal lesions. There was significant reduction in the inner retinal layer thickness in the central 1mm area and in the superior 3 mm area in the SDD and CD group compared to controls. In conclusion the inner retinal layer is thinner in the central macula and in the superior parafovea in eyes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Research Advances in Age-Related Macular Degeneration)
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9 pages, 806 KiB  
Article
Questionnaire Survey on Driving among Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Japan
by Chikako Hara, Miki Sawa, Fumi Gomi and Kohji Nishida
J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(21), 4845; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10214845 - 21 Oct 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2413
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to assess driving capabilities in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causing unilateral blindness or paracentral scotoma without vision deterioration. Methods: Of the 275 patients with AMD who responded to a questionnaire regarding car driving at Osaka University [...] Read more.
Purpose: This study aimed to assess driving capabilities in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causing unilateral blindness or paracentral scotoma without vision deterioration. Methods: Of the 275 patients with AMD who responded to a questionnaire regarding car driving at Osaka University Hospital, we excluded 78 patients who answered that they had never driven. Finally, 197 patients were included (50 with bilateral and 142 with unilateral AMD). We investigated the relationship between the questionnaire findings and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Results: The mean age was 74.8 ± 6.9 years, and the mean BCVA in the right and left eyes were 0.48 and 0.47, respectively. A negative correlation was observed between the proportion of patients who stopped driving due to AMD and the vision in the worse eye (p < 0.0001); however, 66% of participants were still driving. Regardless of the BCVA, 84% of them wished to continue driving. Concerning perceived dangerous situations, all patients reported an oversight of people or signals and night driving; further, patients with unilateral and bilateral vision deterioration reported vision narrowness and difficulty with discerning signal colours, respectively. Conclusion: Despite the associated danger, patients with AMD continued driving. Close attention should be paid to the driving activities among patients with AMD, even if they have passed the relevant driving tests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Research Advances in Age-Related Macular Degeneration)
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10 pages, 878 KiB  
Article
Investigation of the Trend of Selecting Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Agents for the Initial Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy
by Jae-Hui Kim, Jong-Woo Kim and Chul-Gu Kim
J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(16), 3580; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10163580 - 14 Aug 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2523
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the trend of selecting ranibizumab and aflibercept for the initial treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). METHODS: This was a retrospective study that included 460 patients who were diagnosed with treatment-naïve [...] Read more.
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the trend of selecting ranibizumab and aflibercept for the initial treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). METHODS: This was a retrospective study that included 460 patients who were diagnosed with treatment-naïve neovascular AMD and PCV and were initially treated with either ranibizumab or aflibercept. The patients were divided into two groups: the ranibizumab group (n = 96) and the aflibercept group (n = 324). The patients’ characteristics and the proportion of the subtypes of macular neovascularization (MNV) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Patients in the ranibizumab group were significantly older (mean 74.3 ± 8.4 years) than those in the aflibercept group (mean 70.4 ± 8.8 years; p < 0.001). In the ranibizumab group, the proportions of type 1 or 2 MNV, type 3 MNV, and PCV were 50.0%, 27.1%, and 22.9%, respectively. In the aflibercept group, the proportions were 35.2%, 6.8%, and 58.0%, respectively. There was a significant difference in the proportion of MNV subtypes between the ranibizumab and aflibercept groups (p < 0.001). Ranibizumab was used in 54.2% of patients with type 3 MNVs. However, in patients with PCV, aflibercept was used in 89.5% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ranibizumab was preferred as an initial treatment agent in older patients and those with type 3 MNV, whereas aflibercept was highly preferred in patients with PCV. The different characteristics and efficacy of the two agents may have partially contributed to this trend. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Research Advances in Age-Related Macular Degeneration)
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11 pages, 1872 KiB  
Article
Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown in Spain on Structural and Functional Outcomes of Neovascular AMD Patients
by Alicia Valverde-Megías, Daniela Rego-Lorca, José Ignacio Fernández-Vigo, Antonio Murciano-Cespedosa, Alicia Megías-Fresno and Julián García-Feijoo
J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(16), 3551; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10163551 - 12 Aug 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2464
Abstract
This is a retrospective single-center study of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration whose follow-up was delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic with at least three months between visits in Madrid, Spain. The purpose of the study was to evaluate best corrected visual acuity [...] Read more.
This is a retrospective single-center study of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration whose follow-up was delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic with at least three months between visits in Madrid, Spain. The purpose of the study was to evaluate best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) changes and try to identify features in optical coherence tomography (OCT) that could be related to more profound visual loss. It included 270 eyes. The two last visits before lockdown were used for comparison with the visit after lockdown. BCVA changed from 60.2 ± 18.2 to 55.9 ± 20.5 ETDRS letters. 29% of the eyes lost more than 5 letters. OCT was active in 67% of eyes before lockdown and in 80.4% after lockdown. Multiple lineal analysis showed that patients whose OCT before lockdown presented with a combination of intra and subretinal fluid were more likely to suffer a greater visual loss (p = 0.002). These patients should be encouraged to not miss any visits in case a new lockdown is imposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Research Advances in Age-Related Macular Degeneration)
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