Comparison of Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Type 1 and Type 2 Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization After Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy.

Purpose: This study aims to compare baseline characteristics and treatment outcomes of type 1 and type 2 myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) after one year of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) therapy and identify clinical factors associated with visual outcomes, recurrence rates, and injection numbers.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed 171 patients with active mCNV treated with anti-VEGF therapy and followed for at least one year. CNV types were classified using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Disintegrin Rhodostomin Mutant Ameliorates the Severity of Experimental Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy by Suppressing Both Integrin αvβ3 and α5β1.

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a severe complication after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) surgery and needs further surgical treatments. So far there are no effective drugs for prevention and treatment of PVR. Both integrins αvβ3 and α5β1 are related to human PVR formation.

A delphi consensus study for treatment of full-thickness macular hole in Taiwan.

To establish a consensus for surgical management of full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) and macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD). Nine experienced vitreoretinal surgeons from Taiwan participated in questionnaire for surgical management of FTMH and MHRD based on Delphi methodology. Among the 49 items, 30 items (61.

Cysteine-rich 61 mediates inflammation by the NF-κB/cyclooxygenase-2 pathway in RF/6A cells.

Purpose: Cysteine-rich 61 (Cyr61) may enhance angiogenesis and inflammation in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an immediate-early gene product of inflammation and it also plays an important role in developing DR. We aim to investigate the effects of Cyr61 on COX-2 expression in chorioretinal vascular endothelial (RF/6A) cells and to study the possible signal transduction pathway and the transcriptional mechanisms.

Clinical features, pathogens, and mortality of endogenous endophthalmitis: A 10-year retrospective review in Northern Taiwan.

Purpose: To comprehensively review the epidemiology, clinical features, causative pathogens, primary infection sites, and mortality of endogenous endophthalmitis (EE).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on patients diagnosed with EE at National Taiwan University Hospital between 2014 and 2024. Clinical data, including patient demographics, underlying systemic diseases, identified pathogens, infection sources, and outcomes, were analyzed.

Ocular Characteristics and Genotype-Oriented Disease Spectrum of Alström Syndrome in Taiwan.

Purpose: This study aimed to describe the ophthalmological features of Alström syndrome, a rare syndromic ciliopathy, and to delineate the genotype-associated disease spectrum.

Methods: Eight Taiwanese patients were recruited for this study. Pathogenic variants were identified using next-generation sequencing, and medical records were reviewed for systemic involvement.

Early Anatomical and Functional Outcomes of Faricimab in Recalcitrant Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Retrospective Real-World Study in an East-Asian Population.

Introduction: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is a leading cause of vision loss, with some eyes showing recalcitrant disease despite standard anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy. While clinical trials have demonstrated promising efficacy and safety of faricimab in treatment-naïve patients, only 9% of participants were Asian, and real-world data on its effectiveness in pretreated Asian populations remain limited. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and longitudinal response of intravitreal faricimab in patients with recalcitrant nAMD in Taiwan by analyzing visual acuity, anatomical outcomes, and treatment interval extension over a 6-month period.

The Exponential Constriction Model of the Ellipsoid Zone in Taiwanese Individuals With RPGR-Related X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Purpose: This study documents the natural disease progression and genotype-phenotype correlation in RPGR-related retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in the Taiwanese population.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on individuals with molecularly confirmed RPGR-related disease-causing variant(s). Demographics, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent (SE), fundus autofluorescence, and optical coherence tomography were assessed.

Elevated Very-Long-Chain Ceramides in the Vitreous Humor of Patients With Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.

Purpose: To quantitate the levels of various ceramide species in the vitreous of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and to investigate the role of vitreal ceramides in the pathogenesis of PDR.

Study Design: A case control study.

Methods: We collected vitreous samples from 25 type 2 diabetes patients with PDR and 25 age- and sex-matched nondiabetic controls undergoing vitrectomy.

Novel Clinical Insights into the Pathogenesis of Posttraumatic Elbow Stiffness: An Expression Profile Analysis of Contracted Joint Capsule in Human.

Background: Posttraumatic elbow stiffness is a complex complication with two characteristics of capsular contracture and heterotopic ossification. Currently, genomic mechanisms and pathogenesis of posttraumatic elbow stiffness remain inadequately understood. This study aims to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and elucidate molecular networks of posttraumatic elbow stiffness, providing novel insights into disease mechanisms at transcriptome level.

The Role of Fractalkine in Diabetic Retinopathy: Pathophysiology and Clinical Implications.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complication of diabetes, characterized by progressive microvascular dysfunction that can result in vision loss. Chronic hyperglycemia drives oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation, leading to retinal damage and complications such as neovascularization. Current treatments, including anti-VEGF agents, have limitations, necessitating the exploration of alternative therapeutic strategies.

MACULAR HOLE WITH AN INTACT BACILLARY LAYER.

Purpose: To describe the clinical characteristics of macular holes (MH) with an intact bacillary layer.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the characteristics and surgical results of 23 eyes with MH and an intact bacillary layer, with or without rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Results: Among the 23 eyes, 11 had only MH, and 12 had concurrent fovea-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Comparative study of open elbow arthrolysis with and without hinge external fixation for the treatment of post-traumatic elbow stiffness.

Background: The present study aimed to compare the functional outcomes of hinged external fixators and non-external fixation in open elbow arthrolysis (OEA) for post-traumatic elbow stiffness (PTES) and to evaluate their applicability and limitations in patients with posttraumatic elbow stiffness.

Methods: The clinical data of patients with PTES treated with OEA at our hospital between March 2015 and June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The assessed variables were the operation time, intraoperative blood loss volume, duration of hospitalization, and treatment costs.

Impact of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment on Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration with and without Retinal Pigment Epithelial Detachment: A Real-World Study.

Background/objectives: This study evaluates the impact of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment on neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with and without pigment epithelial detachment (PED) over a one-year period.

Methods: Conducted at a tertiary referral center in Taiwan, this retrospective analysis included 88 eyes treated with intravitreal aflibercept injections. Patients were categorized into four groups based on the presence or absence of PED at baseline and 12 months post-treatment.

SURGICAL OUTCOMES AND INTRAOPERATIVE PARAMETERS OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL VISUALIZATION SYSTEM VERSUS CONVENTIONAL MICROSCOPES FOR MACULAR SURGERY IN HIGHLY MYOPIC EYES: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial.

Purpose: To investigate the surgical outcomes and intraoperative parameters of 3D visualization system for macular diseases in highly myopic eyes.

Methods: In this single-center, prospective, randomized, comparative interventional study, 40 highly myopic eyes (axial length > 26 mm) were randomly assigned to either a 3D visualization system or a conventional microscope group. Surgical outcomes and intraoperative parameters, including the number of indocyanine green injections, surgical time, and epiretinal membrane/internal limiting membrane peeling time, were compared.

Myopic traction maculopathy in fovea-involved myopic chorioretinal atrophy.

Objectives: To assess the specific features of myopic traction maculopathy (MTM) in the context of myopic macular atrophy (MA). The evolution, surgical considerations, optimal surgical procedures, and results were studied.

Methods: Retrospective, consecutive cases collection was performed for highly myopic eyes with MA (category 4, the classification system of META-analysis for Pathologic Myopia).

Relationship between genotype, phenotype, and refractive status in patients of inherited retinal degeneration.

Background: To elucidate the relationship between inherited retinal disease, visual acuity and refractive error development in Asian patients.

Subjects: Five hundred phakic eyes with refractive data were analysed in this retrospective cohort. Diseases were categorized by clinical phenotypes, and the prevalent genotypes identified in the Taiwan Inherited Retinal Degeneration Project were analysed.

Fluid Biomarkers in Optical Coherence Tomography for Visual Outcome in Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy.

To investigate the associations between fluid accumulation at different levels in the retina and visual outcome in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). A retrospective observational study. Institutional setting.

High prevalence of exon-13 variants in USH2A-related retinal dystrophies in Taiwanese population.

Background: Biallelic pathogenic variants in USH2A lead to Usher syndrome or non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa, and shown to have geographical and ethnical distribution in previous studies. This study provided a deeper understanding of the detailed clinical features using multimodal imaging, genetic spectrum, and genotype-phenotype correlations of USH2A-related retinal dystrophies in Taiwan.

Results: In our cohort, the mean age at first visit was 47.

Diagnosis and treatment of syphilitic uveitis: Taiwan experts consensus.

A recent resurgence in the incidence of syphilis has sparked a new interest in this old disease. Syphilitic uveitis remains a challenging disease, among the variable syphilis infections, due to the diagnostic complexity and the wide clinical manifestations. Here, we provide recommendations regarding clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment for patients with syphilitic uveitis in Taiwan based on an expert meeting and consensus from experienced uveitis specialists.

Genetics in neovascular age-related macular degeneration susceptibility and treatment response to anti-VEGF intravitreal injection: A case series study.

Background: To identify genotypes associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and investigate the associations between genotype variations and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment response.

Methods: This observational, retrospective, case series study enrolled patients diagnosed with nAMD who received anti-VEGF treatment in National Taiwan University Hospital with at least one-year follow-up between 2012 and 2020. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted on enrolled patients and controls.

Metabolomics facilitates differential diagnosis in common inherited retinal degenerations by exploring their profiles of serum metabolites.

The diagnosis of inherited retinal degeneration (IRD) is challenging owing to its phenotypic and genotypic complexity. Clinical information is important before a genetic diagnosis is made. Metabolomics studies the entire picture of bioproducts, which are determined using genetic codes and biological reactions.

Beneficial Effects of Fibroblast Growth Factor-1 on Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Exposed to High Glucose-Induced Damage: Alleviation of Oxidative Stress, Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, and Enhancement of Autophagy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) severely affects vision in individuals with diabetes. High glucose (HG) induces oxidative stress in retinal cells, a key contributor to DR development. Previous studies suggest that fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) can mitigate hyperglycemia and protect tissues from HG-induced damage.

Choroidal Changes in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy: A Retrospective Study.

This study aimed to investigate the characteristic choroidal changes in patients with diabetic retinopathy and identify factors affecting choroidal thickness (CTh), choroidal vascular index (CVI), and choriocapillaris flow. We retrospectively analyzed 79 eyes of 48 patients with diabetes between August 2021 and February 2022. We collected laboratory data, including HbA1c, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels.