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To investigate the tilt and decentration of the crystalline lens and the intraocular lens (IOL) relative to the corneal topographic axis using anterior segment ocular coherence tomography (AS-OCT). A sample set of 100 eyes from 49 subjects (41 eyes with crystalline lenses and 59 eyes with IOLs) were imaged using second generation AS-OCT (CASIA2, TOMEY) in June and July 2016 at Okayama University. Both mydriatic and non-mydriatic images were obtained, and the tilt and decentration of the crystalline lens and the IOL were quantified. The effects of pupil dilation on measurements were also assessed. The crystalline lens showed an average tilt of 5.15° towards the inferotemporal direction relative to the corneal topographic axis under non-mydriatic conditions and 5.25° under mydriatic conditions. Additionally, an average decentration of 0.11 mm towards the temporal direction was observed under non-mydriatic conditions and 0.08 mm under mydriatic conditions. The average tilt for the IOL was 4.31° towards the inferotemporal direction relative to the corneal topographic axis under non-mydriatic conditions and 4.65° in the same direction under mydriatic conditions. The average decentration was 0.05 mm towards the temporal direction under non-mydriatic conditions and 0.08 mm in the same direction under mydriatic conditions. A strong correlation was found between the average tilt and decentration values of the crystalline lens and the IOL under both non-mydriatic and mydriatic conditions (all Spearman correlation coefficients, r ≥ 0.800; all P < 0.001). When measured using second generation AS-OCT, both the crystalline lens and the IOL showed an average tilt of 4-6° toward the inferotemporal direction relative to the corneal topographic axis and an average decentration of less than 0.12 mm towards the temporal direction. These results were not influenced by pupil dilation and they showed good repeatability.

This retrospective study was performed to classify diabetic macular edema (DME) based on the localization and area of the fluid and to investigate the relationship of the classification with visual acuity (VA). The fluid was visualized using en face optical coherence tomography (OCT) images constructed using swept-source OCT. A total of 128 eyes with DME were included. The retina was segmented into: Segment 1, mainly comprising the inner nuclear layer and outer plexiform layer, including Henle’s fiber layer; and Segment 2, mainly comprising the outer nuclear layer. DME was classified as: foveal cystoid space at Segment 1 and no fluid at Segment 2 (n = 24), parafoveal cystoid space at Segment 1 and no fluid at Segment 2 (n = 25), parafoveal cystoid space at Segment 1 and diffuse fluid at Segment 2 (n = 16), diffuse fluid at both segments (n = 37), and diffuse fluid at both segments with subretinal fluid (n = 26). Eyes with diffuse fluid at Segment 2 showed significantly poorer VA, higher ellipsoid zone disruption rates, and greater central subfield thickness than did those without fluid at Segment 2 ( P  < 0.001 for all). These results indicate the importance of the localization and area of the fluid for VA in DME.

Malnutrition has been identified as an important predictor of poor clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure. The aim of this study is to examine the prognostic impact of nutritional status in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The impact of nutrition, assessed using the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) calculated by serum albumin and body mass index, was evaluated in 2,853 patients with CAD who underwent their first PCI between 2000 and 2011. Patients were assigned to tertiles based on their GNRI levels. The incidences of all-cause death and cardiac death were assessed. The median GNRI values were 101 (interquartile range 95 to 106). Lower GNRI levels were associated with older age and higher prevalence of acute coronary syndrome and chronic kidney disease. During the median follow-up period of 7.4 years, Kaplan-Meier curves showed ongoing divergence in rates of mortality among tertiles (GNRI <98: 35.1%; 98 to 104: 20.6%; ≥104: 12.1%; log-rank p <0.0001). Stratification analysis by age also showed that the lowest GNRI tertile was associated with mortality in both patients <65 years and those ≥65 years. After adjusting for established cardiovascular risk factors, lower GNRI was an independent predictor of all-cause death (hazard ratio 1.55 per 10 decrease, 95% confidence interval 1.30 to 1.84, p <0.0001) and cardiac death (hazard ratio 1.44, 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 1.90, p = 0.01). In conclusion, nutritional status was associated with long-term clinical outcomes in CAD patients after PCI. Evaluation of GNRI carries important prognostic information and may guide the therapeutic approach to such patients.

Limited evidence exists on the role of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] in the progression of atherosclerotic coronary plaques as assessed by intravascular imaging modality, particularly under low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapy. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of Lp(a) as a residual risk factor for coronary plaque progression, using serial intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in statin-treated patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This observational cohort study included statin-treated patients from two clinical prospective trials (the ENTERPRISE trial and Extended-ESTABLISH trial) in which coronary plaques were assessed using serial grayscale IVUS at baseline and at 6–12 months follow-up. The primary endpoints were defined as absolute changes in normalized total atheroma volume (TAV normalized ) and percentage atheroma volume (PAV) from baseline to follow-up. A total of 79 patients (mean age: 61 years; 89% men) completed the study and were analyzed. There was no significant association between Lp(a) and LDL-C levels at baseline and on-statin treatment, whereas Lp(a) was positively correlated with inflammatory marker. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that the percentage change in Lp(a) was an independent predictor of the absolute change in TAV normalized under strict LDL-C lowering therapy, regardless of the percentage change in LDL-C. No significant association was found with absolute change in PAV. An increase in Lp(a) levels was associated with coronary plaque progression, as assessed by grayscale IVUS, despite aggressive LDL-C lowering. These findings highlight Lp(a) as a potential residual risk factor in statin-treated CAD patients. Trial registration: This study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) (UMIN ID: UMIN000035587). https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000040552

To examine factors affecting foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area in healthy eyes using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). This prospective, cross-sectional study included 144 eyes of 144 individuals (77 women, 67 men) with a best corrected visual acuity of at least 20/20 and no history of ocular disorders. The area of the superficial FAZ was assessed using OCTA. Age, gender, central retinal thickness (CRT), retinal vascular density, refractive error, and axial length were examined to determine associations with FAZ area. The mean age of the subjects was 42.1 ± 20.2 years (range: 10-79 years). The mean FAZ area was 0.32 ± 0.11 mm2, while the mean retinal vascular density was 35.53 ± 0.92%. Multivariate regression analysis was performed using FAZ area as the dependent variable and age, gender, CRT, retinal vascular density, refractive error, and axial length as independent variables. The results of this analysis demonstrate that CRT and retinal vascular density were significantly associated with FAZ area in our sample (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.425). Age, gender, refractive error, and axial length were not significantly correlated with FAZ area, while CRT and retinal vascular density were negatively correlated with FAZ area (CRT: P < 0.001, R2 = 0.356; retinal vascular density: P < 0.001, R2 = 0.189). OCTA results suggest that CRT and retinal vascular density negatively affect FAZ area in healthy eyes.

PurposeTo investigate epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation using en face optical coherence tomography (OCT) after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 64 consecutive eyes (64 patients) with RRD treated by vitrectomy without ERM and internal limiting membrane peeling. ERMs and retinal folds were detected by B-scan and en face imaging. The maximum depth of retinal folds (MDRF) was quantified using en face imaging. ERM severity was staged using B-scan imaging. Main outcome measures were ERM detection rate with B-scan and en face imaging, MDRF, ERM staging, postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA; logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution), and risk factors for ERM formation.ResultsThe detection rate for ERM formation was significantly higher with en face imaging (70.3%) than with B-scan imaging (46.9%; P = 0.007). There was no significant difference in postoperative BCVA between eyes with ERM formation (0.06 ± 0.26) and those without ERM formation (0.01 ± 0.14; P = 0.298). Forty of 45 (88.9%) eyes with ERM formation were classified as stage 1. Twenty-seven of 45 (60.0%) eyes with ERM formation developed parafoveal retinal folds. The mean MDRF was 27.4 ± 32.2 μm. Multiple retinal breaks and a maximum retinal break size of ≥ 2 disc diameters were significantly associated with ERM formation (P = 0.033 and P = 0.031, respectively).ConclusionAlthough ERM formation was observed in 70.3% patients after RRD repair, the formed ERM was not severe and had minimal impact on the postoperative visual acuity.

PurposeTo investigate the outcomes of embedding lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation (LHEP) into retinal cleavage for the surgical treatment of degenerative lamellar macular hole (LMH).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 34 consecutive eyes of degenerative LMH patients who underwent vitrectomy with LHEP embedding and who were followed up for at least 12 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and macular structure preoperatively and at the final follow-up were compared.ResultsThe mean (±SD) follow-up period was 30.0 ± 17.7 months. Twelve patients (35.3%) were men, and the mean age was 69.6 ± 10.1 years. Twenty-three eyes (67.6%) underwent simultaneous cataract surgery. BCVA was significantly improved at the final visit, from 0.31 ± 0.25 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units to 0.10 ± 0.25 (P < 0.01). This improvement in mean BCVA at the final postoperative visit occurred regardless of whether the eyes underwent simultaneous cataract surgery, from 0.30 ± 0.26 preoperatively to 0.04 ± 0.16 (P < 0.01) in the “with cataract surgery” group and from 0.32 ± 0.26 preoperatively to 0.21 ± 0.35 (P < 0.05) in the “without cataract surgery” group. CRT was also significantly improved at the final visit, from 123.2 ± 42.6 μm preoperatively to 191.2 ± 42.6 μm (P < 0.01). External limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone defects were detected in 17 (50.0%) and 15 (44.1%) eyes, respectively, but these were resolved in 10 (58.8%) and 7 (46.7%) eyes, respectively, at the final visit. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed.ConclusionsEmbedding LHEP may be an effective and safe procedure to treat degenerative LMH.

This retrospective study investigated foveal and perifoveal retinal sensitivities using microperimetry before and after surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Consecutive patients with RRD who underwent vitrectomy or scleral buckling were included. Comprehensive ophthalmological examinations, including microperimetry and swept-source optical coherence tomography, were performed before and 6 months after surgery. Pre- and postoperative retinal sensitivities at the fovea and 4 perifoveal measurement points farthest from the fixation point, both vertically and horizontally (superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal) were examined. A total of 34 foveal and 136 perifoveal measurement points in 34 eyes of 34 patients were evaluated. The postoperative retinal sensitivity was significantly higher than the preoperative value at foveal and perifoveal points with ( P  < 0.001 for both) and without (fovea: P  = 0.005, perifovea: P  < 0.001) RRD. The postoperative retinal sensitivity was significantly lower at foveal ( P  < 0.01) and perifoveal ( P  < 0.001) points with preoperative RRD than at points without preoperative RRD; furthermore, it was significantly better at points with ellipsoid zone (Ez) continuity than at points with Ez discontinuity (fovea: P  < 0.01, perifovea: P  < 0.001). RRD deteriorates retinal sensitivity, regardless of its presence or absence at the measurement point before surgery. Postoperative Ez continuity is important for good postoperative retinal sensitivity.

Dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) have been the most used antidiabetic medications worldwide due to their good safety profiles and tolerability with a low risk of hypoglycemia, however, large cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) have not shown any significant the prognostic superiority. On the contrary, since observational studies have suggested the effects of DPP4i are enhanced some populations, such as Asians and those who without overweight, their prognostic benefit is still under debate. The aim of this study was thus to assess the prognostic impact of DPP4i in patients with both diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) through the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis, a substrate of DPP4. This single-center analysis involved consecutive Japanese diabetic patients who underwent PCI for the first time between 2008 and 2018 (n = 885). Primary and secondary endpoints were set as cardiovascular (CV) death and the composite of CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke (3P-MACE). Serum levels of IGF-1 and its main binding protein (insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3: IGFBP-3) were measured. In consequences, unadjusted Kaplan–Meier analyses revealed reduced incidences of CV-death and 3P-MACE by DPP4i, which was particularly enhanced in patients who were not overweight (BMI ≤ 25). Multivariate Cox hazard analyses consistently indicated reduced risks of CV death by DPP4i at PCI (hazard ratio (HR) 0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16–0.82, p = 0.01) and 3P-MACE (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.25–0.84, p = 0.01), respectively. Moreover, elevated IGF-1 activity indicated by the IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio was associated with decreased risks of both endpoints and it was significantly higher in patients with DPP4i (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicate beneficial effects of DPP4i to improve outcomes in Japanese diabetic patients following PCI, which might be mediated by DPP4–IGF-1 axis.