This retrospective study was to compare the efficacy of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and aflibercept for patients with pachychoroid neovasculopathy. 54 eyes were initially treated with 3 monthly loading injections of ranibizumab or aflibercept. Treatment switching from ranibizumab to aflibercept, and aflibercept to photodynamic therapy was done at 3 months in case of incomplete fluid absorption. At 3 months, the rate of complete fluid absorption was significantly higher in the aflibercept-treated group than in the ranibizumab-treated group (82.6% vs 51.6%, p = 0.018). The mean reduction of subfoveal choroidal thickness was significantly greater in the aflibercept group than in the ranibizumab group (−35 µm vs −9 µm, p = 0.013). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of visual improvement or decrease in central macular thickness. Complete fluid absorption was achieved after switching from ranibizumab to aflibercept in 13 of 15 eyes (86.7%). Adjunctive photodynamic therapy was required in 6 eyes. In conclusion, treatment mainly with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor effectively improved visual acuity within 12 months (from 20/56 to 20/44 at 3 months and to 20/36 at 12 months). Aflibercept was superior to ranibizumab in achieving dry macula and reducing choroidal thickness at 3 months.
A high-molecular-weight
poly(styrene-co-2-(dimethylamino)ethyl
methacrylate-co-acrylonitrile) (ABC)-type terpolymer
with a high tensile strength (7.36 MPa) was synthesized using free
radical polymerization. Sulfobetaine zwitterionic groups, N,N-dimethyl-N-methacryloxyethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl), were introduced into the ABC terpolymer,
and electrospun nanofibers were fabricated for the removal of particulate
matter particles in air streams. The nanofibers exhibit a high filtering
efficiency (>99.9%) with a low pressure drop (177 Pa) at a constant
airflow velocity of 5.3 cm s–1 with a quality factor
of 0.025 Pa–1. Almost no effect on the filtering
efficiency and pressure drop for nanofiber mats is observed even after
treatment with saturated vapors of isopropyl alcohol for 24 h, confirming
to ISO 16890. With fiber diameters in the range of 340–600
nm, the particle capture possibility is increased because of the large
surface area compared to known electrospun nanofibers. The nanofibers
also show an excellent antibacterial activity (99.9%) against the
Gram-negative bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352) and the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus
aureus (ATCC 6538) because of the presence of the
sulfobetaine zwitterionic groups. The antibacterial property of nanofibers
is desirable for air filter applications to prevent the spread of
infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria.
Focal disruptions of the EZ/IZ band can develop in pachychoroid eyes in the absence of subretinal fluid, with a stable clinical course, and possibly as a result of regression of drusenoid lesions. This may represent an atrophic form of pachychoroid manifestation.
IOLMaster biometry yields highly accurate results in cataract surgery. However, if the IOLMaster is unavailable, immersion ultrasound biometry with personalized intraocular lens constants is an acceptable alternative.
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