OBJECTIVETo review articles aiming to present an overview of the principles, progress, uses and limitations of laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) in posterior fundus circulation research.

DATA SOURCESThe data used in this review was obtained mainly from the studies reported in PubMed using the key terms "laser speckle", "ocular blood flowmetry" and "retinal imaging".

STUDY SELECTIONRelevant literatures on studies of LSFG were selected.

RESULTSLSFG is a unique, noninvasive imaging instrument to quantitatively visualize posterior fundus circulation in vivo. This review delineates the LSFG principles and development, demonstrates its extensive applicability for measurement of retina, choroid and optic nerve head circulation, compares it with other retinal imaging technologies and discusses unresolved issues.

CONCLUSIONSLSFG is a noninvasive, two-dimensional objective diagnostic technique that has become a powerful method for the clinical and scientific assessment of posterior fundus circulation. Further studies may help to develop a more comprehensive evidence-based measurement and facilitate the correlation with other methods for chorioretinal circulation assessment.

Eye ; blood supply ; Fundus Oculi ; Humans ; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; methods ; Optic Disk ; blood supply

Acupuncture Therapy ; adverse effects ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Eye ; blood supply ; Eye Diseases ; therapy ; Hemorrhage ; etiology ; Humans ; Male

PURPOSE: To evaluate choroidal blood flow changes in eyes with high myopia according to the pulsatile components of ocular blood flow analysis. METHODS: A total of 104 subjects (52 males and 52 females) were included in this study. One eye of each participant was randomly selected and assigned to one of four refractive groups, designated as, hyperopes (n = 20; refractive error, > or =+1.00 diopter [D]), emmetropes (n = 28; refractive error, +/-0.75 D), lower myopes (n = 33; refractive error, -1.00 to -4.75 D), and high myopes (n = 23; refractive error, < or =-5.00 D). Components of pulse amplitude (OBFa), pulse volume (OBFv), pulse rate (OBFr), and pulsatile ocular blood flow (POBF) were analyzed using a blood flow analyzer. Intraocular pressure and axial length were measured. RESULTS: Pulsatile components of OBFa, OBFv, and POBF showed positive correlations with refractive error and showed negative correlations with axial length (r = 0.729, r = 0.772, r = 0.781, respectively, all p < 0.001; r = -0.727, r = -0.762, r = -0.771, respectively, all p < 0.001). The correlations of refractive error and axial length with OBFr were irrelevant (r = -0.157, p = 0.113; r = 0.123, p = 0.213). High myopes showed significantly lower OBFa, OBFv, and POBF than the other groups (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Axial length changes in high myopes potentially influence choroidal blood flow, assuming the changes are caused by narrowing of the choroidal vessel diameter and increasing rigidity of the choroidal vessel wall. These finding explains the influence of axial length on OBFa, OBFv, and POBF, but not on OBFr. Thus, changes in axial length and the possible influence of these changes on the physical properties of choroidal vessels is the mechanism believed to be responsible for putting high myopes at risk for ocular vascular diseases.
Adult ; *Axial Length, Eye ; Choroid/*blood supply ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Myopia/diagnosis/*physiopathology ; Regional Blood Flow/*physiology ; Young Adult

Strabismus surgery results in the permanent interruption of anterior ciliary blood flow, predisposing the eye to anterior segment ischemia (ASI). A primate model was used to assess the effectiveness of a new muscle-scleral tuck for preserving anterior ciliary artery circulation. The model consisted of removing 3 rectus muscles from both eyes of 2 rhesus monkeys, then performing a tuck on the inferior rectus (IR) right eye while leaving the left IR as a control. Four weeks later, a modified tuck was performed on the virgin left IR. Fluorescein iris angiograms of both eyes were obtained, and preoperative angiograms at 5-15 sec. showed normal 360 degrees perfusion. Postoperative follow-up angiograms showed segmental superior temporal filling defects and preservation of perfusion in the distribution of the IR. Comparison of fellow eyes tucked vs control IR showed no difference in the filling pattern in both monkeys. Comparison of the same eye before and after tuck also showed essentially the same filling pattern in all 4 eyes with preservation of inferior circulation. Our conclusion is that the modified tuck preserves the anterior ciliary blood flow and may be useful as a muscle-strengthening procedure in patients predisposed to developing ASI.
Animals ; Anterior Eye Segment/*blood supply ; Ciliary Body/*blood supply ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Iris/blood supply ; Ischemia/*prevention & control ; Macaca mulatta ; Oculomotor Muscles/physiology/*surgery ; Perfusion

The effects of different concentrations of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) on the fibrovascular ingrowth into rabbits hydroxyapatite orbital implant were investigated. Twelve New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 3 groups and received hydroxyapatite orbital implant surgery in their right eyes. Before and after the operation, the implants were treated with 10 ng/ml VEGF, 100 ng/ml VEGF, or normal saline as control group. The animals received technetium bones scan at 2, 4, and 6 weeks postoperatively. The mean radioactivity counts within region of interest (ROI) of the surgery eye (R) and the non-surgery eye (L) in the same animal were tested, and the R/L ratios were calculated. The implants were harvested at 6th weeks and examined histopathologically. The results showed that at second week, there was no significant difference in mean R/L ratios between VEGF group and control group (F=2.83, P=0.111); At 4th week (F=7.728, P=0.011) and 6th week (F=7.831, P=0.011) postoperatively, the mean ratios in VEGF groups were significantly higher than that in control group. At 6th week postoperatively, the fibrovascularization rates in VEGF groups were higher than in control group significantly (F=8.711, P=0.008). It was suggested that VEGF could promote the fibrovascular ingrowth into hydroxyapatite orbital implant, thus might shorten the time required for complete vascularization of the HA orbital implant.
Eye, Artificial ; *Hydroxyapatites ; Neovascularization, Physiologic/*drug effects ; Orbit/blood supply ; *Orbital Implants ; Random Allocation ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/*pharmacology

PURPOSE: Goggles are frequently worn in the sport of swimming and are designed to form a seal around the periorbital tissue orbit. The resultant pressure on the eye may have the potential to affect intraocular pressure and blood flow of the optic nerve head. This study evaluates the influence of wearing swimming goggles on intraocular pressure (IOP) and blood flow of the ocular nerve head (ONH) in normal subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty healthy participants took part in this study. The IOP of each participant was measured using a Goldmann tonometer. Measurements were taken immediately before putting on swimming goggles, at 5, 10, 30, and 60 minutes after putting on swimming goggles, and then immediately after taking off the goggles. Blood flow of the ONH was measured using the Heidelberg retinal flowmeter. RESULTS: The average IOP before, during and after wearing the swimming goggles were 11.88 +/- 2.82mmHg, 14.20 +/- 2.81 mmHg and 11.78 +/- 2.89mmHg, respectively. The IOP increased immediately after putting on the goggles (p < 0.05) and then returned to normal values immediately after removal (p > 0.05). Blood flow of the ONH was 336.60 +/- 89.07 Arbitrary Units (AU) before and 319.18 +/- 96.02 AU after the goggles were worn (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A small but significant IOP elevation was observed immediately after the swimming goggles were put on. This elevated IOP was maintained while the goggles were kept on, and then returned to normal levels as soon as they were taken off. Blood flow of the ONH did not change significantly throughout the experiment. These facts should be considered for safety concerns, especially in advanced glaucoma patients.
Adult ; Eye Protective Devices/*adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; *Intraocular Pressure ; Male ; Optic Disk/*blood supply ; Regional Blood Flow ; *Swimming ; Time Factors

The effects of different concentrations of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) on the fibrovascular ingrowth into rabbits hydroxyapatite orbital implant were investigated. Twelve New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 3 groups and received hydroxyapatite orbital implant surgery in their right eyes. Before and after the operation, the implants were treated with 10 ng/ml VEGF, 100 ng/ml VEGF, or normal saline as control group. The animals received technetium bones scan at 2, 4, and 6 weeks postoperatively. The mean radioactivity counts within region of interest (ROI) of the surgery eye (R) and the non-surgery eye (L) in the same animal were tested, and the R/L ratios were calculated. The implants were harvested at 6th weeks and examined histopathologically. The results showed that at second week, there was no significant difference in mean R/L ratios between VEGF group and control group (F=2.83, P=0.111); At 4th week (F=7.728, P=0.011) and 6th week (F=7.831, P=0.011) postoperatively, the mean ratios in VEGF groups were significantly higher than that in control group. At 6th week postoperatively, the fibrovascularization rates in VEGF groups were higher than in control group significantly (F=8.711, P=0.008). It was suggested that VEGF could promote the fibrovascular ingrowth into hydroxyapatite orbital implant, thus might shorten the time required for complete vascularization of the HA orbital implant.
Animals ; Eye, Artificial ; Hydroxyapatites ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Orbit ; blood supply ; Orbital Implants ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; pharmacology

Recently iridectomy using an argon or Nd-YAG laser to treat narrow angle glaucoma has become popular, and is now the procedure of choice over the standard surgical technique. However, the shock wave of the Nd-YAG laser causes hemorrhage in almost all cases and the high energy level of the Nd-YAG laser, which is required for iridectomy, causes injury to the lens and cornea. Furthermore, there is a tendency toward closure of the iridectomy site after argon laser application. We performed iridectomies by a combined application of argon and Nd-YAG lasers in pigmented rabbits to improve iris bleeding, iridectomy patency, and lens and corneal damage. The iridectomy patency and the lens and corneal damage were examined with a scanning electron microscope. The rabbits that underwent laser iridectomies with only the Nd-YAG laser were used as a control group. Based on the results, it can be concluded that laser iridectomy by a combined application of argon and Nd-YAG lasers results in a lower rate of bleeding, a higher rate of patency, and less damage to the lens and cornea as compared with iridectomy performed by Nd-YAG laser only.
Animals ; Cornea/ultrastructure ; Endothelium, Corneal/ultrastructure ; Eye Hemorrhage/etiology ; Iris/blood supply/*surgery/ultrastructure ; *Laser Therapy/adverse effects ; Lens, Crystalline/ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVEThis review aims to summarize the progress of current clinical studies in ocular angiogenesis treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy and to discuss the benefits and challenges of the treatment.

DATA SOURCESPubmed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched with no limitations of language and year of publication.

STUDY SELECTIONClinical trials and case studies presented at medical conferences and published in peer-reviewed literature in the past decade were reviewed.

RESULTSAnti-VEGF agents have manifested great potential and promising outcomes in treating ocular neovascularization, though some of them are still used as off-label drugs. Intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents could be accompanied by devastating ocular or systemic complications, and intimate monitoring in both adult and pediatric population are warranted. Future directions should be focused on carrying out more well-designed large-scale controlled trials, promoting sustained duration of action, developing safer and more efficient generation of anti-VEGF agents.

CONCLUSIONSAnti-VEGF treatment has proved to be beneficial in treating both anterior and posterior neovascular ocular diseases. However, more safer and affordable antiangiogenic agencies and regimens are warranted to be explored.

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; therapeutic use ; Aptamers, Nucleotide ; therapeutic use ; Bevacizumab ; Eye ; blood supply ; drug effects ; pathology ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; drug therapy ; Ranibizumab ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; antagonists & inhibitors

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of eye acupuncture on cognition disorders in patients of chronic cerebral circulation insufficiency (CCCI).

METHODSSixty cases were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. All patients were treated with oral administration of compound Danshen tablets, and the observation group was treated with eye acupuncture based on the pharmacotherapy and upper energizer area, kidney area, spleen area were selected. Their therapeutic effects were observed after 8 weeks.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of 80.0% in the observation group was better than that of 53.3% in the control group (P<0.05). The score of mini-mental state (MMSE) in the observation group was also higher than that in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEye acupuncture has a good effect on cognition disorders in patients of CCCI and can enhance life quality of the patients.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; congenital ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Cerebrum ; blood supply ; Chronic Disease ; therapy ; Eye ; anatomy & histology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome