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Biomedical subjects

Mitsuko Yuzawa

Publications and source records attributed to Mitsuko Yuzawa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Clinicopathological findings of retinal angiomatous proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Neovascular membranes obtained from surgical excision of neovascularization for retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) were examined histopathologically in an attempt to elucidate the pathogenic mechanism of RAP. METHODS: Nine eyes of eight patients (mean age, 79 +/- 6 years) who underwent neovascularization excision were studied. Three eyes had stage II with RPE detachment, six had stage III. Immunohistochemical studies were performed to identify von Willebrand factor, vascular endothelial factor (VEGF), CD68 and hypoxia inducible factors (HIF-1 alpha and HIF-2 alpha). RESULTS: Multiple soft drusen were present in the macular area in all patients. In one stage II eye, we observed intraretinal neovascularization as a VEGF-positive mass, CD68-positive macrophage migration and HIF expression. In another stage II eye, neovascularization had extended above the RPE, while VEGF-positive fibroblasts were observed below the RPE. Therefore, in stage II, neither angiographic nor histopathological examinations identified choroidal neovascularization. In one phase III eye, angiography demonstrated choroidal neovascularization and chorioretinal anastomosis. Histopathologically, chorio-retinal communication was observed in the region where the RPE was destroyed, and VEGF-positive neovascularization was also seen below the RPE. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of multiple drusen in elderly patients together with macrophage migration and HIF expression surrounding VEGF-positive retinal neovascularization suggest ischemic and inflammatory factors to be associated with the development and progression of RAP.

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PubMed2006

Combining surgical ablation of retinal inflow and outflow vessels with photodynamic therapy for retinal angiomatous proliferation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate short-term efficacy of combining surgical ablation of retinal inflow and outflow vessels and photodynamic therapy (PDT) for stage 3 retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). DESIGN: Prospective interventional case series. METHODS: Five eyes (five patients) underwent surgical ablation of inflow and outflow vessels and PDT for stage 3 RAP. RESULTS: Inflow and outflow vessels were ablated in four eyes, and only inflow was ablated in one eye. In four eyes starting PDT within six weeks of surgical ablation, choroidal neovascularization (CNV) disappeared or shrank after one PDT session (three months follow-up). However, CNV enlarged again in three of the four (final follow-up) because of reperfusion from newly formed inflow vessels. In one eye starting PDT seven months after ablation, a new retinal inflow vessel feeding the CNV appeared by the time of the first PDT session. The CNV continued to expand, despite two PDT sessions. CONCLUSIONS: Combining surgical ablation and PDT was not useful on account of a high frequency of reperfusion from retinal inflow vessels.

Arterioles↗
PubMed2006

[Pulsation in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between pulsation and the fundus lesion in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We studied 26 eyes with PCV by indocyanine green angiography (IA) with a heidelberg retina angiograph(HRA). The 26 eyes were classified into two groups; pulsatile PCV and non-pulsatile PCV. We evaluated the strength and the amplitude of the pulsation, and the frequency of subretinal hemorrhage within one year after the first IA. Seven eyes in the pulsatile PCV group were tested by HRA twice or more to evaluate the relationship between the fundus lesion and the change in the strength and the amplitude of pulsation. RESULTS: Subretinal hemorrhage occurred in 9 of 14 eyes with pulsatile PCV and in 2 of 12 eyes with non-pulsatile PCV (odds ratio : 12.5). The possibility of subretinal hemorrhage was significantly higher in pulsatile PCV than in non-pulsatile PCV. In 3 of the 7 eyes tested twice or more, the fundus lesion worsened as the pulsation strengthened and the area of pulsation enlarged. In 1 of the 7 eyes, the fundus lesion improved as the pulsation weakened and the area of pulsation decreased. CONCLUSION: There is a good possibility that strengthened and extended pulsation is related to increasing subretinal hemorrhage in PCV patients.

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PubMed2006

[Effect of photodynamic therapy with ATX-S 10 (Na) on experimental choroidal neovascularization].

PURPOSE: To evaluate an appropriate irradiative condition for selective occlusion of experimental choroidal neovascularization(CNV) with photodynamic therapy (PDT) using ATX-S 10 (Na). METHODS: Experimental CNV was induced in monkey eyes by laser photocoagulation. PDT(dose of irradiative energy 40 to 80J/cm2) was performed after 3.5 mg/kg of body weight intravenous injections of ATX-S 10(Na). CNV and retinal vessel occlusion induced by PDT was evaluated by fluorescein angiography (FA) at 1 and 7 days after irradiation. If FA showed no fluorescein dye leakage from CNV at 1 and 7 days after irradiation, CNV was evaluated by histopathological analysis at 7 days after irradiation. RESULTS: Within 30 to 33 minutes after ATX-S 10(Na) injection and irradiation with 50 to 60 J/ cm2, FA showed no fluorescein dye leakage from CNV and no closure of retinal vessels at 1 and 7 days after irradiation. Light micrographs showed occluded CNV, and retinal vessels remained patent and there was no apparent change in the inner layer of the retina. CONCLUSIONS: Irradiative condition of ATX-S10 (Na) 3.5 mg/kg was appropriate 30 to 33 minutes after ATX-S 10(Na) injection and irradiation with 50 to 60 J/cm2.

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PubMed2006

[Clinical effects of photodynamic therapy with Verteporfin for age-related macular degeneration 1: three-month results].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 3-month effects after one-time photodynamic therapy (PDT) for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 122 patients with subfoveal CNV due to AMD detected by fluorescein angiography (FA). FA, indocyanine-green angiography (IA), and the examination of visual acuity were done before and 3 months after PDT. The diameter of CNV in FA was compared, and ophthalmological examination before the treatment determined whether there were any factors associated with a reduction or suppression of CNV. RESULTS: 3 months after PDT, 89 eyes had a significant (p < 0.001) reduction of CNV (41 eyes had blockage of CNV). In case of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) detected by IA, CNV was significantly reduced compared with the effects of other types of therapy (p = 0.032). Moreover, CNV was blocked significantly when fibrin tissue was present on a part of CNV before treatment (p = 0.026). Visual acuity was maintained or improved in 96 eyes. CONCLUSION: One-time PDT was effective in reducing or suppressing CNV as confirmed by FA.

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PubMed2006

[Assessment of the quality of life of patients with age-related macular degeneration after photodynamic therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To quantify quality of life (QOL) changes in patients who have received a single session of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization, secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and to identify factors that correlate with the QOL changes. METHODS: The QOL changes in 88 patients with AMD were scored with the 25-Item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) before and 3 months after a single PDT with routine ophthalmologic examinations. We used multiple regression analysis to evaluate VFQ-25 sub-scale scores and ophthalmologic findings in these patients before PDT, to identify impact on the effectiveness of PDT. We also evaluated changes in ophthalmologic findings influencing the QOL score. RESULTS: The sub-scale scores for both 'mental health' (p = 0.02) and 'role limitation' (p = 0.03) improved significantly in all 88 cases, but only 'mental health' improved significantly in 34 cases in which PDT was effective. Multiple regression analysis in all 88 cases revealed that the factors contributing significantly to improvement in 'mental health' were a lower pre-PDT 'mental health' score (p < 0.01) and the presence of fibrous tissue (p = 0.01) before the PDT session. The lower the role limitation before PDT (p < 0.01), the more significant was the improvement in this score. CONCLUSION: Although no baseline sub-scale score was identified as predicting the effectiveness of a single PDT session, the scores for both 'mental health' and 'role limitation' improved.

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PubMed2006

[Reading performance in patients with central visual field disturbance due to glaucoma].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between central visual field disturbance due to glaucoma and reading performance. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We evaluated the reading performance of 11 patients (14 eyes) with visual acuities of 1.0 and higher who had absolute scotoma within 3 degrees of the central visual field. The ages of the patients ranged from 37 to 77, with a median of 62 years. Maximum reading speed of texts printed horizontally and vertically was measured using MNREAD-J. Subjective reading difficulties were investigated orally. The relationship between the maximum reading speed of both horizontal and vertical texts, the subjective reading difficulties, the number of quadrants, and the position and continuity of absolute scotoma were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean maximum reading speed for vertical and horizontal texts by the 11 patients was 323 and 335 characters/minute(c/m), respectively, and was not significantly slower than that of normal eyes. In 2 of 14 eyes, a significant (p < 0.05) difference between maximum vertical and horizontal reading speeds was observed. In 3 of 14 eyes, absolute scotoma was distributed continuously in more than 2 adjacent quadrants, and these patients also had subjective reading difficulties. CONCLUSION: Reading difficulty is present in patients having absolute scotoma within 3 degrees of the central visual field when the scotoma involves more than 2 adjacent quadrants.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Psychometric properties of the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25), Japanese version.

BACKGROUND: The importance of evaluating the outcomes of health care from the standpoint of the patient is now widely recognized. The purpose of this study is to develop and test a Japanese version of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25). METHODS: A Japanese version was developed with a previously standardized method. The questionnaire and optional items were completed by 245 patients with cataracts, glaucoma, or age-related macular degeneration, by 110 others before and after cataract surgery, and by a reference group (n = 31). We computed rates of missing data, measured reproducibility and internal consistency reliability, and tested for convergent and discriminant validity, concurrent validity, known-groups validity, factor structure, and responsiveness to change. RESULTS: Based on information from the participants, some items were changed to 2-step items (asking if an activity was done, and if it was done, then asking how difficult it was). The near-vision and distance-vision subscales each had 1 item that was endorsed by very few participants, so these items were replaced with items that were optional in the English version. For example, more than 60% of participants did not drive, so the driving question was excluded. Reliability and validity were adequate for all subscales except driving, ocular pain, color vision, and peripheral vision. With cataract surgery, most scores improved by at least 20 points. CONCLUSION: With minor modifications from the English version, the Japanese NEI VFQ-25 can give reliable, valid, responsive data on vision-related quality of life, for group-level comparisons or for tracking therapeutic outcomes.

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PubMed2005

[Reading performance in the scar stage of age-related macular degeneration].

PURPOSE: To evaluate reading performance in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Six normal subjects over 50 years of age and 40 patients with AMD were evaluated. Near visual acuity, critical print size, and maximum reading speed were tested to compare the data from normal subjects with those from AMD patients. Scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) microperimetry was performed to observe fixation in AMD patients. RESULTS: The mean critical print size for normal subjects was 0.15 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (log MAR) and the mean maximum reading speed was 307 characters/min. There was a plateau area in reading function where reading speed did not rise and stayed constant even though print size increased. The mean critical print size for AMD patients was 0.97 log MAR, and the mean maximum reading speed was 140 characters/min. The critical print size and maximum reading speed differed significantly between normal and AMD subjects. Eleven of the 40 patients with AMD did not have the character size and reading speed relationship, which means they manifested a plateau as seen in normal subjects. Eight of the 11 patients did not show stable fixation with SLO microperimetry. CONCLUSIONS: The reading performance of AMD patients was remarkably impaired, especially in those with poorer visual function and no fixation.

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PubMed2005

[Preoperative factors for postoperative resolution of metamorphopsia in idiopathic macular hole surgery].

PURPOSE: To elucidate factors for resolution of metamorphopsia after successful surgery for idiopathic macular hole. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 15 cases of 15 patients with successful surgery for idiopathic macular hole were evaluated for signs of metamorphopsia before and one year after surgery. Preoperative and postoperative assessments included testing of metamorphopsia using M-CHART and optical coherence tomography. The postoperative state of the metamorphopsia was judged to have resolved when the test score was 0.2 or less and to be residual when it was more than 0.2. Classification of preoperative factors in two groups of patients included evaluation of metamorphopsia score, visual acuity, optical coherence tomography findings, and clinical stage of macular hole. RESULTS: Six of 15 eyes (40%) showed postoperative resolution of metamorphopsia. There was no significant correlation of postoperative metamorphopsia score with preoperative score or preoperative visual acuity. Eyes with postoperative resolution of metamorphopsia had a macular hole with a significantly smaller diameter and a significantly thinner retina surrounding the hole. Two eyes with clinical stage 4 macular hole had residual metamorphopsia after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The diameter of a macular hole and the thickness of the retina surrounding a macular hole are significant preoperative factors for postoperative resolution of metamorphopsia after idiopathic macular hole surgery.

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PubMed2004

Surgical excision of neovascularization in retinal angiomatous proliferation.

BACKGROUND: We report the postoperative outcomes of surgical neovascularization excision in patients with retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). METHODS: Nine eyes of eight patients with RAP who underwent surgical excision of neovascularization were studied. Surgical indications were as follows: RAP diagnosed by fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, foveal or perifoveal neovascularization, preoperative visual acuity of 0.1 or less, Yannuzzi's stage II with detachment of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) or stage III, and leakage on late-phase fluorescein angiography. After cataract surgery, vitreous surgery and neovascularization excision were conducted, followed by fluid-air or fluid-gas exchange. RESULTS: Visual acuity was 0.02-0.1 before surgery and 0.03-0.2 after surgery. Macular hole formation was seen in one eye but did not lead to retinal detachment. In two eyes, subretinal bleeding occurred during excision leading to vitreous bleeding after surgery. Although defects of the RPE and choriocapillaries were observed after surgery, the exudation and bleeding were absorbed. CONCLUSIONS: In stage II RAP cases with RPE detachment, surgical excision maintains constant postoperative visual acuity but results in defects of RPE and choriocapillaris; therefore, other treatment options should be examined. Surgical excision of stage III RAP seems to be promising, as postoperative visual acuity remains stable after neovascularization removal in those advanced pathologic situations.

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PubMed2004

[Low vision aids for reading in scar stage of age-related macular degeneration].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the inter-relationship among near visual acuity, eccentricity of preferred retinal locus(PRL), and choice of low vision aids for reading in patients with bilateral age-related macular degeneration(AMD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The preferred eye of 44 patients having bilateral disciform stage AMD was examined. The PRL was detected and its eccentricity from the fovea was measured by scanning laser ophthalmoscopic microperimetry. Magnification of a low vision aid for reading newsprint was determined by the critical print size which was calculated using the MNREAD-J. The type of preferred aid was chosen from high-plus lens glasses, magnifiers, and closed-circuit televisions. The inter-relationship among near visual acuity, eccentricity of the PRL, and magnification and type of low vision aid for reading were evaluated. RESULTS: The magnification of the aid was correlated with the eccentricity of PRL in eyes with near visual acuity of 0.2 or less although no correlation was found in eyes with near visual acuity better than 0.3. High plus lens glasses were selected by patients with near visual acuity better than 0.2 and eccentricity of 2 degrees or less. Magnifiers were selected by patients with near visual acuity better than 0.1 and eccentricity of 5 degrees or less. Closed-circuit televisions were selected by patients with near visual acuity of 0.1 or less and eccentricity of 5 degrees or more. CONCLUSION: The eccentricity of PRL should be taken into account in determining low vision aids for reading, especially in patients with near visual acuity of 0.2 or less. Choice of the type of low vision aid depends on not only near visual acuity but also on eccentricity of PRL.

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PubMed2004

[Fixation points and retinal sensitivity observed in reading text by patients with bilateral macular atrophy].

PURPOSE: To study by use of a scanning laser ophthalmoscope(SLO). How patients with bilateral macular atrophy use their retinas in reading Japanese sentences of varying sizes. METHODS: Thirty-eight eyes of 19 patients with bilateral macular atrophy were examined. Sentences of a fixed length (MNREAD-J sentences) were projected onto the patients' retinas with the SLO, and the size of the letters was varied. Patients were asked to read aloud the sentences slowly, and both their voices and retinal images were recorded simultaneously on videotape so that we could locate the retinal area they were using for reading. We compared these fixation points in reading with simple fixation points obtained by SLO microperimetry. RESULTS: In 21 eyes, the patients used the same area of the retina in all measurements. In 15 eyes, the fixation points for reading differed from the fixation area measured by microperimetry. In 8 of the 15 eyes, the fixation area for reading changed as the letter size was altered. In 2 eyes, oral reading was impossible, and no fixation point was established. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of SLO with reading evaluation clarified the fixation area for oral reading. Multiple fixation points were thought to be present quite commonly in eyes with macular degeneration. The fixation point was thought to be determined by the macular condition and the size of the letters being read.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Quality of life evaluation of age-related macular degeneration].

PURPOSE: To evaluate quality of life (QOL) characteristics and ophthalmic factors influencing QOL in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 80 patients with AMD. An eye-disease specific QOL questionnaire, The 25-Item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25), was administered. Results were compared with those of glaucoma or cataract patients and those of individuals without eye diseases. The VFQ-25 score was assessed according to visual acuity, absolute scotoma size, and disease type. Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate ophthalmic factors influencing the QOL score. RESULTS: VFQ-25 scores were significantly lower in AMD patients than in all other groups. Scores of patients with visual acuity less than 0.1, with large absolute central scotoma, and bilateral exudative AMD were lower, for several items, than those of patients with visual acuity of 0.4 or more, those of patients without absolute scotoma, and those of bilateral atrophic AMD patients, respectively. Visual acuity and absolute central scotoma size influenced social functioning and mental health. The exudative form influenced mental health and critical print size influenced dependency. CONCLUSION: The VFQ-25-assessed QOL of AMD patients was lower than that of glaucoma or cataract patients. Visual acuity, absolute central scotoma and the existence of exudative AMD influenced the QOL in AMD patients.

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PubMed2003

Multifocal electroretinograms in cases of central areolar choroidal dystrophy.

PURPOSE: To study multifocal electroretinograms (mfERG) in patients with early-stage central alveolar choroidal dystrophy (CACD) with well-demarcated atrophic areas. METHODS: Eight eyes of eight patients with CACD (ages, 47-67 years) and 20 normal control subjects were examined. The first- and second-order kernels (K1 and K2) were extracted from the responses elicited by 61 standard hexagonal elements of a visual response imaging system. The amplitudes and peak times of the focal responses at various retinal eccentricities were studied. RESULTS: The amplitudes of K1 were reduced in the visibly atrophic areas, and they were also decreased in areas with no visible atrophy. The peak time was slightly delayed in many loci, but the delay was not as long as that in congenital stationary night blindness or diabetic retinopathy. The amplitude of K2 was very small in the central and peripheral areas, but the K2/K1 ratio in both areas was not significantly reduced, compared with that in normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Although the atrophic area was ophthalmoscopically well demarcated in patients with CACD, the abnormality of retinal function extended beyond the borders of the ophthalmoscopic and angiographic lesions. The retinal dysfunction outside the atrophic areas suggests a centrifugal progression of the disease, and abnormal K2 and K1 with preserved K2/K1 ratio are consistent with a presynaptic mechanism for the retinal dysfunction in this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Utility of laser photocoagulation of choroidal neovascularization in angioid streaks].

PURPOSE: We evaluate the utility of laser photocoagulation of extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in angioid streaks. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eleven eyes of 10 patients with extrafoveal CNV secondary to angioid streaks that underwent direct laser photocoagulation were followed for 5 months or more. We performed an intense laser photocoagulation of a CNV area determined by fluorescein angiography. We evaluated CNV diameter, the shortest distance between CNV and the fovea, the best visual acuity, the final visual acuity, existence, period, and region of the recurrence, and changes in fundus findings. RESULT: The logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (log MAR) final visual acuity in 9 eyes deteriorated more than two levels. The recurrence of CNV was observed in 11 eyes, in 9 eyes CNV expanded and involved the fovea, and in two eyes photocoagulation was performed but caused an atrophic creep and resulted in scar formation including the fovea. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, laser photocoagulation is not a good therapy for CNV in angioid streaks.

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PubMed2003

[Surgical removal of choroidal neovascularization in angioid streaks].

PURPOSE: All the studies so far on surgical removal of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in angioid streaks(AS) were conducted on a small number of cases. Therefore, a definitive evaluation of the surgical method was not available. The present study aimed to evaluate this surgical modality. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We performed surgical removal of foveal CNV accompanied by AS. Eighteen eyes of seventeen patients were available for follow-up of over 12 months. Surgical indications included foveal CNV, fluorescence leakage from the CNV in late-phase fluorescein angiography, and visual acuity of 0.3 or lower. RESULTS: The best visual acuity was improved in 44% and unchanged in 44%. The final visual acuity was improved in 33% and unchanged in 39%. 22% had a preoperative visual acuity of 0.2 or above; and 44% and 17% achieved best and final visual acuity, respectively, of 0.2 or above. Since all cases developed atrophy of the choriocapillaris in the fovea, none of the cases were capable of fixation within atrophy. The fixation point was localized outside atrophy in 56% and fixation was poor in 44%. The diameter of postoperative atrophy of choriocapillaris was significantly greater (p < 0.05) than the preoperative CNV diameter. CNV recurred in 8 eyes(44%), 88% of which occurred within one year. CONCLUSION: Surgical removal of CNV in AS is an effective method to maintain preoperative visual acuity.

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