Current Eye Research最新文献

{"title":"Dual-Zone Keratometry for Identifying Central Radius and Corneal Asphericity.","authors":"Henry Bair","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2673063","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2673063","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1013-1014"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147971172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"MicroRNA-146a Regulates the Epithelium-Mesenchymal Transition of Lens Epithelial Cells Through the STAT1/MYC Pathway.","authors":"Yaxin Niu, Yuxuan Li, Shengqun Jiang","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2675030","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2675030","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to elucidate the effects and mechanisms of microRNA-146a on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human lens epithelial cells (HLECs).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Anterior capsular tissue obtained during surgery from the age-related cataract (ARC) group and the control group was collected; the tissue was ground and subjected to RT-qPCR experiments to analyze the expression of microRNA-146a; in <i>in vitro</i> experiments, TNF-α (20 ng/ml) induced human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) to establish an inflammatory injury cell model; Transfection of TNF-α-treated HLECs with microRNA-146a mimics and STAT1 overexpression plasmid; RT-qPCR, Western The blotting method was used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of EMT markers (E-cadherin, Vimentin, a-SMA) after cell treatment; the transwell assay and cell scratch experiment were used to detect changes in the migration ability of cells after treatment; the CCK8 assay was used to detect cell proliferation after treatment Changes in ability; flow cytometry was used to detect changes in cell apoptosis before and after cell treatment. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the STAT1/MYC pathway mRNA and protein expression levels after cell treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The expression of microRNA-146a in the capsules of patients with age-related cataracts was lower than that in the control group, and the mRNA expression of TNF-α was significantly higher than that in the control group. Induction by TNF-α (20 ng/ml) can cause inflammatory damage to normal HLECs and significantly change the expression of microRNA-146a and EMT-related genes in HLECs. Overexpression of microRNA-146a reverses TNF-α-induced EMT in HLECs. microRNA-146a affects the STAT1/MYC pathway by targeting and regulating STAT1.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>MicroRNA-146a directly targets STAT1 and inhibits TNF-α-induced proliferation, migration, and EMT of lens epithelial cells through the STAT1/MYC pathway, exerting a protective effect.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1056-1066"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148013615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Quest to Predict Surgically Induced Astigmatism After Cataract Surgery: Lessons for Toric IOL Planning.","authors":"Amanda C Pan, Klemens P Kaiser, Stefan Raidl, Helga Wagner, Kamran M Riaz, Matthias Bolz, Achim Langenbucher, Jascha A Wendelstein","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2662391","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2662391","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study compared traditional statistical models with machine learning algorithms for predicting surgically induced astigmatism after cataract surgery, aiming to identify the most accurate and generalizable method among linear regression, regression trees, random forests, and neural networks.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Retrospective analysis was performed on 321 eyes (321 patients) undergoing phacoemulsification at a tertiary center. Data were standardized and surgically induced astigmatism was modeled using three vector-based outcomes: KEQ.post (keratometric equivalent power), KAST0.post (horizontal astigmatism component), and KAST45.post (oblique component). Preoperative variables served as predictors. Data were split into training (60%) and test (40%) sets. Four predictive models were developed and evaluated on unseen data. Performance was assessed using mean squared prediction error, and variable importance analyses identified key predictors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Linear regression achieved the best out-of-sample performance across all outcomes (e.g. KEQ.post mean squared prediction error = 0.043). Tree-based models performed slightly worse, while neural networks showed substantial overfitting with markedly higher test errors. Preoperative astigmatism and corneal radii were the strongest predictors.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>KAST0 and KAST45 were not predictably modeled, whereas changes in KEQ.post were. Multivariable linear regression provided the most accurate and reliable predictions, while more complex machine-learning models (especially neural networks) overfit the limited dataset and offered no clinical advantage. The relationship between preoperative biometrics and postoperative equivalent power appears predominantly linear, though larger datasets may enhance machine-learning performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1035-1043"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148590827","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"STOM Promotes Retinal Angiogenesis in Diabetic Retinopathy via the ERK1/2/VEGFA Pathway.","authors":"Jingyi Chi, Xinyu Liu, Weichen Song, Wen Chen, Xiaoxiao Xue, Yongqi Zhang, Wenwen Zhu","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2679145","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2679145","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness, but its underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of STOM in DR-related retinal angiogenesis and to elucidate its potential signaling mechanism.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model and human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) exposed to high glucose were employed. The expression levels of STOM, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) pathway-related molecules were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting (WB), and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Functional assays including Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), Direct cell counting, wound healing, Transwell migration, and Matrigel tube formation were performed to assess the effects of <i>STOM</i> knockdown or overexpression on HRMECs. The ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 was applied to verify pathway dependence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>STOM expression was significantly upregulated in the retinas of diabetic rats and in HRMECs under high glucose conditions. <i>STOM</i> silencing suppressed high glucose-induced proliferation, migration, and angiogenic tube formation in HRMECs. Whereas <i>STOM</i> overexpression enhanced these pathological behaviors. Mechanistically, STOM promoted VEGFA upregulation and angiogenesis through activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>STOM facilitates pathological retinal angiogenesis in diabetic retinopathy <i>via</i> the ERK1/2/VEGFA signaling pathway. These findings identify STOM as a potential therapeutic target for DR.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1085-1098"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148216702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fluorinated Oxazolidine Derivative RS-10 Ameliorates Hyperglycemic Conditions and Restores Visual Function in an <i>In Vivo</i> Zebrafish Diabetic Retinopathy Model.","authors":"Sanjay Gopi, S Prethiba, M Chandhru, S Madesh, Sundhararajan Hariharan, Senthilkumar Palaniappan, Rajakrishnan Rajagopal, Ahmed Alfarhan, Bader O Almutairi, Ki Choon Choi, Kathiravan Muthu Kumaradoss, Jesu Arockiaraj","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2679148","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2679148","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy involves oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal dysfunction, with oxidative stress playing a critical role in retinal cell injury. The current study evaluates the therapeutic potential of 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,2-oxazolidine, a fluorinated oxazolidine derivative with potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties, in mitigating diabetic retinopathy-induced retinal damage using a zebrafish model.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Adult zebrafish were divided into five groups: control (group I, no intervention), STZ-induced diabetic retinopathy (group II, 50 μL of 7 mg/mL STZ administered intraperitoneally followed by 1% glucose exposure for 30 min, with an intravitreal injection of 20 μL of 7% STZ on day 7), 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,2-oxazolidine low dose (group III, 50 μM 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,2-oxazolidine administered intraperitoneally on days 14 and 21 post-induction), 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,2-oxazolidine mid dose (group IV, 100 μM 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,2-oxazolidine administered intraperitoneally on days 14 and 21 post-induction), and 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,2-oxazolidine high dose (group V, 200 μM 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,2-oxazolidine administered intraperitoneally on days 14 and 21 post-induction). Retinal histomorphometry, optomotor response, oxidative stress markers, and inflammatory markers were assessed across all groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,2-oxazolidine treatment at 200 μM concentration significantly reduced ROS accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and restored antioxidant enzyme levels, indicating its potent antioxidant activity. Histopathological analysis revealed a marked reduction in retinal neuronal degeneration, preserved retinal structure, and enhanced neuronal integrity. Behavioral analysis showed improved visual function, with 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,2-oxazolidine-treated zebrafish displaying improved optokinetic and optomotor response with improved swimming behavior, suggesting functional preservation of retinal activity. Furthermore, molecular analysis revealed the modulation of key oxidative stress markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as <i>tnf-α</i>, <i>il-1β</i> with the suppression underscoring 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,2-oxazolidine's ability to mitigate inflammation and oxidative damage.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings highlight the therapeutic efficacy of 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,2-oxazolidine in preventing diabetic retinopathy-related retinal degeneration by reducing oxidative stress and preserving retinal function, suggesting further investigation into its clinical applicability for managing retinal diseases linked to oxidative stress and inflammation.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1099-1114"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148154988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Salidroside Reverses Experimental Myopia by Restoring Collagen I Homeostasis <i>via</i> Activation of the microRNA-203a-3p/Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Axis.","authors":"Qinglan Li, Jiaqing Wu, Bihua He, Lijiao Wei, Ziang Cheng, Lingbo Sun, Yuanjing Tang, Baoyu Liu, Xiangyong Xie","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2670422","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2670422","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>High myopia is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness, characterized by axial elongation of the eyeball and changes in the sclera, particularly remodeling of extracellular matrix components. Salidroside, a natural glycoside from Rhodiola crenulata, has anti-hypoxic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However, its role in myopia progression remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the effects of salidroside on scleral microRNA (miR)-203a-3p, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and collagen I in a form-deprivation myopia rat model.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Experimental myopia was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats through monocular form deprivation for four weeks. Rats were orally administered low, medium, or high doses of salidroside (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg/day) starting one week after form deprivation. The scleral levels of miR-203a-3p, MMP2, and collagen I were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting. A dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed the interaction between miR-203a-3p and the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of MMP2. Biometric parameters, including axial length and refractive error, were assessed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of salidroside.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Form deprivation led to significant changes in scleral molecular markers, including upregulation of MMP2 and downregulation of miR-203a-3p and collagen I. Salidroside treatment dose-dependently reversed these changes, restoring miR-203a-3p levels, inhibiting MMP2 expression, and promoting collagen I synthesis. The dual-luciferase assay confirmed direct targeting of MMP2 by miR-203a-3p. In biometric analyses, salidroside significantly reduced axial elongation and myopic refractive shift, demonstrating its potential to slow myopia progression. Co-treatment with a miR-203a-3p mimic and salidroside enhanced these effects, suggesting a synergistic relationship between miR-203a-3p and salidroside.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Salidroside exerts protective effects against high myopia progression by regulating the miR-203a-3p/MMP2 axis and enhancing collagen I synthesis. These findings position salidroside as a promising pharmacological candidate for myopia treatment, offering a novel therapeutic approach to mitigate structural changes associated with myopia progression.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1067-1078"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148599911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Response to the Letter to the Editor: Dual-Zone Keratometry for Identifying Central Radius and Corneal Asphericity.","authors":"Achim Langenbucher, Jascha Wendelstein, Alan Cayless, Peter Hoffmann, Nóra Szentmáry","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2675026","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2675026","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1015-1016"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148013702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Controversial Links Between Cardiometabolic Factors and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Methodological Perspectives for Future Research.","authors":"Blondy Kayembe-Mulumba, Cécile Delcourt, Marie-Noëlle Delyfer","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2678294","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2678294","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Epidemiological studies yielded conflicting results regarding the relationship between cardiometabolic factors and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the methodological characteristics of these studies, which may partly explain this controversy, are not currently addressed. This narrative review aimed to examine current evidence between the six most studied cardiometabolic factors and AMD, focusing on identifying key methodological shortcomings and discussing analytical approaches currently available to address them.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a rigorous, nonsystematic literature search using targeted MeSH terms and keywords in MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Web of Science and Scopus, with no language restrictions, up to June 2025. We identified and reviewed epidemiological (cross-sectional, case-control, cohort) studies reporting original data on the six targeted cardiometabolic factors: blood pressure, antihypertensive medications, lipid levels, lipid-lowering medications, diabetes mellitus and antidiabetic treatments. A quantitative synthesis of studies was conducted to describe their methodological characteristics and reported associations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Across the 116 reviewed associations, prospective cohorts (41%) and cross-sectional designs (37%) predominated. Most originated from America (35%) and Europe (32%). Lipids (21%) and lipid-lowering agents (20%) were the most frequently studied exposures, while advanced AMD was the predominant outcome (56%). Logistic regression was the main analytic approach (70%), and association conclusions were most often null (42%), followed by increased (36%) and decreased (22%) risk. The most common methodological limitations included cross-sectional study designs, static modeling of dynamic exposures, unaddressed interval censoring, not controlling for confounding by indication, and unstandardized selection of confounders, which are likely to bias the reported associations.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Future studies should prioritize robust methodological frameworks, including longitudinal designs, survival bias mitigation, standardized and repeated exposure assessments, distinction between AMD subtypes, propensity scores for medications use, and advanced causal inference techniques wherever feasible. Such an effort is foundational to strengthening the validity and reproducibility of findings linking cardiometabolic factors to AMD, thereby improving AMD prevention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1017-1034"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148041418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Possible Causal Association Between Thyroid-Related Traits and Diabetic Retinopathy Risk: Evidence From 23 Medication-Taking Traits.","authors":"Zhengbo Xue, Riyan Zhang, Qinyi Zhang, Zhen Ji Chen, Yue Zhang, Jia Qu, Jianzhong Su, Jian Yuan","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2679633","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2679633","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To evaluate whether thyroid-related medication-taking traits show evidence consistent with a possible causal relationship for diabetic retinopathy (DR).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We utilized genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics from UK Biobank, which included 23 medication-taking traits in a sample of approximately 320,000 individuals and DR data from 1,652 cases and 60,577 controls. We employed Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to investigate the possible causal relationships between medication-taking characteristics and DR. Possible causal effects were screened with TwoSampleMR inverse-variance weighting, confirmed by univariable MR after pleiotropic SNPs were removed <i>via</i> MR-PRESSO; reverse MR excluded reverse causality, and public GWAS data verified the thyroid-disease associations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found drugs used in diabetes and thyroid preparations showed a significant association with DR (<i>p</i> < 0.05/22). After removing pleiotropic SNPs, the UVMR analysis suggested a potential relationship between thyroid preparations and DR (IVW: OR = 1.18, <i>p</i> = 1.91 × 10^-3). Furthermore, the MR analysis indicated that both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were associated with a significantly higher risk of DR (OR = 1.31, <i>p</i> = 1.75 × 10^-6; OR = 1.32, <i>p</i> = 1.05 × 10^-4). The findings from different single-nucleotide analytic methods were consistent, suggesting the robustness of the possible causal associations.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings suggest thyroid dysfunction appears to causally elevate DR risk, informing screening and prevention in diabetes. The precise mechanisms may involve thyroid-related oxidative stress and inflammation.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1115-1122"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148316016","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Difference in Ocular Perfusion Drop After Intravitreal Aflibercept in Patients with Neovascular AMD and Diabetic Macular Edema.","authors":"Nina Anna Maria Karl, Anna Cornelia Schuhmayer, Leon Pomberger, Markus Eidherr, Haidar Khalil, Martin Kallab, Jan Rothbächer, Clemens Strohmaier, Josef Huemer, Matthias Bolz, Anna Sophie Reisinger","doi":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2679143","DOIUrl":"10.1080/02713683.2026.2679143","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a factor in the pathogenesis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), yet they differ in pathogenesis. It has been shown that only patients with diabetic retinopathy have elevated VEGF levels in the aqueous humor. Intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF substances have been the gold standard in treating diseases for several years, but an impact on ocular perfusion has been assumed. This study aimed to investigate the effects of intravitreal aflibercept injection (IVI) on ocular perfusion in patients with AMD and DME.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective study included 36 eyes of 36 patients, with 18 patients having nAMD (<i>n</i> = 18) and 18 patients having DME (<i>n</i> = 18), all treated with IVI. Ocular perfusion was measured using Laser Speckle Flowgraphy (LSFG). The parameter Mean Blur Rate (MBR) reflects erythrocyte flow velocity and serves as an indirect marker of perfusion. MBR was measured at the optic nerve head (ONH). The device's software can analyze MBR in areas of major retinal vessels (MV) and in microperfusion areas of the tissue (MT). Measurements were conducted at three time points (before scheduled IVI, as well as 1 week and 4 weeks after).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In patients with AMD, significant decrease in MV was observed, while no significant change was noted for MV in patients with DME (Analysis of Variance, ANOVA, <i>p</i> = 0.04 vs. <i>p</i> = 0.2). However, both groups showed a significant decrease in MT (ANOVA, <i>p</i> < 0.001 for both groups).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results indicate that retinal perfusion as measured with LSFG is less impaired in patients with DME following IVI treatment. This could be related to endothelial dysfunction, which appears to be restricted to retinal endothelial cells, as MT as a surrogate marker of choroidal perfusion showed a significant reduction in the DME group. Responses highlight physiological differences between retinal and choroidal capillaries.</p>","PeriodicalId":10782,"journal":{"name":"Current Eye Research","volume":" ","pages":"1079-1084"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148143011","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}