The discussion on the use of bevacizumab is still ongoing and often doctors are deterred from using bevacizumab due to legal or political issues. Bevacizumab is an effective, safe and inexpensive ...treatment option for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), albeit unregistered for the disease. Therefore, in some countries ophthalmologists use the equally effective but expensive drugs ranibizumab and aflibercept. We describe the economic consequences of this dilemma surrounding AMD treatment from a societal perspective.
We modelled cost-effectiveness of treatment with ranibizumab (as-needed), aflibercept (bimonthly) and bevacizumab (as-needed). Effectiveness was estimated by systematic review and meta-analysis. The drug with the most favourable cost-effectiveness profile compared to bevacizumab was used for threshold analyses. First, we determined how much we overspend per injection. Second, we calculated the required effectiveness to justify the current price and the reasonable price for a drug leading to optimal vision. Finally, we estimated how much Europe overspends if bevacizumab is not first choice.
Bevacizumab treatment costs €27,087 per year, about €4,000 less than aflibercept and €6,000 less than ranibizumab. With similar effectiveness for all drugs as shown by meta-analysis, bevacizumab was the most cost-effective. Aflibercept was chosen for threshold analyses. Aflibercept costs €943 per injection, but we determined that the maximum price to be cost-effective is €533. Alternatively, at its current price, aflibercept should yield about twice the visual gain. Even when optimal vision can be achieved, the maximum price for any treatment is €37,453 per year. Most importantly, Europe overspends €335 million yearly on AMD treatment when choosing aflibercept over bevacizumab.
Bevacizumab is the most cost-effective treatment for AMD, yet is not the standard of care across Europe. The registered drugs ranibizumab and aflibercept lead to large overspending without additional health benefits. Health authorities should consider taking steps to implement bevacizumab into clinical practice as first choice.
Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are deep learning network architectures that have pushed forward the state-of-the-art in a range of computer vision applications and are increasingly popular in ...medical image analysis. However, training of CNNs is time-consuming and challenging. In medical image analysis tasks, the majority of training examples are easy to classify and therefore contribute little to the CNN learning process. In this paper, we propose a method to improve and speed-up the CNN training for medical image analysis tasks by dynamically selecting misclassified negative samples during training. Training samples are heuristically sampled based on classification by the current status of the CNN. Weights are assigned to the training samples and informative samples are more likely to be included in the next CNN training iteration. We evaluated and compared our proposed method by training a CNN with (SeS) and without (NSeS) the selective sampling method. We focus on the detection of hemorrhages in color fundus images. A decreased training time from 170 epochs to 60 epochs with an increased performance-on par with two human experts-was achieved with areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.894 and 0.972 on two data sets. The SeS CNN statistically outperformed the NSeS CNN on an independent test set.
Purpose
Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disease of the macula, often leading to progressive vision loss. The rate of disease progression can vary among individuals and has ...been associated with multiple risk factors. In this review, we provide an overview of the current literature investigating phenotypic, demographic, environmental, genetic, and molecular risk factors, and propose the most consistently identified risk factors for disease progression in AMD based on these studies. Finally, we describe the potential use of these risk factors for personalised healthcare.
Recent findings
While phenotypic risk factors such as drusen and pigment abnormalities become more important to predict disease progression during the course of the disease, demographic, environmental, genetic and molecular risk factors are more valuable at earlier disease stages. Demographic and environmental risk factors such as age and smoking are consistently reported to be related to disease progression, while other factors such as sex, body mass index (BMI) and education are less often associated. Of all known AMD variants, variants that are most consistently reported with disease progression are rs10922109 and rs570618 in CFH, rs116503776 in C2/CFB/SKIV2L, rs3750846 in ARMS2/HTRA1 and rs2230199 in C3. However, it seems likely that other AMD variants also contribute to disease progression but to a lesser extent. Rare variants have probably a large effect on disease progression in highly affected families. Furthermore, current prediction models do not include molecular risk factors, while these factors can be measured accurately in the blood. Possible promising molecular risk factors are High‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL‐C), Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), zeaxanthin and lutein.
Summary
Phenotypic, demographic, environmental, genetic and molecular risk factors can be combined in prediction models to predict disease progression, but the selection of the proper risk factors for personalised risk prediction will differ among individuals and is dependent on their current disease stage. Future prediction models should include a wider set of genetic variants to determine the genetic risk more accurately, and rare variants should be taken into account in highly affected families. In addition, adding molecular factors in prediction models may lead to preventive strategies and personalised advice.
Abstract Biomarkers can help unravel mechanisms of disease and identify new targets for therapy. They can also be useful in clinical practice for monitoring disease progression, evaluation of ...treatment efficacy and risk assessment in multifactorial diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a highly prevalent progressive retinal disorder for which multiple genetic and environmental risk factors have been described, but the exact etiology is not yet fully understood. Many compounds have been evaluated for their association with AMD. We performed an extensive literature review of all compounds measured in serum, plasma, vitreous, aqueous humor and urine of AMD patients. Over 3600 articles were screened resulting in more than 100 different compounds analyzed in AMD studies, involved in neovascularization, immunity, lipid metabolism, extracellular matrix, oxidative stress, diet, hormones, and comorbidities (such as kidney disease). For each compound we provide a short description of its function and discuss the results of the studies in relation to its usefulness as AMD biomarker. Additionally, biomarkers identified by hypothesis-free techniques, including metabolomics, proteomics and epigenomics, are covered. In summary, compounds belonging to the oxidative stress pathway, the complement system, and lipid metabolism are the most promising biomarker candidates for AMD. We hope that this comprehensive survey of the literature on systemic and ocular fluid compounds as potential biomarkers in AMD will provide a stepping stone for future research and possible implementation in clinical practice.
To investigate the relationship between baseline number of hyperreflective foci (HF) on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), as well as ...the dynamics of HF during treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and treatment response.
We evaluated patients diagnosed with DME scheduled for treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab. Eyes were classified as adequate or insufficient treatment responders based on logMAR visual acuity improvement and central retinal thickness (CRT) decrease after three consecutive injections. Associations between number of HF at baseline and treatment response, the change in HF over the course of treatment, and the distribution of HF within the retinal layers were evaluated.
In 54 eyes of 41 patients, mean number of HF and CRT decreased after intravitreal treatment with bevacizumab (p = 0.002 and p<0.001 respectively). Decrease in CRT after 3 months was independently associated with a higher number of HF at baseline (estimated effect -2.61, 95% CI -4.42--0.31, p = 0.006). Eyes with adequate treatment response presented with more HF at baseline (OR 1.106, 95% CI 1.012-1.210, p = 0.030) than eyes with insufficient treatment response. Most HF were located within the inner retinal layers, and decrease of HF was mostly due to a decrease of inner retinal HF.
In patients with DME treated with anti-VEGF, higher baseline numbers of HF have predictive value for treatment response in terms of visual acuity improvement and CRT decrease after 3 months. In addition, HF were responsive to anti-VEGF therapy.
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a common cause of central vision loss, primarily affecting men 20–60 years of age. To date, no consensus has been reached regarding the classification of ...CSC, and a wide variety of interventions have been proposed, reflecting the controversy associated with treating this disease. The recent publication of appropriately powered randomised controlled trials such as the PLACE trial, as well as large retrospective, non-randomised treatment studies regarding the treatment of CSC suggest the feasibility of a more evidence-based approach when considering treatment options. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current rationale and evidence with respect to the variety of interventions available for treating CSC, including pharmacology, laser treatment, and photodynamic therapy. In addition, we describe the complexity of CSC, the challenges associated with treating CSC, and currently ongoing studies. Many treatment strategies such as photodynamic therapy using verteporfin, oral mineralocorticoid antagonists, and micropulse laser treatment have been reported as being effective. Currently, however, the available evidence suggests that half-dose (or half-fluence) photodynamic therapy should be the treatment of choice in chronic CSC, whereas observation may be the preferred approach in acute CSC. Nevertheless, exceptions can be considered based upon patient-specific characteristics.
•The treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is controversial.•In chronic CSC, the most effective treatment appears to be half-dose (or half-fluence) photodynamic therapy (PDT).•In acute CSC, observation or early half-dose (or half-fluence) PDT can be considered.•Future studies will shed light on the efficacy of new treatment strategies.
Non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa Verbakel, Sanne K.; van Huet, Ramon A.C.; Boon, Camiel J.F. ...
Progress in retinal and eye research,
September 2018, 2018-09-00, 20180901, Volume:
66
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) encompasses a group of inherited retinal dystrophies characterized by the primary degeneration of rod and cone photoreceptors. RP is a leading cause of visual disability, ...with a worldwide prevalence of 1:4000. Although the majority of RP cases are non-syndromic, 20–30% of patients with RP also have an associated non-ocular condition. RP typically manifests with night blindness in adolescence, followed by concentric visual field loss, reflecting the principal dysfunction of rod photoreceptors; central vision loss occurs later in life due to cone dysfunction. Photoreceptor function measured with an electroretinogram is markedly reduced or even absent. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging show a progressive loss of outer retinal layers and altered lipofuscin distribution in a characteristic pattern. Over the past three decades, a vast number of disease-causing variants in more than 80 genes have been associated with non-syndromic RP. The wide heterogeneity of RP makes it challenging to describe the clinical findings and pathogenesis. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical characteristics of RP specific to genetically defined patient subsets. We supply a unique atlas with color fundus photographs of most RP subtypes, and we discuss the relevant considerations with respect to differential diagnoses. In addition, we discuss the genes involved in the pathogenesis of RP, as well as the retinal processes that are affected by pathogenic mutations in these genes. Finally, we review management strategies for patients with RP, including counseling, visual rehabilitation, and current and emerging therapeutic options.
To compare the efficacy and safety between half-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT) and eplerenone therapy for treating chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC).
This was a multicenter, ...open-label, randomized controlled trial.
This investigator-initiated trial was conducted in 3 academic medical centers in the Netherlands. Eligible patients were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive either indocyanine green angiography-guided half-dose PDT or oral eplerenone for 12 weeks. Both anatomical and functional outcomes were evaluated at 3 months after the start of treatment.
A total of 107 patients were randomly assigned to receive either half-dose PDT (n = 53) or eplerenone treatment (n = 54). Thirteen patients (3 in the PDT group and 10 in the eplerenone group) did not adhere to the study protocol. At the 3-month evaluation visit, 78% of patients in the PDT group had complete resolution of subretinal fluid accumulation compared to only 17% of patients in the eplerenone group (P < .001). Mean best-corrected visual acuity in Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters at the 3-month evaluation visit was 83.7 ± 10.8 and 82.8 ± 9.0 in the PDT and eplerenone groups, respectively (P = .555). In addition, mean retinal sensitivity on microperimetry was 25.4 ± 3.4 dB and 23.9 ± 4.0 dB in the PDT and eplerenone groups, respectively (P = .041). Finally, mean vision-related quality of life scores were 87.2 ± 8.5 and 83.8 ± 12.1 in the PDT and eplerenone groups, respectively (P = .094). Three patients (6%) in the PDT group experienced adverse events during the study compared to 18 patients (33%) in the eplerenone group.
Half-dose PDT is superior to oral eplerenone for cCSC with respect to both short-term safety and efficacy outcomes.
Abnormal choroidal blood flow is considered important in the pathogenesis of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography can image ocular blood cell ...flow and could thus provide novel insights in disease mechanisms of CSC. We evaluated depth-resolved flow in chronic CSC by OCT angiography compared to fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA).
Eighteen eyes with chronic CSC, and six healthy controls, were included. Two human observers annotated areas of staining, hypofluorescence, and hotspots on FA and ICGA, and areas of abnormal flow on OCT angiography. Interobserver agreement in annotating OCT angiography and FA/ICGA was measured by Jaccard indices (JIs). We assessed colocation of flow abnormalities and subretinal fluid visible on OCT, and the distance between hotspots on ICGA from flow abnormalities.
Abnormal areas were most frequently annotated in late-phase ICGA and choriocapillary OCT angiography, with moderately high (median JI, 0.74) and moderate (median JI, 0.52) interobserver agreement, respectively. Abnormalities on late-phase ICGA and FA colocated with those on OCT angiography. Aberrant choriocapillary OCT angiography presented as foci of reduced flow surrounded by hyperperfused areas. Hotspots on ICGA were located near hypoperfused spots on OCT angiography (mean distance, 168 μm). Areas with current or former subretinal fluid were colocated with flow abnormalities.
On OCT angiography, chronic CSC showed irregular choriocapillary flow patterns, corresponding to ICGA abnormalities. These results suggest focal choriocapillary ischemia with surrounding hyperperfusion that may lead to subretinal fluid leakage.
To evaluate a machine learning algorithm that automatically grades age-related macular degeneration (AMD) severity stages from optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans.
A total of 3265 OCT scans from ...1016 patients with either no signs of AMD or with signs of early, intermediate, or advanced AMD were randomly selected from a large European multicenter database. A machine learning system was developed to automatically grade unseen OCT scans into different AMD severity stages without requiring retinal layer segmentation. The ability of the system to identify high-risk AMD stages and to assign the correct severity stage was determined by using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis and Cohen's κ statistics (κ), respectively. The results were compared to those of two human observers. Reproducibility was assessed in an independent, publicly available data set of 384 OCT scans.
The system achieved an area under the ROC curve of 0.980 with a sensitivity of 98.2% at a specificity of 91.2%. This compares favorably with the performance of human observers who achieved sensitivities of 97.0% and 99.4% at specificities of 89.7% and 87.2%, respectively. A good level of agreement with the reference was obtained (κ = 0.713) and was in concordance with the human observers (κ = 0.775 and κ = 0.755, respectively).
A machine learning system capable of automatically grading OCT scans into AMD severity stages was developed and showed similar performance as human observers. The proposed automatic system allows for a quick and reliable grading of large quantities of OCT scans, which could increase the efficiency of large-scale AMD studies and pave the way for AMD screening using OCT.
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