Asta Hautamäki

Interleukin 8 promoter polymorphism predicts the initial response to bevacizumab treatment for exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To study the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms of interleukin 8, vascular endothelial growth factor, erythropoietin, complement factor H, complement component C3, and LOC387715 genes with the response to bevacizumab treatment in exudative age-related macular degeneration. Methods: Clinical records, smoking history, optical coherence tomography, and angiographies of 96 bevacizumab-treated exudative age-related macular degeneration patients were analyzed retrospectively. Blood DNA was collected. Based on the disappearance of intra- or subretinal fluid in optical coherence tomography, patients were graded as responders, partial responders, or nonresponders after 3 initial treatment visits and a median time of 3.5 months. Results: Interleukin 8 promoter polymorphism −251A/T was significantly associated with persisting fluid in optical coherence tomography. The A allele was more frequent in nonresponders than in responders (P = 0.033). In multivariate modeling, the AA genotype of −251A/T (P = 0.043) and occult (P = 0.042) or predominantly classic (P = 0.040) lesions predicted poorer outcome. Visual acuity change was better in responders than in nonresponders (P = 0.006). Baseline lesion size (P = 0.006) and retinal cysts after the treatment (P < 0.001) correlated with less visual acuity gain. Conclusion: The A allele and the homozygous AA genotype of interleukin 8 −251A/T were associated with anatomical nonresponse to bevacizumab treatment.

The genetic variant rs4073 A→T of the Interleukin‐8 promoter region is associated with the earlier onset of exudative age‐related macular degeneration

To study the association of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4073 in the interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) promoter region with the diagnosis and age of onset of exudative age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) in association with the known genetic risk factors for AMD and tobacco smoking.

Correlation between components of newly diagnosed exudative age-related macular degeneration lesion and focal retinal sensitivity

Purpose:  To analyse lesion components determining retinal sensitivity in microperimetry in eyes with newly diagnosed exudative age‐related macular degeneration (AMD).

ANTERIOR CHAMBER FLARE DURING BEVACIZUMAB TREATMENT IN EYES WITH EXUDATIVE AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION.

Purpose: To study the anterior chamber flare during bevacizumab treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration. Methods: During a 2-year prospective follow-up, 50 patients recently diagnosed with exudative age-related macular degeneration were treated at once-a-month visits if subretinal or intraretinal fluid or a new hemorrhage was present in the lesion area. Flare was measured weekly during the first month and then monthly in both eyes. Results: Higher flare was associated with older age (P = 0.007, Linear Mixed Model), higher number of smoking pack-years (P = 0.019), macular cysts (P = 0.041), and pseudophakia (P = 0.003). The levels gradually increased during the follow-up (P < 0.0001) but less in the eyes with classic CNV (P = 0.011). Flare decreased during treatment-free periods lasting for at least two consecutive visits (P = 0.005). A peak in flare was observed 1 week after the first injection (P = 0.034, Wilcoxon signed rank test). In the fellow eyes, higher flare values in the beginning of the follow-up were associated with later conversion into exudative age-related macular degeneration (P = 0.015, Mann–Whitney U test). Conclusion: Anterior chamber flare correlated poorly with the CNV activity. Higher levels may, however, precede or exist early in the process that leads to the development of exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Changes in anterior ocular structures and macula following deep sclerectomy with collagen implant

Purpose: To determine the effect of intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering with deep sclerectomy (DS) on visual acuity, macular structures, and anterior ocular dimensions during the early postoperative period. Methods: We prospectively analyzed 35 eyes of 35 patients scheduled for DS. Our focus with the measurements was on early postoperative changes in anterior ocular and macular structures related to IOP lowering during the first month after DS. In addition to a clinical ophthalmologic examination, our measurements included corneal topography, measurement of ocular dimensions with optical biometry, and examination of macular structure with optical coherence tomography. These measurements were repeated 1, 2, and 4 weeks postoperatively. Results: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) decreased 1 week postoperatively to 0.22 (0.20) LogMAR (p = 0.006). The BCVA then increased to its preoperative level, 0.17 (0.18) (p = 0.28), after 4 weeks. Axial length decreased from 24.12 (1.81) mm to 24.04 (1.81) (p<0.001) 4 weeks postoperatively. The steeper meridian of corneal curvature and average corneal power increased postoperatively; central corneal thickness was decreased. No significant change appeared in other measurements. Conclusions: We found changes in corneal curvature and ocular dimensions after DS. These changes were relatively small and do not completely explain the decrease in visual acuity postoperatively. Macular structures showed no changes.