Retinal Diseases: Pathogenetic, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Perspectives

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Translational Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 936

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
2nd Department of Ophthalmology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
Interests: diabetic retinopathy; retinal imaging; retinal vein occlusion

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Guest Editor
Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University General Hospital “Attikon”, Chaidari, Greece
Interests: glaucoma; ocular circulation physiology; ophthalmic imaging

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the introduction of new imaging modalities for retinal diseases, the application of artificial intelligence and the improvement of our understanding of the pathogenesis and molecular basis of retinal diseases has led to great advances in medical retina. All these aspects have been used to develop new treatment modalities and algorithms, so as to enhance the use of personalized treatment models.

This Special Issue will bring together the latest research evidence on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of retinal diseases, with more emphasis placed on common ones, such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusions, pachychoroid spectrum diseases, pathologic myopia, and choroidal neovascularization. Thus, we request high-quality submissions of original research and review articles on these topics.

Dr. Irini P. Chatziralli
Dr. Konstantinos Pappelis
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • age-related macular degeneration
  • central serous chorioretinopathy
  • pachychoroid spectrum
  • choroidal neovascularization
  • diabetic retinopathy
  • retinal vein occlusion
  • retinal artery occlusion
  • sickle cell retinopathy
  • optical coherence tomography
  • OCT angiography
  • widefield imaging
  • anti-VEGF agents

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 601 KiB  
Article
Early Renal Dysfunction and Reduced Retinal Vascular Density Assessed by Angio-OCT in Hypertensive Patients
by Caterina Carollo, Maria Vadalà, Alessandra Sorce, Emanuele Cirafici, Miriam Bennici, Massimo Castellucci, Vincenza Maria Elena Bonfiglio, Giuseppe Mulè and Giulio Geraci
Biomedicines 2025, 13(5), 1176; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13051176 - 12 May 2025
Abstract
Background: The eye and kidney share embryological, structural, and pathophysiological similarities, suggesting potential interconnections between retinal and renal microvascular changes. Hypertension, a major risk factor for renal impairment, also affects retinal microvasculature. This study investigates the relationship between retinal vascular density, assessed by [...] Read more.
Background: The eye and kidney share embryological, structural, and pathophysiological similarities, suggesting potential interconnections between retinal and renal microvascular changes. Hypertension, a major risk factor for renal impairment, also affects retinal microvasculature. This study investigates the relationship between retinal vascular density, assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCT-A), and early renal dysfunction in hypertensive patients. Methods: A total of 142 hypertensive patients (mean age 47 ± 13 years; 74% male) were enrolled from the Nephrology and Hypertension Unit at the University of Palermo. Retinal vascular density was measured using OCT-A, and renal function was assessed using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Clinical and hemodynamic parameters, including 24-h aortic blood pressure, were also analyzed. Results: Patients with eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 exhibited significantly lower retinal vascular densities, particularly in the parafoveal region. Superficial parafoveal density was inversely associated with aortic pulse pressure (p = 0.012) and directly correlated with eGFR (p = 0.012). Deep parafoveal density was independently associated with eGFR (p = 0.001). Multiple linear regression confirmed that lower retinal vascular density was significantly linked to reduced renal function, independent of age and blood pressure. Conclusions: Retinal vascular density, particularly in the parafoveal region, is associated with renal function decline in hypertensive patients. These findings suggest that retinal microvascular changes could serve as a non-invasive biomarker for kidney dysfunction, with potential applications in early risk stratification and disease monitoring. Further research is needed to establish causality and clinical utility. Full article
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15 pages, 1162 KiB  
Article
Correlation Analysis of Macular Function and Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Following Successful Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Surgery
by María D. Díaz-Barreda, Ana Boned-Murillo, Isabel Bartolomé-Sesé, María Sopeña-Pinilla, Elvira Orduna-Hospital, Guisela Fernández-Espinosa and Isabel Pinilla
Biomedicines 2025, 13(4), 943; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13040943 - 11 Apr 2025
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Abstract
Objectives: In this study, the objective was to assess the correlation between macular function and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness following successful rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery, as well as the subsequent recovery of visual acuity. Methods: This was a [...] Read more.
Objectives: In this study, the objective was to assess the correlation between macular function and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness following successful rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery, as well as the subsequent recovery of visual acuity. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 64 eyes from patients with RRD who underwent successful treatment with 23G pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), endophotocoagulation and sulfur-hexafluoride (SF6) were included and compared to a control group consisting of 136 healthy eyes. A complete ophthalmological examination was performed on all participants, including assessment of macular sensitivity using macular integrity assessment (MAIA) microperimetry and pRNFL thickness using DRI-Triton swept-source (SS)–optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results: In the RRD group, retinal sensitivity was decreased. The temporal (T) sector of the total retina (TR) protocol was thicker, while the superior (S) and inferior (I) sectors of the pRNFL protocol were thinner. Within the RRD group, positive correlations were observed between the nasal (N), I sectors and total thickness of TR protocol and MAIA inferior outer (IO) sector; the I sector and total thickness of the TR protocol and MAIA inferior inner (II) sector; the I sector of the pRNFL protocol and MAIA IO sector. Negative correlations were shown between the S, T sectors and total thickness of the pRNFL protocol and MAIA central (C) sector; the N sector and total thickness of the pRNFL protocol and MAIA central temporal (CT) sector. Conclusions: RRD leads to a decrease in pRNFL thickness accompanied by reduced macular sensitivity. These changes may be attributed to factors such as the specific location of the RRD, the distribution pattern of the RNFL and the chosen surgical approach. Full article
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16 pages, 1870 KiB  
Article
Assessment of CRB1-Associated Retinopathies Using the S-MAIA Fast Protocol and Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography
by Bethany E. Higgins, Ana Catalina Rodriguez-Martinez, Giovanni Montesano, Vijay K. Tailor-Hamblin, Samantha Malka, Robert H. Henderson and Mariya Moosajee
Biomedicines 2025, 13(3), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13030555 - 21 Feb 2025
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Abstract
Background: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Moorfields Eye Hospital, UK, involving patients with CRB1-associated retinopathies: macular dystrophy (MD), cone-rod dystrophy (CORD), and early-onset severe retinal dystrophy/Leber congenital amaurosis (EOSRD/LCA). The study aimed to evaluate CRB1-associated retinopathies using microperimetry (macular integrity [...] Read more.
Background: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Moorfields Eye Hospital, UK, involving patients with CRB1-associated retinopathies: macular dystrophy (MD), cone-rod dystrophy (CORD), and early-onset severe retinal dystrophy/Leber congenital amaurosis (EOSRD/LCA). The study aimed to evaluate CRB1-associated retinopathies using microperimetry (macular integrity assessment (S-MAIA) fast protocol) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods: Data quality and participant attrition were assessed in 18 patients (10 MD, 5 EOSRD/LCA, 3 CORD), aged 10–52 years, with a median best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 0.41 logMAR. Results: Microperimetry and SD-OCT data were obtained from 14 and 18 patients, respectively, but eccentric fixation hindered structure-function analysis. All participants showed overall abnormal sensitivity on the S-MAIA fast protocol. Parafoveal volume was significantly increased, while foveal thickness and volume were reduced compared to normative data (p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study highlights the challenges of participant attrition and the need for alternative functional metrics to complement traditional evaluations. It also reinforces previous findings of abnormal retinal architecture in CRB1-associated retinopathies, providing further insights into S-MAIA and SD-OCT assessments for this patient population. Full article
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