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Biomedical subjects

F Bandello

Publications and source records attributed to F Bandello.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Perception of, and anxiety levels induced by, laser treatment in patients with sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy. A multicentre study.

AIMS: To investigate how laser treatment is perceived, in terms of anxiety and awareness, by diabetic patients attending four centres in Northern Italy with specific interest and expertise in diabetic retinopathy, where work settings and flow are organized differently. METHODS: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Family Apgar-List of Threatening Experiences (FA-LTE), State-Trait Anxiety Inventories 1 and 2 (STAI-1 and STAI-2) questionnaires were completed by 259 patients, 131 waiting for laser treatment and 128 control subejcts awaiting non-intervention visits. Open questions were also asked on whether patients had ever heard the word 'laser' and whether they could describe laser treatment. RESULTS: High scores were detected by HADS, STAI-1 and STAI-2 among patients waiting for photocoagulation. Anxiety was greater in women and people with poor schooling. After controlling for centres, gender, previous laser treatment and schooling, HADS and STAI-1 remained significantly lower among persons waiting for non-intervention visits. Having received photocoagulation previously did not modify anxiety. Anxiety was lower in those centres where facilities and resources were more patient-oriented. Most patients could neither describe photocoagulation nor explain why they were about to receive it, but had a negative perception and some described it with words evoking cruelty and pain. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that laser treatment is experienced as an event that causes anxiety. Preoperative education and counselling may help to reduce fear and patients' avoidance of treatment.

Anxiety↗
PubMed2006

Evolving European guidance on the medical management of neovascular age related macular degeneration.

BACKGROUND: Until recently, only two options were available for the treatment of choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) associated with age related macular degeneration (AMD)-thermal laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (PDT-V). However, new treatments for CNV are in development, and data from phase III clinical trials of some of these pharmacological interventions are now available. In light of these new data, expert guidance is required to enable retina specialists with expertise in the management of AMD to select and use the most appropriate therapies for the treatment of neovascular AMD. METHODS: Consensus from a round table of European retina specialists was obtained based on best available scientific data. Data rated at evidence levels 1 and 2 were evaluated for laser photocoagulation, PDT-V, pegaptanib sodium, and ranibizumab. Other treatments discussed are anecortave acetate, triamcinolone acetonide, bevacizumab, rostaporfin (SnET2), squalamine, and transpupillary thermotherapy. RESULTS: PDT-V is currently recommended for subfoveal lesions with predominantly classic CNV, or with occult with no classic CNV with evidence of recent disease progression and a lesion size <or=4 Macular Photocoagulation Study (MPS) disc areas (DA). The new classes of anti-angiogenic agents-namely, pegaptanib sodium and ranibizumab (the latter when peer reviewed phase III data become available) are recommended for subfoveal lesions with any proportion of classic CNV or occult with no classic CNV. For juxtafoveal classic CNV, PDT-V or anti-angiogenic therapy should be considered if the new vessels are so close to the fovea that laser photocoagulation would almost certainly extend under the centre of the foveal avascular zone. For all other well demarcated juxtafoveal lesions and for extrafoveal classic lesions, laser photocoagulation remains the standard treatment. Therapy should be undertaken within 1 week of the fluorescein angiogram on which the clinical decision to treat is based. At each follow up, fluorescein angiography should be performed and best corrected visual acuity measured as a minimum requirement. CONCLUSIONS: These recommendations provide evidence based guidance for the choice and use of non-surgical therapies for the management of neovascular AMD. Revisions of the recommendations may be required as new data become available.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2005

Initial clinical experience using a diode red laser (670 nm) in the treatment of retinal disease.

AIM: To investigate the clinical use of a 670-nm diode red laser in the treatment of a number of retinal conditions. METHODS: In all, 17 eyes of 17 patients were treated for conditions such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy, retinal neovascularization in central retinal vein occlusion, rhegmatogenous retinal lesions and retinal breaks, and prophylactic peripheral retinopexy prior to silicone oil removal after three port pars plana vitrectomy. RESULTS: Regression of neovascularization was observed in all the eyes treated for vascular proliferation at the 3-month follow-up visit. Adhesive pigmented scars were observed in the remaining eyes 1 month after treatment. No major complications were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, the 670-nm diode laser appears to be a promising modality for laser photocoagulation of the retina.

Diabetic Retinopathy↗
PubMed2005

"Light" versus "classic" laser treatment for clinically significant diabetic macular oedema.

AIM: To compare the effectiveness of "light" versus "classic" laser photocoagulation in diabetic patients with clinically significant macular oedema (CSMO). METHODS: A prospective randomised pilot clinical trial in which 29 eyes of 24 diabetic patients with mild to moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and CSMO were randomised to either "classic" or "light" Nd:YAG 532 nm (frequency doubled) green laser. "Light" laser treatment differed from conventional ("classic") photocoagulation in that the energy employed was the lowest capable to produce barely visible burns at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium. Primary outcome measure was the change in foveal retinal thickness as measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT); secondary outcomes were the reduction/elimination of macular oedema on contact lens biomicroscopy and fluorescein angiography, change in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and mean deviation in the central 10 degrees visual field. Examiners were masked to patients' treatment. RESULTS: 14 eyes were assigned to "classic" and 15 were assigned to "light" laser treatment. At 12 months, seven (50%) of 14 eyes treated with "classic" and six (43%) of 14 eyes treated with "light" laser had a decrease of foveal retinal thickness on OCT (p = 0.79). A comparison of reduction/elimination of oedema, visual improvement, visual loss, change in contrast sensitivity, and mean deviation in the central 10 degrees showed no statistical difference between the groups at 12 months (p>0.05 for all groups). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that "light" photocoagulation for CSMO may be as effective as "classic" laser treatment, thus supporting the rationale for a larger equivalence trial.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Diabetic macular edema: classification, medical and laser therapy.

PURPOSE: to propose and describe a new classification of diabetic macular edema (DME) based on its etiopathogenetic features and to present efficacy and safety data on medical and laser treatments currently used and under investigation. METHODS: available literature on DME has been reviewed and information provided by contact lens biomicroscopy, fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomomography has been combined; published data from trials and reports investigating effectiveness of medical and laser treatments were also analyzed. RESULTS: DME was classified according to its main etiopathogenetic components: prevalently retinovascular, tractional and with taut attached posterior hyaloid, each of them having peculiar aspects on fundus, angiographic and tomographic examination. Focal laser treatment remains the only effective intervention, as shown by a large randomized controlled trial, but new less-invasive photocoagulation strategies (i.e., light laser photocoagulation and subthreshold micropulse diode laser) as well as pharmacological approaches (i.e., antioxidants, PKC inhibitors, aldose-reductase and AGE inhibitors, VEGF inhibitors, intravitreal triamcinolone) are emerging. CONCLUSIONS: based on our review a classification of DME was developed that may prove useful in making the appropriate treatment decision; the new laser and pharmacological treatments currently investigated are promising and need to be confirmed by large, controlled clinical trials.

Diabetic Retinopathy↗
PubMed2002

Diabetic retinopathyA clinical update.

Easy observation of the fundus oculi makes retinopathy the most frequently reported chronic complication of diabetes and, consequently, the one we know best in terms of epidemiology and natural history. Achieving near-normal levels of blood glucose and blood pressure provides empirical though powerful tools for clinicians to delay the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Even when these measures have failed and retinopathy becomes sight-threatening, laser photocoagulation has proven remarkably effective. Nonetheless, retinopathy remains a leading cause of blindness and there is little evidence that diabetes-related visual loss is decreasing in industrialized countries. This may result from the mixed blessing of prolonged survival of patients who had become diabetic when metabolic control was pursued less fastidiously than today. Screening for sight-threatening retinopathy is the most cost-effective medical procedure known and should help optimise the use of diagnostic and therapeutic resources, but its widest deployment still meets with inertia and lack of interest within most health care systems. Improving clinical skills and technology, however, allow us to take a more optimistic look at the future, as pathogenesis-targeted forms of treatment are being developed and tested through appropriately powered clinical trials.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Light panretinal photocoagulation (LPRP) versus classic panretinal photocoagulation (CPRP) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: We misled to verify whether a panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) performed using low levels of ARGON laser energy (light PRP) has the same efficacy as a PRP performed in a conventional fashion using argon green wavelengths (classic PRP) in eyes with high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy (HRPDR). Furthermore, we misled to compare the session number performed and the side effects produced by the two techniques. METHODS: Sixty-five eyes with HRPDR of 50 consecutive patients were enrolled in a prospective randomized controlled trial. In eyes selected for light PRP, a very light biomicroscopic effect on the retina was obtained for each spot. In eyes assigned to classic PRP, each spot produced a white-yellow biomicroscopic effect. Mean follow-up was 22.4 months +/- 9.7 in the light PRP and 21.6 months +/- 9.3 in the classic PRP group (p = 0.727). RESULTS: The initial mean logMAR visual acuity (VA) in the light PRP group was 0.12 +/- 0.13 and in the classic PRP group 0.14 +/- 0.15 (p = 0.493). The final mean VA in the former was 0.18 +/- 0.25, and in the latter 0.27 +/- 0.30 (p = 0.231). Median power was 235mW (100-540mW) for light and 420mW (200-950mW) for classic PRP (p < 0.001). Regression of HRPDR at the end of the follow-up was obtained in 30/31 eyes (97%) treated with classic PRP and in 31/34 eyes (91%) treated with light PRP (p = 0.615). The total mean session number was 7.4 +/- 2.4 for light and 9.9 +/- 2.2 for the classic PRP group (p < 0.001). Complications were more frequent in the classic PRP group. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of Light PRP is similar to that of classic Light PRP in eyes with HRPDR. Light PRP is associated with fewer complications and allows the reduction of the number of treatment sessions.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Theoretical bases of non-ophthalmoscopically visible endpoint photocoagulation.

Laser photocoagulation is a photothermal process in which heat is produced by the absorption of laser energy by targeted tissues. The purpose of the treatment is to induce thermal therapeutic damage, which causes biological reactions and ultimately beneficial effects. The current endpoint of laser photocoagulation of the chorioretina is an ophthalmoscopically visible retinal whitening. Retinal blanching is the sign that the retina itself has been thermally damaged and results in a number of undesired adverse events. The mechanisms underpinning the efficacy of laser photocoagulation are still poorly understood. However, recent hypotheses postulate that full thickness retinal damage may not be needed to obtain beneficial therapeutic effectiveness. Preliminary studies with laser photocoagulation on animals demonstrated the ability to create therapeutic lesions confined around the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) cells without causing apparent damage to the overlying retina. The laser impacts were not visible by slit lamp biomicroscopy at the time of laser delivery. Recent experiments showed that the beneficial effect of retinal photocoagulation is mediated by factors derived from the RPE. Non Ophthalmoscopically Visible Endpoint Photocoagulation (NOVEP) protocols might allow treatments that confine minimal therapeutic damage around the cells of the RPE and minimize the damage to the neurosensory retina.

Humans↗
PubMed2001

Fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography after transpupillary thermotherapy of choroidal neovascularization. Early vascular changes.

Transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) is currently being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Preliminary results show that TTT achieves closure of CNV and reduction in subretinal exudation while preserving visual acuity. Fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography reveal increased leakage activity from CNV and collateral choroid within 1 hour after TTT and absence of dye leakage from CNV at 1 week after treatment. Optical coherence tomography confirms the angiographic findings. The early vascular changes after TTT of CNV are similar to those observed after PDT of CNV. Transpupillary thermotherapy and PDT might share common mechanisms of action. A placebo-controlled, multi-center trial (TTT4CNV) evaluating the long-term efficacy and visual implications of TTT in occult CNV is underway.

Choroid↗
PubMed2001

Optical coherence tomography of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization treated with transpupillary thermotherapy.

Transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) has been proposed as a new treatment modality for choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Most studies conducted show decreased exudation due to CNV and reduction of subretinal elevation. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) shows a dynamic sequence of changes early after treatment. Within 1 hour after TTT, OCT shows increased retinal thickness and intraretinal fluid with retinal elevation. One week after treatment, OCT shows decreased subretinal and intraretinal fluid and diminished retinal elevation. OCT can be a valuable method to assess the early effect of TTT. A placebo-controlled, multi-center trial (TTT4CNV) evaluating the long-term efficacy and visual implications of TTT in occult CNV is underway.

Choroidal Neovascularization↗
PubMed2001

Familial primary pulmonary hypertension and associated ocular findings.

BACKGROUND: Familial primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a rare, fatal, autosomal dominant disease that results in right heart failure from idiopathic obliteration of the pulmonary arteries. Patients develop stagnation of venous blood flow and elevated venous pressure. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of three patients diagnosed with PPH that was confirmed on the basis of physical examination, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram. Cardiac catheterization excluded cardiac shunt and other secondary causes of pulmonary hypertension. RESULTS: Two patients presented with a clinical picture resembling venous stasis retinopathy, and one with bilateral choroidal detachments. Two patients had delayed choroidal filling on fluorescein angiography, which was confirmed in one patient with indocyanine green videoangiography. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated venous pressure found in PPH is responsible for the delayed choroidal perfusion and the reduced venous blood outflow. This explains the clinical findings of venous stasis retinopathy and choroidal detachments seen in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[ICG angiography and retinal pigment epithelial decompensation (CRSC and epitheliopathy)].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognosis of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and to assess whether certain clinical and angiographic features are associated with increased risk of vision loss. METHODS: All of the 51 patients with chronic CSC, who had received a baseline evaluation with fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), during the last 5 years were retrospectively included in the study. RESULTS: The mean age was 49 years (range: 28-77 years). Sixteen out of 102 eyes (15.7%) of 14 patients lost at least 3 lines (0.3logMAR) after a mean follow-up of 34.7 months (range: 12-72 months). Logistic regression showed that CSC onset more than 7 years before inclusion (odds ratio: 4.3, p=0.024) and having areas of confluent RPE atrophy with FA at baseline (at least 2 disc diameters, odds ratio: 4.9,p=0.020) were independently associated with vision loss. Choroidal neovascularization was observed during follow-up in 4 eyes of 3 patients. CONCLUSION: Disease duration of more than 7 years and the presence of confluent RPE atrophy independently characterized CSC patients at higher risk for visual loss in our series.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Bilateral juxtafoveolar telangiectasis in monozygotic twins.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical and angiographic features of two monozygotic twins affected by bilateral group 2 idiopathic juxtafoveolar telangiectasis. METHOD: Case reports. RESULTS: Two 64-year-old women, who were identical twins, were suffering from visual loss. One twin had suffered from visual loss for 1 year and had a visual acuity of 20/25 in both eyes, and the other twin had suffered for 2 years and had a visual acuity of 20/30 in both eyes. Fluorescein angiography disclosed similar fundus features. An analogous area of capillary telangiectasis and leakage was observed in the right macula, where no intraretinal pigment was seen; the left macula showed a similar amount of intraretinal pigment associated with tiny right-angle venules and minimal leakage. CONCLUSION: This observation raises the issue of genetic influences in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Diseases in Twins↗
PubMed2000

Perilimbal topical anesthesia for clear corneal phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of perilimbal topical anesthesia for clear corneal cataract surgery. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Udine, Udine, Italy. METHODS: Seventy-five consecutive patients were studied for perioperative pain, visual outcome, and intraoperative complications. Topical anesthesia was administered with a cellulose sponge soaked in preservative-free lidocaine 2%. The perilimbal area was touched 360 degrees for 30 seconds with the sponge tip under the operating microscope just before surgery. No sedation or adjunctive anesthetic drops were given. Surgery was performed through a temporal corneal tunnel with the easy-chop technique. Pain was scored on a subjective scale from 0 (no pain) to 3 (severe pain). Visual acuity was measured 1 day and 1 week after surgery. Mean operating time was recorded. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients (92%) tolerated the procedure well, giving a pain score of 0 or 1. Six (8%) of the 40 patients who had a single stitch at the end of surgery scored 2. No patient reported pain during iris touch, intraocular lens implantation, or conjunctiva manipulation. No intraoperative complications were recorded. Mean operating time was 12.7 minutes +/- 3.7 (SD) (range 7 to 34 minutes). Mean preoperative visual acuity was 0.4 +/- 0.2 (range 0.01 to 0.80). Visual acuity of 0.5 or better was attained in 93.6% of eyes 1 day and in 96% 1 week postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Perilimbal topical anesthesia was an effective and easy-to-administer anesthetic procedure for phacoemulsification, providing good perioperative pain tolerance by patients and rapid visual recovery.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

When and how to do a grid laser for diabetic macular edema.

Macular edema is a common feature of posterior segment diseases. It is an expression of abnormal permeability in either retinal vessels (inner blood-retinal barrier) or in the retinal pigment epithelium (outer blood-retinal barrier). It occurs in either a diffuse pattern where the macula appears generally thickened or, in more severe cases, as cystoid edema with the typical petaloid appearance. Grid laser treatment may be useful to reduce macular edema. Spots of 100-250 micrometers in diameter are applied to the whole posterior pole, one to two groups apart. The foveal avascular zone remains untouched. In patients treated bilaterally, areas temporal and nasal to the macula must be spared to prevent the development of deep scotomas. The mechanism yielding positive results with the grid technique is still debated. Among the most reliable hypotheses are: Proliferation of pigment epithelial cells, followed by and improved efficiency of the outer blood-retinal barrier; proliferation of endothelial cells in retinal capillaries followed by an improved efficiency of the inner blood-retinal barrier; improvement of the retinochoroidal exchanges, and finally, release by coagulative necrosis of a factor able to improve the efficiency of the blood-retinal barriers. Lasers with long wavelengths, such as krypton red and diode, are the most appropriate ones to perform grid treatment.

Blood-Retinal Barrier↗