Academy_News_Towardpi

2024-08-30

Unveiling Therapeutic Agents for DR

New research recently published in International Immunopharmacology explores the therapeutic potential of flavopiridol for diabetic retinopathy (DR) by suppressing DDX58 activation. Mice with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DR and oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) were used to assess the role of flavopiridol in mitigating inflammatory responses and neovascularization. Wide-field SS-OCTA imaging was performed, centered around the optic nerve. Mice treated with flavopiridol exhibited reduced apoptosis in retinal ganglion cells (RGC) (Fig. 1B, C) and reduced neovascularization (Fig. 2B, C) compared with untreated mice. Retinal thickness measurements revealed the efficacy of flavopiridol in ameliorating retinal thickness and structure (Fig. 1H). Full-range SS-OCTA revealed that flavopiridol significantly reduced both neovascular and avascular areas (Fig. 2F).

2024-08-19

Stands the Test of Precision, Offers Interchangeable Results - TowardPi 25kHz Swept-Source Biometer

The first study investigating the repeatability and reproducibility of TowardPi's newly developed swept-source biometer (Zalioth, ZW-30, TowardPi Medical) was published in (IF=4.49) as a cover report (March issue, Fig.1). The results indicated that the new biometer exhibited outstanding intraobserver repeatability and interobserver reproducibility! (ICCs for almost all parameters were higher than 0.900)

2024-08-15

Myopic Staphyloma in 3D Full-range SS-OCTA

This is a wonderful case recently published in using UWF full-range SS-OCTA assessing myopic staphyloma. A 65-year-old female with pathologic myopia was found with severe choroidal atrophy at the posterior pole in color fundus photo (B). Ultra-wide 24mm high-resolution B-scan confirmed a type Ⅸ Curtin pattern staphyloma with nasal and temporal involvement from the optic nerve head (A). 18mm x 18mm SS-OCTA showed retinal vessels in 3 confluent staphylomas (C). 3D reconstruction of OCT angiography from TowardPi Medical revealed this unusual aspect of triple staphyloma (asterisks in D).

2024-07-16

Vitreous Hernia in Anterior Chamber

A 47-year-old male was injured by the connection hook on a lanyard. The vitreous hernia could be observed on the retro-illumination image captured on the slit-lamp (fig 2. CD). The high-resolution panoramic anterior segment OCT image revealed lens subluxation with the vitreous herniating into the anterior chamber around the lens edge (fig 2. A). The herniated vitreous could be observed touching the corneal endothelium (fig 2. B).

2024-07-12

A Self-generated Electricity-driven Drug Delivery System for Precision Management of Myopia

The new study recently published in "Nano Energy" (IF=17.6) presented a self-generated electricity-driven drug delivery system (EDDDS) (fig. 1) designed for precision myopia treatment which can intelligently release therapeutic drugs, such as atropine, at ocular tissues using drug-coated nanogenerators. This system combined nanotechnology and smart drug delivery mechanisms to achieve controlled and responsive drug administration. Meanwhile, the weak voltage can effectively relieve the ciliary muscle, offering additional benefits for myopia management.

2024-07-08

New study Evaluates the Diurnal Variation in Choroidal Parameters Among Healthy Subjects and Identified Correlations between Choroidal Luminal Area and Stromal Area and Various Systemic Factors by Using Ultra-widefield Full-range SS-OCTA

Explore the diurnal variation of choroid among healthy people. The study recently published in "Translational Vision Science & Technology" evaluated the diurnal variation in choroidal parameters among healthy subjects and identified correlations between choroidal luminal area and stromal area and various systemic factors by using ultra-widefield full-range SS-OCTA. This study confirmed the existence of substantial diurnal variations in choroidal volume.

2024-06-21

International Study about Alzheimer's Disease with 400kHz SS-OCTA

In the field of dementia, profound insights have been gained into early identification of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias. Biomarkers of dementia, pathological changes in the brain, blood, retinal and microbiome, appear decades before the onset of symptoms and provide a pivotal opportunity period for early diagnosis of cognitive disorders.

2024-04-22

Posterior Vortex Veins in Healthy Eyes Captured by Ultra-widefield OCTA

Perfectly consistent with ICG New research published in the Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science investigated the incidence and characteristics of posterior vortex veins (PVVs) in healthy eyes and explored their relationship with age and refractive status by using ultra-widefield OCTA (UWF-OCTA). This study confirmed PVVs' presence in healthy eyes (16.1%, 82/510) and classified PVVs into three types based on the location of the vortex vein exit from the eyes: those around the optic disc (fig.1 C), those in the macula area (fig.1 F), and those in other areas of the posterior pole (fig.1 I). Interestingly, this study revealed a predominant presence of PVVs around the optic disc (fig.2), followed by other areas.

2024-04-10

A Wireless Battery-free Eye Modulation Patch for High Myopia Therapy

The new study recently published in (IF=16.6) presented a battery-free eye modulation patch designed to correct high myopia and prevent relapse. Positioned on the sclera near the optic nerve, corresponding to the macular area, the patch uses piezoelectric transduction to convert external ultrasound into electrical energy, and then controls the device’s components. The micro-actuator creates gas bubbles, causing a membrane to expand and retract the sclera behind the macula, effectively shortening AXL (axial length) for vision correction. The microneedle array delivers riboflavin to the posterior sclera, while μ-LEDs induce scleral collagen cross-linking (SCXL), strengthening the sclera against high myopia-induced relaxation.

2024-03-19

Dolphin in the Fundus

A 18-year-old male presented with an oval translucent cystic mass in the inferior nasal peripheral in his left eye as the color fundus (fig. A) shown. High-resolution swept-source OCTA revealed a 10.5 ×5mm "dolphin-shaped" epiretinal cystic hyperreflectivity on cross section image (fig. C) with a little blood flow signals detected in the "cystic wall" (fig. D). A diagnosis of congenital cyst of the vitreous was considered.