Academy_News_Towardpi

2025-04-30

Normative Profile of Choroidal Vortex Vein Drainage System Based on UWF SS-OCTA

New research recently published in Ophthalmology Science has established a normative profile of choroidal vortex vein drainage systems in a healthy Chinese population using ultra-widefield swept-source OCTA (UWF SS-OCTA). For the first time, the 5th and 95th percentile values of key choroidal parameters—including the choroidal vascularity index (CVI), choroidal vascular volume (CVV), and choroidal stromal volume (CSV)—have been reported for each quadrant of the vortex vein drainage system.

2025-04-25

TowardPi Image on the Cover of European Journal of Ophthalmology

We are proud that our image is on the cover of the latest issue of European Journal of Ophthalmology. Image captured by Prof Paolo Lanzetta and Mrs Laura Frigerio Brancato, using TowardPi, BMizar.

2025-04-22

Regional Assessment of CVI Before DR Onset Detected by Full-range UWF OCTA

Research recently published in Frontiers in Medicine characterized the regional variations of choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in patients with pre- and early-stage of DR by using full-range ultra-widefield OCTA (UWF OCTA). CVI in the central region (0–1 mm) and four quadrants of the concentric rings with different ranges (1–3, 3–6, 6–9, 9–12, 12–15, 15–18 mm) were analyzed in four age-matched groups: no DM (NDM), no DR with early DM (EDM) and late DM (LDM), and mild–moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (mNPDR). The results showed that the CVI was significantly lower in patients with mild NPDR for most of regions, especially for nasal and temporal periphery. Besides, a notable variance in CVI was observed, particularly in the temporal quadrant of the 15–18 mm range (T18) between the LDM and mNPDR groups indicating that choroidal vascular changes might already exist before DR onset. The CVI in the T18 region demonstrated superior diagnostic efficacy (AUC = 0.755), and when combined with those in other regions and clinical data, the AUC rose to 0.907. UWF-OCTA appeared to be a promising method to predict the onset of DR and promote the early diagnosis of DR.

2025-04-11

Choroidal Vascular Alterations in Myopic Eyes Investigated by UWF OCTA

A recent study published in BMJ Open Ophthalmology evaluated choroidal vascular changes in younger patients with myopia using ultrawide-field (UWF) full-range swept-source OCTA (SS-OCTA). Choroidal vascular thickness (ChVT) and density (ChVD) were analyzed across 3×3 grids using built-in software.

2025-03-27

‘Hydrodelineation’ and ‘Hydrodissection’—Under TowardPi Real-Time Intraoperative SS-OCT

A recent case study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology highlights a phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation surgery performed on a 55-year-old male patient with cataracts. The procedure utilized an innovative digital navigation microscope (#FOcean, TowardPi Medical), integrated with a 100kHz intraoperative full-range SS-OCT.

2025-03-18

New Clinical Marker for Posterior Staphyloma—Fundus Curvature Based on UWF SS-OCT

Recent research published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology investigated the ability of ultra-widefield swept-source OCT (UWF SS-OCT) to quantify fundus curvature and detect posterior staphyloma. The study concluded that UWF SS-OCT-based fundus curvature may improve the detection and quantitative assessment of posterior staphyloma in high myopia. Detailed morphological patterns of posterior staphyloma were revealed through curvature value maps and curvature deviation maps. Larger maximum posterior curvature, macular curvature deviation, and posterior curvature deviation (PCD) were associated with higher degrees of myopia, more severe myopic maculopathy, and poorer best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Among these parameters, PCD demonstrated the highest sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing the presence of posterior staphyloma.

2025-03-17

Protective Effects on Myopic Guinea Pigs Discovered by Full-Range SS-OCTA

A recent study published in Frontiers in Medicine investigated the protective effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) combined with bilberry extract (BE) on myopic guinea pigs using full-range SS-OCTA. Choroidal changes, including choroidal thickness (ChT) and the choroidal vessel index (CVI), were evaluated alongside refractive error and axial length.

2025-03-11

Subthreshold Laser for cCSC Eyes Evaluated Using Full-Range SS-OCTA

A recent study published in Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy compared the visual and anatomical outcomes of 689 nm laser therapy (689-LT) versus continued subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) therapy in eyes with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC) that had shown poor responsiveness to initial SML treatment. The study assessed the choroidal structure and vasculature in both groups using full-range swept-source OCT angiography (SS-OCTA), focusing on choroidal thickness (CT) and the three-dimensional choroidal vascularity index (3D-CVI).

2025-03-05

The New Developments and Clinical Applications of AS-OCTA

A review recently published in Medicina (Kaunas) thoroughly summarized the new developments and clinical applications of anterior segment OCTA (AS-OCTA) for the cornea and ocular surface. The review was authored by Dr. Brian Juin Hsien Lee and the team of Prof. Marcus Ang from the Singapore National Eye Centre.

2025-03-05

Conjunctival Clues on Coronary Artery Disease Discovered by TowardPi AS-OCTA

Research recently published in Microvascular Research quantified conjunctival microvascular characteristics and investigated their relationship with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) by using full-range swept-source anterior segment OCTA (AS-OCTA). This study revealed that both vessel area density and vessel length density of conjunctiva decreased significantly in CAD patients. Additionally, microvascular junction density was found significantly associated with the severity of CAD among women patients. All these results indicated that conjunctival microvessels were associated with both the presence and severity of CAD, suggesting its potential role in cardiovascular risk screening and severity assessment.