1.
'Statins in retinal disease'.
Al-Janabi, A, Lightman, S, Tomkins-Netzer, O
Eye (London, England). 2018;(5):981-991
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Abstract
Statins are known for their blood cholesterol-lowering effect and are widely used in patients with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Research over the past three decades shows that statins have diverse effects on different pathophysiological pathways involved in angiogenesis, inflammation, apoptosis, and anti-oxidation, leading to new therapeutic options. Recently, statins have attracted considerable attention for their immunomodulatory effect. Since immune reactivity has been implicated in a number of retinal diseases, such as uveitis, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy, there is now a growing body of evidence supporting the beneficial effects of statins in these retinopathies. This review evaluates the relationship between statins and the pathophysiological basis of these diseases, focusing on their potential role in treatment. A PubMed database search and literature review was conducted. Among AMD patients, there is inconsistent evidence regarding protection against development of early AMD or delaying disease progression; though they have been found to reduce the risk of developing choroidal neovascular membranes (CNV). In patients with retinal vein occlusion, there was no evidence to support a therapeutic benefit or a protective role with statins. In patients with diabetic retinopathy, statins demonstrate a reduction in disease progression and improved resolution of diabetic macular oedema (DMO). Among patients with uveitis, statins have a protective effect by reducing the likelihood of uveitis development.
2.
[Paraneoplastic retinopathy].
Liu, Y, Lei, B
[Zhonghua yan ke za zhi] Chinese journal of ophthalmology. 2012;(7):653-6
Abstract
Paraneoplastic retinopathy (PR) mainly includes cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) and melanoma-associated retinopathy (MAR). Emerging evidences indicate that PR is mediated by immune cross-reaction between circulating antibodies originally generated against remote tumor with antigens expressed on retinal neurons. It is believed that CAR is a consequence of the autoantibodies against the photoreceptors and MAR is the autoantibodies against the retinal ON-bipolar cells. Recoverin autoantibody in serum is closely related to the pathogenesis of CAR, and the inactivation of TRPM1 channel plays a key role in dysfunction of ON-bipolar cells in MAR. PR is characterized by visual dysfunctions, including decreased vision, night blindness, shimmering or flickering, and abnormalities of symbolic electroretinogram appearances. Based on the history of tumors, ophthalmic symptoms, and existence of circulating antibodies, it is easy to make a diagnosis of PR. Immunosuppressants and glucocorticoids may improve the visual dysfunctions in PR subjects.