Temporary changes of visual outcomes and anterior chamber parameters after phacoemulsification and low-add-power segmented intraocular lens implantation for primary angle closure disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the temporary changes in visual outcomes and anterior segment parameters after cataract surgery plus low-add bifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for primary angle closure disease (PACD). METHODS: This retrospective comparative case-control study included two groups: low-add-power segmented IOL and monofocal IOL. Postoperative examination involved evaluation of uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA), and spherical equivalent (SE). Anterior segment examination was performed using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: This study included 19 eyes of 11 consecutive patients who underwent cataract surgery. The low-add group had better UDVA than the monofocal group at 3 months postoperatively, better UIVA at 1 month postoperatively, better UNVA at 1 week postoperatively. In the low-add group, SE increased at 1 and 3 months postoperatively compared with 1 week postoperatively. In the monofocal group, objective SE decreased at 1 and 3 months postoperatively compared with 1 week postoperatively. In the low-add group, the anterior chamber depth (ACD) became significantly deep gradually at 1 and 3 months compared with at 1 week postoperatively. In the monofocal group, the ACD became significantly shallow gradually at 1 and 3 months than at 1 week postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The low-add-power segmented IOL achieved better far and intermediate distance visual acuity after cataract surgery in PACD patients than did the monofocal IOL. The ACD became deeper and SE showed a hyperopic shift with the low-add-power segmented IOL at 1 and 3 months after cataract surgery compared with at 1 week after cataract surgery.

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome and relating factors in a rural Japanese population: the Kumejima Study.

PURPOSE: To report the prevalence of pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome and glaucoma associated with PEX (PEX-G) and their relating factors of them in a south-western island of Japan. METHODS: A population-based survey of all residents aged ≥ 40 years was conducted in Kumejima, Okinawa, Japan, and 3762 subjects (participation rate, 81.2%) underwent detailed ophthalmic examinations. Presence of PEX material on the lens capsule, iris surface and/or pupillary margin was determined by slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Glaucoma was diagnosed according to the criteria of the International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology. RESULTS: In subjects aged ≥ 40 years, prevalence rates of PEX syndrome, PEX without glaucoma and PEX-G in at least one eye were 1.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0-1.9%), 1.3% (95% CI: 0.9-1.7%) and 0.1% (95% CI: 0.0-0.2%), respectively, excluding eyes after cataract surgery; and 2.8% (95% CI: 2.3-3.3%), 2.2% (95% CI: 1.8-2.6 %) and 0.4% (95% CI: 0.2-0.6%), respectively, including eyes after cataract surgery. Cataract surgery had been performed in 61% of subjects with PEX in at least one eye; presence of PEX showed no significant effects on the intraocular pressure (IOP). A multivariate analysis showed that PEX was associated with older age (p < 0.0001, odds ratio: 1.10 [95% CI: 1.07-1.13]) and working outdoors (p = 0.0395, odds ratio: 2.18 [95% CI: 0.99-4.82]). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rates of PEX syndrome and PEX-G in a south-western island of Japan were reported. PEX showed no significant effect on IOP, and age and working outdoors were significantly related with PEX.

The effect of internal fixation lamp on anterior chamber angle width measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of the internal fixation lamp on anterior chamber width measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography. METHODS: In a prospective cross sectional observational study, consecutive 22 right eyes of 22 patients (4 men and 18 women) with suspected primary angle closure underwent swept source domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), (CASIA SS-1000, Tomey, Nagoya, Japan). Anterior chamber parameters of angle opening distance (AOD), trabecular-iris angle (TIA), angle recess area (ARA) at 500 or 750 µm from scleral spur and pupil diameter were measured by AS-OCT in a three-dimensional mode in 4 quadrants (superior, inferior, temporal and nasal) in dark room setting both with and without internal fixation lamp. RESULTS: Anterior segment parameters of AOD 500 in superior, inferior and temporal quadrants, AOD 750 at superior and nasal, TIA 500 at superior, and inferior and TIA 750 at superior and nasal, and ARA 500 or 750 at superior and inferior with internal fixation lamp were greater and the pupil diameter was significantly (all P < 0.05, paired t test) smaller than when measured without fixation lamp. CONCLUSIONS: Internal fixation lamp of the anterior segment OCT makes the pupil constrict and angle wider. When using AS-OCT with usual setting with internal fixation lamp on with eyes in which the anterior chamber angle is narrow but open, it is recommended that the internal fixation lamp be turned off to ensure a clear indication as to whether the angle is open or closed in the dark.

Efficacy of predetermined therapeutic measures against bleb-related infection in the Collaborative Bleb-related Infection Incidence and Treatment Study.

PURPOSE: To report the efficacy of the predetermined treatment protocol of the Collaborative Bleb-related Infection Incidence and Treatment Study (CBIITS) for bleb-related infection (BRI) patients. METHODS: A prospective, observational cohort study was conducted at 34 clinical centres in Japan. Nineteen eyes from 19 patients that developed BRI were treated using the CBIITS protocol at 34 clinical centres. The visual acuity (VA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were monitored for 6 and 12 months after treatment with the predetermined protocol. RESULTS: The logMAR was 0.623 ± 0.748 (mean ± standard deviation) before the infection developed. It was 1.054 ± 1.156 and 0.950 ± 1.168 at 6 months and 12 months post-infection, respectively. However, in subgroup analyses, there was no significant decrease in post-infection logMAR in stages I and II. In contrast, decimal VA was decreased ≥2 lines in all four cases in stage III. The IOP did not change after infection. It was 10.2 ± 5.0 mmHg (range, 3-22 mmHg) before the infection developed, and 12.9 ± 5.2 mmHg (5-24 mmHg) and 10.7 ± 4.7 mmHg (3-18 mmHg) at 6 months and 12 months after infection, respectively. CONCLUSION: Because of the small number of BRI patients, the superiority of the treatment was not definitively determined. However, VA was almost maintained in stages I and II, and the IOP did not change after infection. Although further study is necessary, the treatment protocol shown in the study might be a valuable treatment regime.

Effect of Switching to Travoprost Preserved With SofZia in Glaucoma Patients With Chronic Superficial Punctate Keratitis While Receiving BAK-preserved Latanoprost.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of switching 1 eye to topical travoprost 0.004% preserved with SofZia (TRAVATAN Z solution) in patients who had chronic superficial punctate keratitis (SPK) in both eyes treated with benzalkonium chloride-preserved latanoprost 0.005% (XALATAN). METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter, open-label, comparative 3-month follow-up study. Patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who received XALATAN monotherapy for at least 3 months and had SPK in both eyes were enrolled at 9 facilities. For each patient, 1 eye was randomly selected and switched to TRAVATAN Z solution (T-group); the contralateral control eye was treated with XALATAN (X-group). SPK in 5 corneal regions, conjunctival hyperemia, tear breakup time (TBUT), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were examined in a masked manner at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. Changes in SPK, hyperemia, TBUT, and IOP were compared within treatment groups and between treatment groups. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients completed the study. The frequency of SPK significantly decreased from baseline in the T-group and the X-group at 1 and 3 months (T-group, P<0.001; X-group, P<0.05). In the T-group, SPK scores were significantly improved in 4 corneal regions, excluding the superior region, at 1 and 3 months (all P<0.05), whereas in the X-group, SPK scores were significantly improved only in the temporal region at 1 month and in the inferior region at 3 months (P<0.05 for both). The total SPK score at 1 and 3 months in the T-group was significantly lower compared with the score in the X-group (P=0.0023 and 0.0102, respectively). The SPK score for the superior and central corneal region at 3 months in the T-group was significantly lower compared with the score in the X-group (P=0.0212 and 0.022, respectively). There were no substantial intergroup or intragroup differences in changes from baseline for hyperemia scores, TBUT, or IOP reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Switching therapy from benzalkonium chloride-preserved latanoprost to travoprost preserved with SofZia ameliorated chronic SPK. There were no clinically relevant changes in hyperemia, TBUT, or IOP.

[Perioperative antibiotics effectiveness on conjunctival flora and microbial sensitivity].

PURPOSE: To compare the affect upon bacterial flora found in the conjunctival sacs and the microbial sensitivity of a gatifloxacin (GFLX) ophthalmic solution prospectively with two instillation method groups. METHODS: In one group (group A) GFLX solution was instilled postoperatively eight times/day for 2 days and subsequently four times/day for 12 days. In the other group (group B) the solution was instilled four times/day for 28 days. We investigated bacterial flora in the conjunctival sacs of patients who were to undergo cataract surgery, and tested for microbial sensitivity. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the detection rate of bacterial flora in the conjunctival sacs. One bacterial isolate resistant to LVFX was identified in group A, and one resistant to GFLX and LVFX in group B. CONCLUSION: There is a possibility that the application of topical antibiotics may have little influence on positive culture. However, the occurrence of a resistance to GFLX indicates that the aimless use of antibiotics should be avoided during ophthalmic perioperative periods.