Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy Was Associated With Later Age of Onset Among Glaucoma Cases.

Purpose: Hormonal therapy (HT) has been suggested to lower the risk of developing glaucoma. Our goal was to investigate the association between HT use and the onset of glaucoma diagnosis in postmenopausal women. Methods: This retrospective case-only study included female veterans with open-angle glaucoma from VA records between 2000 to 2019. Propensity score matching was used to match HT (n = 1926) users to untreated (n = 1026) women on multiple covariates (e.g., age of menopause, BMI, blood pressure, antihypertensive medications, and a co-morbidity index). A simple linear regression was used to evaluate the impact of HT duration on the age of glaucoma diagnosis, and multivariate linear regression analysis was used to determine which factors contributed to the age at diagnosis of glaucoma. Results: We found a linear relationship between the age at diagnosis of glaucoma and menopause in women with (r = 0.54) and without HT (r = 0.57) use. HT users tended to have a later diagnosis of glaucoma. Our multivariate analysis found that 0-2 years, 2-5 years, and >5 years of HT use were associated with a 2.20 [confidence interval (CI), 1.64, 2.76], 3.74 [CI, 3.02, 4.46], and 4.51 [CI, 3.84, 5.18] years later diagnosis of glaucoma. An interaction (-0.009 [-0.015, -0.003]) was observed between HT duration and age of menopause diagnosis, with the impact of HT decreasing for later menopause ages. Conclusions: Longer duration of HT use was associated with a later diagnosis of glaucoma in postmenopausal women in this case-only analysis. The impact of HT may be modulated by menopausal age, although further study is needed. The findings support a protective role of estrogen in glaucoma pathogenesis.

Identification of Optic Nerve-Related Biomarkers in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Based on Comprehensive Bioinformatics and Mendelian Randomization.

Purpose: Glaucoma is the primary cause of permanent vision loss worldwide. However, the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the main type of glaucoma, has not yet been completely understood. Methods: In our study, the POAG cohorts were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (GSE45570). Biomarkers with diagnostic utility for POAG were identified through combining differentially expressed analysis, enrichment analysis, machine learning algorithms, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The regulatory networks (including a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network and a small molecule compounds-mRNA network) were created. In addition, the Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to identify exposures causally associated with POAG. Finally, the expression of the biomarkers was validated via real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results: The Gene Ontology (GO) items that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between POAG and control groups enriched were relevant to light stimulation and DNA methylation. A total of three light stimulation-related biomarkers (RAB8A, PRG3, and SMAD3) were identified, which had diagnostic value for POAG patients. Besides, the ceRNA regulatory network contained 88 nodes and 93 edges, and a small molecule compounds-mRNA network included 66 nodes and 76 edges. The MR results indicated a causal association between DNA methylation GrimAge acceleration and POAG. Additionally, the results of RT-qPCR revealed that the expression trend of RAB8A was consistent with that of GSE45570. Conclusions: Taken together, this study provides three light stimulation-related biomarkers (RAB8A, PRG3, and SMAD3) for the diagnosis of POAG, providing scientifically valuable insights for further studies of POAG. Translational Relevance: Discovering biomarkers that possess diagnostic significance for POAG has the potential to offer new insights into the pathogenesis of POAG and present novel objectives for clinical intervention.

Integrating Genetics in Glaucoma Screening.

PRCIS: As additional glaucoma genes are identified and classified, polygenic risk scores will be refined, facilitating early diagnosis and treatment. Ensuring genetic research is equitable to prevent glaucoma blindness worldwide is crucial. PURPOSE: To review the progress in glaucoma genetics over the past 25 years, including the identification of genes with varying contributions to the disease and the development of polygenic risk scores. METHODS/RESULTS: Over the last 2 and a half decades, glaucoma genetics has evolved from identifying genes with Mendelian inheritance patterns, such as myocilin and CYP1B1, to the discovery of hundreds of genes associated with the disease. Polygenic risk scores have been developed, primarily based on research in Northern European populations, and efforts to refine these scores are ongoing. However, there is a question regarding their applicability to other ethnic groups, especially those at higher risk of primary open angle glaucoma, like individuals of African ancestry. Glaucoma is highly heritable and family history can be used for cascade clinical screening programs, but these will not be feasible in all populations. Thus, cascade genetic testing using well-established genes such as myocilin may help improve glaucoma diagnosis. In addition, ongoing investigations seek to identify pathogenic genetic variants within genes like myocilin. CONCLUSIONS: The expanding availability of genetic testing for various diseases and early access to genetic risk information necessitates further research to determine when and how to act on specific genetic results. Polygenic risk scores involving multiple genes with subtle effects will require continuous refinement to improve clinical utility. This is crucial for effectively interpreting an individual's risk of developing glaucoma and preventing blindness.

Open-angle glaucoma and Fuchs dystrophy.

A 62-year-old woman with a history of moderate myopia, long-standing open-angle glaucoma (OAG), and Fuchs dystrophy in both eyes was referred for consultative care. She had prior trabeculectomy in 1984 and 1992 in the left and right eyes, respectively. She is 3 months post-Descemet-stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) in the left eye, now referred with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) despite maximum tolerated medical therapy. Current medical therapy for IOP consists of acetazolamide 250 mg by mouth 2 times a day, brimonidine 2 times a day in the left eye, dorzolamide 2 times a day in the left eye, and timolol 2 times a day in the left eye. The patient has a history of presumed steroid response; however, her corneal surgeon has requested that the steroid be continued for the next several months because of the recent DSEK. The IOP in the left eye has ranged from the mid-20s to mid-30s since DSEK. The right eye has consistently had pressure in the low teens and below for many years without topical antihypertensive medications. Examination revealed stable visual acuity at 20/30 and 20/40 in the right and left eyes, respectively, IOP was 12 mm Hg in the right eye and 25 mm Hg in the left eye by Goldman applanation, irregular but reactive pupils without afferent defect, and full confrontational visual fields. Slitlamp examination showed superior low avascular bleb, moderate-to-severe guttae, and posterior chamber IOL in the right eye. The left eye showed superior low diffuse bleb, clear DSEK graft, quiet chamber, superonasal iridectomy, and posterior chamber IOL with an open posterior capsule. The conjunctiva was moderately scarred but a repeat trabeculectomy or Xen Gel stent (Abbvie) appeared possible. The angles were wide open in each eye. Fundus examination was normal aside from myopic, anomalous-appearing nerves with an approximate cup-to-disc ratio of 0.90 in both eyes. Humphrey visual field showed nonspecific changes on the right and moderate nasal defect on the left eye, stable to previous examinations dating back to 2018 (Figure 1JOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202407000-00018/figure1/v/2024-07-10T174240Z/r/image-tiff and Figure 2JOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202407000-00018/figure2/v/2024-07-10T174240Z/r/image-tiff). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) revealed moderated thinning in both eyes that was also stable to prior examinations (Figure 3JOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202407000-00018/figure3/v/2024-07-10T174240Z/r/image-tiff). Her axial length measured 25.23 and 26.34 mm in the right and left eyes, respectively. Central corneal thickness was 553 µm in the right eye and 563 µm in the left eye before her DSEK procedure. What would be your approach to management of this patient's left eye, addressing the following: Rationale for your procedure of choice? Would you over-rule the corneal surgeon and stop the steroid in an attempt to obviate the need for glaucoma surgery? Does the age of onset of glaucoma affect your surgical decision making? Note that patient age at the time of trabeculectomy was 22 years. Are some procedures better suited for patients after DSEK surgery?

[The relationship between intraocular pressure and age-related variations in ocular rigidity]. / Vzaimosvyaz' vnutriglaznogo davleniya s involyutsionnymi kolebaniyami rigidnosti glaza.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the correlation between age-related fluctuations in the average values of rigidity of the fibrous tunic of the eye (FTE) and corresponding ranges of true intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy eyes and eyes with open-angle glaucoma (OAG); using the identified ranges of FTE rigidity, to establish the appropriate IOP zones for healthy and glaucomatous eyes, taking into account the aging periods as classified by the World Health Organization (WHO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ocular-Response Analyzer tonometry was used according to the Koshits-Svetlova dynamic diagnostic method to examine 674 patients with healthy eyes and 518 patients with glaucomatous eyes, aged 18 to 90 years, classified according to the WHO aging periods, and a theoretical analysis was conducted to estimate clinical values of FTE rigidity, the current level of true IOP, and the calculated individual IOP level in a patient's eye during youth. RESULTS: The following IOP level zones were identified for patients with healthy and glaucomatous eyes: low IOP zone (≤13 mm Hg); medium IOP zone (14-20 mm Hg); elevated IOP zone (21-26 mm Hg); high IOP zone (27-32 mm Hg); subcompensated IOP zone (33-39 mm Hg); and decompensated IOP zone (≥40 mm Hg). CONCLUSION: The fundamental physiological criterion "rigidity" does not depend on central corneal thickness and consistently reflects the current level of true IOP. In all examined patients, both with healthy and glaucomatous eyes, healthy and glaucoma eyes with the same level of current rigidity had the same level of IOP. The ability to assign a given healthy or glaucomatous eye to a specific individual IOP zone is particularly important for the polyclinic system.

Effect of brimonidine on vascular density and imagej-derived flow index of optic nerve head and macula in primary open angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of brimonidine on vascular density and flow index of optic nerve head (ONH) and macula in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). METHODS: Twenty-three brimonidine-naïve POAG patients were started on brimonidine. They underwent OCTA ONH and macula before commencing brimonidine and one month thereafter. Systemic arterial blood pressure (SABP) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were measured at each visit to calculate mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP). The OCT angiograms were analyzed using ImageJ software to calculate ONH and macular flow indices. RESULTS: Thirty-seven eyes (23 patients) with a mean age of 56.7 ± 12.49 years were included of whom 60.8% were males. Brimonidine was associated with an increase in the superficial flow index (SFI) (P-value = 0.02) and optic nerve head flow index (ONHFI) (P-value = 0.01). Also, superficial vascular density (SVD) for whole image, superior-hemi and fovea increased (P-value = 0.03, 0.02, 0.03 respectively). ONH inferior-hemi vascular density decreased (P-value = 0.01) despite an increase in inferior quadrant retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) (P-value = 0.03). There was no statistically significant correlation between flow indices and MOPP at baseline and follow-up. A moderate negative correlation was found between SVD and DVD at the fovea and MOPP at baseline and follow-up (P-value = 0.03, 0.05) (P-value = 0.02, 0.01) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Brimonidine was associated with an increase in SFI, ONHFI and SVD indicating improved GCC and RNFL perfusion in POAG. Despite the increase in inferior quadrant RNFLT, the concomitant decrease in inferior-hemi ONHVD precluded a conclusion of hemodynamically-mediated improvement of RNFLT.

OCT angiographic evaluation of changes in macula and optic nerve head vessel density after a water drinking test in glaucomatous and healthy eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of a water drinking test (WDT) on the intraocular pressure (IOP) and vascular density of the optic nerve head and macula in healthy individuals and those with primary open glaucoma using optical coherence tomography angiography. METHODS: In this prospective comparative study, 30 healthy patients and 44 POAG subjects were divided into two groups. The study's outcome measures were the IOP and vessel density of the optic nerve and macular area. After ingesting 1000 ml of water in 5 min, the effect of the WDT on the IOP and the vascular density of the macular area and optic nerve head were measured at baseline and then 20, 40, and 60 min later at intervals of 20 min. RESULTS: The initial IOP in the healthy and glaucomatous eye groups was comparable (15.94 ± 2.6 and 16.87 ± 4.21 mmHg, respectively, P = 0.506). The IOP of both groups peaked at 40' measurements. POAG eyes had significantly higher IOP elevation (4.34 ± 0.30 vs. 2.24 ± 0.30 mmHg, P < 0.001). The glaucomatous eyes had lower radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) and whole macular superficial capillary plexus (SCP) densities at baseline (48.55 ± 5.99 vs. 51.33 ± 3.75) and (48.92 ± 3.41 vs. 45.29 ± 5.29), respectively (P < 0.001). After the WDT, the change in vessel density between groups in the RPC, whole superficial, and deep capillary plexuses was insignificant (SCP and DCP of 0.66 and 0.70, respectively, P = 0.16). CONCLUSION: The WDT caused a significant IOP jump in both glaucomatous and healthy eyes, but generally, the alterations in the glaucomatous eyes were more pronounced. The changes in vascular density in the macula and optic nerve head were similar between the groups.

Exfoliation syndrome and exfoliation glaucoma: Current perspectives and clinical paradigms.

Exfoliation syndrome and exfoliation glaucoma comprise a unique age-related ocular aggregopathy characterized by the accumulation of protein complex aggregates in different ocular structures. Recent literature and studies have expanded our knowledge of the clinical characteristic features, phenotypical variations, and molecular pathophysiology associated with disease onset or development of glaucoma. Despite years of studies on the various epidemiological, clinical, and molecular facets of the disease, the exact mechanism of disease onset, formation of aggregates, and the events that trigger the development of glaucoma marking irreversibility in the disease remains elusive. This review elaborates on the existing and new insights that we have gained over the years and highlights gaps in the knowledge about the disease that need future exploration.

Diagnostic ability of the combination of retinal microvasculature evaluation and static automated perimetry for early primary open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the diagnostic ability of retinal superficial vasculature evaluation by optic coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) combined with visual field (VF) testing for early primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 84 participants were included, including 11 in the ocular hypertension (OHT) group, 11 in the preperimetric POAG (pre-POAG) group, 29 in the early POAG group and 33 in the control group. All participants underwent 6 × 6 mm2 scans of macula and optic nerved head by optic coherence tomography (OCT) and OCTA, along with white-on-white and blue-on-yellow VF testing by static automated perimetry. The ability of diagnosing early glaucoma by either various examinations separately or combination of examinations in both terms of function and structure was studied using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: The superficial retinal vessel densities (VD) in peri-nasal, para-temporal, peri-temporal and peri-inferior regions around the macula, as well as vessel area densities (VAD) in all peripapillary regions, were significantly different among the four groups, with lower VD or VAD in the early POAG patients compared to the normal individuals. The diagnostic ability of peripapillary superficial retinal VAD alone or VF testing alone was limited for early POAG only. However, the combination of these two was more effective in distinguishing normal individuals from OHT subjects or pre-POAG patients without VF defects, with better performance than the combination of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and VF indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Peripapillary retinal vessel densities were generally lower in early POAG patients compared to normal individuals. The combination of peripapillary superficial retinal VAD by OCTA with white-on-white VF testing improved the ability to distinguish POAG patients at early stage without function impairment, which may help in providing reference and guidance for the following-up and treatment of suspected POAG patients.

Evaluation of lamina cribrosa curvature index in different types of glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the lamina cribrosa curvature index in different types of glaucoma in comparison with clinical findings and conventional measurement methods. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Patients older than 18 years who were followed up in Glaucoma Unit of Department of Ophthalmology at Firat University Faculty of Medicine, whose disease had been under control at least for 1 year, who had at least three reliable visual fields, whose refractive error was between - 6 and + 5 diopter and who did not have any disease other than glaucoma that would affect the visual field, were included in the study. Clinical and demographic characteristics, visual field, optical coherence tomography and lamina cribrosa curvature index (LCCI) results were evaluated. The study patients were divided into six groups: early-stage primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) as group 1 and intermediate-advanced stage POAG as group 2, pseudo-exfoliation glaucoma (PEXG) as group 3, normal tension glaucoma (NTG) as group 4, ocular hypertension patients whom subsequently developed POAG as group 5 and healthy control as group 6. RESULTS: A total of 189 eyes of 101 patients were included in our study. Forty-seven patients were male (46.5%) and 54 were female (53.5%). The mean age was 62.43 ± 1.49 years. LCCI, mean deviation (MD), visual field index (VFI), pattern standard deviation (PSD) and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) values were analyzed in all groups and Pearson correlation analysis showed statistically significant correlation between PSD and RNFL measurements with LCCI values in all groups. MD value was correlated with LCCI in groups 2, 3 and 4, while VFI value was correlated with LCCI in all groups except group 5. When the groups were compared with each other according to the Post-Hoc Tamhane test, LCCI measurement showed statistically significant results in accordance with MD, VFI, PSD and RNFL values. CONCLUSION: The LCCI assessment is mostly consistent with conventional tests. In this study, in which different types of glaucoma and healthy subjects were examined simultaneously, LCCI shows promise as a detailed and reliable assessment method.

Rates of retinal nerve fiber layer loss in early-stage pseudoexfoliation and primary open-angle glaucoma patients using optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To characterize glaucoma progression in early-stage patients with retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) using the change analysis software (CAS), which was utilized to track RNFL thinning. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 92 eyes of 92 patients with early-stage glaucoma. Patients were divided into two subgroups based on their diagnosis of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed on all patients. Additionally, automated perimetry was conducted on each patient. Furthermore, Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) was employed to measure RNFL and central corneal thickness. Using the OCT device's CAS, we computed the annual rate of total and glaucomatous RNFL thinning for each patient. RESULTS: A total of 44 PEG and 48 POAG patients were included in the study. The right eye measurements of these patients were analyzed and compared. The two groups were not significantly different in age, gender, and the number of visits per year (p > 0.05, for each). However, the difference between the mean RNFL thickness at baseline (91.39 ± 10.71 and 96.9 ± 8.6 µm) and at the last visit (85.2 ± 15.76 µm and 91.56 ± 9.58 µm) was statistically significant between the two groups (p = 0.043, p = 0.039, respectively). Additionally, the difference in annual RNFL thinning rates (1.43 ± 0.81 µm and 1.07 ± 0.32 µm) between the two groups was statistically significant (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: The annual rate of glaucomatous RNFL loss in early-stage PEG patients (1.23 µm) was higher than in POAG patients (0.87 µm). However, despite these loss rates, scotoma was not detected in the visual field tests of these patients. Therefore, using CAS in the follow-up of early-stage glaucoma patients is a useful alternative for monitoring glaucomatous progression. Furthermore, this method can be utilized in future research for the diagnosis and follow-up of glaucoma in special populations (e.g., those with pathological myopia or high hyperopia) that are not included in normative databases.

[Standardizing the diagnosis and treatment of ocular hypertension based on evidence-based medicine].

Ocular hypertension (OHT) refers to a condition in which the intraocular pressure increases without causing glaucomatous optic nerve changes or visual field damage. The incidence rate of OHT in people over 40 years old is as high as 4% to 10%. According to the OHT Treatment Study (OHTS), the incidence of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) among OHT patients is increasing year by year, so it is necessary to conduct long-term follow-up. This article elaborates on five major risk factors for the progression of OHT to POAG: age, intraocular pressure, vertical cup-disc ratio, pattern standard deviation of visual field, and central corneal thickness. It also summarizes other potential risk factors, such as long-term fluctuations in intraocular pressure, asymmetry of intraocular pressure and visual field between the two eyes, structural phenotypes of the optic disk, and optic disk hemorrhage. Predicting the risk of OHT progression to POAG based on risk factors, patients with different risk levels require different timing for treatment initiation and follow-up intervals. Those with higher risks should start preventive treatment earlier and have shorter follow-up intervals. Both drug therapy and selective laser trabeculoplasty can serve as initial treatment options for OHT. Combining evidence-based medicine research and individualized evaluation of treatment can enhance the clinical diagnosis and treatment level of OHT.

Comparative features of superior versus inferior hemisphere microvasculature dropout in open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate differences in microvasculature dropout (MvD) between the superior and inferior hemispheres in glaucoma patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective and cross-sectional. METHODS: Fifty-eight eyes of 58 open-angle glaucoma patients (age 61.12 ± 10.19 years, mean deviation - 7.32 ± 6.36 dB) were included. MvD was detected with en face images from swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography. Blood flow at the optic nerve head was measured with laser speckle flowgraphy, represented as the mean blur rate in tissue (MBRT). Logistic and linear regression models adjusted for age, intraocular pressure, axial length, and circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were used to investigate the relationship between various factors and MvD angle in each hemisphere. RESULTS: The presence of inferior MvD was related to peripapillary atrophy-ß area (odds ratio = 14.10 [2.49-234.00], P = 0.019). Superior MvD angle was significantly related to MBRT in the superior quadrant (ß = -0.31 [- 0.60 - -0.02], P = 0.037). Inferior MvD angle was significantly related to peripapillary atrophy-ß area (ß = 0.49 [0.21-0.77], P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Only superior MvD demonstrated a significant relationship with reduced ocular blood flow. In contrast, inferior MvD was associated with mechanical stress. These findings may suggest a potential difference in pathophysiology between superior and inferior MvD.

Racial Differences in Diagnostic Accuracy of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in eyes of African (AD) and European descent (ED). Design: Comparative diagnostic accuracy analysis by race. Participants: 379 healthy eyes (125 AD and 254 ED) and 442 glaucomatous eyes (226 AD and 216 ED) from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study and the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study. Methods: Spectralis (Heidelberg Engineering GmbH) and Cirrus (Carl Zeiss Meditec) OCT scans were taken within one year from each other. Main Outcome Measures: Diagnostic accuracy of RNFLT measurements. Results: Diagnostic accuracy for Spectralis-RNFLT was significantly lower in eyes of AD compared to those of ED (area under the receiver operating curve [AUROC]: 0.85 and 0.91, respectively, P=0.04). Results for Cirrus-RNFLT were similar but did not reach statistical significance (AUROC: 0.86 and 0.90 in AD and ED, respectively, P =0.33). Adjustments for age, central corneal thickness, axial length, disc area, visual field mean deviation, and intraocular pressure yielded similar results. Conclusions: OCT-RNFLT has lower diagnostic accuracy in eyes of AD compared to those of ED. This finding was generally robust across two OCT instruments and remained after adjustment for many potential confounders. Further studies are needed to explore the potential sources of this difference.

Reduction of Optic Disc Microvasculature and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thinning in Patients With Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between the change of optic disc vessel density (ODVD) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: For 105 POAG patients, ≥5 consecutive optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography images were obtained during ≥2 years of follow-up. Based on enface OCT angiography imaging, ODVD was calculated as the ratio of pixels occupied by vessels below the internal limiting membrane within the temporal area of the optic cup, and ODVD reduction was determined when there was a statistically significant negative slope (P < .05) for any of the global, superior, or inferior sectors. The association between the rates of ODVD change and RNFL thinning was assessed by a multivariable longitudinal linear mixed-effects model versus time. RESULTS: During 2.9 ± 0.3 years of follow-up on the 105 participants with visual field mean deviation at baseline of -5.7 ± 4.8 dB, 46 (43.8%) showed ODVD reduction. Faster global RNFL thinning was associated with the smaller Bruch's membrane opening area (ß = 0.381; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.120-0.646; P = .006), optic disc hemorrhage (ß = -0.567; 95% CI, -0.909 to -0.228; P = .002), and faster rate of global ODVD change (ß = -0.090; 95% CI, -0.139 to -0.042; P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Reduction of optic disc microvasculature was associated with rapid RNFL thinning in POAG. This suggests a role for deep optic nerve head circulation in the glaucoma pathogenesis.

One-Year Outcomes of Preserflo Microshunt for Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PRCIS: This systematic review and meta-analysis concludes that the PreserFlo Microshunt glaucoma drainage device significantly reduces intraocular pressure in primary open angle glaucoma patients at 12 months postinsertion. PURPOSE: A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effect of the PRESERFLO MicroShunt (PF-MS) on intraocular pressure (IOP) at 12 months has been conducted. METHOD: The PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched. Inclusion criteria required a diagnosis of open angle glaucoma, PF-MS insertion, and examination of IOP over time. Meta-analyses were conducted on the primary outcome of IOP and the secondary outcome of glaucoma medication regime. Adverse events were also noted. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were identified for inclusion in the meta-analyses, of which none had a high risk of bias. The meta-analyses found a significant mean reduction in IOP of 9.07 mm Hg (95% CI: 7.88-10.25; P <0.0001) and a significant mean reduction in mean glaucoma medication requirement of 2.37 medications (95% CI: 2.15-2.60; P <0.0001). Hypotony and hyphaema are common early complications. CONCLUSIONS: The PF-MS device significantly reduced both IOP and glaucoma medication requirement at 12 months postinsertion in individuals with open angle glaucoma without a significant adverse event burden. Further research is required to determine the economic and environmental effects of widely implementing the PF-MS device into clinical practice.