Comparison of a remote operating slit-lamp microscope system with a conventional slit-lamp microscope system for examination of trabeculectomy eyes.

PURPOSE: To compare 2-dimensional (2D) photo imaging with slit-lamp photo imaging for examination of trabeculectomy eyes, and to compare the accuracy and consistency of examination of trabeculectomy eyes with a remote operating slit-lamp microscope system (referred to as "remote slit lamp" hereafter) and a conventional slit-lamp microscope system (referred to as "slit lamp" hereafter). METHODS: Thirty-five eyes of 35 patients having a history of trabeculectomy were enrolled in the study that compared 2D photo imaging with slit-lamp photo imaging for the evaluation of trabeculectomy eyes. Five ophthalmologists evaluated the 2D images and the slit-lamp images independently with masking of patient information. Evaluation scores were compared with those provided by a glaucoma specialist using the slit lamp as standard. Fifteen eyes from 15 patients having a history of trabeculectomy were enrolled in the study that investigated the accuracy and consistency of examination of trabeculectomy eyes with a remote slit lamp and a slit lamp. RESULTS: Central anterior chamber depth, bleb height, and bleb extent evaluated by the slit-lamp photo imaging showed significantly higher consistency with the standard than those evaluated by 2D photo imaging (P<0.05). The remote slit lamp showed good consistency of all the evaluated parameters with the slit lamp and the κ scores of all the evaluated parameters were higher than 0.8. The completion time for evaluation with the remote slit lamp and the slit lamp were 247.3±153.5 and 123.5±53.7 seconds, respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Slit-lamp photo imaging is a superior method for examination of trabeculectomy eyes compared with 2D photo imaging. The remote slit-lamp system shows similar potential to the slit-lamp system for the evaluation of trabeculectomy eyes, although the evaluation time is much longer.

[Not Available].

To investigate the effect of brinzolamide on diurnal fluctuations in the intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients on latanoprost ophthalmic solution prospectively was aimed. Eleven patients with primary open angle glaucoma were enrolled in this study. The subjects were admitted to the hospital and had their IOPs measured over 24 hours (10 AM, noon, 2 PM, 4 PM, 6 PM, 8 PM, 10 PM, midnight, 3 AM, 6 AM, and 8AM). After topical administration of brinzolamide twice daily for 4-8 weeks for one eye, they were readmitted and again had their IOPs measured in the same manner as during the previous admission. The additional administration of brinzolamide significantly reduced IOP by 9.7±4.5% during 24-hour, 9.5±4.7% during daytime, and 10.3±5.6% during nighttime, respectively. Brinzolamide exerts additive effects over 24 hours in reducing IOP in patients with glaucoma who are receiving latanoprost ophthalmic solution.

A prospective study of iridial pigmentation and eyelash changes due to ophthalmic treatment with latanoprost.

PURPOSE: To conduct a 12-month prospective study on the occurrence of latanoprost-induced iridial pigmentation and eyelash change in Japanese patients with glaucoma METHODS: Seventy-five patients (75 eyes) were enrolled in the study. Photographs of the iris and eyelashes were taken under identical conditions before and after treatment. Three glaucoma specialists assessed the iridial pigmentation/eyelash change independently with no knowledge of patient data. The effects of age, sex, concomitant medication, and type of glaucoma on iridial pigmentation/eyelash change were investigated, and intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and iridocorneal angle pigmentation before and after latanoprost treatment were compared between patients with iridial pigmentation/eyelash change and patients without these changes. RESULTS: The incidence of iridial pigmentation was 6.3% at 1 month, 15.7% at 3 months, 37.8% at 6 months, and 56.5% at 12 months. The incidence of eyelash change was 0% at 1 month, 33.8% at 3 months, 44.4% at 6 months, and 46.2% at 12 months. Latanoprost did not affect IOP reduction or iridocorneal angle pigmentation. No significant relationship between iridial pigmentation and eyelash change was observed. None of the investigated parameters except age affected the iridial pigmentation/eyelash change. CONCLUSION: Iridial pigmentation and eyelash change occurred at a high frequency in long-term treatment with latanoprost in Japanese glaucoma patients.

Visual acuity and 10 degrees automated static perimetry in eyes with retinitis pigmentosa.

PURPOSE: In a previous study we demonstrated that the progression of the disease retinitis pigmentosa (RP) can be readily monitored by the mean deviation (MD) measured by Humphrey central 10-2 perimetry, which assesses the sensitivity distribution in the macular area in eyes affected by RP. In the present study, we investigated whether the 10 degrees perimetric results could predict the time of declining visual acuity in eyes with RP in a cross-sectional study. METHODS: Humphrey 10-2 perimetry results and visual acuity were studied in the right eyes of 69 patients with typical RP. Patients whose eyes had cataract, glaucoma, cystoid macular edema, or other complications affecting vision were excluded. RESULTS: Eyes with an MD of -15 dB or greater had almost normal visual acuity. Various degrees of visual acuity loss were observed in eyes with an MD of less than -15 dB. In the 35 eyes with an MD of less than -15 dB, visual acuity correlated well with the corrected pattern standard deviation (CPSD), which is the measure of the degree to which the shape of the measured field departs from the age-corrected normal reference field. CONCLUSION: In the absence of complications, many eyes with RP may experience acuity loss after the field constriction reaches an MD of less than -15 dB. The CPSD may be used as an indicator of acuity because eyes showing a lower CPSD tend to have greater loss of acuity among eyes with an equivalent MD value.

A case of cystoid macular edema associated with latanoprost ophthalmic solution.

BACKGROUND: Although there have been reports of adverse effects after use, it is unclear whether latanoprost ophthalmic solution contributes to the development of cystoid macular edema (CME). CASE: A 71-year-old man underwent lens extraction, the insertion of an intraocular lens, and vitrectomy for elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) associated with lens subluxation in the left eye. After the surgery, antiglaucoma ophthalmic solutions controlled IOP well for over a year, maintaining good visual acuity with no abnormalities in the fundus. OBSERVATIONS: Two months after the previously prescribed antiglaucoma ophthalmic solutions were replaced by latanoprost, the patient's visual acuity decreased and CME developed. When latanoprost was replaced by other antiglaucoma ophthalmic solutions for controlling IOP, CME disappeared and visual acuity returned to the base level. CONCLUSIONS: Latanoprost may be involved in the development of CME. Patients who have undergone vitreous surgery or those with aphakia should be carefully observed for the possible development of CME associated with the use of latanoprost, even a long time after surgery.