Safety and efficacy of iStent Inject trabecular micro-bypass stents in combination with phacoemulsification for chronic open angle glaucoma associated with cataract.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of phacoemulsification combined with iStent Inject® implantation for the treatment of chronic open-angle glaucoma controlled on topical anti-glaucoma medications and associated with cataract. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent phacoemulsification and implantation of an iStent Inject® for chronic open-angle glaucoma associated with cataract. For all patients, pre- and postoperative characteristics, including number of glaucoma medications and intraocular pressure (IOP), were compared using Paired-sample t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, respectively. Postoperative visits were scheduled at 7 days and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Forty-nine eyes of 39 patients were included in the study. Mean preoperative IOP at baseline was 16.3±4.3mmHg (range, 10-29mmHg) with a mean of 2.2±1.0mmHg antiglaucoma medications. At 1 month, the mean IOP reduction was 16% (P<0.05) along with an 18.7% reduction in the mean number of medications. At 6 months, the mean IOP was 12.8±2.6, with a mean of 1.1±0.9 antiglaucoma medications. The mean IOP reduction at 6 months was 22% (P<0.05) along with a 49% reduction in the mean number of medications. At 12 months, the mean IOP was 13.8±2.5 with a mean of 1.1±1.2 medications. The mean IOP reduction at 12 months was 15% (P<0.05) along with a 47% reduction in the mean number of medications. No severe device-related side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: iStent Inject® implantation combined with phacoemulsification resulted in effective IOP reduction and medication burden in patients with mild to advanced chronic open-angle glaucoma and preoperative IOP well controlled with topical hypotensive medications.

[Artificial intelligence and glaucoma: A literature review]. / Intelligence artificielle et glaucome : une revue de la littérature.

In recent years, research in artificial intelligence (AI) has experienced an unprecedented surge in the field of ophthalmology, in particular glaucoma. The diagnosis and follow-up of glaucoma is complex and relies on a body of clinical evidence and ancillary tests. This large amount of information from structural and functional testing of the optic nerve and macula makes glaucoma a particularly appropriate field for the application of AI. In this paper, we will review work using AI in the field of glaucoma, whether for screening, diagnosis or detection of progression. Many AI strategies have shown promising results for glaucoma detection using fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, or automated perimetry. The combination of these imaging modalities increases the performance of AI algorithms, with results comparable to those of humans. We will discuss potential applications as well as obstacles and limitations to the deployment and validation of such models. While there is no doubt that AI has the potential to revolutionize glaucoma management and screening, research in the coming years will need to address unavoidable questions regarding the clinical significance of such results and the explicability of the predictions.

[Assessment of anterior segment anatomy by OCT after non penetrating deep sclerectomy]. / Analyse de l'architecture du segment antérieur par OCT après sclérectomie profonde non perforante.

PURPOSE: Thanks to recent progress in imaging techniques, the anatomy of the anterior segment can be measured accurately and noninvasively. The objective of this study was to assess early postoperative changes induced by non penetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS) on anterior chamber depth, anterior chamber angle and central corneal thickness. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty eyes of 20 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) that underwent NPDS were studied. All patients underwent ophthalmologic examination including non invasive analysis of the anterior segment architecture. Visante(®) OCT was used to determine anterior chamber depth, central corneal thickness, scleral spur angle (SSA), angle opening distance at 500µm (AOD 500), and trabecular-iris space area at 500 µm (TISA 500) in the nasal and temporal quadrants. These evaluations were performed at 1 day preop, then day 1, day 7 and day 30 after surgery. RESULTS: Preoperatively, SSA, AOD 500 and TISA 500 were 37.24 ± 12.67°, 0.42 ± 0.25 mm and 0.15 ± 0.1 mm(2), respectively, in the nasal quadrant, and 39.62 ± 12.41°, 0.46 ± 0.25 mm and 0.16 ± 0.08 mm(2), respectively, in the temporal quadrant. Mean anterior chamber depth, central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure (IOP) were 3.09 ± 0.54 mm, 530 ± 34.3 µm and 20.43± 7.25 mmHg respectively. After NPDS, aside from IOP being significantly decreased on day 1 (5.57 ± 2.78 mmHg, P<0.0001), day 7 (8.2 ± 3.12 mmHg, P<0.0001) and day 30 (13.4 ± 3.47 mmHg, P=0.001), none of the other study parameters was significantly modified. CONCLUSION: No relationship was found between IOP and anterior chamber architecture after NPDS. NPDS appears to significantly reduce IOP while maintaining the architecture of the anterior chamber, and in particular, the anterior chamber angle.

[Corneal sensitivity in patients treated medically for glaucoma or ocular hypertension]. / Évaluation de la sensibilité cornéenne chez les patients traités médicalement pour un glaucome ou une hypertonie oculaire.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the corneal sensitivity in patients treated with intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medications. INTRODUCTION: Chronic administration of anti-glaucoma drops is associated with numerous tissue changes on the ocular surface. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of these medications and their preservative, benzalkonium chloride (BAK), on corneal sensitivity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients treated for glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT) and nine untreated patients were included in this study. Treated patients were divided into three groups according to the daily number of preserved eyedrops (0, 1 and ≥2). Corneal sensitivity was assessed using the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. All patients underwent a complete examination of the ocular surface including Schirmer testing, tear film breakup time (BUT) and corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was used to evaluate symptoms. RESULTS: Corneal sensitivity was 58.8±2.8mm, 56.2±5.2mm, 50.3±12.5mm and 44.3±13.6mm in untreated patients, in patients treated with none, one and two or more instillations of preserved eyedrops, respectively. Corneal sensitivity in patients treated with preserved eyedrops was significantly lower as compared to untreated patients (P<0.001) and patients treated with preservative-free eyedrops (P=0.012). Corneal sensitivity of patients treated with intraocular pressure-lowering medications was negatively correlated to the number of instillations of preserved eyedrops (r=-0.390 ; P<0.001) as well as to the duration of treatment (R=-0.357 ; P=0.001). BUT and fluorescein staining were significantly altered in treated patients compared to the untreated control group ; however, no significant difference was observed between the treated groups. There was no significant difference for OSDI or Schirmer testing between the various groups. CONCLUSION: Chronic administration of BAK-containing anti-glaucoma eyedrops appears to alter corneal sensitivity. These results could explain the absence of correlation between clinical signs and symptoms sometimes observed in patients treated for glaucoma or OHT.

Multiple endpoint analysis of BAC-preserved and unpreserved antiallergic eye drops on a 3D-reconstituted corneal epithelial model.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-preserved and unpreserved antiallergic eye drops on the human 3D-reconstituted corneal epithelial model (3D-HCE). METHODS: 3D-HCE were treated for 24 h followed or not by a 24 h post-incubation recovery period (24 h+24 h) with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), 0.01% BAC, unpreserved formulations of ketotifen, N Acetyl-Aspartyl Glutamic Acid (NAAGA), cromoglycate, or BAC-preserved commercial formulations of ketotifen, olopatadine, epinastine, and levocabastine. The 3D-HCE viability was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) test at 24 h and 24 h+24 h. At 24 h, the numbers of Cluster of Differentiation 54 (CD54)- and Ki67-immunopositive cells as well as the number of apoptotic deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells were evaluated on 3D-HCE frozen sections. The expression of the tight junction-associated protein occludin was also assessed using fluorescence confocal microscopy on flat-mounted 3D-HCE epithelia. RESULTS: The MTT and the TUNEL tests revealed a significant decrease of cell viability and an increased apoptosis in the superficial layers of the 3D-HCE only when treated with BAC-containing formulations and in a BAC concentration-dependent manner. The expression of CD54 and Ki67 in the basal layers was also increased in this group. A concentration-dependent disorganization of occludin distribution in the epithelium treated with BAC-containing solutions was also observed. The unpreserved formulations induced effects comparable to the control. CONCLUSIONS: BAC-preserved solutions decreased cell viability and induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, they induced CD54 expression, proliferation in the basal layers, and changes in the distribution of occludin, which is consistent with a disorganization of the tight-junctions and suggests the loss of the epithelial barrier function. On the contrary, the unpreserved solutions did not impair cell structures and viability, suggesting a better tolerance for the ocular surface. As allergic patients often exhibit impaired and inflammatory ocular surface, BAC-free compounds should be the first choice when treating allergic conjunctivitis.

[The influence of ocular surface diseases in the management of glaucoma]. / Influence des pathologies de la surface oculaire sur le traitement du glaucome.

INTRODUCTION: The medical treatment of glaucoma is frequently used as a first-line treatment. Often effective, this treatment is administered over the long term. Chronic administration of eye drops is implicated in ocular surface disease. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of ocular surface diseases (OSDs) in patients treated for glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT) as well as their influence on therapeutic management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-eight patients followed at the Quinze-Vingts National Ophthalmology Hospital for glaucoma or OHT were evaluated. All patients had a complete ocular examination including an evaluation of the ocular surface. A questionnaire derived from the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) was used to assess ocular surface symptoms and the related impairment of quality of life. According to the clinical evaluation of the ocular surface, patients were classified into three groups (A, no OSD; B, moderate OSD; C, severe OSD. The patients for whom ocular surface disease had modified the therapeutic management of glaucoma were identified. RESULTS: In this study, 72 patients (82 %) showed significant symptoms of OSDs (OSDI score>22). A moderate or severe OSD was observed in 67 patients (76 %). For 33 patients (38 %), the OSD influenced the choice of glaucoma or OHT treatment. Among these patients, six had glaucoma surgery, one had laser trabeculoplasty, and 26 required one or several changes in eyedrops. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the high prevalence of OSDs in patients treated for glaucoma or OHT. For numerous patients, these pathologies influenced not only their quality of life but also their therapeutic management.

[In vivo confocal microscopy: a new tool for the diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis]. / Apport de la microscopie confocale in vivo au diagnostic des kératites amibiennes.

PURPOSE: To study the usefulness of in vivo confocal microscopy imaging for the diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis. METHODS: A retrospective review of 50 cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis followed at the Quinze-Vingts National Ophthalmology Hospital from January 2005 to July 2008 was conducted. Gender, age, contact lens wear, best-corrected visual acuity before and after treatment, slit-lamp examination findings, corneal scrapings for biological analysis, and in vivo confocal microscopy images were analyzed. RESULTS: Nearly 82% of the cases of keratitis had a history of contact lens wear. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive for 40% of the samples. Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph II-Rostock Cornea Module (HRTII-RCM) examination detected images evoking Acanthamoeba cyst-like images in 84% of the cases. When the quality of biological samples was inadequate, the assessment of Acanthamoeba cysts using in vivo confocal microscopy made it possible to orient the diagnosis and to partially explain favorable progression under treatment. This technique showed images suggesting combined Acanthamoeba and fungal keratitis. CONCLUSION: HRTII-RCM in vivo confocal microscopy is a non invasive and rapid technique that may be helpful for the diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis, especially when laboratory testing is not contributive and when Acanthamoeba keratitis is combined with a fungal infection.

[Schnyder's crystalline-like corneal dystrophy: a case report]. / A propos d'un cas évocateur de dystrophie cristalline de Schnyder.

Schnyder's crystalline corneal dystrophy is a rare bilateral hereditary disease with various clinical features. It typically presents as a central disc-like opacification with or without crystalline deposits. We report the case of a particular crystalline-free and ring-like pattern dystrophy resembling Schnyder's corneal dystrophy in an 82-year-old woman. In addition, we describe the aspects of this dystrophy with in vivo confocal microscopy using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II-Rostock Cornea Module and with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT-Visante((R))). These techniques can be useful in the diagnosis or the therapeutic process, showing crystalline structures that are not clinically distinguishable or validating the histological localization of the corneal disease.

[Contribution of in vivo confocal microscopy to diagnosis of invasive ocular surface squamous neoplasia: a case report]. / Apport de la microscopie confocale in vivo dans les formes invasives de néoplasie malpighienne de la surface oculaire: à propos d'un cas.

INTRODUCTION: Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is the most common conjunctival and limbic malignant tumor that could resemble a pterygium in the early phase of the disease. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a woman who presented with a limbic tumor of the left eye that was mistakenly diagnosed as a pterygium. An in vivo confocal microscopy examination using the HRTII Rostock Cornea Module and a surgical biopsy were performed. The in vivo confocal microscopy findings and the slit lamp examination showed characteristics that strongly supported the diagnosis of OSSN, and the histological examination of both biopsy and surgical exeresis (exenteration) confirmed the diagnosis of epidermoid carcinoma. CONCLUSION: This case report underlines the value of in vivo confocal microscopy in the diagnosis of OSSN, particularly epidermoid carcinoma. This device could be helpful for the early differential diagnosis with pterygium.

Comparative study on the cytotoxic effects of benzalkonium chloride on the Wong-Kilbourne derivative of Chang conjunctival and IOBA-NHC cell lines.

PURPOSE: The Wong-Kilbourne derivative of Chang conjunctiva-derived cell line has been widely used for toxicological and functional in vitro studies on the ocular surface. The common reserve to this cell line is the reported contamination with HeLa cells. Thus, the IOBA-NHC spontaneously immortalized conjunctival epithelial cell line has been recently developed and did not show other cell type contamination. Our purpose was to determine whether both cell lines would be equally suitable for in vitro toxicological studies. Therefore, we compared in these two cell types the toxic effects of the preservative, benzalkonium chloride (BAC); its toxicity has been often reported on conjunctival in vivo and in vitro models. METHODS: The necrotic, apoptotic, and oxidative effects of BAC were evaluated on Chang and IOBA-NHC cell lines using microplate cytofluorometry tests (neutral red, 2,7- dichlorofluorescein diacetate dye [H(2)DCF-DA], hydroethidine, and Yopro-1), flow cytometry (Annexin V/7-AAD and DNA content tests), and standard immunofluorescence stainings. Cells were exposed to five concentrations of BAC (10(-2)%, 5.10(-3)%, 10(-3)%, 10(-4)%, and 10(-5)%) for two incubation times: 15 min of treatment and 15 min of treatment followed by 24 h of cell recovery in complete medium. RESULTS: All parameters of toxicity increased in a BAC dose-dependent manner on both cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: The comparison of BAC toxicity on both cell lines supported the use of IOBA-NHC and Chang cells for toxicological in vitro studies. Drawbacks of both cell lines have to be known and considered in studies performed on these cell lines.