Trabeculectomy in Eyes With High Myopia.

PRCIS: Primary trabeculectomy was safe and effective at lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with primary open angle glaucoma and high myopia. PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of trabeculectomy in patients with glaucoma and high myopia. PATIENT AND METHODS: Retrospective case-control study. Glaucomatous patients with high myopia undergoing primary trabeculectomy surgery with at least 1 year of follow-up were compared with an age-matched control group without high myopia undergoing the same procedure. Surgical success was defined as: IOP ≤ 15 mm Hg with (qualified) or without (complete) antiglaucoma medications and at least 20% reduction from baseline IOP at the end of 48 months of follow-up. RESULTS: We included a total of 90 eyes from 90 patients (45 eyes with high myopia and 45 controls). Within the 90 eyes, 70 eyes underwent trabeculectomy and 20 eyes underwent combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy. Although patients with high myopia had higher chances for failure (37% vs. 22%) compared with controls, the difference was not statistically significant ( P =0.067). In the multivariable analysis, patients of African descent ( P =0.043) and those with juvenile glaucoma ( P =0.001) had more chances of failure, even after adjusting for myopia. There was no statistically significant difference between complication rates in both groups. CONCLUSION: Trabeculectomy was effective in reducing IOP in patients with high myopia and glaucoma, without the additional risk of complications compared with a control group.

Swept-source optical coherence tomography detects anterior-chamber changes in patients with angle-closure after laser peripheral iridotomy / Tomografia de coerência óptica swept-source detecta alterações na câmara anterior em pacientes com fechamento angular após iridotomia

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aimed to compare an teriorchamber parameters acquired by a swept-source anteriorsegment optical coherence tomography before and after laser peripheral iridotomy. Methods: This study prospectively evaluated 14 patients with primary-angle closure and six patients with primary-angle closure glaucoma. Gonioscopy and anterior-segment optical coherence tomography using the DRI OCT Triton® were performed before and after laser peripheral iridotomy. Anterior-segment optical coherence tomography parameters were studied using scleral spur as reference: angle opening distance at 250, 500, and 750 µm, trabecular-iris space at 500 µm, trabecular-iris angle, trabecular-iris contact length, and iris curvature. Results: Anterior-segment optical coherence tomography identified 61% of the patients with two or more quadrants closed. Gonioscopy identified more closed angles than anterior-segment optical coherence tomography before laser peripheral iridotomy. In angle parameters, only the angle opening distance of 250 µm at the nasal quadrant was not significantly increased after laser peripheral iridotomy. The iris curvature and trabecular-iris contact length showed a significant reduction induced by the laser procedure. Even in eyes in which gonioscopy did not identify angular widening after laser peripheral iridotomy (n=7), the angle opening distance of 750 µm increased (nasal, 0.15 ± 0.10 mm to 0.27 ± 0.16 mm, p=0.01; temporal, 0.14 ± 0.11 mm to 0.25 ± 0.12 mm, p=0.001) and the iris curvature decreased (nasal, 0.25 ± 0.04 mm vs. 0.11 ± 0.07 mm, p=0.02; temporal, 0.25 ± 0.07 mm vs. 0.14 ± 0.08 mm, p=0.007). Conclusions: Anterior-chamber changes induced by laser peripheral iridotomy could be quantitatively evaluated and documented by DRI OCT Triton®

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar os parâmetros de câmara anterior obtidos através da tomografia de coerência óptica de segmento anterior antes e após a iridectomia periférica a laser. Métodos: Quatorze pacientes com fechamento angular primário e seis com glaucoma primário de ângulo fechado foram prospectivamente avaliados neste estudo. Gonioscopia e tomografia de coerência óptica de segmento anterior com DRI OCT Triton® foram realizadas antes e após a iridectomia periférica a laser. Os seguintes parâmetros de tomografia de coerência óptica de segmento anterior, baseados na localização do esporão escleral, foram avaliados: ângulo de abertura angular a 250 µm, 500 µm e 750 µm, área do espaço entre a íris e o trabeculado a 500 µm, ângulo entre a íris e o trabeculado, extensão do contato entre a íris e o trabeculado e curvatura da íris. Resultados: A tomografia de coerência óptica de segmento anterior identificou 61% dos indivíduos com dois ou mais quadrantes fechados. A gonioscopia identificou mais quadrantes com ângulo fechado do que tomografia de coerência óptica de segmento anterior antes da iridectomia periférica a laser. Quanto aos parâmetros angulares, apenas ângulo de abertura angular a 250 µm no quadrante nasal não aumentou significativamente após a iridectomia periférica a laser. A curvatura da íris e a extensão do contato entre a íris e o trabeculado apresentaram redução significativa induzida pelo procedimento a laser. Mesmo nos olhos em que a gonioscopia não identificou aumento da amplitude angular após iridectomia periférica a laser (n=7), ângulo de abertura angular a 750 µm aumentou (nasal: 0,15 ± 0,10 mm para 0,27 ± 0,16 mm, p=0,01; temporal: 0,14 ± 0,11 mm para 0,25 ± 0,12 mm, p=0,001), e ICURVE diminuiu (nasal: 0,25 ± 0,04 mm vs. 0,11 ± 0,07 mm, p=0,02; temporal: 0,25 ± 0,07 mm vs. 0,14 ± 0,08 mm, p=0,007). Conclusões: As alterações na câmara anterior induzidas pelo iridectomia periférica a laser puderam ser avaliadas quantitativamente e documentadas pelo DRI OCT Triton®.

Diagnostic Performance of Optical Coherence Tomography and Nonspecialist Gonioscopy to Detect Angle Closure.

Aim: To compare the usefulness of gonioscopy performed by general ophthalmologists (GO) and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in detecting angle closure in patients with a shallow anterior chamber. Methods: Forty-four patients with a shallow anterior chamber (defined by a ratio of peripheral anterior chamber depth to peripheral corneal thickness lower than 1/2) were included in this cross-sectional study. Gonioscopy was performed in all subjects by two glaucoma experts (GE1 and GE2) and one GO. Anterior segment imaging was performed using Visante® OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc.). Agreement between examiners was assessed with first-order agreement coefficients (AC1). Diagnostic accuracies of GO gonioscopy and AS-OCT were evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic (AROC) curves. Results: For static gonioscopy, the agreement between GE1 and GE2 was substantial (AC1 = 0.65), and that between GE1 and GO was moderate (AC1 = 0.50). For indentation gonioscopy, the agreement between GE1 and GE2 was slightly lower (AC1 = 0.55); however, the agreement between GE1 and GO showed a larger reduction (AC1 = 0.12). GO's gonioscopy presented a low specificity (25%) and the AROC to angle closure detection was lower than AS-OCT (0.56-0.73). Combined information of GO gonioscopy and AS-OCT improved specificity (85.7%) and AROC (0.77) of angle closure evaluation. Conclusion: Agreement between GO and glaucoma experts was moderate for static gonioscopy and slight for indentation gonioscopy. AS-OCT performed better than GO gonioscopy in detecting angle closure in patients with a shallow anterior chamber. The addition of AS-OCT to clinical information in patients with GO positive gonioscopy improved the specificity and AROC of gonioscopy test. How to cite this article: Esporcatte BLB, Vessani RM, Melo Jr LAS, et al. Diagnostic Performance of Optical Coherence Tomography and Nonspecialist Gonioscopy to Detect Angle Closure. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2022;16(1):53-58.

Structure-function relationships in glaucoma using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography-derived parameters: a cross-sectional observational study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate structural and functional correlations in glaucoma patients using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDI OCT)-derived parameters. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled healthy participants and glaucomatous patients with a wide range of disease stages. All participants underwent visual field (VF) testing (SITA - Standard 24-2; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) and EDI OCT imaging (Spectralis; Heidelberg Engineering Co., Heidelberg, Germany). The following optic nerve head parameters were measured on serial vertical EDI OCT B-scans by two experienced examiners masked to patients clinical data: lamina cribrosa (LC) thickness and area, prelaminar neural tissue thickness and area, anterior LC depth, Bruch's membrane opening (BMO) and average, superior, and inferior BMO-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW). Only good quality images were considered, and whenever both eyes were eligible, one was randomly selected for analysis. Scatter plots were constructed to investigate correlations between each anatomic parameter and patient's VF status (based on VF index [VFI] values). RESULTS: A total of 73 eyes of 73 patients were included. All EDI OCT parameters evaluated differed significantly between glaucomatous and control eyes (P ≤ 0.045). A secondary analysis, in which glaucomatous patients were divided according to VF mean deviation index values into 3 groups (mild [G1; > - 6 dB], moderate [G2; - 6 to - 12 dB] and advanced [G3; <- 12 dB] glaucoma), revealed that average BMO-MRW was the EDI OCT parameter that presented more significant differences between the different stages of glaucoma. Significant structure-function correlations were found between VFI values and prelaminar neural tissue area (R2 = 0.20, P = 0.017), average BMO-MRW (R2 = 0.35, P ≤ 0.001), superior BMO-MRW (R2 = 0.21, P = 0.012), and inferior BMO-MRW (R2 = 0.27, P = 0.002). No significant correlations were found for LC area and anterior LC depth (P ≥ 0.452). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluating the distribution pattern and structure-function correlations of different laminar and prelaminar EDI OCT-derived parameters in glaucomatous patients, we found better results for neural tissue-based indexes (compared to LC-derived parameters). The diagnostic utility of each parameter deserves further investigations.

In vivo analysis of glaucoma-related features within the optic nerve head using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography.

Structural differences between optic nerve head (ONH) parameters in glaucomatous and non-glaucomatous eyes has been documented, however the association between such parameters in patients with different disease stages is yet to be elucidated. We investigated the relationship between different laminar and prelaminar ONH structures using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDI OCT) in a population with and without glaucoma. In this observational case-control study, we prospectively enrolled healthy individuals and glaucomatous patients with different disease stages. All participants underwent EDI OCT imaging (Heidelberg Engineering). Following ONH parameters were measured on serial vertical B-scans by two examiners masked to patient's clinical data: lamina cribrosa (LC) and prelaminar neural tissue (PLNT) thicknesses, Bruch's membrane opening (BMO) and cup depth. Associations between cup depth, and laminar and prelaminar parameters were evaluated controlling for possible confounding factors such as axial length and disc size. Sixty-four eyes of 64 patients were included (30 with glaucoma and 34 controls). Eyes with glaucoma had significantly lower mean LC and PLNT thickness, and greater mean cup depth than controls (p<0.01). There was a significant negative association between PLNT thickness and cup depth in glaucomatous eyes (R2 = 0.158, p = 0.029). In addition, LC thickness correlated significantly with cup depth (R2 = 0.135, p = 0.045). Eyes with thinner LCs presented deeper cups. Overall, cup depth and BMO had the best and LC thickness had the worst intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility grading. In conclusion, significant associations were seen between cup depth, LC and PLNT thickness. Eyes with deeper cups not only had less neural tissue, but also thinner LCs, independent of disc size and axial length. Best reproducibility was found for prelaminar parameters compared to deeper ONH structures.

Comparison of the Intraocular Pressure Variation Provoked by Postural Change and by the Water Drinking Test in Primary Open-angle Glaucoma and Normal Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) peak and variability detected by moving the body from sitting to supine position (postural test) and by the water drinking test (WDT) in normal and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective, cross-sectional observational analysis of 14 eyes of 14 normal subjects and 31 eyes of 31 patients with POAG. All POAG subjects were under clinical therapy. IOP measurements were all performed on the same day. RESULTS: When the subjects moved to the supine position, there was an IOP increase of 1.36±1.34 and 2.84±2.21 mm Hg in the normal and POAG groups, respectively (P=0.011). During the WDT, mean IOP peak and fluctuation in the POAG group was 19.29±4.10 and 4.13±2.33 mm Hg, respectively. These levels were significantly higher in comparison with the normal group (16.50±3.76 and 2.71±0.99 mm Hg; P=0.018 and 0.022, respectively). The mean peak IOP observed in the WDT was significantly higher than the IOP in the supine position (19.29±4.10 vs. 17.32±4.66 mm Hg, P=0.013). The mean IOP increase during the WDT was also significantly higher when compared with the postural test (4.13±2.33 vs. 2.84±2.21 mm Hg, P=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: POAG eyes demonstrated a significant IOP increase when assuming the supine position and during the WDT. The IOP increase during the WDT was significantly higher than the IOP increase after postural test. Hence, the results of both tests are not interchangeable.

Association of exfoliation syndrome and central retinal vein occlusion: an ultrastructural analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate prospectively the frequency with which exfoliation syndrome (XFS) occurs in patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) by clinical examination and ultrastructural examination of conjunctival biopsy specimens. METHODS: Prospective observational case series. Thirty-six eyes of 36 consecutive patients with CRVO were investigated for XFS by slit-lamp examination and conjunctival biopsy when XFS was not clinically visible on examination. RESULTS: A clinical diagnosis of XFS or a positive biopsy result for exfoliation material (XFM) was present in 22 of the 36 patients (61%; 95% confidence interval 45-75%). Twelve of these 22 patients (54%) had a clinical diagnosis of XFS. Aggregates of XFM were identified ultrastructurally in the biopsy specimens in 10 of 24 patients with no clinical signs of XFS (42%). Patients with and without XFS had similar distribution of age, gender, race and prevalence of systemic disorders. Twelve of the 22 (54%) XFS patients had neither glaucoma nor ocular hypertension prior to the CRVO. CONCLUSION: In accordance with previous retrospective and histological studies, this prospective, in vivo study suggests that CRVO is commonly associated with XFS.

Staging glaucoma patient: why and how?

Staging glaucomatous damage into appropriatecategories enhances management of the disease. Automated static perimetry is the benchmark for testing visual function in glaucoma. Numerous examples of standard automated perimetry staging systems have been proposed but difficulties such as lack of accuracy, absence of information related to location and depth of the defect(s) and need of time-consuming analysis of every visual field test result may reduce their day-to-day clinical usefulness.A new visual field staging system is proposed: the University of São Paulo Glaucoma Visual Field Staging System (USP-GVFSS). In this system, qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the visual field defect are described. The method is intuitive, comprehensible and describes severity, extension and hemi field involvement.

Comparison of quantitative imaging devices and subjective optic nerve head assessment by general ophthalmologists to differentiate normal from glaucomatous eyes.

PURPOSE: To compare the ability of subjective assessment of optic nerve head (ONH) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) by general ophthalmologists and by a glaucoma expert with objective measurements by optical coherence tomography (Stratus OCT, Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc), confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (HRT III; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany), and scanning laser polarimetry (GDx enhanced corneal compensation; Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc, Dublin, CA) in discriminating glaucomatous and normal eyes. METHODS: Sixty-one glaucomatous and 57 normal eyes of 118 subjects were included in the study. Three independent general ophthalmologists and 1 glaucoma expert evaluated ONH stereophotographs. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed for each imaging technique and sensitivity at fixed specificity was estimated. Comparisons of areas under these curves (aROCs) and agreement (k) were determined between stereophoto grading and best parameter from each technique. RESULTS: Best parameter from each technique showed larger aROC (Stratus OCT RNFL=0.92; Stratus OCT ONH vertical integrated area=0.86; Stratus OCT macular thickness=0.82; GDx enhanced corneal compensation=0.91; HRT3 global cup-to-disc area ratio=0.83; HRT3 glaucoma probability score numeric score=0.83) compared with stereophotograph grading by general ophthalmologists (0.80) in separating glaucomatous and normal eyes. Glaucoma expert stereophoto grading provided equal or larger aROC (0.92) than best parameter of each computerized imaging device. Stereophoto evaluated by a glaucoma expert showed better agreement with best parameter of each quantitative imaging technique in classifying eyes either as glaucomatous or normal compared with stereophoto grading by general ophthalmologists. The combination of subjective assessment of the optic disc by general ophthalmologists with RNFL objective parameters improved identification of glaucoma patients in a larger proportion than the combination of these objective parameters with subjective assessment of the optic disc by a glaucoma expert (29.5% vs. 19.7%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic ability of all imaging techniques showed better performance than subjective assessment of the ONH by general ophthalmologists, but not by a glaucoma expert. Objective RNFL measurements may provide improvement in glaucoma detection when combined with subjective assessment of the optic disc by general ophthalmologists or by a glaucoma expert.

The effect of prostaglandin analogs and prostamide on central corneal thickness.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify the influence of prostaglandin analogs and prostamide on central corneal thickness (CCT). METHODS: A prospective analysis was done of CCT in glautomatous patients submitted to monotherapy with prostaglandin analogs (latanoprost 0.005% or travoprost 0.004%) or prostamide (bimatoprost 0.03%) during an 8-week period. A control group of patients without any ocular medication was also evaluated. CCT measurements were performed with a commercially available ultrasound pachymeter. A total of 73 patients were included in this study. Mean age was 68.5 +/- 9.2 (range, 48-85) years old. RESULTS: A statistically significant reduction in CCT was observed in all groups, except the control group (n = 21): Bimatoprost 0.03% group (n = 21): 544.41 +/- 35.4 vs. 540.35 +/- 35.9 microm (P = 0.039); travoprost 0.004% group (n = 17): 538.47 +/- 32.0 vs. 532.25 +/- 30.4 microm (P = 0.009); latanoprost 0.005% group (n = 14): 548.57 +/- 32.4 vs. 543.88 +/- 35.6 microm (P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Topical therapy with prostaglandin analogs and bimatoprost is associated with CCT reduction over a period of at least 8 weeks.

Ultrasound biomicroscopic assessment of zonular appearance in exfoliation syndrome.

PURPOSE: To assess zonular appearance using biomicroscopy (UBM) in exfoliation syndrome (XFS). METHODS: Normal eyes and eyes with XFS were enrolled in this prospective, consecutive, comparative cohort study. Following pupillary dilation, XFS patients were classified into three clinical stages (early, moderate or severe) by a single examiner (R.R.). Cross-sectional zonular UBM images were obtained circumferentially at eight evenly spaced locations. Five experienced observers evaluated the images using a standardized scoring system based on the zonular appearance (0, none; 1, early; 2, moderate; 3, severe). The extent of zonular involvement on UBM based on UBM score of all observers was correlated with the clinical stage of XFS using a five-stage classification. RESULTS: We enrolled 44 eyes (44 patients), 11 normal and 33 with XFS (10 early, 10 moderate and 13 severe) [mean age 69.4 +/- 9.9 (SD) years; range 50-87 years]. UBM scores of all observers were significantly different between the normal/early and moderate/severe groups (P < 0.001, t-test). With discriminant analysis, the predicted XFS stage showed good agreement with the clinical staging [all kappa > 0.61, area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve > 0.86]. CONCLUSION: UBM can detect zonular involvement in XFS and may be useful in preoperative planning. This may be important in eyes with posterior synechiae in which a diagnosis and the severity of XFS cannot be determined on slit-lamp examination.

New findings in the evaluation of the optic disc in glaucoma diagnosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Ophthalmoscopical evaluation of the optic disc is a feasible and largely accessible method to diagnose glaucoma. Many qualitative parameters have been described in glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Considering individual variations in the details of topography or tissue components damaged by the glaucomatous process, however, adequate identification of glaucomatous optic disc signs requires training and experience. Without adequate guidelines of optic disc examination, the physician may miss important aspects that could lead to adequate diagnosis or identification of progression in a patient with established glaucoma. This paper presents a systematic approach for the examination of the optic disc and retinal nerve fiber layer to aid the detection of glaucoma. RECENT FINDINGS: Optic disc qualitative parameters are better than quantitative parameters in separating glaucomatous from normal eyes. The sequential evaluation of optic disc size, neuroretinal rim size and shape, retinal nerve fiber layer, presence of peripapillary atrophy, and presence of retinal or optic disc hemorrhages enhances the ability to detect glaucomatous damage and its progression. SUMMARY: Ophthalmologists should be familiar with glaucomatous optic disc signs that can be identified during clinical examination. A simple systematic approach may allow improved diagnosis and management of glaucoma.

Evaluation of retinal nerve fiber layer, optic nerve head, and macular thickness measurements for glaucoma detection using optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To compare the ability of optical coherence tomography retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), optic nerve head, and macular thickness parameters to differentiate between healthy eyes and eyes with glaucomatous visual field loss. DESIGN: Observational case-control study. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with glaucoma and 78 healthy subjects were included. All patients underwent ONH, RNFL thickness, and macular thickness scans with Stratus OCT during the same visit. ROC curves and sensitivities at fixed specificities were calculated for each parameter. A discriminant analysis was performed to develop a linear discriminant function designed to identify and combine the best parameters. This LDF was subsequently tested on an independent sample consisting of 63 eyes of 63 subjects (27 glaucomatous and 36 healthy individuals) from a different geographic area. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between the areas under the ROC curves (AUC) for the RNFL thickness parameter with the largest AUC (inferior thickness, AUC = 0.91) and the ONH parameter with largest AUC (cup/disk area ratio, AUC = 0.88) (P = .28). The RNFL parameter inferior thickness had a significantly larger AUC than the macular thickness parameter with largest AUC (inferior outer macular thickness, AUC = 0.81) (P = .004). A combination of selected RNFL and ONH parameters resulted in the best classification function for glaucoma detection with an AUC of 0.97 when applied to the independent sample. CONCLUSIONS: RNFL and ONH measurements had the best discriminating performance among the several Stratus OCT parameters. A combination of ONH and RNFL parameters improved the diagnostic accuracy for glaucoma detection using this instrument.

Intraocular pressure fluctuations in response to the water-drinking provocative test in patients using latanoprost versus unoprostone.

Impairment of outflow facility in glaucoma causes large intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations that have been shown to be a risk factor for disease progression. The water-drinking provocative test (WDT) has been proposed as an indirect measurement of outflow facility to compare intraocular pressure responses of glaucoma eyes to different drugs. This study was a double-masked, randomized, parallel-group clinical trial comparing the IOP fluctuations in response to the WDT in patients using latanoprost versus unoprostone. After completing a wash-out of ocular hypotensive medications, patients with primary openangle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were randomized to receive either latanoprost (N=40) or unoprostone (N=42). IOP was measured before treatment and at 8 weeks after treatment (baseline IOP for WDT), followed by the WDT. IOP fluctuations and maximum IOP after water ingestion were compared between the two groups. Analysis of covariance was used to adjust for the effects of baseline IOP and treatment efficacy. The mean percentage reduction of IOP was 27% in patients using latanoprost, as compared to 13% in patients using unoprostone (p<0.001). Patients on treatment with latanoprost had significantly less IOP fluctuations in response to the WDT, compared to patients using unoprostone. From an overall baseline IOP of 20.0 mmHg and an overall treatment efficacy of 20%, the mean+/-standard error of the mean (SEM) of the IOP fluctuation during the WDT was 5.3+/-0.4 mmHg in the unoprostone group, and 3.6+/-0.4 mmHg in the latanoprost group (p=0.005, ANCOVA). This could represent an additional benefit of latanoprost over unoprostone in controlling the intraocular pressure of glaucomatous patients.

Plasma homocysteine is elevated in patients with exfoliation syndrome.

PURPOSE: To compare plasma homocysteine concentrations among patients with exfoliation syndrome, exfoliative glaucoma, normal-tension glaucoma, and normal control subjects without vascular or inflammatory ocular disease or glaucoma. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: We tested 25 patients with exfoliation syndrome, 50 with exfoliative glaucoma, 25 with normal-tension glaucoma, and 24 control subjects. Fasting plasma homocysteine concentrations were measured by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Patients using vitamin supplements or medications known to alter serum homocysteine were excluded. RESULTS: Homocysteine levels were higher in both exfoliatin groups compared with controls (exfoliation syndrome: P =.003; exfoliative glaucoma: P =.009); levels in normal-tension glaucoma were higher than but not significantly different from those in controls (P =.2). Hyperhomocysteinemia was present in 16 of 25 (64%) exfoliation syndrome patients, 28 of 50 (56%) exfoliative glaucoma patients, 13 of 25 (52%) normal-tension glaucoma patients, and 7 of 24 (29.2%) controls (P =.005). Multiple logistic regression analyses comparing exfoliation syndrome and exfoliative glaucoma patients with controls indicated that elevated plasma homocysteine concentration was a significant risk factor for exfoliation syndrome, in both those patients (odds ratios per 1.0 micromol/l increase in plasma homocysteine concentrations = 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08-2.0) and in exfoliative glaucoma patients (odds ratio = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.07-1.6). Although exfoliative glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma patients were not significantly different with respect to hyperhomocysteinemia, logistic regression modeling of exfoliative glaucoma vs normal-tension glaucoma patients showed that an increased homocysteine concentration was a significant risk factor for exfoliation syndrome in the presence of glaucoma (odds ratio per 1.0 micromol/l increase in homocysteine = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0-1.4). These relationships were not affected by adjustment for potential confounding due to sex, history of hypertension, or other factors. RESULTS: Elevated plasma homocysteine, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is more common in exfoliation syndrome and exfoliative glaucoma patients than healthy controls. Patients with exfoliation syndrome may benefit from measurement of homocysteine levels.

Axonal loss after traumatic optic neuropathy documented by optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To report longitudinal retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in a patient with traumatic optic neuropathy. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: A 14-year-old boy with severe optic nerve trauma had repeated OCT scans of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer at 3 days, 20 days, 40 days, and 70 days after injury. RESULTS: There was gradual loss of nerve fibers as shown by the OCT color-coded map, RNFL thickness profile, and RNFL thickness measurements around the optic disk. At 70 days of follow-up, severe thinning of the RNFL was observable. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that OCT is able to assess and monitor axonal loss after traumatic optic neuropathy.