Association of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma with Diabetic Retinopathy among Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: A Large Global Database Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the correlation between primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study leveraging the global patient database of TriNetX Research Network. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 44 359 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) with POAG and 4 393 300 patients with DM without any glaucoma ≥ 18 years of age. Propensity score matching harmonized the cohorts to 39 680 patients each, covering diagnoses from January 1, 2005, to January 1, 2023. METHODS: We analyzed data using specific International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes for DM and glaucoma. We matched the cohorts using propensity score matching, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, blood markers, relevant medical history, and ophthalmic service use. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the first-time occurrence of DR, including nonproliferative DR (NPDR) and proliferative DR (PDR), in patients with DM with and without glaucoma at 1-, 5-, and 10-year intervals from their individual index dates. RESULTS: At 10 years, patients with T1DM with POAG exhibited a heightened risk for any DR (adjusted risk ratios [RRs], 4.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.05-5.57, P < 0.0001) and PDR (RR, 7.02; 95% CI, 3.62-13.61, P < 0.0001). Patients with T2DM and POAG also faced an increased 10-year risk for any DR (RR, 2.47; 95% CI, 2.28-2.68, P < 0.0001) and PDR (RR, 3.82; 95% CI, 3.09-4.70, P < 0.0001). The combined association of POAG on DR risk in those with T1DM and T2DM at 10 years was found to be significantly higher among patients with POAG (5.45%) compared with those without glaucoma (2.12%) (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.33; 95% CI, 2.14-2.53). The cumulative incidence of DR was significantly higher in the POAG group compared with nonglaucoma counterparts after a decade (log-rank P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore a substantial association between POAG and DR development in both T1DM and T2DM patients, emphasizing the need for vigilant screening and comprehensive management in glaucomatous patients with DM to mitigate the risk of DR. Future research should delve into elucidating the causal mechanisms driving these observed associations. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Acute angle-closure in juvenile X-linked retinoschisis.

Juvenile X-linked retinoschisis (JXR), the most common inherited retinal disorder in young males, presents with a wide range of phenotypic variations. Acute angle closure in children with JXR has been reported in the literature only once before. We present a case of acute-angle closure, temporally associated with pharmacologic dilation, in a 12-year-old boy with JXR.

Beliefs and Attitudes of Ophthalmologists Regarding SLT as First Line Therapy for Glaucoma.

PRECIS: Targeted educational interventions for physicians may be useful in increasing adoption of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) as first line therapy for the treatment of glaucoma. PURPOSE: SLT is a safe and effective first line treatment for glaucoma, however, it is underutilized. To evaluate barriers for the widespread adoption of this procedure, we assessed the beliefs and attitudes of ophthalmologists. We developed an educational intervention directed to physicians to increase the consideration of SLT earlier in the glaucoma treatment paradigm. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, an online survey and educational slide presentation was sent to a group of comprehensive ophthalmologists, ophthalmology residents, and glaucoma specialists. Subjects were asked to respond to questions regarding their beliefs and attitudes towards SLT before and after watching the educational slide presentation. RESULTS: A total of 53 subjects were enrolled. Before watching the slide presentation, 85% of subjects stated they offer SLT to newly diagnosed patients, although only 28% preferred it over medications. While 52% of physicians reported between 0% and 10% of their newly diagnosed patients receive laser therapy, 47% said they would use it as a first line therapy for all or most newly diagnosed glaucoma patients. Most subjects (94%) stated the educational slide presentation convinced them that SLT is appropriate as a first line therapy for treatment of open angle glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: A better understanding of the barriers for utilizing SLT as a first line therapy provides valuable information to help increase the adoption of this safe and effective procedure. A targeted educational intervention may improve acceptance of SLT as first line therapy for open angle glaucoma.

A Novel Surgical Technique for Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation Without Plate Sutures.

PRéCIS:: A modification to the surgical technique of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation without plate sutures or surgical glue products has a similar safety and efficacy profile than the standard procedure, in the short and mid-term follow-up. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a modified AGV implantation technique without plate sutures. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study including patients seen in the Glaucoma service of an academic institution. Patients that underwent a modified AGV implantation without plate sutures were included as cases and patients that underwent standard AGV implantation, as controls. Success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction >20%, IOP >5 and <21 without the need for additional surgical intervention, and maintenance of light perception. RESULTS: A total of 170 eyes were included. Mean (range) follow-up was 11.2±7.39 (3 to 24) months. There was no statistically significant difference in visual acuity and IOP between the groups during the postoperative period. In a univariate analysis, there was a larger decrease in IOP for the no plate suture group at the 6 months (-15.6±11.6 vs. -11.5±10.5, P=0.04) and 1 year (-16.4±10.4 vs. -11.1±10.4, P=0.02) visits. There was also a larger decrease in number of medications in the no plate suture group in the 3 months (-1.65±1.5 vs. -1.13±1.22, P=0.02), 6 months (-1.55±1.44 vs. -0.98±1.3, P=0.01) and 1 year (-1.70±1.5 vs. -1.04±1.2, P=0.04) visits. However, those differences were not confirmed by a multivariable model after adjusting for glaucoma type and number of previous glaucoma surgeries. No differences in the trajectory of the survival curves were noted between groups (P=0.36). CONCLUSION: The comparison of short and mid-term outcomes of patients undergoing AGV implantation using both techniques showed similar outcomes and success rates.

Outcomes of trabecular microbypass surgery: Comparison of resident trainees and attending surgeons.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy, safety, and surgical outcomes of trabecular microbypass stent (iStent) surgery performed by resident trainees and attending surgeons. SETTING: Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Records of all patients who had microbypass stent surgery by a resident at Wills Eye Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The attending-performed group included any patient who had a microbypass stent implanted by an attending surgeon on the same day a resident case was performed. RESULTS: Between 2016 and 2018, 31 microbypass stents were implanted by a resident supervised by an attending and 93 microbypass stents were implanted by an attending surgeon on the day a resident case was performed. The mean follow-up was 16.2 months ± 17.9 (SD). The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased from 16.0 ± 4.6 mm Hg at baseline to 14.0 ± 3.1 mm Hg at most recent follow-up visit in the resident group (P = .02) and from 17.5 ± 4.8 mm Hg to 15.1 ± 4.3 mm Hg, respectively, in the attending group (P < .001). The final mean IOP and mean number of hypotensive medications were similar between the 2 groups (P = .83 and P = .12, respectively). Self-resolving hyphema occurred in 1 resident case and 2 attending cases. The resident group had 1 case of iridodialysis, which did not require additional surgery. One eye in the attending group ultimately required a trabeculectomy. CONCLUSION: Microbypass stent implantation by resident trainees with attending supervision had similar efficacy and safety as surgery performed by attending surgeons.

Test-retest repeatability of the pattern electroretinogram and flicker electroretinogram.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the repeatability of the steady-state pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and full-field flicker electroretinogram (Flicker ERG) protocols, delivered by the office-based Neuro Optic Vision Assessment (NOVA)™ testing platform, in healthy subjects. METHODS: Healthy individuals underwent PERG (16° and 24°) and Flicker ERG [fixed luminance (FL) and multi-luminance (ML)] testing protocols. Test-retest repeatability of protocols was calculated using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Reference values of the parameters of the aforementioned tests were also calculated. RESULTS: The ICCs for the PERG parameters ranged from 0.793 to 0.911 (p < 0.001). The ICCs for the Flicker ERG parameters ranged from 0.968 to 0.994 (p < 0.001). A linear regression analysis was applied to assess the impact of age on ERG responses. Age had a significant impact on all PERG parameters (16° or 24°). The phase response of the FL Flicker ERG significantly decreased with age (ß = - 0.837, p ≤ 0.001). The FL Flicker ERG Magnitude was also impacted with a significant quadratic effect of age (ß = - 0.0047, p = 0.0004). Similarly, the Phase Area Under the Curve (Phase AUC) of the ML Flicker ERG significantly declined with age (ß = - 0.007, p = 0.009), and the impact on the Magnitude AUC was significant as well, with a negative quadratic age effect. CONCLUSIONS: The PERG and Flicker ERG protocols, delivered by an office-based testing platform, were shown to have good-to-excellent test-retest repeatability when tests were performed in the same order and in immediate succession.

Measuring Contrast Sensitivity in Specific Areas of Vision - A Meaningful Way to Assess Quality of Life and Ability to Perform Daily Activities in Glaucoma.

Purpose: To investigate: 1) the impact of reduced contrast sensitivity (CS) in specific areas of vision on subjective assessment of vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) and objective performance-based measures in patients with primary open-angle, primary angle-closure, and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma; and 2) correlations between measurements of contrast sensitivity (CS) in specific areas of vision and visual field (VF) tests. Methods: The Spaeth/Richman Contrast Sensitivity Test (SPARCS) measured CS in the inferior, superior, and central areas, while the Pelli-Robson test measured central CS. Visual fields were tested in participants using standard-automated perimetry. The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) assessed VRQoL, and the Compressed Assessment of Ability Related to Vision (CAARV) assessed vision-related performance. Results: Three hundred and twenty-two eyes of 161 participants were included in our analysis. Significant correlations were found between CS and VF scores in the inferior, central, and superior areas (P < .0001 for all). Significant correlations were found between SPARCS scores in the inferior areas in both eyes and most CAARV scores (P < .05). Significant correlations were also found between SPARCS scores in the inferior and superior areas in the worse eye and most NEI-VFQ -25 scores (P < .05). Conclusion: Contrast sensitivity and VF scores significantly correlated in all tested areas. Reduced CS in the inferior areas of both eyes affected most performance-based measures. Measurement of CS areas using SPARCS is a meaningful way to assess VRQoL and ability to perform daily activities in participants with glaucoma.

Vision-related Performance and Quality of Life of Patients With Rapid Glaucoma Progression.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine how clinical measures, performance-based measures and subjective assessments of vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) are affected in patients with rapid glaucoma progression. METHODS: Prospective longitudinal study that included 153 patients diagnosed with moderate glaucoma. A subset of patients that presented with rapid glaucoma progression (n=22), defined as visual field (VF) mean deviation (MD) loss >2.0 dB/y, were compared with patients with nonrapid progression (n=131). Groups were compared using t tests, χ, or Fisher exact test. Main outcome measures were visual acuity (VA), VF MD, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL), contrast sensitivity (CS), Compressed Assessment of Ability Related to Vision (CAARV), and Rasch calibrated National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) scores. RESULTS: At baseline, patients who progressed rapidly had lower measurements of VA (P=0.041), VF MD (P<0.001), Pelli-Robson score (P=0.004), Spaeth/Richman Contrast Sensitivity (SPARCS) score (P=0.001), RNFL thickness (P=0.009), CAARV total score (P<0.001), and NEI-VFQ-25 composite score (P=0.03). A multivariable logistic regression was performed and showed VF MD to be the only baseline independent predictor of rapid progression. After 1 year, patients who progressed rapidly also had a significant decrease in SPARCS score (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with rapid glaucoma progression included worse VF MD decreased scores of performance-based measures and subjectively worse VRQoL. After 1 year, rapid progressors had a significant reduction in contrast sensitivity as measured by SPARCS.

Effect of Anticoagulants and Surgeon-Related Factors on Short-term Outcomes of Laser Peripheral Iridotomy.

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of surgeon-related factors on laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) outcomes by comparing residents and glaucoma specialists, and to look for demographic and clinical predictive factors associated with LPI complications. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients who underwent LPI performed by a resident physician were included as cases, and patients who underwent LPI performed by a glaucoma specialist were included as controls. In patients who underwent multiple sessions of laser therapy, only the information from the first session of each eye was included in the study. METHODS: Demographic and clinical information were gathered from the pre-LPI, 1-week, 1-month, and 3-month follow-up visits. The following information was recorded from the LPI session: total laser energy, presence of bleeding, and post-laser intraocular pressure (IOP). Information gathered from the follow-up visits included visual acuity (VA), IOP, hyphema, and need to repeat LPI. A logistic regression analysis with modification for rare events was used to examine the relationship between the dependent variables and the group, adjusted for the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The LPI procedure parameters (total energy), postoperative VA and IOP, risk for complications, and need for re-treatment were compared between groups using odds ratio (OR) measurements. RESULTS: A total of 333 eyes were included in the study. The residents used statistically significant higher total energy compared with the glaucoma specialists' group (P < 0.001). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, antiplatelet/anticoagulant use, and laser energy parameters, we found that the patients of the residents group had a significantly increased likelihood for re-treatment within 3 months (OR, 3.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-8.73) and anterior chamber bleeding (OR, 7.48; 95% CI, 1.07-52.02). CONCLUSIONS: Although LPI is an effective and minimally invasive procedure, evidence shows that a higher level of experience leads to clinically and statistically significant better outcomes.

Establishment of a normative database and evaluation of the test-retest repeatability of the Spaeth/Richman contrast sensitivity test.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the test-retest repeatability of a computer-based contrast sensitivity (CS) test, the Spaeth/Richman contrast sensitivity (SPARCS) test, and to determine the effects of age and lens status on CS in normal eyes. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study. METHODS: The participants were assessed by use of the SPARCS test in each eye 3 times. The first 2 sessions were supervised, while the third was unsupervised. CS was determined for 5 areas of vision (central, superotemporal, superonasal, inferotemporal, and inferonasal) and combined to provide a total score. The test-retest repeatability was determined using Bland-Altman analysis and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: The total SPARCS scores (maximum possible score = 100) ranged from 86.37 (±1.09) (for those aged 20 to 29 years) to 70.71 (±2.64) (for those aged 80 to 87 years). Individuals aged between 10 and 87 years with a normal eye examination (n = 205) were enrolled. When the SPARCS scores for the first 2 sessions were compared, the ICC was 0.79, and the repeated tests were fairly equivalent (mean difference = -0.29, P = .491). The test-retest 95% limits of agreement (95% LoA) ranged from -11.07 to +11.35. When the supervised sessions were compared with the unsupervised session, the ICC was 0.80, and there was slight improvement in the CS scores during the unsupervised session (mean difference = -1.15, P = .0001). The test-retest 95% LoA ranged from -9.18 to +10.60. The CS declined with advanced age and increased cataract severity (P <0.0001). CONCLUSION: Strong agreement was found between repeated SPARCS scores. Older age and increased lens opacity were associated with decline in CS in 5 areas of the visual field. The SPARCS test provides reliable and reproducible assessment of CS in normal eyes.

Update and review of Urrets-Zavalia syndrome.

For more than half a century, Urrets-Zavalia syndrome (fixed dilated pupil) has been described as a postoperative complication of ophthalmic surgery. Since first reported as a complication of penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus in patients receiving atropine, the characteristic features of Urrets-Zavalia syndrome have been expanded. In previous literature, a total of 110 cases resulted in a fixed and dilated pupil. Increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in the immediate postoperative period, phakia, and air or gas in the anterior chamber appear to be the most important risk factors for Urrets-Zavalia syndrome following ophthalmic procedures. Mannitol, IOP control, the removal of air or gas in the anterior chamber, and iridectomy have all demonstrated utility in managing Urrets-Zavalia syndrome.

Update and review of Urrets-Zavalia syndrome / Atualizando e revisando a síndrome de Urrets-Zavalia

ABSTRACT For more than half a century, Urrets-Zavalia syndrome (fixed dilated pupil) has been described as a postoperative complication of ophthalmic surgery. Since first reported as a complication of penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus in patients receiving atropine, the characteristic features of Urrets-Zavalia syndrome have been expanded. In previous literature, a total of 110 cases resulted in a fixed and dilated pupil. Increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in the immediate postoperative period, phakia, and air or gas in the anterior chamber appear to be the most important risk factors for Urrets-Zavalia syndrome following ophthalmic procedures. Mannitol, IOP control, the removal of air or gas in the anterior chamber, and iridectomy have all demonstrated utility in managing Urrets-Zavalia syndrome.

RESUMO Por mais de meio século, a síndrome de Urrets-Zavalia (pupila fixa e dilatada) foi descrita como uma complicação pós-operatória em oftalmologia. Desde o primeiro relato após ceratoplastia penetrante em pacientes portadores de ceratocone em uso de atropina, seu conceito foi ampliado. Na literatura, um total de 110 casos resultaram em pupila fixa e dilatada. Aumento da pressão intraocular (PIO) no pós-operatório imediato, facia, ar ou gás na câmara anterior parecem ser fatores de risco importantes para o aparecimento da síndrome. Sua prevenção pode ser alcançada com o uso de manitol, controle adequado da PIO e quantidade de ar ou gás na camâra anterior e iridectomia.