Safety profile of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide.

BACKGROUND: There is currently a widespread use of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) for age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, cystoid macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusions, and uveitis. The aim of this investigation was to assess the rates of various complications associated with this treatment and to determine which factors are associated with the development of these complications. METHODS: A retrospective interventional case series of all patients from one retina specialist undergoing IVTA was conducted in a clinical setting from 2002 to 2005. All disease entities were included. Patients were followed for a mean of 9.5 months after receiving 4 mg (0.1 mL) of nonfiltered triamcinolone acetonide (TA). All complications associated with the injection procedure or with the TA were noted. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-three (223) eyes of 192 patients received a total of 336 IVTA injections between 2002 and 2005. The mean age was 73.3 years and mean follow-up was 9.5 months. A single injection was performed in 144 eyes (64.6%); 2 IVTAs in 55 eyes (24.7%); 3 IVTAs in 16 eyes (7.2%), and 3.6% of eyes had more than 3 injections at a minimal interval of 3 months. The only immediate complication was a single injection (0.3%) associated with a temporary occlusion of the central retinal artery, which opened immediately following anterior paracentesis. Late complications included endophthalmitis in 1 of 336 (0.3%) injections and a steroid response requiring glaucoma medication in 60 of 192 patients (31.3%). In patients with preexisting glaucoma, 58.8% required additional glaucoma medication. Glaucoma-filtering surgery was required in 2 of 192 patients (1.0%). CONCLUSIONS: In the study center, the IVTA is extremely safe in patients without a history of glaucoma. However, patients with preexisting glaucoma with progressive optic neuropathy must be treated with great caution.

Reduced intraocular pressure and increased ocular perfusion pressure in normal tension glaucoma: a review of short-term studies with three dose regimens of latanoprost treatment.

Currently used ocular hypotensive agents do not effectively lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in some normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients. The prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue, latanoprost, has been shown to reduce IOP in normal subjects and ocular hypertensive glaucoma patients by increasing uveoscleral outflow. This mechanism is expected to be particularly effective in the lower IOP range that is typical of NTG. To date, three dose regimens of latanoprost have been shown to reduce IOP significantly in NTG. The IOP reductions of 14.2% and 15% obtained with twice-daily application of 0.0015% and 0.006% latanoprost, respectively, were comparable to the modest IOP reduction that has been reported for other glaucoma drugs in NTG. In contrast, once-daily application of 0.005% latanoprost resulted in a 21.4% IOP reduction. In another study that included 24-hour monitoring of systemic blood pressure and heart rate in NTG patients, the ocular perfusion pressure was found to improve more on once-daily 0.005% latanoprost than on twice-daily treatment with 0.5% timolol. Thus, once-daily 0.005% latanoprost appears to be a more effective and more convenient ocular hypotensive agent for treating NTG than currently used glaucoma drugs. However, long-term studies will ultimately be needed to establish the efficacy of this new drug to delay or prevent the progression of visual field loss in normal tension glaucoma.

Comparison of the effect of latanoprost 0.005% and timolol 0.5% on the calculated ocular perfusion pressure in patients with normal-tension glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To compare the calculated mean ocular perfusion pressure at the end of 3 weeks' treatment with latanoprost 0.005% once daily or timolol 0.5% twice daily in normal-tension glaucoma patients. METHODS: In a three-center, double-masked, randomized, crossover study, 36 patients were allocated to two treatment groups; one received 3 weeks each of placebo, latanoprost, placebo, and timolol, whereas the other group had placebo, timolol, placebo, and latanoprost. Intraocular pressure and resting systemic blood pressure were measured at 9 AM, 12 noon, and 4 PM. Ocular perfusion pressure was calculated for each time period as well as the mean of three values (daytime average). Systemic blood pressure and heart rate were also recorded at 30-minute intervals during the last 24 hours of each treatment period. RESULTS: The average daytime mean ocular perfusion pressure (mean +/- SEM) following latanoprost treatment was 53.2 +/- 1.4 mm Hg, an increase of 8% from the latanoprost run-in period, compared with 50.9 +/- 1.1 mm Hg following timolol treatment, an increase of 2% from the timolol run-in period (P < .05, ANOVA). Timolol reduced the blood pressure. The difference in mean daytime and nighttime systolic blood pressure measurements as well as nighttime diastolic blood pressure was about 5 mm Hg between the latanoprost and timolol treatments. The daytime and nighttime heart rates were also slower during the timolol treatment. CONCLUSION: Because ocular perfusion pressure may be important in some glaucomatous patients, latanoprost appears to affect ocular perfusion pressure more favorably than timolol does in patients with normal-tension glaucoma.

Intraocular pressure and medication control after clear corneal phacoemulsification and AcrySof posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in patients with filtering blebs.

PURPOSE: To determine whether clear corneal phacoemulsification and the implantation of a copolymer acrylic (AcrySof, Alcon, Fort Worth, TX) intraocular lens will maintain the intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of medications in patients with a previous filtering bleb. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 69 consecutive patients with previous trabeculectomy who had a copolymer acrylic intraocular lens implanted during cataract surgery between 1995 and 1999 by a single surgeon (A.C.S.C.). RESULTS: Mean IOP significantly decreased from 26.03 mm Hg (range, 14.5-70 mm Hg; n = 69) before trabeculectomy to 13.58 +/- 3.98 mm Hg (range, 5-24 mm Hg; n = 69) before the cataract extraction. After cataract extraction, the mean IOP increased significantly by 1.49 mm Hg (n = 67; P = 0.0013), by 1.85 mm Hg (n = 57; P = 0.0005), and by 1.01 mm Hg (n = 67; P = 0.042) after 6 months, after 1 year, and at the patient's last appointment, respectively. When patients whose pressures were purposely increased during cataract surgery were not included (n = 5), the mean increase at the last appointment was not significantly increased (0.54 mm Hg; n = 62; P = 0.25). The average number of antiglaucoma medications decreased from 2.93 (range, 1-5; n = 69) before trabeculectomy to 0.36 (range, 0-2; n = 69) before cataract surgery. This mean decreased to 0.34 (range, 0-2; n = 67; P = 0.8366) 6 months after cataract surgery and increased to 0.49 (range, 0-3; n = 57; P = 0.1029) and 0.62 (range, 0-3; n = 67; P = 0.0006) after 1 year and at the last appointment, respectively. Of the total study population, two (2.9%) patients required additional glaucoma surgery and 14 (20.3%) patients required additional antiglaucoma medications as compared with their precataract levels. CONCLUSIONS: Clear corneal phacoemulsification and the implantation of a copolymer acrylic (AcrySof, Alcon) posterior chamber intraocular lens statistically increased the number of medications and IOP of patients in our study. These increases, although statistically significant, did not cause a clinically significant deterioration in IOP control.

Latanoprost in glaucoma associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome: benefits and side-effects.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the ocular hypotensive efficacy, safety, and side effects of latanoprost 0.005% administered as adjunctive therapy in patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) and glaucoma. METHODS: Commercially available latanoprost 0.005% was added as a single drop once daily to other antiglaucoma medications. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured at 1, 3, and 6 months of treatment. A successful response was defined as a reduction of at least 20% in IOP at the final follow-up evaluation without additional medical or surgical therapy and no adverse events related to latanoprost. RESULTS: 18 eyes of 18 patients with SWS and glaucoma were enrolled from 9 clinical centers. Mean baseline IOP was 28.4 +/- 7.1 mmHg (range, 17-42 mmHg). Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, a successful response to latanoprost was observed in 3 of 18 (16.7%) patients at the 6-month interval. Seven (38.9%) patients required surgery; three (16.7%) patients required additional medical therapy, seven (38.9%) patients had no change in therapy. One (5.6%) patient discontinued latanoprost treatment because of intolerable conjunctival hyperemia. Two successfully treated patients had significantly greater episcleral vessel engorgement after initiation of latanoprost therapy. CONCLUSION: Patients with SWS and glaucoma respond poorly to adjunctive latanoprost therapy and often require additional medical or surgical intervention. Increased episcleral vascular engorgement might result in greater operative risks should filtration surgery become necessary in these patients.

Service models in community-based health: some findings from a literature review.

The findings from a review of the literature on community-based health services in Canada in 1991 indicate that two systems of health care exist side by side: the clinical care of the sick and the supportive care of those seeking to keep well. Organizational models of clinical care have not altered much since the introduction of health insurance. The medical profession has been resistant to changing traditional forms of practice organization from fee-for-service businesses treating individuals in isolation to components of an integrated comprehensive health care system. Traditional public health departments offering supportive and preventive care have been more ready to adapt to change. They are now working closely with provincial continuing-care organizers to provide home care for those who might otherwise need institutional care; however they are not closely linked with the clinical care services. More recently, public health departments have engaged in the health promotion movement to give citizens increased control over the conditions affecting their health. Yet we perceived a conflict between the rhetoric and the reality of their work.

The use of ultrasound biomicroscopy following trabeculectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether ultrasound biomicroscopic (UBM) appearance can predict successful lowering of the intraocular pressure following trabeculectomy. DESIGN: Blinded prospective study. SETTING: Glaucoma clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Calgary. PATIENTS: Forty-six patients who had undergone trabeculectomy 1 week to 22 years earlier were recruited. In three cases UBM scanning was stopped because of discomfort, and five studies were excluded because the clinical information became known to the ultrasonographer. A total of 44 studies from 46 patients were analysed. OUTCOME MEASURES: Intraocular pressure and need for medication, UBM appearance. RESULTS: In 38 (86%) of the 44 studies there was a positive association between the UBM grade and the clinical findings. UBM had a sensitivity of 91% in predicting a functioning bleb and a specificity of 70% in predicting a nonfunctioning bleb. CONCLUSIONS: UBM is a useful adjunct to the glaucoma surgeon in the management of certain patients following trabeculectomy.

Ultrasonography to assess patency of the tube in Molteno seton implantation.

It is occasionally difficult to ascertain postoperatively whether a Molteno implant is functioning or not. We have found that ultrasonography (B-scan) is a useful diagnostic tool in assessing tube patency. Polaroid images of 29 ultrasound pictures, 8 with occluded tubes, were taken postoperatively and presented independently to a radiologist and a retinal specialist, who were asked to determine the functioning state of the Molteno implant. In all cases the observers were able to correctly identify whether the tube was patent or not.

Lens opacity as a predictor of visual field impairment due to cataract.

The contribution of cataract to the decrease of visual field in patients with glaucoma is difficult to ascertain. To attempt to quantitate the change in visual field due to cataract, we examined 27 eyes of 26 patients before and after cataract extraction. The examination consisted of measurement of best refraction with visual acuity, visual field testing with the pupil dilated, measurement of lens opacity, determination of the intraocular pressure, and evaluation of the character of the cataract before surgery and of the posterior capsule after surgery. The results reaffirmed the detrimental effect that cataract may have on the visual field but also showed that the heterogeneity of cataracts limits the usefulness of the lens opacity meter in quantitating the extent of visual field loss due to cataract.

Gold implant treatment for discomfort induced by a filtering bleb.

We present a post-trabeculectomy patient suffering from blurred vision and foreign body sensation that was not alleviated by conventional treatments. Our treatment involved placing a gold weight implant onto the anterior surface of the tarsal plate to gravity-assist closure and increase coverage of the filtering bleb.

Restructuring health services in Canada: challenges for policy makers, planners and managers in the eighties.

Is downsizing the latest jargon word applied to rationalization, a new concept or a different manifestation of a long term trend in health services management? At present, Canada is struggling to implement feasible reductions of expansionary pressures in the health care system. While provincial governments tend to see the issue as one of controlling chronic excess demand, federal government is still concerned to ensure free access to care on an equitable basis. Thus the problems of downsizing can be expressed by the provinces in terms of an ideological struggle with an unfeeling central government which does not understand their problems; although all know they are really about the feasibility of continuing to provide a service to meet demand. The present economic recession enables provincial governments to appeal to their voters for supporting a new way. Earlier, the appeal was to consumers to become involved in health service organization management and this policy succeeded, to a degree, where there were fluorishing grass roots communities; albeit that the service continued to be driven by professionals. Now the appeal is to taxpayers for their strong support in cost cutting. This has been more successful. Provincial governments are now permitted to 'touch the untouchables', that is to downsize the medical profession and previously sacrosanct health care institutions. They also are exploring the feasibility of introducing a two-tier system which would provide basic care for everyone and extra care for those able to pay, thus side-stepping federal conditions. By reorganizing support in this way, provincial governments have extended the range of policy choices, and two types of planning, the rational and the political, have now become combined into strategic management activity.

Canada's provinces review their health services.

Canada's health system is undergoing stocktaking and adjustment. Ontario and Quebec have recently reviewed their goals and strategies; other provinces have been seeking to control established programs. This article considers the political and social reasons for those reviews. Its themes ultimately concern whether equity is compatible with innovation and choice; whether downplaying technology is harmful; and whether restrictions (e.g. on medical manpower supply) can be achieved relatively painlessly. Changing political traditions in the different provinces have an effect upon their health systems, it is concluded.

Australian Health Service. 1: A legacy of colonialism.

Over the last ten years arrangements for the provision of health care in Australia have changed frequently even in comparison with the UK. In this article Anne Crichton sketches the background. In the next she will describe the last ten turbulent years.

Long-term care in Canada.

Problems associated with long-term care in Canada include the growing number of elderly citizens, inconsistencies in social policy and legislative initiatives among provinces, effective quality assurance, and cost containment. Deinstitutionalization and independent living have shifted the focus to community participation.

A critical analysis of recent Canadian health policy: models for community-based services.

As part of the thrust by Health and Welfare, Canada, to strengthen community health services, the National Health Research and Development Program commissioned a series of literature reviews. I undertook to review organizational models for community-based services, but said that this would be done in the context of the developing organization of the national health insurance program. With the help of colleagues I examined the literature from a number of different viewpoints. This article will present our findings on the development of policy and will trace the difficulties in making a shift towards providing more care in the community. We found that organization theories were helpful for explaining developments in the health service as a whole and the place of community-based services within it. We were able to use these theories to analyse efforts at restructuring. They provide explanations for the concurrent existence of policies of rationalization and cutbacks with policies of expansion in the area of health promotion.