One-year outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and viscogoniosynechialysis with and without endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation in primary angle-closure glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and viscogoniosynechialysis (VGSL) with and without endoscopic cyclophtocoagulation (ECP) in primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). METHODS: In this prospective interventional case series 52 eyes of 50 patients were enrolled. Twenty-seven eyes underwent combined phacoemulsification and VGSL (PV group) and 25 eyes underwent the same procedure plus circumferential ECP (PVE group). All eyes were followed 1 day, 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the procedure. Intraocular pressure and antiglaucoma medications were compared between and within groups using generalized estimating equations. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was carried out to compare intensity to failure between groups. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age was 63.23 ± 6.87 years and 50% of the cases were male in the entire group. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and antiglaucoma medications were significantly reduced at all time points in comparison with the baseline in both groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups in either IOP or medications at specific time points (p > 0.05). One eye in each group developed a fibrinous reaction in the postoperative period. There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding the intensity to failure (P = 0.169). CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in IOP and medication reduction between groups. Also, the complications were comparable between groups.

The role of optical coherence tomography angiography in moderate and advanced primary open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between structure and function in moderate and advanced primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and to determine the accuracy of structure and vasculature for discriminating moderate from advanced POAG. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 25 eyes with moderate and 40 eyes with advanced POAG were enrolled. All eyes underwent measurement of the thickness of circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) and macular ganglion cell complex (GCC), and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) of the optic nerve head (ONH) and macula. Visual field (VF) was evaluated by Swedish interactive threshold algorithm and 24-2 and 10-2 patterns. The correlation between structure and vasculature and the mean deviation (MD) of the VFs was evaluated by a partial correlation coefficient. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was applied for assessing the power of variables for discrimination moderate from advanced POAG. RESULTS: Including all eyes, whole image vessel density (wiVD) of the ONH area, and vessel density (VD) in the inferior quadrant of perifovea were the parameters with significant correlation with the mean deviation (MD) of the VF 24-2 in OCTA of the ONH and macula (r = .649 and .397; p < .05). The greatest AUCs for discriminating moderate and advanced POAG belonged to VD of the inferior hemifield of ONH area (.886; 95% CI (.805, .967)), and VD in the inferior quadrant of perifovea (.833; 95% CI (.736, .930)) without statistically significant difference (.886 Versus .833; p = .601). CONCLUSION: Among vascular parameters of the ONH area, wiVD had the strongest correlation with the MD of the VF 24-2 while VD of the inferior hemifield of the ONH area had the greatest AUC for discriminating moderate and advanced POAG. Vessel density in the inferior quadrant of perifovea had a significant correlation with the MD of VF 24-2 and also the greatest AUC for discriminating moderate and advanced POAG.

Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation with and without subconjunctival bevacizumab in refractory glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of subconjunctival bevacizumab injection on intraocular pressure (IOP), hypertensive phase, and failure and success rates of Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) implantation. METHODS: A total of 63 eyes of 63 patients (30 cases in control and 33 cases in bevacizumab group) were included in this randomized masked prospective clinical trial. Pre- and postoperative BCVA, IOP, number of medications, complications and success rates were compared between AGV + bevacizumab and AGV alone group. RESULTS: Both groups showed statistically significant reductions in IOP in all their follow-up visits (P < 0.05). The mean IOP was lower in the AGV + Bevacizumab group than AGV group in all follow-up visits. However, the difference was only significant at the 3rd month (17.3 ± 6.2 vs. 20.7 ± 4.6, p = 0.04). The number of medications was not differed significantly between the two groups at their last visit (p value = 0.84) Complete success rate was higher in AGV + Bevacizumab. However, the difference was not significant (p = 0.73). The qualified and overall success rate, failure rate and the need for second tube were not statistically different between the two groups. The hypertensive phase was not statistically significant between the 2 groups (33.3% in AGV + Bevacizumab group and 50% in AGV group, p = 0.06) CONCLUSION: Adjunctive use of Bevacizumab during AGV implantation is beneficial in controlling hypertensive phase and IOP control and may lead to higher success rates and lower failure rates after AGV implantation. However, whether it's clearly beneficial or its exact role remains to be investigated.

COMPARISON OF ANTERIOR SEGMENT OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY PARAMETERS BETWEEN CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION AND NORMAL EYES: Is Primary Angle Closure a Risk Factor for Central Retinal Vein Occlusion?

PURPOSE: To compare anterior segment parameters in patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) with normal control subjects by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). METHODS: In this coss-sectional case-control study, 42 eyes from 21 patients with unilateral CRVO and 21 eyes from 21 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were recruited. Study eyes were divided into three groups: involved eyes of CRVO patients (CRVO eyes), fellow eyes of CRVO patients (fellow eyes), and control eyes. Complete ocular examination and AS-OCT were performed for each eye. The AS-OCT parameters (anterior chamber depth, scleral spur angle, angle opening distance [AOD] at 500 and 750 µm from scleral spur [AOD500 and 750] and trabecular-iris space area [TISA] at 500 and 750 µm from scleral spur [TISA500 and 750]) and the rate of narrow angles (based on gonioscopy) in CRVO and fellow eyes were compared with control eyes. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of the patients and the control group were 60.09 (9.43) and 59.52 (6.66), respectively. The mean intraocular pressure in both eyes of the patients was significantly higher than the control eyes (P < 0.05). All AS-OCT parameters were significantly different among the three groups (P < 0.05). Comparing with the control eyes, CRVO eyes had shallower anterior chamber depth (2.53 vs. 2.85 mm; P = 0.002) and narrower AS-OCT angle parameters (scleral spur angle, AOD500 and 750, TISA500 and 750). Fellow eyes had also shallower anterior chamber depth (2.56 vs. 2.85 mm; P = 0.005) than control eyes and smaller scleral spur angle, AOD500 and AOD750. Five CRVO patients (23.8%) were diagnosed with narrow angles in both eyes based on gonioscopy, whereas no eye in the control group had narrow angles (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Imaging with AS-OCT showed that CRVO patients had shallower anterior chamber depth and narrower angle parameters in both eyes in comparison with control eyes. Furthermore, CRVO patients had higher rates of narrow angles on gonioscopic examination.

Acute angle closure: qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the anterior segment using anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate different mechanisms of acute angle closure and to compare it with unaffected fellow eyes and primary angle closure suspects using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional. PARTICIPANTS: 116 eyes (76 patients) with angle closure disease were included. METHODS: Eyes were categorized into three groups: (i) acute angle closure (40 eyes); (ii) fellow eyes of acute angle closure (40 eyes); and (iii) primary angle closure suspect (36 eyes). Complete ophthalmic examinations including gonioscopy, A-scan biometry and anterior segment optical coherence tomography were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Based on the anterior segment optical coherence tomography images, four mechanisms of primary angle closure including pupil block, plateau iris configuration, thick peripheral iris roll and exaggerated lens vault were evaluated among the three subtypes of angle closure disease. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the mechanism of angle closure disease among the three groups (P < 0.001). Although the majority of fellow and primary angle closure suspect eyes had pupil block mechanism (77.5% and 75%, respectively), only 37.5% of acute angle closure eyes had dominant pupil block mechanism. The percentage because of exaggerated lens vault was greatest in acute angle closure eyes (50%). Acute angle closure eyes had the shallowest anterior chamber depth (P < 0.001), least iris curvature (P < 0.001) and greatest lens vault (P = 0.003) compared with the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: A statistically significant difference in the underlying primary angle closure mechanisms among acute angle closure eyes as compared with their fellow eyes and primary angle closure suspect may exist.

Outcomes of same-site re-operation with minimal use of mitomycin in failed trabeculectomy.

To evaluate efficacy and safety of same site re-operation in eyes with failed trabeculectomy. A retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. We reviewed the medical records of 35 eyes of 35 patients who underwent same-site re-operation for failed trabeculectomy. The surgery involved a fornix-based peritomy at the same site as the previous trabeculectomy with application of 0.2 mg/mL mitomycin for 1 min. Primary outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP) control and number of antiglaucoma medications at last follow-up. Success rates were defined according to criteria (A) IOP ≤ 21 mmHg or (B) IOP ≤ 18 mmHg, with or without antiglaucoma medication. The mean age of the patients was 43.3 ± 18.0 years and 62.9 % were male. The mean follow-up was 13.6 ± 12.0 months (range 6-49 months). At final follow-up, mean baseline IOP was reduced from 27.2 ± 8.0 to 16.6 ± 7.5 mmHg (p < 0001). The mean number of antiglaucoma medications was reduced from 2.8 ± 0.8 to 1.0 ± 1.3 (p < 0001). This study supports the efficacy and safety of same-site re-operation with minimal use of mitomycin C for management of failed filtering blebs following trabeculectomy.

Detecting Fast Progressors: Comparing a Bayesian Longitudinal Model to Linear Regression for Detecting Structural Changes in Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: Demonstrate that a novel Bayesian hierarchical spatial longitudinal (HSL) model identifies macular superpixels with rapidly deteriorating ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness more efficiently than simple linear regression (SLR). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary Glaucoma Center. SUBJECTS: One hundred eleven eyes (111 patients) with moderate to severe glaucoma at baseline and ≥4 macular optical coherence tomography scans and ≥2 years of follow-up. OBSERVATION PROCEDURE: Superpixel-patient-specific GCC slopes and their posterior variances in 49 superpixels were derived from our latest Bayesian HSL model and Bayesian SLR. A simulation cohort was created with known intercepts, slopes, and residual variances in individual superpixels. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We compared HSL and SLR in the fastest progressing deciles on (1) proportion of superpixels identified as significantly progressing in the simulation study and compared to SLR slopes in cohort data; (2) root mean square error (RMSE), and SLR/HSL RMSE ratios. RESULTS: Cohort- In the fastest decile of slopes per SLR, 77% and 80% of superpixels progressed significantly according to SLR and HSL, respectively. The SLR/HSL posterior SD ratio had a median of 1.83, with 90% of ratios favoring HSL. Simulation- HSL identified 89% significant negative slopes in the fastest progressing decile vs 64% for SLR. SLR/HSL RMSE ratio was 1.36 for the fastest decile of slopes, with 83% of RMSE ratios favoring HSL. CONCLUSION: The Bayesian HSL model improves the estimation efficiency of local GCC rates of change regardless of underlying true rates of change, particularly in fast progressors.

A Bayesian Hierarchical Spatial Longitudinal Model Improves Estimation of Local Macular Rates of Change in Glaucomatous Eyes.

Purpose: Demonstrate that a novel Bayesian hierarchical spatial longitudinal (HSL) model improves estimation of local macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) rates of change compared to simple linear regression (SLR) and a conditional autoregressive (CAR) model. Methods: We analyzed GCC thickness measurements within 49 macular superpixels in 111 eyes (111 patients) with four or more macular optical coherence tomography scans and two or more years of follow-up. We compared superpixel-patient-specific estimates and their posterior variances derived from the latest version of a recently developed Bayesian HSL model, CAR, and SLR. We performed a simulation study to compare the accuracy of intercept and slope estimates in individual superpixels. Results: HSL identified a significantly higher proportion of significant negative slopes in 13/49 superpixels and a significantly lower proportion of significant positive slopes in 21/49 superpixels than SLR. In the simulation study, the median (tenth, ninetieth percentile) ratio of mean squared error of SLR [CAR] over HSL for intercepts and slopes were 1.91 (1.23, 2.75) [1.51 (1.05, 2.20)] and 3.25 (1.40, 10.14) [2.36 (1.17, 5.56)], respectively. Conclusions: A novel Bayesian HSL model improves estimation accuracy of patient-specific local GCC rates of change. The proposed model is more than twice as efficient as SLR for estimating superpixel-patient slopes and identifies a higher proportion of deteriorating superpixels than SLR while minimizing false-positive detection rates. Translational Relevance: The proposed HSL model can be used to model macular structural measurements to detect individual glaucoma progression earlier and more efficiently in clinical and research settings.

Comparison of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Ganglion Cell Complex Rates of Change in Patients with Moderate to Advanced Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To compare ganglion cell complex (GCC) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) rates of change (RoC) in eyes with central or moderate to advanced glaucoma. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: 918 matched macular and RNFL OCT scan pairs from 109 eyes (109 patients) enrolled in the Advanced Glaucoma Progression Study with ≥2 years of follow-up and ≥4 OCT scans. METHODS: We exported GCC and RNFL thickness measurements in 49 central macular superpixels and 12 RNFL clock-hour sectors, respectively. We applied our latest Bayesian hierarchical longitudinal model to estimate population and subject-specific baseline thickness (intercepts) and rates of change (RoC) in macular superpixels and RNFL sectors. Global RNFL and GCC RoC were analyzed in a single bivariate longitudinal model to properly compare them accounting for the correlation between their RoC. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of significant negative (deteriorating) and positive (improving) RoC expressed in µm/year. Standardized RoC were calculated by dividing RoC by the corresponding population SD. Analyses were repeated in eyes with visual field mean deviation (MD) ≤-6 and >-6 dB. RESULTS: Average (SD) 24-2 visual field MD and follow-up length were -8.6 (6.3) dB and 4.2 (0.5) years, respectively. Global RNFL RoC (-0.70 µm/year) were faster than GCC (-0.44 µm/year) (p<.001); corresponding normalized RoC were not significantly different (p=0.052). In bivariate analysis, patients with a significant negative global RNFL RoC (n=63, 57%) or GCC (n=56, 51%) frequently did so for both outcomes (n=49, 45%). The average proportion of significantly decreasing RNFL sectors within an eye was 30.7% in eyes with MD >-6 dB compared to 20.5% in those with MD ≤-6 dB (p=0.014); the proportions for GCC superpixels were 21.1% vs. 18.7%, respectively (p=0.63). CONCLUSIONS: Both GCC and RNFL measures can detect structural progression in glaucoma patients with central damage or moderate to advanced glaucoma. The clinical utility of RNFL imaging decreases with worsening severity of glaucoma.

Effect of adjunctive viscogonioplasty on drainage angle status in cataract surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: To compare the anatomic effects of phacoemulsification (Phaco) versus combined phacoemulsification and viscogonioplasty (Phaco-VGP) on drainage angle status in primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-seven eyes of 57 patients with the diagnosis of PACG. METHOD: Patients were randomized to undergo Phaco alone (33 eyes) or Phaco-VGP (34 eyes). Patients were examined postoperatively on day 1, week 1 and week 6. Indentation gonioscopy and AS-OCT were performed preoperatively and at 6 weeks after surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Angle and anterior segment parameters by AS-OCT and amount of peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) by gonioscopy. RESULTS: Sixty-five eyes of 55 patients completed the trial. The mean extent of PAS was significantly reduced from 127.7 to 95.0 degrees (P < 0.001) by Phaco alone, and from 174.0 to 77.3 degrees (P < 0.001) by Phaco-VGP. Phaco-VGP resulted in significantly greater reduction in PAS extent (P = 0.002). Angle-opening distance and trabecular-iris space-area measured by AS-OCT increased significantly after Phaco alone and Phaco-VGP (P < 0.001 for both). Although the change was higher in the Phaco-VGP group, this did not reach statistical significance. Anterior chamber depth (ACD) increased, and lens vault (LV) decreased after both procedures. The amount of change in ACD and LV was not significant between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Both Phaco alone and Phaco-VGP resulted in widening of the drainage angle, deepening of the anterior chamber and reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) and PAS extent in PACG eyes. Phaco-VGP resulted in significantly more reduction of PAS. However, it seems that additional VGP has no significant effect on short-term IOP.

Comparison of Ganglion Cell Layer and Inner Plexiform Layer Rates of Change in Suspected and Established Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: We compared ganglion cell layer (GCL) and inner plexiform layer (IPL) rates of change (RoC) in patients with glaucoma suspect (GS) and established glaucoma (EG) to test the hypothesis that IPL thickness changes would occur earlier than GCL changes in eyes with early damage. DESIGN: Prospective, cohort study. METHODS: A total of 64 GS eyes (46 patients) and 112 EG eyes (112 patients) with ≥2 years of follow-up and ≥3 macular optical coherence tomography scans were included. GCL and IPL superpixel thickness measurements were exported. A Bayesian hierarchical model with random intercepts/slopes and random residual variances was fitted to estimate RoC in individual superpixels. Normalized RoC and proportions of superpixels with significantly negative and positive GCL and IPL RoC were compared within the groups. RESULTS: The average (SD) follow-up time and number of scans were 3.5 (0.7) years and 4.2 (1.0), respectively, in the GS group and 3.6 (0.4) years and 7.3 (1.1) in the EG group. Mean (SD) normalized RoC was faster for GCL than IPL (-0.69 [0.05] vs -0.33 [0.04]) in the GS group, whereas it was faster for IPL (-0.47 [0.03] vs -0.28 [0.02]) in EG eyes. GCL RoC were significantly negative in 24 of 36 superpixels compared with 8 of 36 for IPL (P < .001) in GS eyes. In the EG group, 23 of 36 superpixels had significant negative IPL RoC compared with 13 of 36 superpixels for GCL (P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: GCL thickness is more likely to demonstrate change over time compared with IPL in glaucoma suspects. There is no evidence of preferential IPL thinning in eyes with suspected early glaucoma damage.

Comparing Rates of Change in Moderate to Advanced Glaucoma: Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Versus Bruch Membrane Opening-Minimum Rim Width.

PURPOSE: To compare rates of change (RoC) of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and Bruch membrane opening-based minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) thickness in moderate-to-advanced glaucoma. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Longitudinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) optic nerve head volume scans of 113 eyes of 113 glaucoma patients with moderate-to-advanced or central damage were exported. This study estimated and compared global and sectoral RoC with linear mixed effects models and simple linear regression (SLR) of RNFL and BMO-MRW thickness. Permutation analyses were used to test significance of RoC in the SLR model. It also compared longitudinal signal-to-noise ratios (LSNR) defined as RoC divided by residual standard deviation (SD) between the two groups. RESULTS: Mean (SD) follow-up and median (IQR) OCT scan sessions were 5.2 (1.3) years and 10 (8-11), respectively. Baseline average (SD) visual field mean deviation was -9.2 (5.8) dB. Based on SLR, a higher proportion of significant negative RNFL RoC was observed compared to BMO-MRW in the inferotemporal (35% vs 20%; P = .015) and inferonasal (42% vs 17%; P < .001) sectors. Permutation analyses also demonstrated a higher proportion of worsening RNFL RoC than BMO-MRW in the inferotemporal (P = .026) and inferonasal (P < .001) sectors along with overall lower positive RoC. Longitudinal signal-to-noise ratios for RNFL were significantly more negative than for BMO-MRW globally, and in the inferotemporal, inferonasal, and superonasal sectors (P ≤ .01). CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal RNFL OCT measurements are more likely to detect structural change and demonstrate better LSNR compared with BMO-MRW in eyes with central or moderate-to-advanced glaucoma damage at baseline.

Measurement of the Inner Macular Layers for Monitoring of Glaucoma: Confounding Effects of Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the confounding effect of nonexudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), specifically drusen and outer retinal atrophy, on the architecture and automated segmentation of the inner retinal layers as measured with OCT. DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: Two hundred sixty-three consecutive eyes with nonexudative AMD were identified through a retrospective chart review. Exclusion criteria were a diagnosis of glaucoma or glaucoma suspect, other retinal pathology affecting the macula, axial length > 26.5 mm or spherical equivalent less than -6 diopters, any other optic nerve or neurologic disorders, or poor image quality. METHODS: Drusen were automatically segmented on macular OCT B-scans with a publicly available and validated deep learning approach. Automated segmentation of the inner plexiform layer (IPL)/inner nuclear layer (INL) boundary was carried out with the device's proprietary software. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quality of segmentation of the IPL/INL boundary as a function of drusen size and presence of inner retinal layer displacement in the area of macular pathology (drusen or atrophy). RESULTS: One hundred twenty-five eyes (65 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Drusen size varied between 16 and 272 µm (mean, 118 µm). Automated segmentation had a 22% chance of failure if the drusen height was between 145 and 185 µm and was most likely to fail with drusen heights above 185 µm. When drusen height was normalized by total retinal thickness, segmentation failed 36% of the time when the drusen to total retinal thickness ratio was 0.45 or above. Images were likely to show displacement of inner retinal layers with drusen heights above 176 µm and a normalized drusen height ratio of 0.5 or higher. Eighty-seven percent of images with outer retinal atrophy displayed incorrect segmentation. CONCLUSIONS: Outer retinal diseases can alter the retinal topography and affect the segmentation accuracy of the inner retinal layers. Large drusen may cause segmentation error and compression of the inner macular layers. Geographic atrophy confounds automated segmentation in a high proportion of eyes. Clinicians should be cognizant of the effects of outer retinal disease on the inner retinal layer measurements when interpreting the results of macular OCT imaging in patients with glaucoma.

Association of Blood Pressure With Rates of Macular Ganglion Cell Complex Thinning in Patients With Glaucoma.

Importance: There are scarce data on the association of blood pressure measures with subsequent macular structural rates of change in patients with glaucoma. Objective: To investigate the association of baseline blood pressure measures with rates of change of the macular ganglion cell complex in patients with central or moderate to advanced glaucoma damage at baseline. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective cohort study, conducted from August 2021 to August 2022, used data from patients in the Advanced Glaucoma Progression Study at the University of California, Los Angeles. Participants were between 39 and 80 years of age and had more than 4 macular imaging tests and 2 or more years of follow-up. Exposures: A diagnosis of glaucoma with either central damage or a visual field mean deviation worse than -6 dB. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome was the association of blood pressure measures with ganglion cell complex rates of change. Macular ganglion cell complex thickness rates of change were estimated with a bayesian hierarchical model. This model included relevant demographic and clinical factors. Blood pressure measures, intraocular pressure, and their interactions were added to the model to assess the association of baseline blood pressure measures with global ganglion cell complex rates of change. Results: The cohort included 105 eyes from 105 participants. The mean (SD) age, 10-2 visual field mean deviation, and follow-up time were 66.9 (8.5) years, -8.3 (5.3) dB, and 3.6 (0.4) years, respectively, and 67 patients (63.8%) were female. The racial and ethnic makeup of the cohort was 15 African American (14.3%), 23 Asian (21.9%), 12 Hispanic (11.4%), and 55 White (52.4%) individuals based on patient self-report. In multivariable analyses, female sex, history of taking blood pressure medications, higher intraocular pressure, thicker central corneal thickness, shorter axial length, higher contrast sensitivity at 12 cycles per degree, and higher baseline 10-2 visual field mean deviation were associated with faster ganglion cell complex thinning. Lower diastolic blood pressure was associated with faster rates of ganglion cell complex thinning at higher intraocular pressures. For intraocular pressures of 8 and of 16 mm Hg (10% and 90% quantiles, respectively), every 10 mm Hg-lower increment of diastolic blood pressure was associated with 0.011 µm/y slower and -0.130 µm/y faster rates of ganglion cell complex thinning, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, a combination of lower diastolic blood pressure and higher intraocular pressure at baseline was associated with faster rates of ganglion cell complex thinning. These findings support consideration of evaluating and addressing diastolic blood pressure as a therapeutic measure in patients with glaucoma if supported by appropriate clinical trials.

Differentiating Glaucomatous Optic Neuropathy From Non-glaucomatous Optic Neuropathies Using Deep Learning Algorithms.

PURPOSE: A deep learning framework to differentiate glaucomatous optic disc changes due to glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) from non-glaucomatous optic disc changes due to non-glaucomatous optic neuropathies (NGONs). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHOD: A deep-learning system was trained, validated, and externally tested to classify optic discs as normal, GON, or NGON, using 2183 digital color fundus photographs. A Single-Center data set of 1822 images (660 images of NGON, 676 images of GON, and 486 images of normal optic discs) was used for training and validation, whereas 361 photographs from 4 different data sets were used for external testing. Our algorithm removed the redundant information from the images using an optic disc segmentation (OD-SEG) network, after which we performed transfer learning with various pre-trained networks. Finally, we calculated sensitivity, specificity, F1-score, and precision to show the performance of the discrimination network in the validation and independent external data set. RESULTS: For classification, the algorithm with the best performance for the Single-Center data set was DenseNet121, with a sensitivity of 95.36%, precision of 95.35%, specificity of 92.19%, and F1 score of 95.40%. For the external validation data, the sensitivity and specificity of our network for differentiating GON from NGON were 85.53% and 89.02%, respectively. The glaucoma specialist who diagnosed those cases in masked fashion had a sensitivity of 71.05% and a specificity of 82.21%. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed algorithm for the differentiation of GON from NGON yields results that have a higher sensitivity than those of a glaucoma specialist, and its application for unseen data thus is extremely promising.

Extension of a retracted ciliary sulcus tube of Ahmed glaucoma implant with angiocatheter segment.

One of the complications of glaucoma drainage device implantation is tube retraction. Here we present a technique for extension of a retracted sulcus tube in a patient with simultaneous penetrating keratoplasty and Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation, in which we extend the tube with a segment of angiocatheter, and then insert the tip of the tube in the ciliary sulcus. Postoperatively, ultrasound biomicroscopy shows proper positioning of the tube in the ciliary sulcus.

Sutureless tunnel trabeculectomy without peripheral iridectomy: a new modification of the conventional trabeculectomy.

The purpose of this study was to describe the results of a new modification of the trabeculectomy technique, sutureless tunnel trabeculectomy without peripheral iridectomy (PI), in a group of patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG). Patients with uncontrolled COAG who were candidates for trabeculectomy underwent sutureless tunnel trabeculectomy without PI. Patients were examined before surgery and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Pre- and post-operative data including intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, number of anti-glaucoma medications and intraoperative and post-operative complications were recorded. Surgical success was defined as final IOP < 21 mmHg and > 20 % reduction from baseline (criterion A) and as final IOP < 18 mmHg and > 25 % reduction from baseline (criterion B), without further glaucoma surgery or complications that required returning the patient to the operating room. Success was further classified as complete when these criteria were obtained without medications and qualified with or without medical therapy. Eighteen eyes of 18 patients were recruited into the study. All patients had 6 months of follow-up and 15 patients (83.3 %) completed 12 months of follow-up. Mean (SD) age of the patients was 57.2 (5.7) years. Mean (SD) IOP decreased from 23.7 (4.5) mmHg pre-operatively to 14.7 (3.4) mmHg at final follow-up visit (p < 0.001), and the mean (SD) number of glaucoma medications decreased from 2.89 (0.32) pre-operatively to 1 (0.84) at last visit (p < 0.001). Post-operatively, IOP and number of glaucoma medications were decreased in comparison with baseline at all follow-up visits (p < 0.001 for all visits). Qualified and complete surgical success rates were 78 and 50 % for criterion A, and 72 and 50 % for criterion B. Sutureless tunnel trabeculectomy without PI effectively reduced IOP and number of medications in COAG patients during 6-12 months of follow-up. Further controlled studies are needed to better characterize the safety and efficacy of this technique.

Six-month outcomes of combined conventional needle goniotomy and phacoemulsification in eyes with early to moderate primary open-angle and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Purpose: Angle-based surgeries for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma have gained popularity in recent years. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combined phacoemulsification and goniotomy in primary open-angle and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (POAG and PXG) and ocular hypertension (OHTN). Methods: In this interventional case series in the setting of the Glaucoma Service at the Farabi Eye Hospital, 32 eyes of 30 patients with early-to-moderate POAG and PXG and OHTN were enrolled. All eyes underwent combined phacoemulsification and needle goniotomy. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of antiglaucoma medications as well as demographic data were recorded at baseline and one day, one week, one month, three months, and six months after the surgery. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) was used to compare the values of IOP and the number of medications at different time points. Kaplan-Meier graph was used to demonstrate the survival status of the eyes. Results: Mean IOP at baseline was 21.8 ± 4.6 mmHg on mean 1.2 ± 1.5 topical medications. There was a 25.2% (16.3 ± 4.5 mmHg) and 32.1% (14.8 ± 3.9 mmHg) reduction in IOP at three and six months after procedure, respectively (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, the decline in medications was 66.7% (0.4 ± 0.9) and 50.0% (0.6 ± 1.1) at the same time points (P = 0.002 and P = 0.048, respectively). Post-operative complications were clot hyphema (n = 1, 3.1%), fibrinous inflammation (n = 1, 3.1%) and distorted pupil (n = 2, 6.3%). Conclusion: Combined phacoemulsification and needle goniotomy as a procedure for mild and moderate POAG and PXG and OHTN is as effective as other modified goniotomies in the setting of minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS).

Evaluation of Anterior Segment Parameters in Pseudoexfoliation Disease Using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography.

PURPOSE: To compare anterior segment and angle parameters between pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) and PEX glaucoma (PEXG) and normal control subjects using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) imaging. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: One hundred and two subjects with PEXG, PEX, and normal eyes as the control group were recruited from an academic referral institution. All subjects underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, axial length measurement, and AS-OCT imaging. Anterior segment and angle parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: After excluding 4 eyes because of poor imaging of the scleral spur, data from 34 eyes with PEXG, 33 eyes with PEX, and 31 eyes of normal control subjects were analyzed. Anterior chamber depth was significantly shallower in eyes with PEXG compared with eyes of control subjects (P < .001). The differences in anterior chamber angle parameters (AOD500, AOD750, TISA500,and TISA750) were significant among study groups, with lower values in the PEXG group compared with the PEX and control subject groups. Lens vault (mean [mm]±SD) was higher in the PEXG (0.46 ±0.21) and PEX (0.427 +0.28) groups compared with the control group (0.305+ 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: PEXG eyes have the narrowest anterior chamber angle parameters. There is a progressive decrease in angle parameters from control subjects to the PEX group to the PEXG group. Narrow anterior chamber angle and anterior chamber depth may have a role in the progression of PEX to PEXG. Detection of narrow angle in these patients may help clinicians manage the disease more properly.

Comparison of Vascular Density and Structural Patterns Between Primary Open Angle Glaucoma and Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To compare the pattern of vascular density and structural damage in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) in the optic nerve head, circumpapillary, and macular regions, respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-one eyes of 82 patients (53 eyes with PACG and 78 eyes with POAG) were enrolled in this study. The patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination, Bruch membrane opening minimum rim width, circumpapillay retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL), and macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) measurements and vascular density determination of the peripapillary and macular area with OCT and OCTA. A linear mixed model was used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of age ( P =0.94) and visual field mean deviation ( P =0.78). Female-to-male ratio was higher in PACG patients than the POAG group ( P =0.02), and AL was shorter in PACG eyes ( P <0.001). cpRNFL and GCC were not different between the 2 groups (all P values>0.05, except for nasal segment cpRNFL). Vessel densities in the peripapillary and macular areas were comparable between the 2 groups (all P values>0.05). Although Bruch membrane opening minimum rim width was thicker in PACG eyes on univariate analysis, the multivariable analysis showed no significant difference between the 2 groups ( P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PACG and POAG eyes with similar visual field damages have comparable structural damage patterns in the peripapillary and inner macular thickness and vessel density measurements.