Mid-term evaluation of the new Glaukos iStent with phacoemulsification in coexistent open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and cataract.

AIMS: To evaluate the mid-term efficacy and safety of the GTS-400-iStent combined with phacoemulsification in patients with cataract and open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT). METHODS: Prospective, non-comparative, uncontrolled, interventional case series study. Subjects underwent phacoemulsification and two GTS-400 implantation. Efficacy outcomes: intraocular pressure (IOP) and antiglaucoma medications. Safety outcomes: complications, best-corrected visual acuity and endothelial cell count (ECC). Follow-up was 1 year. RESULTS: 20 patients were enrolled (mean age: 75.1 ± 8.6 years). Mean medicated baseline IOP was 19.95 ± 3.71 mm Hg and 26 ± 3.11 mm Hg without medication. Mean final IOP was 16.75 ± 2.24, determining a final IOP decrease of 35.68% (9.42 ± 3 mm Hg; p<0.001), from baseline washout IOP. Mean number of medications fell from 1.3 ± 0.66 to 0.3 ± 0.57 (P<0.001). 75% of patients were off medications at one year. Mean ECC decreased from 2289.64 ± 393.5 cells/mm(2) to 1986.95 ± 520.58 cells/mm(2). CONCLUSIONS: Combined cataract surgery with implantation of GTS-400-iStent seems to be an effective and safe procedure.

Effect of lubricating eyedrops on ocular light scattering as a measure of vision quality in patients with dry eye.

PURPOSE: To determine light scattering by the eye as a measure of optical quality using the Optical Quality Analysis System in patients with mild to moderate dry-eye disease and to examine change patterns after lubricating eyedrop use. SETTING: Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain. DESIGN: Evaluation of diagnostic test or technology. METHODS: Eyes with mild to moderate dry-eye disease (study group) and healthy eyes (control group) were examined in a single visit. All patients completed a questionnaire to assess dry-eye disease symptoms (ocular surface disease index [OSDI]). Signs of dry eye were recorded as the tear breakup time, Schirmer I test, and corneal staining score. Scattered light was measured as the objective scatter index (OSI) at 0.5-second intervals over 20 seconds without blinking. The measurements were repeated 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after eyedrop instillation, and the OSI change rate was calculated. RESULTS: The OSI was significantly higher in the study group (25 eyes) than in the control group (10 eyes). After eyedrop instillation in the study group, the OSI change rate decreased significantly from baseline at each time point (P<.001, 45 minutes; P<.01, 60 minutes). No significant differences in the OSI change rate were detected between time points except between 45 minutes and 60 minutes (P<.01). A correlation was observed in all the dry-eye variables except the corneal staining score. CONCLUSION: Lubricating eyedrops improved ocular scattering in patients with mild to moderate dry eye for at least 60 minutes after instillation. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.