Changes in Macular Thickness after Cataract Surgery in Patients with Open Angle Glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in IOP, total macular and RNFL, ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness, and aqueous humour flare in open angle glaucoma (OAG) patients before and 6 months after cataract surgery. METHODS: This was a prospective observational case-control age- and gender-matched study. Groups: 40 subjects in a controlled OAG (OAGc) group, 20 subjects in an uncontrolled OAG (OAGu) group, and 60 control group subjects. EXAMINATION: complete ophthalmic evaluation, IOP measurement, anterior and posterior segment Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), and laser flare photometry before and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Six months postoperatively IOP decreased in all groups. An increase in macular thickness was found postoperatively in all groups. Preoperative aqueous humour flare was higher in the OAGc group than in the control group. After cataract surgery, aqueous humour flare was higher in the control group compared to the preoperative result. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in IOP following cataract surgery were strongly negatively correlated with preoperative IOP. An increase in macular thickness was observed 6 months postoperatively in all groups. Aqueous humour flare did not differ in OAGc and OAGu groups pre- and postoperatively but significantly increased in the control group postoperatively.

Anatomic Biomarkers of Macular Edema Associated with Retinal Vein Occlusion.

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and anatomic features in patients with macular edema (ME) related to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). DESIGN: Post hoc analysis of 3 clinical trials, which included verified diagnoses, protocol refractions, and the assessment of OCT and fluorescein angiography (FA) images at a masked reading center. PARTICIPANTS: Patients diagnosed with RVO-ME. METHODS: Correlation analyses were performed to determine the correlation between BCVA and macular anatomy at baseline and at 12 and 24 weeks and between changes from baseline to 12 and 24 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The correlations between BCVA and central subfield thickness (CST), ellipsoid zone (EZ) integrity, intraretinal fluid (IRF), subretinal fluid, central leakage, and ischemia were assessed. RESULTS: In a total of 828 eyes with RVO-ME, the mean age, BCVA, and CST at baseline was 64.7 years, 51.1 letters, and 656.9 µm, respectively. At baseline, a moderate negative correlation was observed between BCVA and CST (r = - 0.56, P < 0.001). At weeks 12 and 24, the mean BCVA of eyes with definitely abnormal (absent) EZ was statistically significantly worse than that of eyes with normal EZ. At week 12, a moderate negative correlation was observed between changes in BCVA and changes in CST (r = - 0.35, P < 0.001), with a similar degree of association noted at week 24 (r = - 0.35, P < 0.001). At weeks 12 and 24, eyes that showed any improvement in central IRF showed a greater improvement in BCVA than eyes that showed no improvement worsening (week 12: 463 eyes, 18.3 letters vs. 177 eyes, 13.0 letters, respectively, P < 0.001) and (week 24: 332 eyes, 20.2 letters vs. 131 eyes, 13.3 letters, respectively, P < 0.001). With respect to the correlation between baseline BCVA and fluorescein leakage or capillary nonperfusion, the Pearson correlation coefficients were - 0.41 (P < 0.001) and - 0.16 (P = 0.060), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to CST, there are important clinically relevant relationships between BCVA and both OCT and FA anatomic features in patients with RVO-ME.

Association Between Dietary Salt Intake and Open Angle Glaucoma in the Thessaloniki Eye Study.

PRCIS: In the Thessaloniki Eye Study (TES) incidence phase population, frequent dietary salt intake was potentially associated with increased risk of open angle glaucoma in antihypertensive users. PURPOSE: The aim was to examine the association between dietary salt intake and glaucoma by antihypertensive use in the TES population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population included TES incidence phase participants. Dietary salt intake frequency was assessed by self-report. Outcomes included prevalence of any open angle glaucoma (OAG), primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), and pseudoexfoliation (PEX). Covariates included demographics, cardiovascular disease, migraines, diabetes, steroid use, smoking, history of cataract surgery, central corneal thickness, intraocular pressure, blood pressure, and antihypertensive use. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between frequency of salt intake and glaucoma, controlling for covariates and stratified by antihypertensive use. RESULTS: The study included 1076 participants 80.5±4.4 years old, of whom 518 were female. There were 89/1076 (8.3%) participants with any OAG, 46/789 (5.8%) with POAG, and 287/1030 (27.9%) with PEX. In participants with antihypertensive use, frequent versus never salt intake was associated with increased risk of any OAG [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.65, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.12, 6.28; n=784] and POAG (aOR=3.59, 95% CI=1.16, 11.11; n=578) overall, and additionally in participants with diastolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg (aOR=2.42, 95% CI=1.00, 5.84; n=735) for OAG. There were no statistically significant adjusted associations between salt intake and PEX, or in participants without antihypertensive use. CONCLUSIONS: In TES participants assessed for OAG in the prevalence and incidence phases, frequent salt intake may be associated with increased OAG in those who take antihypertensive medication. Further investigation is needed of salt intake and glaucoma in hypertensive individuals.

Disease progression pathways of wet AMD: opportunities for new target discovery.

INTRODUCTION: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness among people age 60 years or older in developed countries. Current standard-of-care anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy, which inhibits angiogenesis and vascular permeability, has been shown to stabilize choroidal neovascularization and increase visual acuity in neovascular AMD. However, therapeutic limitations of anti-VEGF therapy include limited durability with consequent need for frequent intravitreal injections, and a ceiling of efficacy. Current strategies under investigation include targeting VEGF-C and VEGF-D, integrins, tyrosine kinase receptors, and the Tie2/angiopoietin-2 pathway. A literature search was conducted through November 30, 2021 on PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, and associated digital platforms with the following keywords: wet macular degeneration, age-related macular degeneration, therapy, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, integrins, Tie2/Ang2, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. AREAS COVERED: The authors provide a comprehensive review of AMD disease pathways and mechanisms involved in wet AMD as well as novel targets for future therapies. EXPERT OPINION: With novel targets and advancements in drug delivery, there is potential to address treatment burden and to improve outcomes for patients afflicted with neovascular AMD.

Confocal Microscopy and Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging of the Ocular Surface and Bleb Morphology in Medically and Surgically Treated Glaucoma Patients: A Review.

Glaucoma patients often suffer from ocular surface disease (OSD) caused by the chronic administration of topical anti-glaucoma medications, especially in cases of long-term therapy with preserved or multiple drugs. Additionally, glaucoma surgery may determine ocular surface changes related to the formation and location of the filtering bleb, the application of anti-mitotic agents, and the post-operative wound-healing processes within the conjunctiva. Recently, several studies have evaluated the role of advanced diagnostic imaging technologies such as in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and anterior segment-optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in detecting microscopic and macroscopic features of glaucoma therapy-related OSD. Their clinical applications are still being explored, with recent particular attention paid to analyzing the effects of new drug formulations and of minimally invasive surgical procedures on the ocular surface status. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the main changes of the ocular surface identified at IVCM and AS-OCT in glaucoma patients under medical therapy, or after surgical treatment.

Changes in ocular morphology after cataract surgery in open angle glaucoma patients.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) pre- and postoperatively, together with anterior chamber angle (ACA) parameters and biometrical results in cataract patients with or without open angle glaucoma (OAG). The prospective observational case-control study included 15 eyes with cataract and OAG in the glaucoma group and 25 eyes with only cataract in control group. Examination included full ophthalmic evaluation, IOP, ocular biometry and anterior segment optical coherence tomography measuring ACA pre- and 6 months postoperatively. OAG patients had a larger absolute IOP reduction compared to control group. Anterior chamber depth (ACD) and ACA width significantly increased in both groups. The OAG group had a tendency of narrower ACA preoperatively, but overall ACA parameters did not differ in either group pre- and postoperatively. The ACD change after surgery correlated with ACA parameters in the control group, but not in OAG group. Axial length was shorter postoperatively in the control group, but remained similar in the OAG group. Absolute IOP reduction was more pronounced in cataract patients with OAG than in cataract patients without glaucoma. ACD and ACA postoperatively increased in both groups and AL shortening was observed in non-OAG in cataract group.

Anterior segment optical coherence tomography imaging and ocular biometry in cataract patients with open angle glaucoma comorbidity.

BACKGROUND: Anterior chamber angle anatomy in perspective of ocular biometry may be the key element to intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, especially in glaucoma patients. We aim to investigate anterior chamber angle and biometrical data prior to cataract surgery in patients with and without glaucoma comorbidity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective comparative case-control study included 62 subjects (38 with cataract only and 24 with cataract and glaucoma). A full ophthalmic examination including, Goldmann applanation tonometry, anterior chamber swept source optical coherence tomography (DRI OCT Triton plus (Ver.10.13)) and swept source optical biometry (IOL Master 700 v1.7) was performed on all participants. RESULTS: We found that ocular biometry parameters and anterior chamber parameters were not significantly different among groups. However, when we added cut-off values for narrow angles, we found that glaucoma group tended to have more narrow angles than control group. IOP was higher in glaucoma group despite all glaucoma patients having medically controlled IOP. In all subjects, anterior chamber parameters correlated well with lens position (LP), but less with relative lens position, while LP cut-off value of 5.1 mm could be used for predicting narrow anterior chamber angle parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract patients tend to develop narrow anterior chamber angles. Anterior chamber angle parameters have a positive moderate to strong relationship with lens position. LP may be used predicting narrow angles.

Etiology, pathogenesis and management of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and role of optic canal size in asymmetric papilledema: A review.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is characterized by raised intracranial pressure of unknown origin that primarily afflicts obese women of childbearing age. There are several treatment options, but currently there are none that are effective for the entire affected population. The lack of a universally effective treatment is related to an incomplete understanding of the etiology of the condition and the lack of a well-defined pathophysiological mechanism for the disease process. Classically, IIH has been thought of as a diagnosis of exclusion once radiographical imaging has ruled out all other causes of elevated intracranial pressure. Today, we know that imaging does capture subtle changes, and might provide keys to finally understand the pathogenesis of IIH so that a definitive treatment can be discovered or developed. Recently, advancements in radiography, optical coherence tomography, and electroretinography have shown promise for the future of IIH evaluation. A topic within IIH imaging that has recently sparked interest is the possibility that the severity of papilledema may have an association with the size of the optic canal. In this article, we also discuss the recent studies on the relationship between asymmetric papilledema and optic canal size.

Ocular side effects of target therapy and immunotherapy in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma.

PURPOSE: To examine the nature and frequency of ocular side effects due to systemic target therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitors as well as immunotherapy with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibodies used in the treatment of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). DESIGN: While proven effective in cancer treatment, target therapy and immunotherapy have been associated with ocular side effects likely due to their ability to alter the immune privilege of the eye. We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients undergoing target and immunotherapy for CMM and documented all associated eye findings. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 34 patients receiving target and immunotherapy for CMM who were examined in the academic ophthalmology clinic between 2012 and 2017. RESULTS: Ocular side effects were present in 41.1% of patients in this study with 14.7% presenting with uveitis. Patients undergoing therapy with either vemurafenib only or dabrafenib/trametinib combination therapies comprised 70.5% of the study cohort. Ocular side effects occurred in 45.5% and 46.1% of patients on vemurafenib and dabrafenib/trametinib combination therapy, respectively. About 47.5% of males presented with ocular side effects compared to 30.5% of females. Notably, 13/14 patients with ocular symptoms recovered. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the frequency of ocular side effects in patients treated with target therapy and immunotherapy for CMM and shows that symptom resolution can be effectively achieved with proper ophthalmic care. Further research is required to answer whether cessation of these therapies is mandatory during ophthalmic treatment.

Review of non-invasive intracranial pressure measurement techniques for ophthalmology applications.

Assessment and monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) are important in the management of traumatic brain injury and other cerebral pathologies. In the eye, ICP elevation and depression both correlate with optic neuropathies, the former because of papilledema and the latter related to glaucoma. While the relationship between ICP elevation and papilledema is well established, the relationship between low ICP and glaucoma is still poorly understood. So far, ICP monitoring is performed invasively, but this entails risks including infection, spurring the study of non-invasive alternatives. We review 11 methods of non-invasive estimation of ICP including correlation to optic nerve sheath diameter, intraocular pressure, ophthalmodynamometry and two-depth transcranial Doppler of the ophthalmic artery. While none of these methods can fully replace invasive techniques, certain measures show great potential for specific applications. Although only used in small studies to date, a MRI based method known as MR-ICP, appears to be the best non-invasive technique for estimating ICP, with two-depth transcranial ultrasound and ophthalmodynamometry showing potential as well.

Waveform parameters of retrobulbar vessels in glaucoma patients with different demographics and disease severity.

INTRODUCTION: To identify novel velocity waveform parameters of the ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery by computer-aided image processing of Doppler ultrasonography measurements, and to evaluate correlations between the waveform parameters and different demographics and disease severity of open-angle glaucoma patients. METHODS: Thirty-six images of 36 open-angle glaucoma patients were considered. A semiautomated image processing code was used to detect the digitalized ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery velocity waveforms and to extract the waveform parameters. Concordance correlation coefficient, two-sample t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to test for similarities, differences, and associations among variables. RESULTS: Female glaucoma patients showed a statistically higher ophthalmic artery normalized distance between ascending and descending limb (p = 0.004), hypertensive glaucoma patients a statistically higher ophthalmic artery peak systolic velocity time (p = 0.025), glaucoma patients with hyperlipidemia a statistically higher ophthalmic artery resistivity index (p = 0.023) and a statistically higher ophthalmic artery peak systolic velocity acceleration (p = 0.025), glaucoma patients with cardiovascular diseases a statistically lower central retinal artery normalized distance between ascending and descending limb of the wave (p = 0.033) and a statistically higher central retinal artery period (p = 0.028), and patients with different body mass index a statistically different central retinal artery normalized distance between ascending and descending limb of the wave (p = 0.016). Groups with different disease severity, classified following the Brusini glaucoma staging system 2, showed statistically different central retinal artery normalized distance between ascending and descending limb of the wave (p < 0.001) and central retinal artery period (p = 0.016). No statistical differences were found in regard to race, diabetes status, glaucoma family history, and smoking. DISCUSSION: Ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery computer-aided analysis of velocity waveforms could identify novel waveform parameters capable of differentiating among different demographics and disease severity of open-angle glaucoma patients.

Tie-2/Angiopoietin pathway modulation as a therapeutic strategy for retinal disease.

Introduction: The Tie-2/Angiopoietin pathway is a therapeutic target for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Activation of Tie-2 receptor via Ang-1 maintains vascular stability to limit exudation. Ang-2, a competitive antagonist to Ang-1, and VE-PTP, an endothelial-specific phosphatase, interfere with the Tie-2-Ang-1 axis, resulting in vascular leakage. Areas covered: Faricimab, a bispecific antibody that inhibits VEGF-A and Ang-2, is in phase 3 trials for nAMD and DME. Nesvacumab is an Ang-2 inhibitor; when coformulated with aflibercept, it failed to show benefit over aflibercept monotherapy in achieving visual gains in phase 2 studies of nAMD and DME. ARP-1536 is an intravitreally administered VE-PTP inhibitor undergoing preclinical studies. AKB-9778 is a subcutaneously administered VE-PTP inhibitor that, when combined with monthly ranibizumab, reduced DME more effectively than ranibizumab monotherapy in a phase 2 study. AKB-9778 monotherapy did not reduce diabetic retinopathy severity score compared to placebo. AXT107, currently in the preclinical phase, promotes conversion of Ang-2 into a Tie-2 agonist and blocks signaling through VEGFR2 and other receptor tyrosine-kinases. Expert opinion: Tie-2/Angiopoietin pathway modulators show promise to reduce treatment burden and improve visual outcomes in nAMD and DME, with potential to treat cases refractory to current treatment modalities.

Efficacy and safety of bromfenac 0.075% formulated in DuraSite for pain and inflammation in cataract surgery.

Introduction: Bromfenac is a topical ophthalmic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain and treat post-operative inflammation after cataract surgery. Bromfenac 0.075% in the DuraSite™ vehicle is a newly-approved formulation which has been shown to be efficacious and safe for use in cataract surgery to reduce pain and treat inflammation. It has been shown to have a slightly better posterior segment ocular bioavailability compared to similar topical ophthalmic NSAIDs. However, there is a paucity of studies investigating its role in the prevention and treatment of post-operative pseudophakic cystoid macular edema. Areas covered: In this review, the authors provide an overview of similar products available, describe the novelty of bromfenac 0.075% in the DuraSite vehicle, and discuss the relevant clinical studies to determine if the formulation is safe and efficacious. Expert opinion: Bromfenac 0.075% in the DuraSite vehicle is a new topical ophthalmic medication which has been approved by the FDA for the prevention of pain and treatment of post-operative inflammation. It provides cataract surgeons with an additional medication for cataract surgery. However, no robust studies have been performed showing the effect that it has on the reduction or prevention of post-operative pseudophakic cystoid macular edema.

Management of Glaucoma in Pregnancy.

Management of glaucoma during pregnancy represents a challenge for the physician. Important disease and patients' health decisions begin even before conception and continue throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. The data on this topic is limited due to ethical and legal constraints and challenges of conducting large, prospective, and randomized clinical trials on this patient population. Our review suggests that individually, intraocular pressure is lower in a pregnant woman when compared with a nonpregnant woman. Importantly, the medical management of glaucoma during pregnancy poses special challenges due to the possibility of adverse effects of medications on the fetus and newborn. Laser trabeculoplasty and traditional filtration surgery, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, represent nondrug management options. Thus, managing glaucoma in pregnancy is a delicate balance between treatment to prevent damage to the optic nerve in the mother and avoidance of interventions potentially harmful to the fetus. This literature review of published individual and population-based studies was performed to explore current knowledge and guidelines in the management of glaucoma in pregnancy.

Factors Associated With Retinal Vessel Diameters in an Elderly Population: the Thessaloniki Eye Study.

Purpose: To identify the factors associated with retinal vessel diameters in the population of the Thessaloniki Eye Study. Methods: Cross-sectional population-based study (age ≥ 60 years). Subjects with glaucoma, late age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy were excluded from the analyses. Retinal vessel diameters were measured using the IVAN software, and measurements were summarized to central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE), central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE), and arteriole to venule ratio (AVR). Results: The analysis included 1614 subjects. The hypertensive group showed lower values of CRAE (P = 0.033) and AVR (P = 0.0351) compared to the normal blood pressure (BP) group. On the contrary, the group having normal BP under antihypertensive treatment did not have different values compared to the normal BP group. Diastolic BP (per mm Hg) was negatively associated with CRAE (P < 0.0001) and AVR (P < 0.0001), while systolic BP (per mm Hg) was positively associated with CRAE (P = 0.001) and AVR (P = 0.0096). Other factors significantly associated included age, sex, alcohol, smoking, cardiovascular disease history, ophthalmic medication, weight, and IOP; differences were observed in a stratified analysis based on BP medication use. Conclusions: Our study confirms previous reports about the association of age and BP with vessel diameters. The negative correlation between BP and CRAE seems to be guided by the effect of diastolic BP as higher systolic BP is independently associated with higher values of CRAE. The association of BP status with retinal vessel diameters is determined by diastolic BP status in our population. Multiple other factors are also independently associated with retinal vessel diameters.

Effects of Sex Hormones on Ocular Blood Flow and Intraocular Pressure in Primary Open-angle Glaucoma: A Review.

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a multifactorial optic neuropathy characterized by progressive retinal ganglion cell death and visual field loss. Some speculate that sex plays a role in the risk of developing POAG and that the physiological differences between men and women may be attributed to the variable effects of sex hormones on intraocular pressure, ocular blood flow, and/or neuroprotection. Estrogen, in the form of premenopausal status, pregnancy, and postmenopausal hormone therapy is associated with an increase in ocular blood flow, decrease in intraocular pressure and neuroprotective properties. The vasodilation caused by estrogen and its effects on aqueous humor outflow may contribute. In contrast, although testosterone may have known effects in the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems, there is no consensus as to its effects in ocular health or POAG. With a better understanding of sex hormones in POAG, sex hormone-derived preventative and therapeutic considerations in disease management may provide for improved sex-specific patient care.

Risk factors for Age-related Macular Degeneration in a Greek population: The Thessaloniki Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the association of potential risk factors with early and late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the Thessaloniki Eye Study (TES) population Design: Population-based, cross-sectional study of subjects over age of 60 living in Thessaloniki, Greece Methods: Subjects without any AMD features and subjects with early and late AMD (neovascular AMD or geographic atrophy) were identified in the TES cohort using standardized procedures and masked grading of stereo color fundus photos. Demographic, lifestyle, systemic and other ophthalmic covariates were also collected during a detailed examination process. Their association with AMD was investigated using univariate and multivariate adjusted logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among the 2108 participants with gradable photos, the grading process identified 1204 subjects with no AMD, 848 subjects with early AMD, and 56 subjects with late AMD (24 with geographic atrophy and 32 with neovascular AMD). In multivariate analysis, compared to no AMD, late AMD was positively associated with older age (OR:1.16; 95%CI:1.10-1.22 per year of age), current smoking (smoking vs. never smoking, OR:2.34; 95%CI:1.12-4.90), prior cataract surgery (cataract surgery vs. no cataract surgery OR:2.06; 95%CI:0.96-4.40), marital status (divorced/separated vs. married, OR:3.10; 95%CI:1.08-8.93) and with 60% lower odds when sleeping in the afternoon (yes vs. no, OR:0.40; 95%CI:0.22-0.72). Early AMD was positively associated with older age (OR: 1.03; 95%CI:1.01-1.05 per year of age) and negatively with higher pulse pressure (OR:0.99; 95%CI:0.98-0.99 per mmHg). CONCLUSIONS: In TES, apart for well-known risk factors for AMD like age, smoking, and cataract surgery, two novel behavioral risk factors for prevalent late AMD were suggested. Sleeping in the afternoon was associated with 60% decreased odds for late AMD and 67% decreased odds for neovascular AMD. Being divorced/separated compared to married was associated with 3-fold higher odds for late AMD. Large longitudinal population-based studies will be necessary to further establish the potential late AMD risk effects of these two novel factors, to demonstrate potential implications of underlying pathogenetic mechanisms, and to explore preventive measures and therapeutic targets.

Overdiagnosis of open-angle glaucoma in the general population: the Thessaloniki Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To assess the overdiagnosis of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and to investigate associated factors. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, population-based study of an urban Caucasian population in northern Greece. Randomly selected subjects ≥60 years (n = 2554) participated in the Thessaloniki Eye Study. The definition of OAG required the presence of structural and functional damage, irrespective of intraocular pressure (IOP). Non-OAG subjects were classified as overdiagnosed with OAG if they had reported at least one of the following (self-reported glaucoma): (i) prior diagnosis of glaucoma, (ii) prior laser for glaucoma, (iii) prior glaucoma surgery. Factors associated with the overdiagnosis of OAG were investigated using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Of 57 (2.2%) subjects with self-reported glaucoma, 34 (60%) were overdiagnosed with OAG, corresponding to a prevalence of 1.3% (34/2554). In a logistic regression model among non-OAG subjects, worse visual acuity (VA) (20/200 or worse versus 20/25 or better; odds ratio (OR) = 4.30, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI), 1.13-16.35), family history of glaucoma (OR = 8.69, 95% CI, 2.83-26.67) and history of cataract surgery (OR = 11.50, 95% CI, 3.85-34.36) were statistically significantly associated with the overdiagnosis of OAG. Age, sex, higher IOP, higher vertical cup-to-disc ratio and pseudoexfoliation were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The overdiagnosis of OAG was substantial in this elderly, Caucasian population. The overdiagnosis of glaucoma has not been previously addressed in population-based studies and needs to be further explored.

The effects of antioxidants on ocular blood flow in patients with glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of an antioxidant dietary supplement that includes Ginkgo biloba, on retinal and retrobulbar blood flow in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG). METHODS: Forty-five patients with confirmed OAG were enroled in a randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over study. Baseline and postadministration measurements of intraocular pressure (IOP), ocular perfusion pressure (OPP), retrobulbar blood flow, and retinal capillary blood flow were non-invasively measured (ultrasound and laser Doppler modalities, respectively) before and one month after antioxidant nutraceuticals and placebo administration. Changes in measurements between the active supplement and placebo arms were evaluated using paired t-tests, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Antioxidant supplementation produced a statistically significant increase in peak systolic and/or end diastolic blood flow velocities in all retrobulbar blood vessels compared to placebo. Vascular resistance was also reduced in central retinal and nasal short posterior ciliary arteries following antioxidant administration. Additionally, antioxidant supplementation increased superior and inferior temporal retinal capillary mean blood flow and the ratio of active to non-active retina capillaries compared to placebo. CONCLUSION: One-month oral administration of antioxidants produced increases in biomarkers of ocular blood flow within retinal and retrobulbar vascular beds in patients with OAG.

EFFICACY OF DEXAMETHASONE INTRAVITREAL IMPLANT FOR REFRACTORY MACULAR EDEMA CAUSED BY RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION.

PURPOSE: To investigate efficacy of dexamethasone intravitreal (DEX) implant in treating refractory macular edema caused by retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: Retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Twenty-two eyes with refractory macular edema caused by retinal vein occlusion were treated with a mean of 2.2 DEX over 12 months. Patient had previously received a mean of 7 treatments (laser, bevacizumab, and/or triamcinolone) for macular edema present for at least 4 months duration (mean 20.8 ± 17.6 months, range 4-72 months) before starting DEX. Mean baseline visual acuity was 20/91, and mean central subfield thickness was 506 µm. DEX improved mean best-corrected visual acuity to 20/75 and 20/66 at 7 weeks and 6 months follow-up, although it worsened to 20/132 at 12 months. Mean central subfield thickness improved to 292, 352, and 356 µm at 7 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months follow-up, respectively. There was a statistically significant association between number of DEX treatments and central subfield thickness (P = 3.28 × 10). There was a statistically significant association between number of days followed and best-corrected visual acuity (P = 0.006). Six of 12 (50%) phakic patients developed visually significant cataract requiring surgery. Five of 22 (23%) patients developed ocular hypertension (intraocular pressure > 30) and consequently did not undergo further treatment with DEX. CONCLUSION: DEX resulted in sustained anatomical reduction of retinal vein occlusion-associated refractory macular edema, although this did not translate into long-term best-corrected visual acuity improvement in either phakic or pseudophakic patients, possibly related to chronic structural alterations in the retina despite reduction of edema.