Biodegradable material for glaucoma drainage devices - A pilot study in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To study the morphological and histological characteristics of the fibrous capsule formed around a novel biodegradable glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implant made of oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) after 1 and 3 months of its implantation. METHODS: It was a prospective, interventional, preclinical experimental study using New Zealand white rabbits. All animals underwent GDD implantation with a novel biodegradable device. The device's body was made of ORC and attached to a silicone tube, connecting the body to the anterior chamber. Histopathology (hematoxylin and eosin/Masson's trichrome staining) and immunohistochemistry (Alpha-Smooth Muscle Actin expression) characteristics of the bleb formed around the novel device were noted at 1 and 3 months. RESULTS: One month post implantation, the biodegradable material produced a significant foreign body type of reaction evidenced by the exuberant infiltration by macrophages, lymphocytes, and multinucleated giant cells. The granulomatous response subsided by 3 months with disorganized collagen deposition on Masson's trichrome staining. The silicone tube was an internal control, and histopathology demonstrated well-organized collagen deposition around it at 3 months. Immunohistochemistry for α-smooth muscle actin also demonstrated more myofibroblast transformation at the site of the tube than the biodegradable implant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the tissue response around a biodegradable GDD was different from the response to conventional devices. A diffuse, loose vascularized mesh was observed to develop, which may be more compatible with sustained IOP control over a longer period, in contrast to the usual thick and dense capsule formed around the non-biodegradable devices.

Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid in Young Patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to report ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) occurring in young patients. Relevant literature is also reviewed. METHODS: Medical records of patients aged 30 years or younger who were treated for OCP between August 2021 and May 2023 at a tertiary care eye institute were reviewed. The most common differential diagnoses of cicatrizing conjunctivitis, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome sequelae, chemical injury, chronic topical/systemic drug use, autoimmune connective tissue disorders, or allergic eye diseases, were ruled out based on clinical history, examination, and the Cicatrizing Conjunctivitis Score described by Shanbhag et al. The diagnosis of OCP was confirmed by positive direct immunofluorescence of oral mucosal and/or conjunctival biopsy in a majority of the patients. RESULTS: Seven patients fulfilled the criteria for a diagnosis of OCP. The mean age at presentation was 21.86 ± 5.25 years (13-28 years). Some of the patients presented with relatively atypical features for OCP such as corneal immune ring infiltrate and bilateral corneal perforation. Six patients exhibited systemic mucosal lesions, and the direct immunofluorescence yield was 85.71%. All patients required aggressive immunosuppressive treatment. CONCLUSIONS: OCP is classically described as a rare disease that occurs in old age. This case series highlights the importance of a higher index of suspicion for diagnosing OCP at a younger age. Early administration of immunosuppressive agents can potentially control severe ocular surface inflammation and its sequelae.

Use of the Aurolab Aqueous Drainage Implant as a buckling element in pediatric retinal detachment with a preexisting glaucoma drainage device.

Purpose: To describe a novel technique for repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in an eye with a previous non-valved glaucoma drainage device, the Aurolab Aqueous Drainage Implant (AADI). Observations: A 5-year-old child with bilateral primary congenital glaucoma presented with an inferior retinal detachment (RD) in the left eye. The left eye had a history of multiple surgical interventions including combined trabeculotomy and trabeculectomy done twice, AADI implantation and subsequently phacoaspiration with IOL implantation, 18 months prior to presentation. The left eye retinal detachment was managed by scleral buckling technique using the plate of the AADI as a buckling element without its explantation. Conclusions: AND IMPORTANCE: Management of retinal detachment in eyes with a pre-existing glaucoma drainage device (GDD) is uniquely challenging. Explantation of the GDD would likely result in intractable glaucoma post-operatively, requiring another surgery. Use of the trimmed plate of the GDD itself as the buckling element helped in settling the RD and preserving intraocular pressure control.

CYP1B1 and MYOC variants in neonatal-onset versus infantile-onset primary congenital glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: To compare CYP1B1 and MYOC variants in a cohort of neonatal-onset (NO) and infantile-onset (IO) primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). METHODS: This prospective observational study included 43 infants with PCG (14 NO and 29 IO) presenting between January 2017 and January 2019 with a minimum 1-year follow-up. CYP1B1 and MYOC genes were screened using Sanger sequencing with in-silico analysis of the variants using Polymorphism Phenotyping v.2 and Protein Variation Effect Analyser platforms. Allelic frequency was estimated using Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAd). Disease presentation and outcome were correlated to the genetic variants in both groups. RESULTS: Babies with CYP1B1 mutations had more severe disease at presentation and worse outcomes. Six of 14 (42.8%) NO glaucoma and 5 of 29 (17.2%) IO harboured CYP1B1 mutations. Five of six babies in the NO group and three of five in the IO group harboured the variant c.1169G>A, [p.R390H]. They required more surgeries and had a poorer outcome. On in-silico analysis c.1169G>A, [p.R390H] scored very likely pathogenic. Two patients in the IO group who had the c.1294C>G, [p.L432V] variant had a good outcome. Five of 14 NO-PCG and 8 of 29 IO-PCG harboured the variant c.227G>A, [p.R76K] in the MYOC gene, which was scored benign by in-silico analysis, and was also found in 2 of 15 normal controls. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CYP1B1 pathogenic variants had a poorer outcome than those without. We found more NO PCG babies with CYP1B1 mutations compared with IO PCG. This may be one of the reasons for NO PCG having a poorer prognosis compared with IO PCG.

Primary aphakia: clinical recognition is the key to diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To describe the presentation and treatment outcomes of a cohort of children with primary aphakia (PA). METHODS: Clinical photographs and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) images of children presenting with sclerocornea and undetermined anterior segment dysgenesis between July 2017 and December 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. Children who had no crystalline lens visible on UBM were included. RESULTS: A total of 124 UBM images were captured for 124 children with cloudy corneas. Twelve children were identified with congenital primary aphakia: 5 had bilateral buphthalmos, 2 had buphthalmos in one eye and microphthalmos in the other, and 5 had bilateral sclerocornea-microphthalmia complex. All patients had a peculiar silvery-blue corneal appearance, with fine vascularization on the corneal surface. The overall corneal thickness was 409.1 ± 8.7 µm. The intraocular pressure (IOP) in eyes with glaucoma was 24.5 ± 7.3 mm Hg; in microphthalmic eyes, 11.4 ± 3.4 mm Hg (P <0.001). The raised IOP was treated with limited trans-scleral cyclophotocoagulation under transillumination and topical antiglaucoma medications. Children with glaucoma gained ambulatory vision with spectacles. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital primary aphakia has a characteristic clinical appearance and may present as buphthalmos or microphthalmos, depending on the extent of dysgenesis. Incisional surgery may result in phthisis because of ciliary body dysgenesis and unpredictable aqueous production.

Unilateral advanced glaucoma in isolated congenital ectropion uveae with ipsilateral ptosis: A pictorial description of five children.

Aim: To report the cases of five children with unilateral advanced glaucoma in isolated congenital ectropion uveae (CEU) with ipsilateral ptosis and myopia. Methods: This is an ambispective observational case series. After diagnosing one patient with CEU and glaucoma, consecutive patients presenting with unilateral ptosis, congenital iris anomaly, and glaucoma between 2014 to 2020, and had completed a minimum one-year postoperative follow-up, were analyzed. Results: Of the 1421 newly registered pediatric glaucoma patients in the period under review, five children were diagnosed with CEU. All patients presented with gradual painless diminution of vision in the left eye in early adolescence. The left eye of all patients had peculiar clinical features: mild congenital ptosis, high iris insertion, crypt-less smooth iris surface, congenital ectropion uveae, pigments over anterior lens capsule, high myopia, advanced glaucomatous optic disc cupping, and very high intraocular pressure (IOP), which was > 45 mmHg in all cases. The right eye showed signs of angle dysgenesis with mild anterior iris insertion and numerous fine iris processes. Antiglaucoma medications and angle surgery failed to control the IOP, and all children required glaucoma filtration surgery, resulting in reasonable IOP control. Despite the older age, postoperative strict amblyopia treatment resulted in significant improvement in vision. Conclusions: Although ectropion uveae and ptosis have been present since birth, unilaterality, and the asymptomatic nature of the disease led to the late presentation with irreversible damage. Early surgical management and amblyopia therapy are the cornerstones of management. Abbreviations: CEU = Congenital ectropion uvea, CIES = Congenital Iris Ectropion Syndrome, ASD = Anterior segment dysgenesis syndrome, BCVA = Best-corrected visual acuity, IOP = Intraocular pressure.

A modified model of glaucoma filtering surgery in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Animal models are useful in glaucoma research to study tissue response to wound healing. Smaller animals such as rats offer additional advantages in terms of availability of detection antibodies and microarrays with cheaper maintenance costs. In this study, we describe a glaucoma filtering surgery (GFS) model in adult Sprague-Dawley rats by performing a sclerostomy using a 26-G needle and additionally placing a silicone tube (27 G) connecting the anterior chamber to the subconjunctival space to maintain a patent fistula for the flow of aqueous humor, thus providing a more definitive bleb. This technique will be useful in identifying and modifying newer targets in the wound healing process in order to improve surgical outcomes following GFS.

Neonatal-Onset Congenital Ectropion Uveae May Be Caused by a Distinct CYP1B1 Pathologic Variant.

PURPOSE: To report underlying genetic variants of recently described distinct phenotype of newborn glaucoma: neonatal-onset congenital ectropion uveae (NO-CEU). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Setting: tertiary care teaching institute. SUBJECTS: Thirteen children with clinical diagnosis of NO-CEU who had completed 1-year follow-up after glaucoma surgery and had undergone clinical exome sequencing (CES) by selective capture and sequencing of the protein-coding regions of the genes including 19 candidate genes for NO-CEU were assessed. The same criteria were applied for evaluating pathogenicity of variants to all the candidate genes. OUTCOME MEASURES: primary-genetic variants found on CES keeping in view the clinical indication of congenital glaucoma; secondary-corneal clarity and intraocular pressure (IOP) at baseline and 1-year follow-up, interventions required to control IOP, and postoperative visual acuity. The genetic variants were correlated with the outcome. RESULTS: All 13 patients diagnosed with NO-CEU had onset of glaucoma at birth and severe bilateral disease. Twelve of 13 (92.3%) patients harbored CYP1B1 variants. Nine of these 12 patients (83.3%) were homozygous for [c.1169G>A(p.Arg390His)] in exon-3 of CYP1B, with 5 common homozygous single-nucleotide polymorphisms flanking the pathogenic variant. They had intractable glaucoma and required multiple surgeries. Six patients had persistent corneal opacities, necessitating optical iridectomies. Three patients were compound heterozygous for CYP1B1 variants, showing [c.1169G>A(p.Arg390His)] along with [c.1103G>A(p.Arg368His)], [c.1103G>A (p.Arg368His)] along with [c.1403_1429dup(p.Arg468_Ser476dup)], and [(c.1063C>T(p.Arg355Ter)] along with [c.1325del(p.Pro442GlnfsTer15)]. These patients had better visual outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: NO-CEU appears to be a phenotypic marker for specific CYP1B1 genotypes, one of which is [c.1169G>A(p.Arg390His)] in our study population. Phenotype recognition is helpful to characterize the underlying genetic variants.

Clinical profile and outcome of early surgery in neonatal-onset glaucoma presenting over a 5-year period.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal-onset glaucoma (NOG) is a severe form of childhood glaucoma and is not always due to primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). Due to advances in neonatal care, the incidence of NOG is rising, but it remains an under-reported entity. The objective of the paper was to study the clinical profiles, surgical and visual outcomes of NOG at least 1 year following early surgery. METHODS: Prospective interventional cohort study at a tertiary care referral centre. Babies with NOG, who presented between January 2013 and December 2017, had a history suggestive of disease onset within 1 month of birth, and underwent surgery by 3 months of age, were prospectively enrolled. Those who completed a 1-year follow-up after surgery were analysed. RESULTS: 94 eyes of 53 babies were analysed. 35 (66%) had PCG. Neonatal congenital ectropion uveae, congenital rubella syndrome, Peter's anomaly and Sturge-Weber syndrome comprised the non-PCG group. The mean age at presentation and surgery was 24.8±21.9, and 36.7±29.9 days. Additional glaucoma surgery was required in 43 of the 94 eyes (45.7%). PCG had significantly better outcomes than other glaucomas at all time points. 28.3% of eyes had good vision (LogMar (0-0.5)), 34.7% had moderate visual impairment (LogMar 0.7-1.0) and 16% were blind (LogMar <1.62) . CONCLUSION: Our study shows that NOG does not always have a dismal prognosis. A small but significant proportion could have other underlying conditions than PCG. Timely surgery and rigorous amblyopia therapy resulted in good outcomes in terms of intraocular pressure control and vision in this cohort.

Newborn Glaucoma: A Neglected Manifestation of Congenital Rubella Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To study the frequency of intrauterine rubella infection in a cohort of neonatal-onset glaucoma (NOG) and its effect on the treatment outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Infants with NOG presenting to the pediatric glaucoma service at a tertiary care center in northern India at Chandigarh between January 1, and September 30, 2018, with a minimum postoperative follow-up of 1 year were included in this study. METHODS: Rubella immunoglobulin-M (IgM) antibodies were tested in all patients. Surgery for intraocular pressure (IOP) control comprised combined trabeculotomy with trabeculectomy or goniotomy. Presenting features and treatment outcomes at 1 year were compared among infants with and without rubella-IgM antibodies. RESULTS: Of 27 eligible infants, 7 (25.9%) were rubella-IgM positive, and all had bilateral glaucoma. One eye in a rubella-positive baby was an unsightly blind eye and required a prosthesis. A total of 13 eyes of 7 patients were compared with 34 eyes of 20 rubella-negative patients. There was no significant difference in mean age and IOP at presentation. Rubella-positive infants had significantly more opaque corneas (P < 0.001), shorter eyes (P < 0.001), and smaller corneal diameters (P = 0.007) at presentation. Two patients in the rubella group had bilateral cataracts, 3 patients had heart disease, and 1 patient had sensorineural deafness. Salt-and-pepper retinopathy was noted in both rubella-positive infants where fundus evaluation was possible. Despite comparable IOP control (P = 0.51), the corneal clarity remained significantly worse in the rubella-positive patients (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-five percent of those with newborn glaucoma had underlying intrauterine rubella infection, thus making them susceptible for development of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Neonatal-onset glaucoma is an important component of CRS, which may present without buphthalmos and persistent corneal clouding despite good IOP control.

Reworking protocols of ophthalmic resident surgical training in the COVID-19 era - Experiences of a tertiary care institute in northern India.

PURPOSE: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively impacted medical professionals in all fields of medicine and surgery in their academic, clinical and surgical training. The impact of surgical training has been described as 'severe' by most ophthalmology residents worldwide due to their duties in COVID-19 wards, disruption of outpatient and camp services. METHODS: Ophthalmic surgery demands utmost accuracy and meticulousness. Fine motor proficiencies, stereoscopic skills and hand-eye coordination required can only be achieved by practice. So, a multileveled structured wet-lab teaching schedule was prepared for the residents and implemented to bridge this gap between theory and practice at our tertiary care institute. A semester-wise training schedule was made with the proper distribution of wet-lab and simulator training. Surgeries like phacoemulsification, scleral buckling, pars plana lensectomy and vitrectomy, trabeculectomy and intravitreal injections were practised by the residents on the goat eyes. Simulator training was provided for phacoemulsification and vitrectomy to increase the hand-eye coordination of the residents. RESULTS: Residents noticed improvement in their surgical skills and ambidexterity post wet-lab and simulator training . It also increased their confidence and provided essential surgical skills required to be used in the operation theater later. CONCLUSION: It is imperative that wet-lab training be included in the residency training programme in this COVID-19 era.

Treatment outcomes and efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy-hyaloidotomy-zonulectomy-iridotomy in malignant glaucoma.

AIM: To study the treatment outcomes and efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy-hyaloidotomy-zonulectomy-iridotomy in malignant glaucoma. METHOD: A retrospective case series study of patients treated for malignant glaucoma between 2005 and 2017. The treatment included medical management as first-line in the form of cycloplegic with anti-glaucoma medications (AGM) or pars plana vitrectomy-hyaloidotomy-zonulectomy-iridotomy as second-line therapy. The resolution was defined as 'deepening of central anterior chamber' with intraocular pressure of ⩽ 21 mm Hg (minimum on two consecutive visits 1 week apart) with or without topical anti-glaucoma medications in the absence (complete success) or presence (qualified success) of systemic medications. RESULTS: Twenty-three eyes of 22 patients were included. At the time of diagnosis of malignant glaucoma preceding surgeries were cataract surgery (13 eyes) and trabeculectomy (4 eyes). One eye each had phacotrabeculectomy, Yag capsulotomy and optical keratoplasty. Eighteen eyes were pseudophakic and two eyes were phakic. At presentation, mean intraocular pressure was 26.25 ± 14.78 mmHg which was decreased to 15.90 ± 8.12 mmHg (p < 0.0001) at final follow-up (median follow-up was 15.50 months). Fifteen (75%) eyes had complete success, 3 (15%) eyes had qualified success and 2 (10%) eyes had treatment failure. Of 15 eyes that had achieved complete success, 3 eyes had undergone medical management and 12 eyes undergone second-line procedure. There was no significant difference in visual acuity or number of anti-glaucoma medication at presentation and final follow-up (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Though malignant glaucoma is highly refractory to treatment, appropriate management in the form of medical or vitrectomy-hyaloidotomy-zonulectomy-iridotomy could achieve 90% success in this series.

Neonatal-Onset Congenital Ectropion Uveae: A Distinct Phenotype of Newborn Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To describe neonatal-onset congenital ectropion uveae (N-CEU) as a distinct clinical entity of newborn glaucoma (NG) and to study its significance toward the severity and outcome of NG. DESIGN: Prospective clinical cohort study. METHODS: The study took place at a tertiary care postgraduate teaching institute. It included consecutive patients with NG who presented between July 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017, with a minimum postoperative follow-up of 1 year. Infants with any ocular anomaly apart from CEU were excluded. Patients with N-CEU were compared with those with neonatal-onset primary congenital glaucoma (N-PCG). All infants underwent goniotomy or trabeculotomy, with trabeculectomy depending on corneal clarity. Clinical features at presentation and outcome 1 year after surgery were defined as good or satisfactory if intraocular pressure was ≤16.0 mm Hg under anesthesia without or with topical medications, respectively, and poor if the infant required additional surgery. RESULTS: Twenty eyes of 10 patients with N-CEU were compared with 16 eyes of 9 patients with N-PCG. Infants with N-CEU had significantly worse corneal clarity (mean grade 2.0 ± 0.7 vs 1.4 ± 0.8; P = .026) and poorer outcomes compared with those with N-PCG. Seven of 16 (43.7%) eyes with N-PCG had a cornea clear enough at presentation for a goniotomy compared with only 2 of the 20 (10%) eyes with N-CEU (P = .026). Thirteen of 16 (81.2%) eyes with N-PCG had a good or satisfactory outcome compared with 6 of 20 (30%) eyes with N-CEU (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: N-CEU appears to be distinct from the unilateral CEU in older patients described in the literature and may be considered a poorer prognosis phenotype of neonatal-onset glaucoma.

Mirtazapine-induced bilateral secondary angle closure in a female.

Purpose: To report a case of bilateral secondary angle closure in a female using mirtazapine for 6 months. Patient and method: A 55-year-old female was diagnosed with secondary angle closure in both eyes with raised intraocular pressure, and ultrasound biomicroscopic findings suggestive of ciliary body effusion. It was associated with adjoining cyst presumably because of the use of mirtazapine for depression and sleep disturbances. Results: After the planned discontinuation of mirtazapine, the ocular angle opened, the ciliary body edema decreased, and the cyst regressed in size. The intraocular pressure was controlled with topical timolol (0.5%). Conclusion: Patients with risk factors for angle closure should be prescribed antipsychotic drugs with caution. The peripheral laser iridotomy is not indicated in secondary angle closure due to ciliary body effusion.

Predictors of visual impairment in primary and secondary glaucoma in a tertiary institute in North India.

AIM: To find out and compare various predictors of glaucoma-related visual impairments in primary and secondary glaucoma. METHODS: A prospective observational study of patients, who were above 30 years of age. They were diagnosed as primary/secondary glaucoma with visual acuity <20/200 Snellen's/visual field showing less than 20° isopter in at least one eye, with a minimum follow-up of one year at a tertiary center. Patients were classified into advanced and end-stage glaucoma and outcome was assessed according to visual acuity and visual fields to see predictors of visual impairments. RESULTS: There were 169 (99 primary/70 secondary) glaucoma patients with mean age of 62.67 ± 11.9 and 54.65 ± 15.26 years, respectively. Trauma (21.4%), complicated cataract surgery (15.7%), and silicon oil tamponade (14.3%) were common causes of secondary glaucoma. There was significant delay in diagnosis in primary compared to secondary glaucoma (57.57% vs 32.85%) and non-compliance was significantly higher in primary glaucoma (34.3% vs 17.1%, p = 0.01). In univariate analysis, literacy, income status, locality, and delayed or missed diagnosis were found to be significant (p < 0.05) according to visual acuity criteria. Out of the 33 patients who had undergone glaucoma filtration surgery, 18 (54.5%) were in the end-stage group. While 105 (77.2%) of 136 patients who were not subjected to any glaucoma filtration surgery reached end-stage glaucoma as per visual fields criteria (p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Lack of awareness, delayed diagnosis, low literacy, and income were associated with poor visual outcome. Patients who underwent glaucoma filtration surgery had significantly better visual outcome in comparison to patients managed medically.

Long-term outcome of low-cost glaucoma drainage device (Aurolab aqueous drainage implant) compared with Ahmed glaucoma valve.

PURPOSE: To compare the long-term outcome of Aurolab aqueous drainage device (AADI) and Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV). METHOD: Retrospective analysis of patients with refractory glaucoma who underwent AGV (AGV-FP7) and AADI (AADI Model 350) implantation. The outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), requirement of antiglaucoma medications (AGMs) and re-surgery for IOP control. The postoperative complications were classified as early (≤3 months), intermediate (>3 months to ≤1 year) or late (>1 year). RESULTS: 173 patients (189 eyes) underwent AGV implantation (AGV Group) while 201 patients (206 eyes) underwent AADI implantation (AADI group). The IOP in AADI group was significantly lower than AGV group at all time points till 2 years and comparable at 3 years. AADI group had significantly higher number of AGM in preoperative period and significantly lower number in postoperative period till 3 years compared with AGV group. AADI group had more hypotony-related complications but statistically insignificant (p = 0.07). The surgical interventions were significantly higher in AGV (n = 18) compared with AADI group (n = 5) in late postoperative period (p = 0.01). At 3 years, overall success was seen in 58.18% in AGV and 73.08% in AADI group (p = 0.15). Complete success was seen in 7.27% patients in AGV and 25.00% patients in AADI group (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Both AADI and AGV implant had comparable mean IOP at 3 years with lesser requirement of AGM in the AADI group. Both procedures appear to be safe with slight preponderance of hypotony-related complications in AADI group.

Intraocular pressure reduction in a spectrum of angle closure disease following cataract extraction.

Purpose: The purpose is to study the effect of cataract extraction on intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with angle closure disease (ACD). Methods: In this retrospective study, patients with ACD including medically uncontrolled and advanced primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) who underwent only cataract surgery were included. The IOP trend was analyzed at postoperative day 1, day 7, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and final follow-up along with requirement of antiglaucoma medication (AGM)/surgery. Results: A total of 110 eyes of 79 patients [primary angle closure suspect (PACS): 21, PAC: 34, PACG: 55 eyes] were analyzed. Of these patients, 31 eyes had advanced PACG and 20 eyes had medically uncontrolled glaucoma. Best-corrected visual acuity >6/12 was seen in 51 eyes at baseline and 87 eyes at final follow-up. After cataract surgery alone, there was significant reduction (median) in IOP [19.1 ± 18.00% (18.8) in PACS (P < 0.01), 8.55 ± 17.9% (10) in PAC (P = 0.04), 22.82 ± 15.45%(14.3) in PACG (P < 0.01), 18.27 ± 15.99% (14.5) in advanced PACG (P = 0.01) and 36.56 ± 14.58% (28.57) in medically uncontrolled glaucoma (P < 0.01)] and AGM [51.85% (1) in PAC, 32.35% (2) in PACG, 17.71% (2) in advanced PACG, and 40.74% (1.5) in medically uncontrolled PACD] at median follow-up of 1, 2.5, 1, 1.3, and 1 year. Eleven PACG patients, who were on systemic medication preoperatively, were off systemic therapy at final follow-up, while six other PACG eyes (10.9%) required glaucoma surgery. Conclusion: Cataract surgery leads to significant drop in IOP across the spectrum of ACD with visually significant cataract. Cataract surgery may be considered initially for IOP control even in advanced or medically uncontrolled PACG followed by glaucoma surgery later if required.

Long-term outcomes of cataract surgery in children with uveitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of cataract surgery in children with uveitis. METHODS: Retrospective, noncomparative review of medical records of children (≤16 years) with uveitic cataract who had undergone cataract surgery between January 2001 and December 2014 at a tertiary care center was done. The main outcome measures were visual acuity and postoperative complications. RESULTS: We recruited 37 children (58 eyes) who were diagnosed with uveitic cataract and underwent cataract surgery. The etiology of uveitis included juvenile idiopathic arthritis (n = 19), presumed intraocular tuberculosis (n = 8), idiopathic (n = 4), Behçet's disease (n = 2), Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (n = 2), human leukocyte antigen B-27 associated uveitis (n = 1), and toxocariasis (n = 1). Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation was performed in 17 patients (27 eyes; 46.55%), while 20 patients (31 eyes; 53.44%) were left aphakic after pars plan lensectomy and vitrectomy. At an average follow-up of 3.69 ± 7.2 (SD) years, all cases had significant improvement in corrected distance visual acuity post cataract extraction; visual acuity of 20/40 or more was achieved in 32 eyes (55.17%). The most common complication was capsular opacification (37.93%). Incidence of secondary procedures as well as glaucoma was not statistically different in patients undergoing IOL implantation from those who were aphakic. CONCLUSION: Even though number of secondary procedures was more in pseudophakic group, meticulous choice of surgical technique and adequate immunosuppression lead to a modest gain of visual acuity in children undergoing IOL implantation in uveitis. However, scrupulous case selection and aggressive control of pre- and postoperative intraocular inflammation are the key factors in the postoperative success of these patients.

Glaucoma Secondary to Uveitis in Children in a Tertiary Care Referral Center.

Purpose: To study outcome of secondary glaucoma in pediatric uveitis patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis of records of uveitis patients ≤16 years. Results: Of 182 pediatric uveitis patients, secondary glaucoma was seen in 48 patients (75 eyes, 26.23%) with female preponderance (F:M-29:19) . JIA was the most common etiology (35.71%). BCVA of ≥20/40 was seen in 22 eyes at presentation and in 38 eyes at final follow up (p<0.001). Twenty eight children (66.67%) received systemic antiglaucoma therapy while 17 children (21 eyes) required surgery (60.71%). Logistic regression showed pseudophakia could predict the higher use of oral antiglaucoma medication (p=0.03) while anatomical site of involvement was predictive of higher chances of surgery (p=0.003). Overall success was seen in 82.10% and 71.64% using IOP limit of 21 and 18 mmHg respectively at mean follow-up of 3.9 years. Conclusion: Pediatric uveitic glaucoma though require multitude of therapies, can be managed effectively with appropriate therapy.

Comparison of Short-term Outcomes of Aurolab Aqueous Drainage Implant with Ahmed Glaucoma Valve in Post-Penetrating Keratoplasty Glaucoma: A Retrospective Follow-up Study at a Tertiary Care Center.

PURPOSE: Comparison of short-term outcomes of the Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) with the Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) in post-penetrating keratoplasty glaucoma (PPKG). DESIGN: Retrospective study design. PARTICIPANTS: We analyzed the data of patients who underwent glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation for PPKG between the time period of 2008 to 2017. A total of 57 eyes of 55 patients were included. METHODS: Parameters including age, sex, corneal graft clarity, duration between the keratoplasty and glaucoma surgery, visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of antiglaucoma drugs (topical and oral) before surgery, and type of GDD were studied. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group I, patients undergoing AADI implantation; and group II, patients undergoing AGV implantation. Patients with at least 6 months follow-up were included. The postoperative VA and IOP were analyzed on day 1 and at 1 week, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. The success of GDD was defined as complete success (IOP > 5 mmHg or <21 mmHg without topical antiglaucoma drug) or qualified success (IOP > 5 mmHg or <21 mmHg with up to 2 topical antiglaucoma drugs). Failure was defined as IOP < 5 mmHg or >21 mmHg with or without antiglaucoma medication; IOP < 21 mmHg with 3 or more topical medications or use of systemic medications irrespective of the IOP; loss of perception of light; and/or need for further glaucoma surgery. RESULTS: Nineteen eyes in group I (mean age = 40.16±16.36 years) and 38 eyes in group II (mean age = 56.61±19.35 years) were studied. The mean baseline IOP in group I and group II was not significantly different (28.63±11.21 vs. 30±14.61 mmHg, P = 0.72). Mean postoperative IOP at 6 months was not significantly different in the 2 groups (12.11±4.86 mmHg vs. 14.95±6.35 mmHg, P = 0.2). There was statistically significant fall in IOP at each visit compared to preoperative IOP in both the groups (P = 0.001), but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups at any time point (P > 0.05). At 6 months overall success rate was 84.21% in both groups (P = 1.00), though the complete success was slightly higher in group II, which was nonsignificant (31.58% vs. 39.47%, P = 0.56). There was no significant difference between baseline and final VA in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Both AADI and AGV are equally effective in controlling IOP in post-penetrating glaucoma. The AADI, being a cost-effective implant, may be more suitable for developing countries.