The effects of the first versus second glaucoma drainage implant surgery in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the outcome of non-valved glaucoma drainage implant surgery (GDIS) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients divided in the first GDI group (patients who underwent the first GDIS) and the second GDI group (patients who underwent the second GDIS because of the failed first GDIS). METHODS: Intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity (VA), visual field defect (VFD), medication score (MS), survival rate of GDIS, complications, and patient background was retrospectively analyzed. Two success criteria were set: Criteria (1) IOP reduction ≥ 20% and 5 < IOP ≤ 21, Criteria (2) IOP reduction ≥ 20% and 5 < IOP ≤ 14. RESULTS: There were 136 eyes of 109 patients in the first GDI group and 32 eyes of 27 patients in the second GDI group. In the first GDI group and II, mean preoperative IOP was 26.7 ± 6.7 mmHg and 23.7 ± 3.5 mmHg, respectively (P = 0.09). No statistically significant difference in postoperative IOP reduction was found between the two groups (P = 0.39). At 5-years postoperative, the Criteria 1 (Criteria 2) survival rate in the first GDI group and the second GDI group was 60.4% (31.7%) and 61.2% (25.6%), respectively (Criteria 1: hazard ratio [HR]: 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30-1.35 [P = 0.24]; Criteria 2: HR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.46-1.44, P = 0.48). No significant difference in VA, VFD change, MS, or complications was observed. Young patient age was the only significant factor for failure in the first GDI group (odds ratio: 0.95, 95% confidence interval: 0.91-1.00, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The second GDIS may be as effective as the first GDIS for IOP reduction in POAG patients, however, there is a high risk of failure in young-age patients and the surgery may be ineffective in eyes requiring Criteria 2.

"Pinch and Stretch" technique to overcome ocular hypotony during scleral suturing of recti muscles.

During extraocular muscle surgery, an uneventful scleral suture pass is very essential. In presence of normal intraocular tension, the surgery is quite predictable and safe. However, in the presence of significant hypotony, it becomes challenging. Therefore, to mitigate complication rate in these cases, we have adopted a simple technique, that is, the "pinch and stretch" technique. The surgical steps of this technique are as follows: In eyes with significant ocular hypotony, the surgery is initiated with a routine forniceal/limbal peritomy, following which the muscle is sutured and dis-inserted. Using three tissue fixation forceps, the scleral surface is stabilized. Using first forceps, the surgeon rotates the globe toward themself from the muscle stump, and with the remaining two forceps, the assistant pinches and stretches the episcleral tissue in an outward and upward direction just beneath the intended marks. This creates a flat scleral surface with significant firmness. Sutures are passed over this rigid sclera and the surgery is completed without any complications.

Clinical outcomes of the PAUL® glaucoma implant: One-year results.

BACKGROUND: To report one-year outcomes from a single-centre cohort undergoing PAUL® Glaucoma Implant (PGI) surgery. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients undergoing PGI surgery at the University Eye Hospital Bonn, Germany, from April 2021 to September 2021. RESULTS: Forty-five eyes of 41 patients were included. Qualified and complete success rates (95% CI) were 95.6% (88.9%-100%) and 73.3% (60%-86.7%) for Criterion A (IOP ≤ 21 mmHg), 84.4% (73.3%-93.3%) and 74.4% (51.1%-80.0%) for Criterion B (IOP ≤ 18 mmHg), 62.2% (48.9%-75.6%) and 46.7% (31.2%-62.2%) for Criterion C (IOP ≤ 15 mmHg) and 26.7% (13.3%-40.0%) and 22.2% (11.1%-33.3%) for Criterion D (IOP ≤ 12 mmHg), respectively. Mean IOP decreased from 26.1 mmHg (7-48 mmHg) to 12.0 mmHg (3-24 mmHg) (reduction of 48.83%) after 12 months with a reduction of IOP-lowering agents from 0.5 (0-3). One eye (2.2%) needed an injection of viscoelastic due to significant hypotony with AC shallowing, and four eyes (8.9%) developed choroidal detachments due to hypotony which resolved without further interventions after 6 weeks. Three patients (6.7%) developed tube exposure which required conjunctival revision with an additional pericardial patch graft. An intraluminal prolene stent was removed in 19 eyes (42.2%) after a mean time period of 8.4 months (2-12 m). Mean IOP before the removal was 21.9 mmHg (12-38 mmHg) and decreased to 11.3 mmHg (6-16 mmHg). CONCLUSIONS: PGI surgery is an effective procedure for reducing IOP and pressure-lowering therapy. An intraluminal prolene stent impedes hypotony in the early postoperative phase and enables further IOP lowering without additional interventions during the postoperative course.

Excessive conjunctival and scleral retraction during trabeculectomy: an unusual intraoperative complication.

Aim: Trabeculectomy is the gold standard surgery for achieving target intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma. Besides the efficiency of trabeculectomy, intraoperative or postoperative complications such as, suprachoroidal hemorrhage, vitreous loss, malignant glaucoma, flat anterior chamber, hypotony, choroidal detachment, endophthalmitis, are also quite important. We present the management of excessive conjunctival and scleral retraction during trabeculectomy: an unusual intraoperative complication. Case report: A 66-year-old woman was referred to our glaucoma unit with progression of primary open angle glaucoma. No known systemic disease was observed in her history except hypertension. The best-corrected visual acuity was 20/ 63 in the right eye and 20/ 20 in the left eye. IOP was 27 mmHg and 19 mmHg (with bimatoprost timolol fixed combination and brimonidine tartrate) in the right and left eyes, respectively. We planned trabeculectomy with mitomycin C for the right eye of the patient. Excessive conjunctival and scleral retraction occurred during surgery. Autograft conjunctival tissue was prepared to cover for bare sclera area. No complications were observed in postoperative period. Seronegative spondyloarthropathy (HLA-B27-negative) was diagnosed postoperatively as a result of consultations. Discussion: Conjunctival retraction is observed as a postoperative complication after trabeculectomy. Postoperative conjunctival retraction can cause bleb leakage and hypotony, as well as predispose to infection. Nowadays, micro invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) is gaining popularity, especially because of its reduced complication rate compared to trabeculectomy. However, considering the IOP reduction rates, MIGS has been indicated in mild and moderate glaucoma. Conclusions: We presented the management of excessive conjunctival and scleral retraction during trabeculectomy, which has not been reported earlier. Conjunctival autograft transplantation is useful to manage this complication.

Anaesthetic considerations for the surgical management of ocular hypotony in adults.

Ocular hypotony can occur from many causes, including eye trauma, ophthalmic surgery and ophthalmic regional anaesthesia-related complications. Some of these patients require surgical intervention(s) necessitating repeat anaesthesia. While surgical management of these patients is well described in the literature, the anaesthetic management is seldom discussed. The hypotonous eye may also have altered globe anatomy, meaning that the usual ocular proprioceptive feedbacks during regional ophthalmic block may be altered or lost, leading to higher risk of inadvertent globe injury. In an 'open globe' there is a risk of sight-threatening expulsive choroidal haemorrhage as a consequence of ophthalmic block or general anaesthesia. This narrative review describes the physiology of aqueous humour, the risk factors associated with ophthalmic regional anaesthesia-related ocular hypotony, the surgical management, and a special emphasis on anaesthetic management. Traumatic hypotony usually requires urgent surgical repair, whereas iatrogenic hypotony may be less urgent, with many cases scheduled as elective procedures. There is no universal best anaesthetic technique. Topical anaesthesia and regional ophthalmic block, with some technique modifications, are suitable in many mild-to-moderate cases, whilst general anaesthesia may be required for complex and longer procedures, and severely distorted globes.

Ab-externo intraluminal stent for prolonged hypotony and choroidal detachment after Preserflo implantation.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of prolonged hypotony and choroidal detachment following insertion of a Preserflo™ MicroShunt in a patient with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). CASE REPORT: An 84-year-old Caucasian man with medically uncontrolled POAG developed refractory hypotony and choroidal detachment following a mitomycin C augmented Preserflo MicroShunt (PMS) insertion. Initial medical treatment with Dexamethasone 2 mg/mL and Atropine 1% for the hypotony (4 mmHg) and choroidal detachment was unsuccessful, BCVA decreased from the preoperative 20/28 to 20/60. After 90 days, surgery revision was carried out by inserting a 10-0 nylon monofilament suture through the distal end of the PMS reaching the opposite end of the tube. The free end of the nylon suture was exposed from the conjunctiva in the inferotemporal quadrant close to the fornix to ensure access to the occlusive stent. After one month intraocular pressure (IOP) was 7 mmHg, the choroidal detachment was completely regressed, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) increased to 20/28, at that time the exposed part of the stent was trimmed. 6 months after the revision surgery IOP was 14 mmHg, BCVA was 20/25, and the nylon stent was retained side to side inside the PMS lumen. CONCLUSION: The management of hypotony and choroidal detachment after a glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation is still unstandardized. The ab externo insertion of a nylon suture grants multiple advantages over the other techniques when performed on a PMS tube.

Risk factors for ocular hypotony after XEN Gel Stent implantation.

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence of postoperative hypotony, and risk factors for the development of hypotony in eyes who had undergone XEN Gel Stent implantation. METHODS: In this retrospective, single-centre case series, medical records of 170 consecutive eyes who had undergone XEN Gel Stent implantation with or without simultaneous phacoemulsification for primary or secondary open angle glaucoma were analysed. Primary outcome parameters were the incidence of postoperative hypotony and potential risk factors for its development, and secondary parameters were pre- and postoperative visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and number of IOP-lowering eye drops. RESULTS: Postoperative hypotony ≤ 6 mmHg occurred in 57% of eyes. Hypotony was without complications in 70.1%, 13.4% had transient complications with spontaneous resolution, and 16.5% had complications requiring treatment. Mean visual acuity logMAR before surgery accounted for 0.47 ± 0.46 in all eyes and 0.47 ± 0.48 at the 4-week visit. There was no significant difference of BCVA in the group of eyes with and without postoperative hypotony before and after surgery. The mean IOP before surgery was 24.6 ± 8.4 mmHg and decreased significantly to 18.4 ± 10.2 after 4 weeks. Eyes with an axial length over 24.3 mm had a threefold increased risk for postoperative hypotony (OR 3.226, 95% confidence interval 1.121-9.279). This risk was decreased in eyes with simultaneous cataract surgery (OR 0.483, 95% confidence interval 0.258-0.903). CONCLUSION: In our sample, postoperative hypotony was a common complication after XEN Gel Stent implantation, but serious, persistent complications were rare. A longer axial length predisposes the eye for the development of hypotony.

Recurrent macular neurosensory detachment in hypotony maculopathy managed with topical corticosteroids.

A female patient in her late 70s underwent uncomplicated non-penetrating deep sclerectomy surgery. Three years after surgery, she presented with a sudden decrease in visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP) of 2 mmHg, macular folding and significant macular subretinal fluid. Assuming hypotony as the cause, topical dexamethasone was started, with complete functional and imagological improvement. Two months after withdrawal, she returned with the same symptoms and imagological findings. The same topical treatment was re-established, with progressive and complete improvement. After 14 months of follow-up and a maintenance dose of topical dexamethasone (1id), the patient remained stable with an IOP of 16 mm Hg. Hypotony maculopathy can, in rare cases, lead to subretinal fluid and neurosensory detachment. Topical corticosteroids can reverse and prevent hypotony in patients who are corticosteroid responsive. In advanced glaucoma, extremely low IOP may be as dangerous as high IOP. Timely normalisation of IOP may restore normal retinal architecture with associated functional improvement.

Analysis of risk factors and ocular hypotony characteristics in choroidal detachment after penetrating glaucoma surgery.

PURPOSE: To analyze the risk factors and ocular hypotony characteristics of choroidal detachment (CD) after penetrating glaucoma surgery and to compare between eyes with and without CD. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 173 eyes of 168 patients. Patients who underwent trabeculectomy or Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation due to medically uncontrolled glaucoma and who had intraocular pressure (IOP) < 9 mmHg at any time during the first postoperative week were included. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 61 (36.3%) females and 107 (63.7%) males with a mean age of 60.7 ± 14.2 years. The postoperative median follow-up time was 24 months (range, 12-40 months). Postoperatively, CD developed in 47 (27.1%) eyes. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that eyes with high preoperative IOP (> 40 mmHg) were 12.1 times more likely to develop CD (p = 0.000) and that presence of IOP < 9 mmHg on the first day of surgery increased the CD risk 3.8 times (p = 0.002); male gender raised the risk 2.7 times (p = 0.028). The mean preoperative IOP in CD eyes was significantly higher than in non-CD eyes (p = 0.000). The mean IOP change between preoperative and lowest IOP was significantly greater in those with CD than in those without CD (p = 0.000). The mean lowest IOP in the CD eyes was significantly lower than in the non-CD eyes (p = 0.037). For the surgical failure rate, no significant difference was found between the CD and the non-CD groups (p = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that high preoperative IOP, presence of IOP < 9 mmHg on the first postoperative day, and male gender were significantly associated with CD after penetrating glaucoma surgery. Choroidal detachment accompanied by hypotony did not affect the final outcome negatively.

Two-Year Outcome of Surgery in Glaucoma Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 2-year surgical treatment outcome in glaucoma patients. METHODS: A retrospective, single-center, interventional study was performed on 160 eyes of 125 patients suffering glaucoma, including POAG (82 eyes), pseudoexfoliation (PEX) (59 eyes), pigment dispersion (8 eyes), and secondary glaucoma (2 eyes). Eyes with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) or signs of glaucoma progression despite medical treatment were included to undergo either trabeculectomy (TE), XEN implantation, combined TE with phacoemulsification (TE + IOL), or XEN implantation with phacoemulsification surgery (XEN + IOL). Primary efficacy outcome was the mean IOP reduction. Secondary outcome was the mean reduction in the number of medications. The data were compared at baseline vs.1 day, 1 week, and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months following surgery. For statistical evaluation, ANOVA-based linear mixed-effects models were performed with SPSS. RESULTS: The mean IOP reduction in a 2-year follow-up was 30.31% (22.17 vs. 15.45 mmHg, p < 0.001). The mean number of antiglaucoma medications was reduced from 2.87 to 0.58 (p = 0.001), where TE alone or combined surgeries seemed to be more effective than isolated XEN surgery. Transient IOP hypotony on the first postoperative day occurred in PEX patients following TE surgery (p = 0.024). At 6 months, PEX patients with isolated XEN surgery showed a transient IOP increase, whereas those after combined TE + IOL surgery showed the lowest IOP within the PEX group compared to other glaucoma patients (p < 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: After 2 years, all performed glaucoma surgeries achieved a significant reduction in IOP and the number of antiglaucoma medications.

Transconjunctival flap sutures: A novel technique to combat hypotony.

BACKGROUND: Hypotony secondary to overfiltration is a recognized complication following trabeculectomy. Persistent hypotony requires intervention . PURPOSE: We describe a modified version of placing conjunctival compression sutures directly over the scleral flap. SYNOPSIS: A 70-year-old male patient diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma in both eyes underwent combined surgery in the right eye. On the tenth post-operative day, the patient presented with severe hypotony with 360ª choroidal detachment. He was treated with corticosteroids and cycloplegics but developed hypotony maculopathy on the subsequent follow-up. Hence, he was further managed surgically by trans-conjunctival flap sutures to which he responded favorably with resolution of choroidal detachment and improvement in intraocular pressure and visual acuity. HIGHLIGHTS: Transconjunctival suturing of the scleral flap is an effective and minimally invasive treatment to prevent visual loss from hypotony maculopathy for an overfiltering bleb following trabeculectomy. ONLINE VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/BJtUZcyQZ-w.

The effects of antithrombotic therapy in ab interno trabeculotomy with a spatula-shaped microhook.

To evaluate the effects of the discontinuation of antithrombotic drugs on intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and complications from ab interno trabeculotomy for patients with glaucoma. We performed a retrospective chart review on the data of patients treated with antithrombotic agents who have undergone ab interno trabeculotomy through Tanito microhook combined with cataract surgery at the Asahi General Hospital and the Tokyo University Hospital, with 6 months of follow-up. The patients were classified into two groups depending on whether they discontinued (AT-) or continued (AT+) antithrombotic therapy during the perioperative phase. The demographics, pre- and postoperative IOP, medication score, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and postoperative complications were analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 week and 1-6 months. The series included 44 eyes from 44 Japanese patients. The AT- and AT+ groups included 21 eyes from 21 patients and 23 eyes from 23 patients, respectively. The decrease in IOP from the baseline at 1 week postoperative was significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.009), but there were no significant differences observed in the other visits. Hyphema and IOP spikes exceeding 30 mmHg occurred in 10% and 10% of AT- participants, and in 43% and 26% of AT+ participants, respectively. Hyphema and spikes with hyphema occurred more frequently in the AT+ than in the AT- group (p = 0.02 and p = 0.05). The number of patients who had spikes was not significantly different (p = 0.27). In trabeculotomy using the Tanito microhook®, discontinuing antithrombotic therapy had better IOP-lowering effects and less postoperative complications.

Winning the battle of refractory hypotony.

BACKGROUND: Trabeculectomy, a mainstay in the management of glaucoma is associated with various complications, the most dreaded being hypotony. PURPOSE: We present a challenging case of late-onset refractory hypotony following trabeculectomy. SYNOPSIS: : A 64-year-old male patient diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma in the right eye underwent combined surgery. Three weeks later, he presented with hypotony which responded well with medical management and then he was lost to follow-up. Two years later, he presented with severe hypotony with shallow choroidal detachment in the right eye, which failed to respond to medical management. Compression sutures were placed over the bleb which also failed to work. Subsequently bleb repair was done with corneal patch graft, which helped resolve the bleb leak, with an improvement in visual acuity and intraocular pressure. HIGHLIGHTS: This video highlights the importance of prompt and timely intervention of an overfiltering bleb in preventing irreversible visual loss. VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/8DrxzqQ4qP4.

Intraoperative choroidal detachment during small-gauge vitrectomy: analysis of causes, anatomic, and visual outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the incidence and causes of intraoperative choroidal detachment (CD) during small-gauge vitrectomy, as well as the anatomic and visual outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1026 consecutive patients who underwent small-gauge vitrectomy from June 2017 to December 2018 at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre, Guangzhou, China. Data on the presence, location, and extent of intraoperative CD and its relationship to the infusion cannula were collected. Patient demographic characteristics and postoperative anatomic and visual outcomes were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of six cases were found to have intraoperative CD, including two with serous CD, three with limited haemorrhagic CD, and one with CD caused by inadvertent perfusion of gas during air/fluid exchange. Retraction of the infusion cannula and acute ocular hypotony were found to be the main causes of intraoperative CD in five out of the six cases. The best-corrected visual acuity of all cases significantly improved after the surgery. CONCLUSION: The incidence of intraoperative CD during small-gauge vitrectomy is low; the predominant causes are retraction of the infusion cannula and acute ocular hypotony. Immediate awareness and timely closure of the incision may contribute to a better surgical prognosis.

The use of Ologen Collagen Matrix implants to treat ocular hypotony developing after trabeculectomy: A case series.

PURPOSE: Late hypotony is an undesirable and challenging complication of glaucoma surgery. We describe our use of the Ologen Collagen Matrix to treat late hypotony developing after trabeculectomy. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study performed at three eye surgery centers in Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen patients who underwent 19 eye surgeries. INTERVENTION: Subconjunctival Ologen was implanted at the trabeculectomy sites to treat over-filtering or leaking blebs in patients experiencing late hypotony after trabeculectomy (obtained 6 months after glaucoma surgery). The primary outcome was the intraocular pressure (IOP); we gathered preoperative data records from 19 Ologen treated eyes and days 1, 7, 30, 60, and 180 postoperatively. The secondary outcomes included visual acuity and macular thickness measured via optical coherence tomography; we compared preoperative data to subsequent ones up to sixth-month-evolution. RESULTS: Over the 6-month period, the IOP rose from 2.89 ± 1.59 mmHg preoperatively to 8.21 ± 3.46 mmHg (p = 0.0001). Visual acuity improved from 0.33 ± 0.29 to 0.21 ± 0.31 LogMar (p = 0.0013). Macular thickness fell from 325.62 ± 58.7 to 283.08 ± 47.35 µm (p = 0.0097). We encountered two complications: one related to suture dehiscence following an ocular trauma and one instance of transitory choroidal detachment. CONCLUSION: Subconjunctival Ologen implants preserved bleb function and successfully treated post-trabeculectomy hypotony as revealed by data collected at the 6-month follow-up. Longer follow-up is necessary to confirm long-term efficacy and safety. There are no financial conflicts of interest to disclose.

Analytical model for managing hypotony after implantation surgery of a glaucoma drainage device.

The main aim of glaucoma treatment is to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP). One of the most common surgical treatments of glaucoma is the implantation of a glaucoma drainage device to drain the aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to a filtration bleb, where the aqueous humor is absorbed. In some cases, the excess of drainage causes ocular hypotony, which constitutes a sight-threatening complication. To prevent hypotony after this intervention, surgeons frequently introduce a suture into the device tube, which increases the hydraulic resistance of the tube and, therefore, the IOP. This study aims to provide an analytical model to correct hypotony following implantation surgery of a glaucoma drainage device, which may help glaucoma surgeons decide on hypotony treatment. The results indicate that the IOP after implanting a cylindrical tube around 300 µm in diameter is essentially the same as that built up in the filtering bleb and can hardly be controlled by introducing a straight suture unless the suture diameter is slightly lower than that of the tube. On the contrary, when the tube diameter is smaller than, for example, 100 µm, significant reductions of the IOP can be obtained by introducing a thin suture into the tube.

Ocular Hypotension and Epiretinal Membrane as Risk Factors for Visual Deterioration Following Glaucoma Filtering Surgery.

PRECIS: Postsurgical hypotension at 1 week and the presence of an epiretinal membrane (ERM) were significant risk factors for the deterioration of postsurgical visual acuity (VA) at 3 and 12 months, respectively. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of an ERM and postsurgical hypotension <6 mm Hg at 1 week on postsurgical VA loss. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 69 patients (69 eyes) who underwent trabeculectomy with adjunctive mitomycin C between 2017 and 2019 (mean follow-up period: 22.8 mo) were enrolled, and 14 parameters that could be associated with the deterioration of VA at 3 and 12 months were studied. RESULTS: There was a significant association between VA loss at 3 months and postsurgical intraocular pressure at 1 week (P=0.006 by multiple regression) and hypotony maculopathy (P=0.024 by Fisher exact test). However, this association was lost at 12 months. Instead of postsurgical hypotension, the presence of an ERM was significantly associated with VA loss at 12 months (P=0.035 by Fisher exact test, and P=0.023 by logistic regression). CONCLUSIONS: Postsurgical hypotension at 1 week was significantly associated with mid-term, but not long-term, postsurgical VA loss. The presence of an ERM, which was not a risk factor for mid-term acuity loss, was a significant risk factor for VA loss at 12 months.

Hypotony maculopathy and photoreceptor folds with disruptions after vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane removal: two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Hypotony maculopathy has been classically reported as a complication of glaucoma surgery or ocular trauma. There have been only a few reports of hypotony maculopathy following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Here, we report two cases of hypotony maculopathy occurring after PPV for epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal and characteristic photoreceptor folds observed on optical coherence tomography (OCT). CASE PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old Korean woman (case 1) underwent phacoemulsification and posterior chamber lens implantation combined with 25-gauge PPV for ERM removal in the right eye. On the following day, she had severe ocular hypotony, with an intraocular pressure (IOP) that was unmeasurable using a pneumatic tonometer. Despite normalization of IOP, macular retinal and photoreceptor folds with photoreceptor disruptions developed, and Henle's fiber layer hyperreflectivity was identified. Thereafter, retinal and photoreceptor folds gradually disappeared but photoreceptor disruption and Henle's fiber layer hyperreflectivity did not improve until 1 year postoperatively, with persistent central visual field distortion and visual acuity worse than that at the preoperative state. A 20-year-old Korean man (case 2) underwent an additional 25-gauge PPV for ERM removal in the left eye. Examination on the following day showed ocular hypotony and retinal folds with peripheral choroidal detachment. Although IOP was normalized, further OCT revealed photoreceptor folds and photoreceptor disruptions. Since then, the photoreceptor folds resolved; however, the photoreceptor disruption remained in the macula at the 1-year follow up, with persistent distorted vision and visual acuity worse than that at the preoperative state. CONCLUSIONS: Early hypotony after vitrectomy for ERM could result in maculopathy leading to irreversible visual decline and metamorphopsia. Photoreceptor folds on OCT are characteristic features and the predominant mechanism of central visual loss in cases of hypotony maculopathy.

Management of hypotony-related maculopathy after combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy: January consultation #1.

A 59-year-old man with mild to moderate pigmentary glaucoma was referred for management of hypotony-related maculopathy 3 years after combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy in his right eye. His ocular history is significant for retinal detachment in the right eye that was surgically treated with a pars plana vitrectomy and scleral buckle 5 years prior to the current presentation and 1 year prior to his combined phacoemulsification-trabeculectomy procedure. After trabeculectomy, he reportedly had a wound leak with hypotony and choroidal effusion. The patient was referred to a second surgeon who performed a bleb revision with a pericardial patch graft, but the patient had a severe intraocular pressure (IOP) spike in the immediate postoperative period requiring suture removal. This resulted in recurrent hypotony with maculopathy. A second bleb revision with pericardial patch graft was performed but was not successful in raising the IOP out of the single digits or in resolving the maculopathy. Accordingly, the patient was referred for further assessment. At presentation, the patient's corrected distance visual acuity was 20/100 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. Applanation tonometry IOP was 4 mm Hg and 16 mm Hg for the right and left eyes, respectively. Central corneal thickness was 609 µm in the right eye and 574 µm in the left eye. The right pupil was noted to be slightly irregular with a relative afferent pupillary defect. Slitlamp examination of the right eye was notable for a moderately elevated, Seidel test-negative bleb, and deep anterior chamber. The left eye had a Krukenberg spindle and mild nuclear sclerotic cataract but was otherwise unremarkable. Fundus examination of the right eye was notable for significant macular folds with edematous nerve fiber layer (NFL) and optic nerve. The left optic nerve and fundus examination were unremarkable. Gonioscopy revealed open angles with dense trabecular meshwork pigment in both eyes. There was a nicely patent superior sclerostomy in the right eye. There was no cyclodialysis cleft. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the macula showed chorioretinal folds and NFL edema in the right eye and was normal in the left eye (Figure 1JOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202101000-00022/figure1/v/2021-01-04T143903Z/r/image-tiff). The OCT of the optic nerve in the right eye was distorted secondary to the chorioretinal folds, whereas the left eye was notable for mild superior thinning of the NFL (Figure 2JOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202101000-00022/figure2/v/2021-01-04T143903Z/r/image-tiff). Humphrey visual field revealed a superior nasal step in the right eye (Figure 3JOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202101000-00022/figure3/v/2021-01-04T143903Z/r/image-tiff). Axial lengths were 25.33 mm and 26.53 mm in the right and left eye, respectively; it is notable that the right eye had a shorter axial length despite the scleral buckle, which demonstrates the degree of axial shortening from hypotony (Figure 4JOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202101000-00022/figure4/v/2021-01-04T143903Z/r/image-tiff). What would be your approach for managing this patient's hypotony? Does the fact that the referring surgeon had performed 2 failed bleb revision procedures prior to referral influence your approach? Given that a previous attempt at revision resulted in an extreme IOP spike would you also recommend a glaucoma procedure? If so, what procedure would you perform? Would you do it coincident with the revision or in a staged procedure later on an as-needed basis?

Temporary ab interno suture cyclopexy for closing a cyclodialysis cleft during cataract surgery.

Cyclodialysis clefts are often associated with ocular hypotony and attendant maculopathy. However, these clefts create an alternative aqueous outflow pathway that can be useful to maintain intraocular pressure (IOP) at physiologic levels under some conditions. At normal levels of IOP, they might prevent glaucoma damage and avoid maculopathy of hypotony. Indeed, historically, cyclodialysis was a planned surgical method for managing glaucoma, and more recently, a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery device that created a small-stented cyclodialysis was in use until removed from the market for unrelated concerns. Cataract surgery in the presence of a cleft, however, might be complicated by extensive fluid misdirection through the cleft with resultant large suprachoroidal effusion. A technique of ab interno temporary suture cyclopexy was devised for a patient needing cataract surgery with an existing traumatic cyclodialysis cleft that was vital for long-term management of IOP. The suture was used to close the cleft transiently during surgery and was removed at the close of the procedure to reestablish patency and preserve the cleft.