Analysis of neuroretinal rim distribution and vascular pattern in eyes with presumed large physiological cupping: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate possible differences in neuroretinal rim distribution, vascular pattern, and peripapillary region appearance between eyes with presumed large physiological optic disc cupping (pLPC) and eyes with minimal optic disc excavation. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled consecutive subjects with pLPC and individuals with minimal excavation (optic disc excavation within normal limits; control group). All eyes had normal visual fields and untreated intraocular pressure (IOP) <21 mmHg. Eyes with pLPC required vertical cup-to-disc ratio (VCDR) ≥ 0.6 and ≥ 30 months of follow-up with no evidence of glaucomatous neuropathy. For controls, VCDR was limited to ≤ 0.5. We compared ocular signs and characteristics related to the neuroretinal rim distribution, vascular pattern, peripapillary region appearance and disc size between groups. Whenever both eyes were eligible, one was randomly selected for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 74 patients (mean age, 45.6 ± 14.9 years) with pLPC and 45 controls (mean age, 44.8 ± 11.6 years) were enrolled (p = 0.76). Median disc size and VCDR was significantly larger in eyes with pLPC compared to controls (p < 0.01). The proportion of eyes with violation of the ISNT rule, laminar dot sign, nasal shifting of the central vessels, nasal excavation and baring of circumlinear vessel was significantly greater in the eyes with pLPC compared to controls (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences regarding the proportions of eyes with peripapillary atrophy between groups (p < 0.09). Finally, disc size was significantly associated with VCDR (r(2) = 0.47, p < 0.01), with an increase of 0.21 in VCDR for each 1 mm(2) in disc area. CONCLUSION: Compared to normal controls, eyes with pLPC may present a higher proportion of optic nerve head findings frequently observed in glaucomatous eyes. This seems to be explained in part by the larger discs found in these eyes. We believe care should be taken while classifying them as glaucomatous or not based solely on these characteristics.

Subconjunctival bevacizumab as an adjuvant in first-time filtration surgery for patients with primary glaucomas.

To investigate subconjunctival bevacizumab as an adjuvant in first-time glaucoma filtration surgery, we conducted a non-comparative, interventional case series, enrolling consecutive patients with uncontrolled primary glaucomas. All patients underwent trabeculectomy with mitomycin C and received a 1.25 mg subconjunctival bevacizumab injection at completion of the surgery. Main outcome measurements were success rates, bleb morphology [standardized classification based on vascularity (0-1), extension (0-1) and height (0-1); ranging from 0 to 3 (0 = poor; 1 = regular; 2 = good; 3 = excellent)] and post-operative complications. Twenty-five eyes from 25 patients (mean age 64.3 ± 12.8 years) were included. After a mean follow-up of 16.7 ± 6.1 months, mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was significantly reduced from 22.7 ± 10.8 to 12.9 ± 4.3 mmHg at the last follow-up (p < 0.01). Complete success rates at 12 months ranged between 71 and 88 %, while qualified success rates ranged between 84 and 96 %, depending on the criterion adopted (the strictest success criterion was defined as IOP between 6 and 12 mmHg). Blebs were graded as good or excellent in 80 % of the cases. No serious post-operative complication or avascular blebs were observed. These mid-term results suggest subconjunctival bevacizumab as a safe and effective adjuvant in first-time filtration surgery for primary glaucoma patients.

Non-pupillary block angle-closure mechanisms: a comprehensive analysis of their prevalence and treatment outcomes.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence and treatment outcomes of angle-closure mechanisms other than pupillary block in a population of Brazilian patients. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted to evaluate patients who had undergone laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) due to occludable angles at a single institution between July 2009 and April 2012. An occludable angle was defined as an eye in which the posterior trabecular meshwork was not visible for ≥180° on dark-room gonioscopy. Key exclusion criteria were any form of secondary glaucoma and the presence of >90° of peripheral anterior synechiae. Collected data were age, race, gender, angle-closure mechanism (based on indentation goniocopy and ultrasound biomicroscopy), intraocular pressure (IOP), number of antiglaucoma medications and subsequent management during follow-up. If both eyes were eligible, the right eye was arbitrarily selected for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 196 eyes of 196 consecutive patients (mean age 58.3 ± 11.6 years) who underwent LPI were included. In most of the patients [86% (169 patients; 133 women and 36 men]), LPI sucessfully opened the angle. Mean IOP was reduced from 18.3 ± 6.4 mmHg to 15.4 ± 4.5 mmHg after LPI (p<0.01). Among the 27 patients with persistent occludable angles, the most common underlying mechanisms were plateau iris (56%) and lens-induced component (34%). Most of these patients (85%) were treated with argon laser peripheral iridoplasty (ALPI); approximately 90% showed non-occludable angles following the laser procedure (mean IOP reduction of 18.9%), with no significant differences between patients with plateau iris and lens-induced components (p=0.34; mean follow-up of 11.4 ± 3.6 months). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that, in this population of Brazilian patients, several eyes with angle closure were not completely treated with LPI. In the present large case series involving middle-age patients, plateau iris was the leading cause of persistent angle closure and was effectively treated with ALPI. A detailed eye examination with indentation gonioscopy should always be performed after LPI to rule out persistent angle closure due to non-pupillary block mechanisms.

Pattern of inner retinal layers involvement in pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy as determined by SD-OCT: case report.

Pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy is an ocular disease characterized by outer retina and choroidal atrophy often with overlying intraretinal bone spicule pigment deposition along the retinal veins. As a rare condition, there is scant information in the literature regarding the pattern of inner retinal layers involvement. We present a case of a 41-year-old white man initially referred for a glaucoma evaluation. Fundoscopy revealed patches of retinochoroidal atrophy and light pigmentation extending from the optic nerve head along the inferior-temporal retinal veins in both eyes. Using different spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) protocols we identified a significant thinning of the inner retinal layers along the inferior-temporal veins, but with a lucid interval surrounding the optic nerve head. Standard automated perimetry revealed a superior absolute arcuate scotoma sparing the central fixation (good structure-functional correlation). This pattern of inner retinal layers involvement was not previously described. We believe SD-OCT added significantly to the anatomical description of this case. Physicians should consider these new anatomical findings and correlate them with functional status while assessing these patients.

Corneal viscoelasticity differences between diabetic and nondiabetic glaucomatous patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate corneal viscoelasticity in primary open-angle glaucoma patients with and without diabetes mellitus, and to correlate corneal hysteresis (CH) with central corneal thickness (CCT). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 44 primary open-angle glaucoma patients [19 with diabetes (34 eyes) and 25 without diabetes (40 eyes)] underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. Data collected by masked investigators included CH and CCT using the Ocular Response Analyzer. The mean of 3 measurements was considered for each test. We analyzed the difference between the mean CH in both groups using a general linear model. Partial correlation coefficient between CH and CCT was also calculated. RESULTS: Mean+/-SD age in diabetic and nondiabetic groups was 67.1+/-8.7 and 65.9+/-15.1, respectively (P=0.77). There was no significant difference regarding mean CCT between diabetic (531.7+/-31.3 mum) and nondiabetic (546.6+/-37.3 mum) groups (P=0.21). Patients with diabetes presented significantly higher CH values than patients without diabetes (9.1+/-1.9 mm Hg vs. 7.8+/-1.7 mm Hg, P=0.04). There was a significant and positive correlation between CH and CCT for all patients (r=0.407, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Primary open-angle glaucoma patients with diabetes have significantly higher CH values than those without diabetes. CH and CCT results were positively correlated. These findings merit further investigation to assess the role of different CH values on glaucoma evaluation and susceptibility.

Non-pupillary block angle-closure mechanisms: a comprehensive analysis of their prevalence and treatment outcomes / Mecanismos de fechamento angular sem bloqueio pupilar: análise de prevalência e resultados terapêuticos

Purpose: To assess the prevalence and treatment outcomes of angle-closure mechanisms other than pupillary block in a population of Brazilian patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to evaluate patients who had undergone laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) due to occludable angles at a single institution between July 2009 and April 2012. An occludable angle was defined as an eye in which the posterior trabecular meshwork was not visible for ≥180° on dark-room gonioscopy. Key exclusion criteria were any form of secondary glaucoma and the presence of >90° of peripheral anterior synechiae. Collected data were age, race, gender, angle-closure mechanism (based on indentation goniocopy and ultrasound biomicroscopy), intraocular pressure (IOP), number of antiglaucoma medications and subsequent management during follow-up. If both eyes were eligible, the right eye was arbitrarily selected for analysis. Results: A total of 196 eyes of 196 consecutive patients (mean age 58.3 ± 11.6 years) who underwent LPI were included. In most of the patients [86% (169 patients; 133 women and 36 men]), LPI sucessfully opened the angle. Mean IOP was reduced from 18.3 ± 6.4 mmHg to 15.4 ± 4.5 mmHg after LPI (p<0.01). Among the 27 patients with persistent occludable angles, the most common underlying mechanisms were plateau iris (56%) and lens-induced component (34%). Most of these patients (85%) were treated with argon laser peripheral iridoplasty (ALPI); approximately 90% showed non-occludable angles following the laser procedure (mean IOP reduction of 18.9%), with no significant differences between patients with plateau iris and lens-induced components (p=0.34; mean follow-up of 11.4 ± 3.6 months). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that, in this population of Brazilian patients, several eyes with angle closure were not completely treated with LPI. In the present large case series involving middle-age patients, plateau iris was the ...

Objetivo: Reportar a prevalência e os resultados terapêuticos em casos de fechamento angular por outros mecanismos além de bloqueio pupilar em uma população de pacientes brasileiros. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo para avaliar pacientes apresentando ângulo oclusível submetidos à iridotomia periférica a laser (LPI), em uma única instituição, entre julho/2009 e abril/2012. Ângulo oclusível foi definido pela não observação do trabeculado posterior em mais de 180° à gonioscopia sem identação. Olhos com glaucomas secundários ou >90º de sinéquia anterior periférica foram excluídos. Foram coletados os seguintes dados: idade, raça, sexo, mecanismo de fechamento angular (com base na gonioscopia e biomicroscopia ultrassônica), pressão intraocular (PIO), número de medicações antiglaucomatosas e manejo subsequente durante o seguimento. Sempre que ambos os olhos eram elegíveis, o olho direito foi escolhido arbitrariamente para análise. Resultados: Foram incluídos 196 olhos de 196 pacientes (58,3 ± 11,6 anos) que foram submetidos à LPI. Na maioria dos casos [86% (169 pacientes; 133 mulheres e 36 homens), a LPI foi capaz de abrir o ângulo. A PIO média foi reduzida de 18,3 ± 6,4 para 15,4 ± 4,5 mmHg após a LPI (p<0,01). Entre os 27 casos que persistiram com ângulo oclusível, os mecanismos mais comuns envolvidos foram íris em platô (56%) e induzido por componente cristaliniano (34%). A maioria desses casos (85%) foram tratados com iridoplastia periférica a laser (ALPI). Aproximadamente 90% tornaram-se não oclusíveis após a ALPI (redução média da PIO de 18,9%), não havendo diferença significativa entre os pacientes com componentes de íris em platô ou cristaliniano (p=0,34; seguimento médio de 11,4 ± 3,6 meses). Conclusões: Nossos resultados sugerem que, nessa população de pacientes brasileiros, parte dos olhos com fechamento angular não foi completamente tratada com LPI. Nesta série de pacientes de meia-idade, a presença de íris em ...

Pattern of inner retinal layers involvement in pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy as determined by SD-OCT: case report / Padrão de envolvimento das camadas retinianas internas na atrofia retinocoroidiana pigmentada paravenosa determinado pelo SD-OCT: relato de caso

Pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy is an ocular disease characterized by outer retina and choroidal atrophy often with overlying intraretinal bone spicule pigment deposition along the retinal veins. As a rare condition, there is scant information in the literature regarding the pattern of inner retinal layers involvement. We present a case of a 41-year-old white man initially referred for a glaucoma evaluation. Fundoscopy revealed patches of retinochoroidal atrophy and light pigmentation extending from the optic nerve head along the inferior-temporal retinal veins in both eyes. Using different spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) protocols we identified a significant thinning of the inner retinal layers along the inferior-temporal veins, but with a lucid interval surrounding the optic nerve head. Standard automated perimetry revealed a superior absolute arcuate scotoma sparing the central fixation (good structure-functional correlation). This pattern of inner retinal layers involvement was not previously described. We believe SD-OCT added significantly to the anatomical description of this case. Physicians should consider these new anatomical findings and correlate them with functional status while assessing these patients.

Atrofia retinocoroidiana pigmentada paravenosa é uma doença ocular caracterizada por atrofia localizada da coroide e da retina externa associada a áreas de pigmentação em espícula óssea depositada ao longo das veias retinianas. Como é uma condição rara, há pouca informação na literatura sobre o padrão de envolvimento das camadas mais internas da retina. Relatamos o caso de um homem branco, de 41 anos, encaminhado incialmente para avaliação de glaucoma. Apresentava à fundoscopia áreas de atrofia retinocoroidiana com pigmentação leve sobrejacente, estendendo-se desde o disco óptico e seguindo ao longo da veia temporal inferior da retina em ambos os olhos. Por meio de diferentes protocolos da tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral (SD-OCT) identificamos um afinamento significante das camadas internas da retina ao longo da veia temporal inferior, mas com uma área de intervalo lúcido ao redor do disco óptico. A perimetria automatizada acromática revelou um escotoma arqueado superior absoluto, poupando a fixação central em ambos os olhos e correspondendo às áreas de atrofia ao longo das veias retinianas (boa correlação anátomo-funcional). Este padrão de envolvimento das camadas retinianas internas não havia sido descrito anteriormente. Acreditamos que o SD-OCT contribuiu significativamente para a descrição anatômica desse caso e que estes novos achados devam ser considerados e correlacionados com o estado funcional ao avaliar esses pacientes.