Building Bridges to Housing for homeless adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: outcomes of a cross-sector intervention.

BACKGROUND: Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have high rates of homelessness. This observational study evaluates Bridges to Housing, a cross-sector intervention offering immediate access to housing and supports to this population in Toronto, Canada. METHODS: Twenty-six participants, enrolled between April 2016 and December 2017, were assessed at baseline, six and 12 months post-enrolment. Descriptive statistics and generalized linear modelling evaluated quality of life (QOL) and service needs outcomes. Twenty-one service users and providers participated in semi-structured interviews between August 2017 and June 2018 to elicit their experiences of the intervention, which were analysed thematically. RESULTS: Twelve months post-enrolment, 24 participants were successfully housed and reported increased QOL scores (F(2,43) = 13.73, p = <.001) and decreased perceived unmet service needs (Wald χ2 (2) = 12.93, p = .002). Individual-, intervention- and system-level characteristics facilitated housing stability in this population. CONCLUSIONS: Cross-sector approaches can improve outcomes for homeless adults with IDD and may have an important role in supporting this marginalized population.

Memory impairment among people who are homeless: a systematic review.

Cognitive impairment may interfere with an individual's ability to function independently in the community and may increase the risk of becoming and remaining homeless. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature on memory deficits among people who are homeless in order to gain a better understanding of its nature, causes and prevalence. Studies that measured memory functioning as an outcome among a sample of homeless persons were included. Data on sampling, outcome measures, facet of memory explored and prevalence of memory impairment were extracted from all selected research studies. Included studies were evaluated using a critical appraisal process targetted for reviewing prevalence studies. Eleven studies were included in the review. Verbal memory was the most commonly studied facet of memory. Potential contributing factors to memory deficits among persons who are homeless were explored in seven studies. Memory deficits were common among the samples of homeless persons studied. However, there was a great deal of variation in the methodology and quality of the included studies. Conceptualisations of "homelessness" also differed across studies. There is a need for more controlled research using validated neuropsychological tools to evaluate memory impairment among people who are homeless.

Efficacy and Safety of an Adjustable Glaucoma Drainage Device (eyeWatch System) for Refractory Glaucoma: A 2-Year Prospective Study.

PRCIS: In this study, we report a 2-year follow-up after implantation of an adjustable glaucoma drainage device combined with a novel orbital filtering plate. The IOP was efficiently controlled postoperatively with limited complications and an excellent safety profile. PURPOSE: To report the clinical results at 2 years after implantation of an eyeWatch (eW) system, which comprises an adjustable glaucoma drainage device (eW implant) combined with a novel orbital filtering plate (eyePlate), in refractory glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Monocentric, prospective, noncomparative clinical trial. Patients suffering from refractory glaucoma after several failed surgeries were operated using the eW system. The primary outcome was the success rate, defined as an IOP ≤18 mm Hg and reduction of more than 20% from baseline, IOP ≥6 mm Hg. Secondary outcomes were mean IOP, visual acuity, the number of antiglaucoma medications, and the number and type of complications. RESULTS: Forty-two eyes from 42 patients were included. The mean follow-up time was 22.0±4.0 months. The mean baseline IOP decreased from 23.2±7.2 mm Hg before surgery to 11.9±4.4 mm Hg at 12 months ( P <0.001) and 11.5±3.0 at 24 months. The mean number of glaucoma medications decreased from 2.9±0.9 before surgery to 0.7±0.9 at 12 months ( P <0.001) and 1.0±0.9 at 24 months. The qualified success rate was 93% at 12 months and 90% at 24 months whereas the complete success rate was 46% and 40% at 12 and 24 months, respectively. Complications occurred in 7 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of the eW system effectively lowered IOP and reduced glaucoma medications for a 2-year period in patients who had previously failed glaucoma surgery. Persistent hypotony was not observed and the number of complications was low.

Glossary of healthcare pathways: a methodological approach involving a transdisciplinary team in public health.

Introduction: The healthcare pathway is at the heart of public health organization concerns, but communication between the various players can be an obstacle. This work, produced by a French transdisciplinary team, offers a methodological approach based on formalized consensus to elaborate a glossary of healthcare pathways. A two-steps procedure was elaborated, including a double rounded Delphi method to formalize expert consensus, and two groups of experts: a workgroup and a review group. Methods: The workgroup provided a list of words or expressions that, in their opinion, described, evaluated or compared the healthcare pathways for patients, caregivers or regulators. The review group checked this list and added or deleted words or expressions. Then, definitions were added by the workgroup based into account three dimensions: official, academic and from the field. The review group validated the definitions and provided complementary proposals if needed. Results: After pooling the list of words proposed by each of the six members of the working group, 417 words/expressions were ranked. After the two rounds of evaluation, 294 words/expressions were rated "appropriate" and were analyzed by the review group. This group, after two rounds of evaluation, agreed on 263 words/expressions that were transmitted to the working group who defined them. These definitions were rated by the review group. The first round of evaluation established 195 definitions as being appropriated whereas 68 definitions were amended by the review group. Conclusion: This glossary supports transdisciplinary communication, reduces the extent of variations in practice and optimizes decision-making. International debate on all aspects might be strengthened by an improved understanding of the concept of health pathway.

MRI after successful eyeWatchTM implantation.

The eyeWatchTM is a new glaucoma drainage device that includes an adjustable mechanism that can vary the resistance to aqueous humor outflow during the postoperative period to reduce the burden of postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) management. The mechanism contains a magnetic rotor that can be adjusted using an external magnetic control unit. Adjustments of the position of the rotor are performed mostly in the initial postoperative follow-up period in order to reach the target IOP. However, for some patients, it might be necessary to perform MRI for the sake of medical investigations. As the MRI is creating a strong magnetic field, this magnetic field is likely to interact with the adjustable rotor of the eyeWatchTM, resulting in modification of the IOP. We report the case of an 82-old female patient successfully operated with the implantation of an eyeWatchTM. The patient underwent a cerebral MRI for persistent headache. Shortly after the MRI procedure, the patient was checked at the eye clinic to assess the position of the rotor and to measure the IOP. The eyeWatchTM was readjusted to the former position set before undergoing the MRI. No complications were reported in the follow-up after MRI. This case demonstrates that MRI examinations can be safely performed after glaucoma surgery using an eyeWatchTM without compromising on the quality of the imaging or the stability of the IOP. This is a complication-free procedure that only requires checking the new position of the rotor and re-adjusting the implant, if necessary, to achieve the target IOP.

Mental Health Mobile Apps in the French App Store: Assessment Study of Functionality and Quality.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 800 million people, representing 11% of the world's population, are affected by mental health problems. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated problems and triggered a decline in well-being, with drastic increase in the incidence of conditions such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Approximately 20,000 mental health apps are listed in mobile app stores. However, no significant evaluation of mental health apps in French, spoken by approximately 300 million people, has been identified in the literature yet. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to review the mental health mobile apps currently available on the French Apple App Store and Google Play Store and to evaluate their quality using Mobile App Rating Scale-French (MARS-F). METHODS: Screening of mental health apps was conducted from June 10, 2022, to June 17, 2022, on the French Apple App Store and Google Play Store. A shortlist of 12 apps was identified using the criteria of selection and assessed using MARS-F by 9 mental health professionals. Intraclass correlation was used to evaluate interrater agreement. Mean (SD) scores and their distributions for each section and item were calculated. RESULTS: The highest scores for MARS-F quality were obtained by Soutien psy avec Mon Sherpa (mean 3.85, SD 0.48), Evoluno (mean 3.54, SD 0.72), and Teale (mean 3.53, SD 0.87). Mean engagement scores (section A) ranged from 2.33 (SD 0.69) for Reflexe reussite to 3.80 (SD 0.61) for Soutien psy avec Mon Sherpa. Mean aesthetics scores (section C) ranged from 2.52 (SD 0.62) for Mental Booster to 3.89 (SD 0.69) for Soutien psy avec Mon Sherpa. Mean information scores (section D) ranged from 2.00 (SD 0.75) for Mental Booster to 3.46 (SD 0.77) for Soutien psy avec Mon Sherpa. Mean Mobile App Rating Scale subjective quality (section E) score varied from 1.22 (SD 0.26) for VOS - journal de l'humeur to 2.69 (SD 0.84) for Soutien psy avec Mon Sherpa. Mean app specificity (section F) score varied from 1.56 (SD 0.97) for Mental Booster to 3.31 (SD 1.22) for Evoluno. For all the mental health apps studied, except Soutien psy avec Mon Sherpa (11/12, 92%), the subjective quality score was always lower than the app specificity score, which was always lower than the MARS-F quality score, and that was lower than the rating score from the iPhone Operating System or Android app stores. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health professionals assessed that, despite the lack of scientific evidence, the mental health mobile apps available on the French Apple App Store and Google Play Store were of good quality. However, they are reluctant to use them in their professional practice. Additional investigations are needed to assess their compliance with recommendations and their long-term impact on users.

In vivo study comparing an X-shaped polymethylmethacrylate and a cylindrical collagen implant for deep sclerectomy.

BACKGROUND: Study in vivo characteristics of a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) implant compared to the standard cylindrical collagen implant for deep sclerectomy (DS). DESIGN: Six-month comparative study. SAMPLES: Twenty eyes of ten rabbits. METHODS: Eyes were randomized to have DS with PMMA implant in one eye and collagen implant in the opposite eye. The growth of the new subconjunctival drainage vessels was assessed by combined fluorescein and indocyanin green anterior segment angiography; intrascleral and subconjunctival blebs were imaged by ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). At six months, outflow facility (C) was measured by anterior chamber perfusion and portions of one side of the DS were compared to portions on the 180° opposite side and native sclera on histology. RESULTS: The mean IOP preoperatively and at one, four, twelve, and twenty-four weeks was comparable in both groups (P > 0.1). UBM showed a statistically insignificant quicker regression of the subconjunctival bleb as well as a durable intrascleral lake in the PMMA group (P > 0.05). New drainage vessels were initially observed one month after surgery; they were more numerous in the PMMA group on angiographic and histological findings at 6 months (P < 0.05). The mean C increased significantly after surgery compared to preoperative values (P < 0.05) and no difference was observed between the implants (0.24 ± 0.06 µl/min/mmHg [PMMA] and 0.23 ± 0.07 µl/min/mmHg [collagen implant]) (P = 0.39). CONCLUSIONS: Deep sclerectomy performed with PMMA or collagen implants showed similar IOP lowering effects, outflow facility increase, and degree of inflammatory reaction.

Characterizing the Content Related to Oral Health Education on TikTok.

Neglecting oral hygiene in adolescents negatively affects dental caries and periodontal diseases, in addition to social and emotional well-being. Thus, the TikTok platform (ByteDance, Beijing, China)as a social media could be a powerful channel to provide health-related information and educational content. This study aims to assess the quality of the TikTok videos corresponding to #oralhealtheducation. Sixty-nine videos were identified. Three oral health professionals (OHP), three health education professionals (HEP), and ten of TikTok's target audience watched and evaluated the videos from a qualitative questionnaire. OHP detected false or incorrect information in 11.6% (8/69) of the videos. At least two HEPs reported being unable to detect this type of content or whether the video met dental ethics standards in both the videos. Disagreement was observed among the professionals themselves. The evaluation indicated that TikTok's target audience was satisfied with the products viewed with an average score of >2.5, unlike the professionals, whose average score was <2.5 on a scale of 0 to 5. Users are advised to think critically and to consider the content of TikTok oral health videos with caution. The involvement of health professionals in the writing and validation of the videos could be an added value to positively respond to the needs of the adolescents.

Deep sclerectomy with the Ex-PRESS X-200 implant for the surgical treatment of glaucoma.

The efficacy and safety of a newly designed Ex-PRESS X-200 drainage device for the surgical treatment of glaucoma was evaluated. A clinical, prospective, monocentric, non-randomised, unmasked study on patients with medically uncontrolled glaucoma was performed. A superficial scleral flap was created. A posterior deep sclerectomy (DS) was dissected without opening the Schlemm's canal and an Ex-PRESS X-200 device was inserted under the scleral flap into the anterior chamber to drain aqueous humour into the intrascleral space. Biomicroscopy, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), applanation intra-ocular pressure (IOP) measurements, and fundus examination were performed before surgery, on the first day, the first week, and 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after surgery. The mean follow-up was 18.6 ± 2.4 months (mean ± SD) for the 26 eyes that were treated with the Ex-PRESS X-200 device. Pre-operatively, the mean BCVA was 0.6 ± 0.3, the mean IOP was 22.0 ± 5.1 mmHg, and the mean number of medications per patients was 2.8 ± 0.8. Eighteen months after surgery the mean BCVA was 0.5 ± 0.4, the mean IOP was reduced to 12.0 ± 3.9 mmHg, and the mean number of medications per patient was 0.6 ± 1.2. Eighty-five percent of patients achieved an IOP < 18 mmHg with or without medication and 69% without medication. Post-operative complications were hyphaema (15%), Seidel (15%), encysted blebs (54%) and bleb fibrosis in 8% of patients. Mitomycin C(MMC) was administered to 15 patients (58%) with needling being performed on 10 (38%) of these patients. Mid-term results of DS with the Ex-PRESS X-200 implant demonstrated its efficacy in controlling IOP with few post-operative complications in difficult eyes with an increased risk of surgery failure.

Outcome and Complications of Combined Modified Deep Sclerectomy and Trabeculectomy for Surgical Management of Glaucoma: A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: To report the outcome and complications of a combined surgical technique of modified deep sclerectomy and trabeculectomy (mDST) for glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 44 eyes of 43 patients with open and closed angle glaucoma who underwent mDST. Outcome measures were: Surgical Success with 3 criteria - (i) criterion 1 = intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤21 mmHg or reduced by ≥20% of pre-operative IOP or IOP ≥6 mmHg on 2 consecutive time points after 3 months; (ii) criterion 2 = IOP ≤18 mmHg or reduced by ≥30% of pre-operative IOP or IOP ≥6 mmHg on 2 consecutive time points after 3 months and (iii) criterion 3 = IOP ≤15 mmHg or reduced by ≥40% of pre-operative IOP or IOP ≥6 mmHg on 2 consecutive time points after 3 months; IOP Reduction; Use of Anti-glaucoma Medication; Complications; Visual Acuity and Postoperative Interventions. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 40 months (range 24-77 months). At the final follow-up visit, the mean postoperative IOP was 11.5 ± 4.7 mmHg (p<0.0001). Mean number of anti-glaucoma medications decreased from 2.45 ± 1.21 to 0.54 ± 0.95 (p<0.0001). Surgical success in terms of IOP reduction was 50%; 43.2%; 36.4% for the 3 criteria respectively (complete success) and 70.5%; 56.8%; 47.7% for the 3 criteria respectively (qualified success). The complications noted were shallow/flat anterior chamber in 2 (4.54%), hyphema & bleb leak in 3 (6.81%), aqueous misdirection in 1 (2.27%), hypotonic maculopathy in 2 (4.45%) and hypotony requiring intervention in 6 (13.63%) eyes. CONCLUSION: Combined mDST was found to be an effective surgical procedure in reducing IOP. It was associated with complications commonly encountered in glaucoma filtering surgery. The use of intra-scleral space maintainer may help lower the risk of flat or shallow anterior chamber during the early postoperative period.

eyeWatch™ System Combined with Non-plated Intraorbital Tube Insertion for the Management of Refractory Glaucoma: A Case Series.

INTRODUCTION: The eyeWatch™ is a novel device in glaucoma surgery aiming at the control of aqueous flow through the use of an external magnetic control unit. We propose the modification of this approach through the use of an injectable perforated tube rather than a plated valve. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Procedures were performed at the Department of Ophthalmology of the University of Crete. Three blind painful eyes of three patients were included. All patients were operated under topical anesthesia. A purpose designed blunt-ended injector was used to insert intraorbitally a perforated 4 cm-long silicone tube. The tube was then connected to an eyeWatch™ device which was placed in a standard fashion along the superior-temporal quadrant of the eyeball. The procedure was uneventful in cases I and II, whereas in case III the tube had to be trimmed by 1.5 cm because of cicatricial changes in the orbit. The eyeWatch™ was left closed (position VI) at the conclusion of surgeries. Patients were examined on the 1-day, 1-week, 2-week, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month intervals and in one case on the 12-month interval. RESULTS: No major complications were observed. The intraocular pressure (IOP) remained under 15 mm Hg without anti-glaucomatous medications in all postoperative intervals in cases I and 2 with readjustment of eyeWatch™ at position IV. In case III, despite the change of the eyeWatch™ to the open position, the IOP remained high (40 mm Hg). DISCUSSION: The combination of the eyeWatch™ with an insertable perforated tube instead of a standard non-valved plate may prove a valid minimally invasive option. Modifications of the technique, such as an increased number and diameter of tube perforations, increased inserted tube length, perhaps aided by a sharp-ended injector, and selection of the insertion quadrant, may increase the effectiveness of the method. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: eyeWatch™ combined with a single tube instead of a plated valve is a feasible, quick, and minimally invasive technique that can be used in glaucoma surgery. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Detorakis ET, Villamarin A, Roy S, et al. eyeWatch™ System Combined with Non-plated Intraorbital Tube Insertion for the Management of Refractory Glaucoma: A Case Series. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2020;14(2):64-67.

Comparison Between the eyeWatch Device and the Ahmed Valve in Refractory Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of a glaucoma procedure to control intraocular pressure (IOP) using the adjustable eyeWatch glaucoma drainage device compared with Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) in refractory glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Monocentric, retrospective, comparative clinical trial. Patients suffering from refractory glaucoma after failed surgeries and requiring a further glaucoma procedure including an aqueous shunt were enrolled in this study. The first group AGV included patients with an AGV. The second group eW-B included patients receiving an eyeWatch used in connection with a Baerveldt glaucoma implant. The primary outcome was the success rate, defined as an IOP≤16 mm Hg and reduction of >20% from baseline, and IOP≥5 mm Hg. Secondary outcomes were mean IOP, number of antiglaucoma medications, visual acuity, number and type of complications. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were included. The mean follow-up time was 13.2±3.4 months. Mean IOP decreased from 24.8±9.0 mm Hg before surgery to 13.8±3.6 mm Hg at 12 months for group AGV, and 27.3±7.0 to 12.8±2.4 mm Hg for group eW-B, respectively (P<0.05). Mean number of glaucoma medications decreased from 3.0±0.7 before surgery to 0.3±0.7 at last control for group AGV, and 2.9±0.8 before surgery to 0.2±0.4 for group eW-B, respectively (P<0.05). The complete and overall success rates were 50% and 58% for group AGV, and 67% and 89% for group eW-B, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative adjustability of the eyeWatch is believed to help with getting fewer complications and better IOP management whereas AGV cannot be adjusted postoperatively.

From upright to upside-down presentation: a spatio-temporal ERP study of the parametric effect of rotation on face and house processing.

BACKGROUND: While there is a general agreement that picture-plane inversion is more detrimental to face processing than to other seemingly complex visual objects, the origin of this effect is still largely debatable. Here, we address the question of whether face inversion reflects a quantitative or a qualitative change in processing mode by investigating the pattern of event-related potential (ERP) response changes with picture plane rotation of face and house pictures. Thorough analyses of topographical (Scalp Current Density maps, SCD) and dipole source modeling were also conducted. RESULTS: We find that whilst stimulus orientation affected in a similar fashion participants' response latencies to make face and house decisions, only the ERPs in the N170 latency range were modulated by picture plane rotation of faces. The pattern of N170 amplitude and latency enhancement to misrotated faces displayed a curvilinear shape with an almost linear increase for rotations from 0 degrees to 90 degrees and a dip at 112.5 degrees up to 180 degrees rotations. A similar discontinuity function was also described for SCD occipito-temporal and temporal current foci with no topographic distribution changes, suggesting that upright and misrotated faces activated similar brain sources. This was confirmed by dipole source analyses showing the involvement of bilateral sources in the fusiform and middle occipital gyri, the activity of which was differentially affected by face rotation. CONCLUSION: Our N170 findings provide support for both the quantitative and qualitative accounts for face rotation effects. Although the qualitative explanation predicted the curvilinear shape of N170 modulations by face misrotations, topographical and source modeling findings suggest that the same brain regions, and thus the same mechanisms, are probably at work when processing upright and rotated faces. Taken collectively, our results indicate that the same processing mechanisms may be involved across the whole range of face orientations, but would operate in a non-linear fashion. Finally, the response tuning of the N170 to rotated faces extends previous reports and further demonstrates that face inversion affects perceptual analyses of faces, which is reflected within the time range of the N170 component.

Deep sclerectomy combined with trabeculectomy in pediatric glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of combined deep sclerectomy and trabeculectomy (penetrating deep sclerectomy) in pediatric glaucoma. DESIGN: Retrospective, nonconsecutive, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Children suffering from pediatric glaucoma who underwent surgery between March 1997 and October 2006 were included in this study. METHODS: A primary combined deep sclerectomy and trabeculectomy was performed in 35 eyes of 28 patients. Complete examinations were performed before surgery, postoperatively at 1 and 7 days, at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months, and then every 6 months after surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgical outcome was assessed in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP) change, additional glaucoma medication, complication rate, need for surgical revision, as well as refractive errors, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and corneal clarity and diameters. RESULTS: The mean age before surgery was 3.6+/-4.5 years, and the mean follow-up was 3.5+/-2.9 years. The mean preoperative IOP was 31.9+/-11.5 mmHg. At the end of follow-up, the mean IOP decreased by 58.3% (P<0.005), and from 14 patients with available BCVA 8 patients (57.1%) achieved 0.5 (20/40) or better, 3 (21.4%) 0.2 (20/100), and 2 (14.3%) 0.1 (20/200) in their better eye. The mean refractive error (spherical equivalent [SE]) at final follow-up visits was +0.83+/-5.4. Six patients (43%) were affected by myopia. The complete and qualified success rates, based on a cumulative survival curve, after 9 years were 52.3% and 70.6%, respectively (P<0.05). Sight-threatening complications were more common (8.6%) in refractory glaucomas. CONCLUSIONS: Combined deep sclerectomy and trabeculectomy is an operative technique developed to control IOP in congenital, secondary, and juvenile glaucomas. The intermediate results are satisfactory and promising. Previous classic glaucoma surgeries performed before this new technique had less favorable results. The number of sight-threatening complications is related to the severity of glaucoma and number of previous surgeries. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Initial Clinical Results of the eyeWatch: a New Adjustable Glaucoma Drainage Device Used in Refractory Glaucoma Surgery.

PRéCIS:: In this study, we report clinical results after implantation of an adjustable glaucoma drainage device. The intraocular pressure (IOP) profile was efficiently controlled postoperatively as the resistance to aqueous humor outflow was finely adjusted. PURPOSE: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the new adjustable glaucoma drainage device eyeWatch used in conjunction with a Baerveldt glaucoma implant in refractory glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a multicentric, prospective, noncomparative clinical trial. Patients older than 18 years of age suffering from refractory glaucoma after failed surgeries, with IOP of ≥20 mm Hg, in whom a further glaucoma procedure using an aqueous shunt was planned, were enrolled in this study. The primary outcome was the success rate, defined as an IOP≤18 mm Hg and reduction of >20% from baseline, IOP≥6 mm Hg. Secondary outcomes were mean IOP, visual acuity, number of antiglaucoma medications, number, and type of complications. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included. The mean follow-up time was 15.6±3.5 months. The mean baseline IOP decreased from 26.2±6.8 mm Hg before surgery to 11.9±2.8 mm Hg at 12 months (P<0.001). The mean number of glaucoma medications decreased from 3.0±0.7 before surgery to 0.8±0.9 at last visit (P<0.001). The success rate was 40% for complete success and 93% for overall success at last follow-up. Complication rate was 7%. CONCLUSIONS: The novel glaucoma device allows for perioperative and postoperative noninvasive adjustments of the resistance to aqueous humor outflow. This leads to better management of IOP during the early postoperative period, preventing ocular hypotony and eliminating the need for obstructive elements and reinterventions. The rate of complications was low, IOP was adequately controlled and lowered, with a substantial reduction in the number of antiglaucoma medication.

On the in-series and in-parallel contribution of elastin assessed by a structure-based biomechanical model of the arterial wall.

Earlier experimental work on decellularized arteries revealed the existence of significant residual stresses within the arterial wall, which are released upon chemical removal of vascular smooth muscle in normal arteries causing substantial radial expansion. Hence, the often-used Hill's model describing active and passive stresses within the wall does not hold true, because the existence of prestresses precludes the fundamental assumption of zero active stress when the vascular smooth muscle is inactive. We have, therefore, developed a new mathematical model based on a modified Hill's model, where the total wall elastin is partitioned in two parts: one in-parallel to vascular smooth muscle and collagen and one connected in-series with vascular smooth muscle. Based on experimental evidences, compressive prestresses were assumed to exist on the parallel elastic component and tensile prestresses on the series elastic component. Further, we assumed that the elastic constants of elastin and collagen and the statistical description of collagen engagement are not affected by decellularization. Excellent fits of the pressure-diameter curves of normal and decellularized arteries were obtained. The model predicts that the majority of elastin is in-series with the vascular smooth muscle (74 +/-8%) and thus only about one-fourth of elastin acts in parallel to the vascular smooth muscle. We conclude that correct biomechanical modeling of the arterial wall requires the knowledge of the zero stress state of both the series and parallel elastic components.

Prospective Evaluation of Standalone XEN Gel Implant and Combined Phacoemulsification-XEN Gel Implant Surgery: 1-Year Results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of XEN gel implant (Allergan Inc., Irvine) as a standalone versus combined XEN-Phacoemulsification surgery (XEN+cataract) in glaucoma patients. METHODS: Prospective, interventional study. One-hundred forty-nine eyes (113 patients) with open-angle glaucoma and uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) despite medical treatment were enrolled at a tertiary glaucoma center and followed up for a minimum of 1 year. Approximately two-thirds of patients underwent combined XEN+cataract surgery, while the remainder had XEN alone surgery. Primary outcome was a 20% or more decrease in IOP from medicated baseline at 1 year. Mean IOP, mean number of medications at last follow-up, and incidence of adverse effects were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 149 enrolled eyes, data of 87 (58%) were available at 1 year. A total of 109 (73.2%) eyes underwent XEN+cataract surgery and 40 (26.8%) XEN alone surgery. Mean medicated IOP was 20.0±7.1 at baseline and 13.9±4.3 mm Hg at 1 year (P<0.01), a 31% IOP reduction. Mean medications dropped from 1.9±1.3 preoperatively to 0.5±0.8 at 1 year (P<0.001). In total, 62.1% of patients achieved a ≥20% IOP reduction; this proportion was higher in the XEN alone group. 57.7% of eyes achieved complete success (without any antiglaucoma medications) and 71.1% qualified success (with or without medications) when IOP<16 mm Hg was considered as the definition of success. In all, 37% of patients required needling intervention. Adverse effects included bleb revision in 5 eyes, choroidal detachment in 2 eyes, and second glaucoma surgery in 9 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The XEN gel implant as a standalone procedure or combined with cataract surgery demonstrated safe and sustained IOP reduction after 1 year.

Ex-PRESS R-50 miniature glaucoma implant insertion under the conjunctiva combined with cataract extraction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Ex-PRESS R-50 implant (Optonol Ltd.) in eyes operated on for open-angle glaucoma combined with phacoemulsification. SETTING: Glaucoma Unit, Ophthalmology Department, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. METHODS: Between November 2000 and June 2002, the Ex-PRESS R-50 shunt was implanted in 35 eyes of 35 patients. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), number of medications, and complications were recorded preoperatively as well as postoperatively at 1 and 7 days and 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months. Temporal clear corneal phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation was performed first. The ophthalmic viscosurgical device was not removed, and the Ex-PRESS R-50 was implanted under the conjunctiva into the anterior chamber. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 36.9 months +/- 18.2 (SD) and the mean age of the patients, 74.6 +/- 10.9 years. The mean preoperative IOP of 19.3 +/- 6.3 mm Hg decreased postoperatively to 15.3 +/- 6.2 mm Hg, 15.1 +/- 4.6 mm Hg, 13.8 +/- 2.8 mm Hg, 14.6 +/- 2.9 mm Hg, and 13.3 +/- 2.0 mm Hg at 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, 36 months, and 48 months, respectively (P<.005). At 48 months, the mean BCVA was 0.74 +/- 0.34 and the number of medications was reduced by 57% (P<.005). The microtube was removed in 10 patients, and bleb management was performed in 10 eyes. Ten patients (32%) had satisfactory IOP control (mean 13.2 +/- 2.2 mm Hg) without medication; minor transient complications were observed in 10 patients. Based on the cumulative survival curve after 48 months, the complete success rate was 32.7% and the qualified success rate, 53.7% (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ex-PRESS R-50 implantation under the conjunctiva was associated with a relatively high number of complications, despite good IOP control in the uncomplicated cases. Refinement in the tube design and implantation technique would increase the success rate.

Deep Sclerectomy.

Filtering surgery evolved from the classic trabeculectomy, in which penetration into the anterior chamber is a necessary step, toward nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy. The first procedure presents several serious complications, such as durable hypotony, hyphema, flat anterior chamber, choroidal detachment, endophthalmitis, and surgery-induced cataract. To avoid such drawbacks, a novel nonpenetrating technique was designed to improve the predictability of the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering action, while reducing the incidence of the immediate postoperative complications encountered with the penetrating method. This surgery works by building up new outflow pathways for the drainage of the aqueous humor while maintaining the integrity of the anterior chamber. Deep sclerectomy acts at the bulk of main resistance to aqueous humor egress, located at the juxtacanalicular meshwork and at the inner wall of Schlemm's canal. It consists of dissection of these two structures while keeping a thin filtering membrane through which aqueous humor is drained. The membrane prevents overfiltration and ensures a reproducible postoperative IOP. This surgery is indicated for most glaucomas, with the exception of angle closure and neovascular cases. The procedure consists in opening the conjunctiva and Tenon's capsule and creating a 5 × 5-mm limbus-based superficial scleral flap. A deeper scleral flap measuring about 4 × 4 mm is dissected and the roof of Schlemm's canal is removed. A space maintainer is inserted and the flap and conjunctiva are closed. Results after 10 years are good, with an IOP of 12.2 ± 4.7 mmHg and an overall success rate of 77.6% with few complications.