Incidence of anterior segment neovascularization during intravitreal treatment for macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion / Incidência de neovasos de segmento anterior durante o tratamento de edema macular secundário a oclusão da veia central da retina

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze the effects of injections of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) and intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) on the incidence rates of anterior segment neovascularization (ASN) and neovascular glaucoma (NVG) in patients with macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled study, 35 patients with macular edema following CRVO were randomized to intravitreal bevacizumab, intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide, or sham injections during the first 6 months of the study. The primary outcome was the incidence rate of ASN at month 6. The secondary outcomes were the mean changes from baseline in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT) on optical coherence tomography over time to month 12. Results: ASN developed in 8 (22.86%) eyes, including 5 (62.50%) eyes in the sham group and 3 (37.50%) eyes in the IVTA group, during 12 months of fol low-up (p=0.009). BCVA differed significantly (p<0.05) among the groups only at month 1. CFT did not differ significantly (p<0.05) among the groups over 12 months. NVG required surgery and developed in one eye despite laser treatment. Conclusion: Early treatment with intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy decreases the rates of ASN and NVG after CRVO.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as taxas de incidência de neovascularização do segmento anterior (NSA) e de glaucoma neovascular (GNV), em pacientes com edema macular secundário a oclusão de veia central da retina (OVCR), em tratamento com injeções intravítreas de triamcinolona (IVTA) ou bevacizumab (IVB). Métodos: Neste estudo prospectivo, randomizado, duplo mascarado e sham controlado, 35 pacientes com edema macular secundário a OVCR foram randomizados para IVB, IVTA ou para o grupo controle (sham), durante os 6 primeiros meses do estudo. O desfecho primário foi a taxa de incidência de NSA no mês 6. Os desfechos secundários foram alterações médias da acuidade visual corrigida (BCVA) e espessura foveal central (EFC) ao exame de tomografia de coerência óptica, até o mês 12. Resultados: NSA ocorreu em oito (22,86%) olhos, cinco (62,50%) olhos no grupo sham e três (37,50%) olhos no grupo tratado com injeções intravítreas de Triamcinolona, Não houve nenhum caso com NSA no grupo tratado com bevacizumab durante 12 meses de acompanhamento (p=0,009). A BCVA apresentou diferença estatisticamente significante (p<0,05) entre os grupos, somente no mês 1. A EFC não apresentou diferenças estatisticamente significantes (p<0,05) entre os grupos ao longo dos 12 meses. GNV ocorreu em um olho apesar do tratamento com laser e este paciente necessitou de intervenção cirúrgica. Conclusão: O tratamento precoce com injeções intravítreas de Anti VEGF podem diminuir as taxas de neovascularização do segmento anterior e glaucoma neovascular após oclusão de veia central da retina.

Intravitreal ranibizumab as adjuvant treatment for neovascular glaucoma

The purpose of this study was to describe a prospective case series of 5 eyes treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injection for neovascular glaucoma (NVG). Five patients with clinically uncontrolled NVG secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (4 patients) and central retinal vein occlusion (1 patient), non-responsive to maximal tolerable medication and panretinal photocoagulation, received intravitreal ranibizumab injection (0.5 mg). Patients were seen at 1st, 3rd and 7th day after the ranibizumab injection and when it was necessary. Success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) 21, despite maximal tolerable medication, underwent trabeculectomy with 0.5mg/ml mitomycin C (MMC) for 1 minute. Failure was defined as IOP > 21 mmHg, phthisis bulbi, loss of light perception or additional glaucoma surgery. The primary outcome was 6-month IOP control. Mean IOP before the ranibizumab injection was 37 mmHg (7 mmHg SD). Two out of five eyes underwent only ranibizumab injection, having an IOP control after the procedure. Three patients were submitted to trabeculectomy with MMC on the 7th day after the injection. At 6-month follow-up, the mean IOP was 12mmHg (3 mmHg SD). All eyes showed regression of rubeosis iridis and IOP control. Visual acuity improved in 2 eyes worsened in 1 eye, and remained stable in 2 eyes. These data suggest that intravitreal ranibizumab injection may be a useful tool in the treatment of NVG.

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever uma série de casos prospectivos de 5 olhos tratados com ranibizumabe intravítreo para glaucoma neovascular (GNV). Cinco pacientes com GNV refratário, secundário a retinopatia diabética proliferativa (4 pacientes) e oclusão de veia central da retina (1 paciente), não responsivos a terapia medicamentosa máxima tolerada e panfotocoagulação da retina, receberam ranibizumabe intravítreo (0,5 mg). Os pacientes foram vistos no 1º, 3º e 7º dia após a aplicação e conforme necessário. O sucesso foi definido como pressão intraocular (PIO) d"21 mmHg, com ou sem uso de medicação antiglaucomatosa. Aqueles com PIO > 21 mmHg, apesar da medicação máxima tolerada, foram submetidos à trabeculectomia com mitomicina C (MMC) 0,5mg/mL por 1 minuto. Falência foi definida como PIO > 21 mmHg, phthisis bulbi, perda da percepção de luz ou necessidade de cirurgia antiglaucomatosa adicional. O resultado primário avaliado foi o controle da PIO após 6 meses do procedimento. A PIO média antes da injeção era de 37 mmHg (DP=7 mmHg). Dois pacientes foram submetidos somente a injeção intravítrea de ranibizumabe, obtendo controle da PIO após o procedimento. Três pacientes foram submetidos à trabeculectomia com MMC no 7º dia após a injeção. Após 6 meses de seguimento, a PIO média era de 12 mmHg (DP=3 mmHg). Todos os olhos mostraram regressão da rubeosis iriana e controle da PIO. A acuidade visual melhorou em 2 olhos, piorou em 1 olho e permaneceu estável em 2 olhos. Estas informações sugerem que a injeção intravítrea de ranibizumabe pode ser uma ferramenta útil no tratamento do GNV.

Regression of Iris Neovascularization after Subconjunctival Injection of Bevacizumab

To describe three cases of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) where iris or angle neovascularization regressed remarkably after subconjunctival bevacizumab injections used as the initial treatment before pan retinal photocoagulation (PRP) and/or filtering surgery. Three consecutive NVG patients whose intraocular pressure (IOP) was not controlled with maximal medication were offered an off-label subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab (2.5-3.75 mg/0.1-0.15 mL, Avastin). Bevacizumab was injected into the subconjunctival space close to the corneal limbus in two or three quadrants using a 26-gauge needle. Serial anterior segment photographs were taken before and after the injection. Following subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab, iris or angle neovascularization regressed rapidly within several days. Such regression was accompanied by lowering of IOP in all three cases. The patients underwent subsequent PRP and/or filtering surgery, and the IOP was further stabilized. Our cases demonstrate that subconjunctival bevacizumab injection can be potentially useful as an initial treatment in NVG patients before laser or surgical treatment.

A Case of Cholesterosis Bulbi with Secondary Glaucoma Treated by Vitrectomy and Intravitreal Bevacizumab

We report on a case of cholesterosis bulbi concurrent with secondary glaucoma. A 36-year-old man, with a history of long-standing retinal detachment in his right eye after the irrigation and aspiration of a congenital cataract, presented with a clinical picture of elevated intraocular pressure and ocular pain. Upon slit-lamp examination, we found a ciliary injection and a pseudohypopyon of polychromatic crystals. Gonioscopic examination revealed a large amount of crystals deposited on the trabecular meshwork and mild rubeosis iridis, but the neovascularization of the angle could not be clearly confirmed due to the presence of so many crystals. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed to remove clusters of crystals and bevacizumab was injected intravitreally to treat iris neovascularization. Aqueous aspirate was examined by light microscopy and the typical highly refringent cholesterol crystals were identified. Intraocular pressure returned to a normal level after the bevacizumab injection, although severe cholesterosis was still evident in the anterior chamber. To our knowledge, this would be the first Korean case of cholesterosis bulbi combined with chronic retinal detachment and presumed neovascular glaucoma, which was treated by pars plana vitrectomy and intravitreal bevacizumab injection.

Subconjunctival Bevacizumab as an Adjunct to Trabeculectomy in Eyes with Refractory Glaucoma: A Case Series

This prospective observational case series study included 6 eyes of 6 consecutive glaucomatous patients. Each patient underwent trabeculectomy with mitomycin C, and received a 1.25 mg of subconjunctival bevacizumab injection at completion of the trabeculectomy. Study eyes included two with neovascular glaucoma, three with uveitic glaucoma, and one with secondary glaucoma following vitrectomy. All eyes had undergone failed glaucoma laser/surgical treatment or an intraocular surgical procedure. Intraocular pressure (IOP) at the following postoperative visits: preoperative, 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, and 6 months, was measured. We also evaluated postoperative bleb findings and complications. IOP measured at each visit was 37.5+/-14.4 mmHg, 6.2+/-3.4 mmHg, 8.3+/-7.2 mmHg, 12.0+/-4.4 mmHg, 10.8+/-3.1 mmHg, and 12.2+/-3.3 mmHg, respectively, for each visit. All eyes had functioning blebs with normal IOP at postoperative 6 months with no additional IOP-lowering medication.

Concentration of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor After Intracameral Bevacizumab Injection in Eyes With Neovascular Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To study the concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the aqueous humor before and after intracameral injection of bevacizumab in eyes with neovascular glaucoma, and to detect the duration of an anti-VEGF effect of bevacizumab in the anterior chamber. METHODS: In this prospective interventional case series, 1.25 mg of bevacizumab was injected into the anterior chamber of five eyes in five neovascular glaucoma patients. Aqueous humor samples were obtained just before intracameral injection of bevacizumab and two weeks after injection. The concentrations of VEGF in the aqueous humor were measured using ELISA. To investigate corneal endothelial damage after intrecameral bevacizumab injection, specular microscopy was performed before injection and two weeks after injection. Slit lamp photo and iris fluorescent angiography was performed to determine the regression of iris neovascularization. RESULTS: After injection, substantial regression of neovascularization or fluorescein leakage was seen in all treated eyes. The VEGF concentrations in the aqueous humor in eyes with NVG were 1181.8+/-1248.3 pg/mL before intracameral injection of bevacizumab. Two weeks after injection, the VEGF concentrations decreased to 33.2+/-12.2 pg/mL (p=0.04, Wilcoxon signed rank test). There were no significant changes in IOP or corneal endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Intracameral bevacizumab injection can remarkably reduce iris neovascularization in neovascular glaucoma patients. VEGF levels were significantly decreased two weeks after injection and corneal toxicity was not observed during short term follow-up.

Intravitreal Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Neovascular Glaucoma Associated With Central Retinal Artery Occlusion

We report three cases of neovascular glaucoma secondary to central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) which were effectively managed with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) followed by panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). Neovascular glaucoma without peripheral anterior synechiae developed between one and five weeks following CRAO onset. All patients received 0.75 mg (0.03 ml) IVB. In all patients, complete regression of the iris and anterior chamber angle neovascularization was confirmed within one week. PRP was applied two weeks after the injection. The follow-up period was four to seven months (average, five months). Intraocular pressure was controlled in all patients using topical antiglaucoma medications alone. However, one patient experienced a recurrence of neovascularization three months after the initial combination treatment. This patient received another IVB injection and additional PRP, and the recurrent neovascularization resolved. There were no local or systemic adverse events in any patients. Therefore, intravitreal bevacizumab may be an effective adjunct in the treatment of neovascular glaucoma associated with CRAO.

Long-term results of early trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C and subsequent posterior segment intervention in the treatment of neovascular glaucoma with hazy ocular media.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the long-term efficacy and safety of early trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C (TMMC) and subsequent posterior segment intervention in the treatment of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) with hazy ocular media. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty-three eyes of 21 patients who had NVG with hazy ocular media that precluded posterior segment and had persistent IOP of 30 mm Hg or more despitefully antiglaucoma medications for 48 hours, underwent a modified TMMC (twice application of subconjunctival and subscleral MMC 0.2 mg/ml for 3 and 2 minutes, small internal block excision, laser suturelysis at 2 weeks) and subsequent posterior segment intervention with or without phacoemulsification. RESULTS: Preoperative IOP ranged from 30-80 mmHg, (mean 38.87 +/- 9.52). Follow-up period ranged from 12-47 months (mean 29 +/- 11.03). At final follow-up, qualified success (an IOP of < or = 21 mm Hg with or without medication) and complete success (an IOP of < or = 15 mm Hg without medication) was achieved in 21 (91.3%) of 23 eyes and in 12 (52.7%) of 23 eyes, respectively. The median successful period of maintaining qualified success was 13 months. Final visual acuity of 20/400 or better was preserved in 12 of 23 eyes (52.7%). None had hypotony maculopathy, leaking blebs or endophthalmitis. CONCLUSION: Early TMMC and subsequent posterior segment intervention, offerred a safe and prolonged satisfactory result of IOP control in NVG patients with hazy ocular media.

Midd-term effects of trabeculectomy with mitomycin C in neovascular glaucoma patients

Twenty four eyes from 23 neovascular glaucoma (NVG) patients, who underwent trabeculectomy with 0.2 or 0.4 mg/ml MMC in least the previous 6 months, were examined in order to evaluate the mid-term effects of a trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC) in NVG. Success defined when an intraocular pressure (IOP) 5 mmHg with or without medication was observed. The mean IOP was reduced from 46.8+/-12.9 mmHg preoperatively to 18.2+/-12.0 mmHg at the last follow-up (mean = 25.8 months). The overall success rates at 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-months after surgery were 71%, 58%, 50%, 29%, 29% respectively. The number of anti-glaucoma medications administered was significantly reduced from 2.6+/-0.7 preoperatively to 0.9+/-1.0 postoperatively (Wilcoxon signed rank test, p = 0.005). In addition both the intraoperative MMC concentration and application time had no influence on lowering the IOP (logistic regression analysis, p = 0.228, 0.910, respectively). There was a similar incidence of postoperative complications in both the success and failure group. These results suggest that a trabeculectomy with MMC is an effective surgical procedure in NVG patients and the MMC concentration is not crucial for reducing the IOP postoperatively.

Citostáticos en la cirugía del glaucoma de mal pronóstico, distintas dosis de 5 fluorouracilo, mitomicina C: estudio en 100 casos / Cytostatics in glaucoma surgery of bad prognosis, different dosis of 5 fluorouracil, mitomycin C: study in 100 cases

Se investiga el efecto del tratamiento con 5 fluorouracilo y mitomicina C en 100 pacientes con glaucomas de mal pronóstico operados de trabeculectomía. Se usaron al azar 4 dosis distintas de 5 FU (105, 96, 64 y 40 mgr.) en inyecciones subconjuntivales postoperatorias y en un grupo se usó mitomicina C 0,5 mgr. x cc. en aplicación tópica intraoperatoria. La presión postoperatoria no fue significativamente diferente en los distintos grupos de tratamiento. Las complicaciones de epitelio corneal son frecuentes con el 5 FU y relacionadas con las dosis empleadas y escasas con la mitomicina C. La dehiscencia de sutura se presenta tanto con el 5 FU como la mitomicina. Los resultados pacientes con glaucomas neovasculares tienen peor pronóstico