Assessment of the Efficacy of Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery Techniques using an Oculopression Stress Test. / Nicht invasiver Belastungstest zur Funktionsprüfung von mikroinvasiven Glaukomdrainage-Implantaten und Laserchirurgie.

BACKGROUND: Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness worldwide. The only evidence-based treatment to slow down the progression of glaucoma is the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) using local medication or through surgery. During the last years, a large number of microinvasive glaucoma surgery techniques (MIGS) has been developed, in order to reduce the IOP in glaucoma patients safely and effectively. Until now, efficacy of MIGS has been assessed mainly according to the postoperative IOP and the number of medications used. Results from long-term studies are rare or not available in the majority of the cases. In order to better evaluate the functionality of MIGS, a new examination method has been developed with the help of a new oculopressor device. In this study the efficacy of different MIGS techniques will be examined using the new oculopressor. MATERIAL/METHODS: At first, glaucoma patients that had previously received a MIGS surgery (iStent inject, XEN Stent, ELT) were examined with the new oculopression test. Their results were compared with those of non-operated patients and healthy individuals. Overall, 38 healthy subjects (group 1), 10 non-operated patients (group 2), 19 patients after iStent inject implantation (group 3), 14 patients after XEN Stent implantation (group 4) and 5 patients after ELT (group 5) were examined. The new examination measures the IOP-reduction that occurs after oculopression and can be seen as an indirect measurement of the outflow facility of the eye. RESULTS: The IOP-reduction after oculopression differed among the study groups. Non-operated patients showed a significantly lower IOP-reduction compared to healthy individuals. Patients after iStent inject and XEN stent implantation showed a larger reduction of IOP after oculopression in relation to non-operated patients and their results approximated those of healthy individuals. These patients needed fewer medications postoperatively in relation to non-operated patients. Patients after ELT showed postoperatively a smaller reduction of IOP after oculopression compared to iStent inject and XEN stent patients. CONCLUSION: MIGS can increase the outflow facility of the eye in patients with glaucoma. Though ELT had the lowest impact on the aqueous outflow among the studied procedures in this study. The new test can help in the evaluation of current and further development of new MIGS in the future.

Bilateral paediatric cataract surgery - outcomes of 298 children from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

INTRODUCTION: The leading cause of childhood blindness globally is paediatric cataract. Bilateral cataract surgery can help to improve visual performance and to diminish the burden of childhood blindness. OBJECTIVE: To report in a retrospective observational cohort study the long-term outcomes of 298 children who had bilateral cataract surgery with IOL implantation from 2001-2016 in Kinshasa. METHODS: A standardized surgical treatment of paediatric cataract was practiced on 298 children. Patient's follow-up, complications, and visual outcomes were recorded and analysed. RESULTS: The mean age was 5.7 ± 4.3 years and males were predominant (64.9%). Most of children were living mainly in urban poorest areas (96.3%). Strabismus, nystagmus and microcornea were encountered in 20.1%, 25.1% and 8.7% of children, respectively. Using WHO criteria most of patients were classified as blind preoperatively and 81.9% of them had improved visual outcomes after surgery. Main reasons for reduced vision during follow-up were secondary cataract (5.7%), IOL decentration (1.2%), retinal detachment (1.2%), and secondary glaucoma (1.5%). CONCLUSION: In spite of the post conflict challenges, elimination of cataract blindness in children remains a priority. Children present at a late age for surgery and long term follow-up is poor. There is need for program strengthening in these areas.