Psychosocial indicators of primary congenital glaucoma and filtering surgeries impacts on children and family's quality of life.

PURPOSE: To identify psychosocial indicators and evaluate the filtering surgeries impacts on quality of life (QOL) of children with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and their family. METHODS: Parents of children with bilateral PCG who underwent filtering surgery were included. Data were collected through: (a) psychological inquiry to determine psychosocial indicators; (b) Children's Visual Function Questionnaire (CVFQ). The associations between the CVFQ scores and visual acuity, intraocular pressure, optic disk cupping, horizontal corneal diameter, axial length, number of surgeries, and hypotensive eye drops were investigated. The statistical significance level was considered as p ⩽ 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of the nine mothers interviewed and their children (six boys and three girls) was 29 ± 5 years and 35 ± 18 months, respectively. The psychosocial indicators determined were: emotional impact of the diagnosis, disease knowledge, mother and family's feelings on facing the surgical treatment, surgical result comprehension, treatment adherence, child's emotional and behavioral reactions, social support, and future expectations. In CVFQ analysis, QOL score was strongly associated with visual acuity (r = -0.79; p = 0.01). Besides the treatment score was correlated to intraocular pressure (r = -0.68; p < 0.05), optic disk cupping (r = -0.85; p = 0.03), and corneal diameter (r = -0.69; p = 0.02). Correlations were not found for number of surgeries and eye drops. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the PCG surgical treatment impact on QOL and determined psychosocial indicators which may favor the suitable actions in psychological treatment and follow-up of the children and families.

Local peribulbar anesthesia before glaucoma filtering surgery in a patient with Brugada syndrome.

We report anesthetic management in a patient with Brugada syndrome, an inherited syndrome characterized by normal QT interval, typical ST-segment-elevation in the right precordial leads, and increased risk of sudden cardiac death in the absence of myocardial ischemia or structural heart disease. A 69-year-old man scheduled for glaucoma filtering surgery underwent local peribulbar anesthesia using 5 mL of lidocaine 20 mg/mL solution that was slowly injected into two different sites approximately 10 min prior to the surgical procedure. The surgery proceeded uneventful and data of patient's blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation were collected. Continuous electrocardiography monitoring before, during, and up to 6 h after surgery did not reveal any arrhythmia or tachycardia. A certain number of drugs should be avoided in patients with Brugada syndrome because of their potential risk to trigger an arrhythmia. Among them there are some anesthetics and in particular those that are sodium channel blockers. Ropivacaine and bupivacaine, commonly used for peribulbar block, have been associated with onset of severe arrhythmias. Contrarily, the use of class IB drugs mexiletine and lidocaine is generally considered safe. Local anesthetic agent should be carefully chosen, and anesthesia should be obtained using the minimal necessary drug dose.

A Tenon's capsule/bulbar conjunctiva interface biomimetic to model fibrosis and local drug delivery.

Glaucoma filtration surgery is one of the most effective methods for lowering intraocular pressure in glaucoma. The surgery efficiently reduces intra-ocular pressure but the most common cause of failure is scarring at the incision site. This occurs in the conjunctiva/Tenon's capsule layer overlying the scleral coat of the eye. Currently used antimetabolite treatments to prevent post-surgical scarring are non-selective and are associated with potentially blinding side effects. Developing new treatments to target scarring requires both a better understanding of wound healing and scarring in the conjunctiva, and new means of delivering anti-scarring drugs locally and sustainably. By combining plastic compression of collagen gels with a soft collagen-based layer, we have developed a physiologically relevant model of the sub-epithelial bulbar conjunctiva/Tenon's capsule interface, which allows a more holistic approach to the understanding of subconjunctival tissue behaviour and local drug delivery. The biomimetic tissue hosts both primary human conjunctival fibroblasts and an immune component in the form of macrophages, morphologically and structurally mimicking the mechanical proprieties and contraction kinetics of ex vivo porcine conjunctiva. We show that our model is suitable for the screening of drugs targeting scarring and/or inflammation, and amenable to the study of local drug delivery devices that can be inserted in between the two layers of the biomimetic. We propose that this multicellular-bilayer engineered tissue will be useful to study complex biological aspects of scarring and fibrosis, including the role of inflammation, with potentially significant implications for the management of scarring following glaucoma filtration surgery and other anterior ocular segment scarring conditions. Crucially, it uniquely allows the evaluation of new means of local drug delivery within a physiologically relevant tissue mimetic, mimicking intraoperative drug delivery in vivo.

Effect of Intravenous Dexmedetomidine on Intraocular Pressure in Patients Undergoing Glaucoma Surgery Under Local Anesthesia: A Pilot Study.

PRECIS: Preoperative intravenous (IV) dexmedetomidine produced a 33% reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) within 15 minutes of administration in patients with glaucoma. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of preoperative IV dexmedetomidine on IOP in adult patients undergoing glaucoma surgery under local anesthesia. METHODS: In a prospective interventional case series, 12 patients with uncontrolled IOP (IOP>24 mm Hg in both the eyes) with the systemic status of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification I-II, received IV dexmedetomidine 0.6 µg/kg 30 minutes preoperatively. The IOP of the nonsurgical eye (measured with Perkins tonometer), the heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP) were recorded 5 minutes prior, 15 minutes and 2 hours after IV dexmedetomidine administration, and were compared using analysis of variance and Tukey honestly significant difference tests. RESULTS: There were 4 women and 8 men with a mean age (±SD) of 60.6±10.4 years. The mean number of antiglaucoma medications was 4.3±1.3. The mean pre-dexmedetomidine IOP was 31.5±5.6 mm Hg. At 15 minutes post-dexmedetomidine administration, the mean and percentage drop in IOP were 10.2±3.2 mm Hg (P=0.001) and 33%±11%, respectively. The mean and percentage drop in systolic BP were 18±20 mm Hg (P=0.01) and 12%±14%, and drop in diastolic BP were 6.5±10 mm Hg (P=0.05) and 7%±11%, respectively. The mean and percentage drop in HR were 2±0.6 bpm (P=0.48) and 2%±13%, respectively. None of the subjects experienced any medication-related adverse effects. At 2 hours, the mean and percentage drop in IOP were 5.3±3 mm Hg and 17%±11%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In the small sample of (ASA I-II) patients studied, preoperative dexmedetomidine produced a significant drop in IOP (33%) within 15 minutes of IV administration in patients with glaucoma that was reversing at 2 hours, with a good safety profile.

Canaloplasty for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Canaloplasty has been reported to manage primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) effectively. However, no study has specifically and systematically investigated the efficacy and safety of canaloplasty for the treatment of POAG. Thus, this study will systematically and comprehensively appraise the efficacy and safety of canaloplasty for the treatment of POAG. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure will be sought from the construction to the February 29, 2020. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on canaloplasty for the treatment of POAG will be included. Two reviewers will independently undertake selection of study, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. Any doubts between 2 reviewers will be resolved through discussion with another experienced reviewer. RevMan 5.3 software will be employed for data analysis. RESULTS: This study will summarize high-quality RCTs on investigating efficacy and safety of canaloplasty for the treatment of POAG. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study will help to determine whether canaloplasty is effective and safety for the treatment of POAG.Systematic review registration: INPLASY202040119.

Premature Expression of Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome With Presenile Cataract in a 28-Year-Old Lady.

PURPOSE: We report a case of premature expression of pseudoexfoliation syndrome with presenile cataract in a 28-year-old lady with primary developmental glaucoma who had undergone glaucoma filtration surgery 26 years ago. METHODS/RESULTS: We report a case of a 28-year-old Indian lady with progressive diminution of vision associated with photophobia in the left eye for 5 years and loss of vision in the right eye since childhood. She underwent glaucoma filtration surgery in the left eye at the age of 2 and was on 2 topical glaucoma medications when she presented to us. Refractive error was -17.00 D with -3.50 D @ 90-degree cylinder in the left eye. The right eye was phthisical. Left eye showed superior diffuse bleb, enlarged but clear cornea with superior Haab's striae, deep and quiet anterior chamber and patent surgical iridectomy at 1 o'clock position. There was diffuse iris atrophy with pseudoexfoliation at the pupillary ruff and over the anterior lens capsule. Lens showed grade 2 nuclear cataract. Intraocular pressure in the left eye was 23 mm Hg. Fundus examination showed 0.9 cupping with an inferior notch and diffuse pallor of the optic disc. Axial length of left eye was 31.44 mm. On the basis of these findings, she was diagnosed with primary developmental glaucoma and high myopia, status after glaucoma filtration surgery with presenile cataract and pseudoexfoliation in the left eye. The topical antiglaucoma medications were augmented. After 1 month, intraocular pressure in the left eye was reduced to 14 mm Hg. She was advised to continue topical glaucoma medications and regular follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The present case is the first to describe the unusual presentation of pseudoexfoliation in a young individual along with presenile cataract. Simultaneous occurrence of pseudoexfoliation with cataract could be due to previous intraocular surgery, iris trauma, possible low-grade inflammation, and high myopia in a predisposed eye. The clinician should be aware that although a rare condition, pseudoexfoliation can occur in the young and may be associated with presenile cataract.

Changes in Australian practice patterns for glaucoma management.

IMPORTANCE: The demand for glaucoma care is projected to increase significantly with the ageing population. BACKGROUND: To characterize trends in Australian practice patterns for glaucoma management over the 15-y period between 2003 and 2017. DESIGN: Retrospective audit. SAMPLES: The Medicare eligible population. METHODS: Audit of Medicare Benefits Schedule item number reimbursements in the private healthcare sector, and dispensed Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescriptions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number, unadjusted cost and services per capita in the enrolled population. RESULTS: The number of medication prescriptions peaked in 2015, but then declined by 14.9%. PBS expenditure on glaucoma medications has been falling since 2012. There was a 9.2-fold increase in fixed-combination prescriptions and 281-fold increase in unpreserved medication prescriptions. In 2017, optometrists generated 1.86% of glaucoma prescriptions. Reimbursements for computerized perimetry increased dramatically for optometrists, and in 2017 optometrist-initiated perimetry exceeded ophthalmologist-initiated perimetry by 35.3%. There were significant increases in laser procedure rates, including laser trabeculoplasty (4.61-fold), laser iridotomy (2.55-fold) and cyclodestructive procedures (2.33-fold). There was a 3.83-fold increase in glaucoma drainage device insertions. Ab interno trabecular microbypass procedures increased 715% from 2014 to 2017. Adjusted for Medicare population, trabecular microbypass is performed at more than twice the rate of primary filtering operations. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This is the first time that glaucoma medication use and expenditure have declined since auditing began in 1992. Glaucoma laser procedures, drainage device implantation and trabecular microbypass increased substantially over the study period. In contrast, the rate of primary filtering operations increased in proportion to population growth. The increase in overall cost of glaucoma care has primarily been driven by computerized perimetry; however, this has been partially offset by a decline in medication expenditure.

Relationship between corneal biomechanical properties and optic nerve head changes after deep sclerectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate corneal biomechanical properties and optic nerve head (ONH) changes following deep sclerectomy (DS) and the relation to each other. METHODS: Forty-nine eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma that underwent DS were studied. Corneal biomechanical properties were assessed using the Ocular Response Analyzer and the ONH was evaluated by Spectralis optical coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging technology before surgery and 3 months postoperatively. Changes in corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), optic nerve cupping, prelaminar tissue thickness, and lamina cribrosa depth and thickness were registered. A correlation matrix and multiple linear regression models were used to determine predictors of ONH changes. RESULTS: At 3 months after surgery, mean corneal compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) significantly decreased by 27.9% (p<00.001) and mean Goldmann-correlated IOP (IOPg) decreased by 30.52% (p<00.001). Mean CH increased and CRF decreased by 18.4% and 10.1%, respectively (p<00.001). There was a significant reversal of ONH cupping mainly due to a prelaminar tissue thickening (p<00.001). Significant associations were found between ONH cupping reversal and prelaminar tissue thickening with preoperative IOPcc (p = 0.046), IOPg (p = 0.02), and CRF (p = 0.002) and with changes in IOP, CH, and CRF (p<00.001, p = 0.004, p = 0.018, respectively) after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal hysteresis increased and CRF decreased significantly 3 months after DS. Corneal resistance factor was the single largest preoperative factor influencing cupping reversal changes. Despite the influence of preoperative variables, postoperative IOP reduction was the only independent factor influencing changes observed in the ONH after surgery.

Glaucoma, "the silent thief of sight": patients' perspectives and health seeking behaviour in Bauchi, northern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: In Nigeria, glaucoma has a high prevalence and is the second cause of blindness among adults after cataract. People with glaucoma frequently present very late with advanced disease, and acceptance of and adherence to treatment is low. The purpose of the study was to explore how patients' understand and respond to glaucoma in order develop an intervention to improve adherence to treatment. METHOD: Hospital based qualitative study. Six focus group discussions were held with patients with advanced disease and who had either undergone glaucoma surgery, were receiving medical treatment, or had neither surgery nor medical treatment. Two traditional healers who treat eye conditions were interviewed. Audio files were transcribed, translated into English and recurring themes coded and categorized as the impact of vision loss, and understandings of the disease and its management. RESULTS: Visual loss impacted significantly on the lives of people with glaucoma in many ways. Many heard the term "glaucoma" for the first time during the study. Local terms to describe the symptoms included Hawan jinin ido ("hypertension of the eye"). Patients sought treatment in pharmacies, or with traditional healers who had different interpretations of glaucoma and its treatment to biomedical understandings. Cost and forgetfulness were the main reasons for low adherence to treatment while fear was a reason for not accepting surgery. Lack of money and negative staff attitudes were reasons for low follow up. CONCLUSION: Halting the progression of glaucoma is possible with treatment but the condition will remain a "silent thief of sight" in West Africa unless awareness, uptake of services and adherence to treatment improve. Understanding how glaucoma is locally conceptualised, lived with and responded to by patients is essential to aid the design of interventions to prevent glaucoma blindness in Africa. Findings have been used to adapt a motivational interviewing intervention, which is being evaluated in a clinical trial.

Reversible structural and functional changes after intraocular pressure reduction in patients with glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate structural and functional improvement following intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction in patients with glaucoma using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT), Visual Field (VF) testing, and Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP). METHODS: A total of 76 eyes from 61 patients underwent SD-OCT, VF and VEP testing. Sixty-two eyes were put in either an acutely high (group 1, IOP > 32 mmHg) or mildly high (group 2, IOP between 22 and 31 mmHg) IOP group and underwent a pressure-lowering intervention. Fourteen eyes with stable glaucoma were controls (group 3, IOP < 22 mmHg). SD-OCT, VF and VEP testing were subsequently performed on all patients at three follow-up visits. Results from these follow-up periods were analyzed for signs of functional and structural improvement. RESULTS: Both group 1 and group 2 patients demonstrated significant decrease in the average cup to disc ratio (p < 0.05) following the intervention. Post-interventional reduction of cup volume was also significant for group 2 patients (p < 0.05). RNFL thickness changes were insignificant. Qualitative grading of VFs by two observers showed improvement in group 1 patients' VFs (p = 0.021). VEP measurements were mostly insignificant, with the exception of High Contrast Latency (LHC) deteriorating for group 2 patients in the first follow-up visit (p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence for structural disc cupping reversal following IOP lowering interventions. These changes were not related to the amount of pressure lowering. While there was evidence of functional improvement as measured by VF testing, VEP was unable to detect any reversible changes.

Needle Revision With 5-fluorouracil for the Treatment of Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Filtering Blebs: 5-Fluoruracil Needling Revision can be a Useful and Safe Tool in the Management of Failing Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Filtering Blebs.

PURPOSE: To determine the outcome of needling with adjunctive 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in patients with a failing Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implant, and to identify predictors of long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) control. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed on consecutive patients with medically uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) with AGV encapsulation or fibrosis and inadequate IOP control. Bleb needling with 5-FU injection (0.1 mL of 50 mg/mL) was performed at the slit-lamp. Patients were examined 1 week following the needling, and then at months 1, 3, and 6. Subsequent follow-up visits were scheduled at 6-month intervals for at least 2 years. Needling with 5-FU was repeated no more than twice during the first 3 months of the follow-up. Procedure outcome was determined on the basis of the recorded IOP levels. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients with an encapsulated or fibrotic AGV underwent 67procedures (mean 1.86 ± 0.83). Complete success, defined as IOP ≤ 18 mm Hg without medications, was obtained in 25% at 24 months of observation. The cumulative proportion of cases achieving either qualified (ie, IOP ≤ 18 mm Hg with medications) or complete success at 24 months of observation was 72.2%. In a univariate Cox proportional hazards model, age was the only variable that independently influenced the risk of failing 5-FU needling revision. Fourteen eyes (38.8%) had a documented complication. CONCLUSIONS: Needling over the plate of an AGV supplemented with 5-FU is an effective and safe choice in a significant proportion of POAG patients with elevated IOP due to encapsulation or fibrosis.

Outcome of viscodilation and tensioning of Schlemm's canal for uveitic glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of circumferential viscodilation and tensioning of Schlemm's canal (canaloplasty) in the treatment of uveitic glaucoma (UG). DESIGN: Pilot, retrospective, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen uveitic eyes of 15 patients with UG. METHODS: The main outcome measure was surgical success. Secondary outcome measures included intraocular pressure, usage of ocular hypotensive medication, visual acuity, and sight-threatening complications. Patients were included when UG could not be controlled despite maximum tolerated medical therapy. Exclusion criteria were peripheral anterior synechiae and previous glaucoma surgery. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time from canaloplasty was 2.6 ± 1.1 years. Mean intraocular pressure decreased from 30.4 ± 8.4 mm Hg preoperatively to 13.8 ± 5.0 mm Hg at last follow-up (p < 0.001). The mean number of ocular hypotensive medications decreased from 3.7 ± 0.8 preoperatively to 0.4 ± 1.0 at last follow-up (p < 0.001). At last follow-up, the complete success, qualified success, and failure rates were 73.7%, 10.5%, and 15.8%, respectively. No canaloplasty-related permanent sight-reducing complications occurred. Preoperative best corrected visual acuity decreased more than 1 Snellen line in 1 eye due to exacerbation of uveitis 18 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Canaloplasty appears to be a relatively safe and effective initial surgical intervention in UG.

American Glaucoma Society position statement: glaucoma surgery by surgeons.

POSITION STATEMENT: The American Glaucoma Society seeks to ensure the highest quality care for patients with glaucoma. The surgical care of the glaucoma patient requires the skills and judgment of physicians who have graduated from the rigorous training and hands-on experience provided by a complete curriculum in allopathic or osteopathic medicine with subsequent subspecialty training in Ophthalmology. Surgery for glaucoma includes the use of laser, incisional surgery with and without devices, injections into or around the eye, and should be performed only by physicians who have been licensed and credentialed in allopathic (MD) or osteopathic (DO) medicine.

Patient refusal of glaucoma surgery and associated factors in Lagos, Nigeria.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of patient refusal of glaucoma surgery (GSR) and the associated factors in Lagos, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted in Lagos state, Nigeria. Twelve centres were invited to participate, but data collection was completed in 10. Newly diagnosed glaucoma patients were recruited and interviewed from these sites over a four week period on prior awareness of glaucoma, surgery refusal, and reason(s) for the refusal. Presenting visual acuity was recorded from the patient files. The odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 208 newly diagnosed glaucoma patients were recruited. Sixty-five (31.2%) patients refused surgery. Fear of surgery (31 (47.7%) patients), and fear of going blind (19 (29.2%) patients) were the most common reasons. The odds ratio of surgery refusal were marital status - not married versus married (2.0; 95% CI, 1.02-3.94), use of traditional medication - users versus non users (2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-5.2), perception of glaucoma causing blindness - no versus yes (3.7; 95% CI, 1.3-10.5), type of institution - government versus private (5.7; 95% CI, 1.3-25.1), and visual acuity in the better eye - normal vision versus visual impairment (2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-4.9). Age, gender, level of education, family history of glaucoma, and prior awareness of the diagnosis of glaucoma, were not significantly associated with surgery refusal. Perception of patients concerning glaucoma blindness was the strongest factor on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: GSR was relatively low in this study. Unmarried status, use of traditional medications, perception that glaucoma cannot cause blindness, government hospital patients, and good vision in the better eye were associated with GSR. These factors might help in the clinical setting in identifying appropriate individuals for targeted counseling, as well as the need for increased public awareness about glaucoma.

Nd: YAG laser goniopuncture: indications and procedure.

Laser goniopuncture is a complementary adjunct to nonfiltering glaucoma surgery such as deep sclerectomy, viscocanalostomy, and canaloplasty, contributing to intraocular pressure control and the avoidance of additional incisional surgery. Goniopuncture is associated with a low complication rate and demonstrates minimal inflammation, hemorrhage, and hypotony when performed correctly. This article provides a detailed description of how to perform this procedure and methods of preventing and addressing complications.

Agreement between specially trained and accredited optometrists and glaucoma specialist consultant ophthalmologists in their management of glaucoma patients.

AIMS: Optometrists are becoming increasingly involved in the co-management of glaucoma patients as the burden on the Hospital Eye Service continues to escalate. The aim of this study was to assess the agreement between specially trained optometrists and glaucoma-specialist consultant ophthalmologists in their management of glaucoma patients. METHODS: Four optometrists examined 23-25 patients each and the clinical findings, up to the point of dilation, were documented in the hospital records. The optometrist, and one of two consultant ophthalmologists, then independently examined and documented the optic-disc appearance before recording their decisions regarding the stability and management of the patient on a specially designed proforma. Percentage agreement was calculated together with kappa or weighted kappa statistics, where appropriate. RESULTS: Agreement between consultants and optometrists in evaluating glaucoma stability was 68.5% (kappa (κ)=0.42-0.50) for visual fields, 64.5% (weighted κ=0.17-0.31) for optic discs, and 84.5% (weighted κ=0.55-0.60) for intraocular pressures. Agreement regarding medical management was 96.5% (κ=0.73-0.81) and for other glaucoma management decisions, including timing of follow-up, referral to a consultant ophthalmologist, and discharge, was 72% (weighted κ=0.65). This agreement increased to 90% following a retrospective independent then consensus review between the two consultants and when qualified agreements were included. Of the 47 glaucoma and non-glaucoma queries generated during the study, 42 resulted in a change of management. CONCLUSION: Confirming the ability of optometrists to make appropriate decisions regarding the stability and management of glaucoma patients is essential if their involvement is to continue to develop to meet the demand of an aging population.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy in nonperforating filtering surgery with intraoperative 5-fluorouracil and no implant: long-term results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term morphologic changes in the anterior segment structures after nonpenetrating filtering surgery (NPFS) supplemented with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and no scleral implant using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). METHODS: Thirteen eyes of 13 consecutive patients who underwent NPFS with intraoperative 5-FU under the conjunctiva and the scleral flap and no implant were evaluated in an observational nonrandomized, consecutive case series study conducted 2 years postoperatively. Patients were assessed for the presence of a subconjunctival filtering bleb, the volume of an intrascleral cavity, and a suprachoroidal hypoechoic area. The intraocular pressure(IOP) was measured preoperatively and postoperatively at the time of UBM. RESULTS: The IOP decreased significantly (p=0.01) from 24-/+7.6 mmHg to 13.7-/+4.1 mmHg. In most patients (69.2%), the postoperative IOP decreased at least 30% from the preoperative value without medications and in 84.6% with medication. UBM showed a subconjunctival empty space in 92.3% of eyes. In 84.6% of patients, an intrascleral cavity was seen, the mean volume of which was 1.68 mm(3) (range, 0-4.07). We found a negative correlation between the height, width, and volume of the intrascleral lake and the IOP. In 92.3% of eyes, a hypoechoic area in the suprachoroidal space also was seen. CONCLUSIONS: UBM showed a filtering intrascleral cavity, subconjunctival filtering bleb, and a suprachoroidal space after NPFS supplemented with 5-FU under the conjunctiva and the scleral flap without an implant.

Macular schisis and detachment associated with presumed acquired enlarged optic nerve head cups.

PURPOSE: To describe a clinical syndrome of macular schisis and detachment in patients with acquired optic nerve head cupping resulting from glaucoma. DESIGN: Retrospective review of five patients. METHODS: Patients were included if they had optic nerve cupping and macular schisis with or without detachment with no other identifiable cause. The patients had to have no leakage on fluorescein angiography and no vitreous traction on examination or on optic coherence tomography (OCT). These patients were followed up and visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and the findings of serial fundus and OCT examinations were noted. RESULTS: Five patients had schisis with or without detachment of the macula with pronounced optic nerve head cupping. One patient had resolution of the macular fluid after filtering surgery for uncontrolled glaucoma. Two patients underwent a vitrectomy with intraocular gas and had almost total resolution of macular fluid and improved vision. CONCLUSIONS: Macular schisis and detachment can occur in patients with presumed enlarged optic nerve head cups in the absence of obvious congenital anomalies of the disk. The authors believe the cause is leakage of fluid from the vitreous through a tiny hole in the thin tissue of the cup. This is a similar mechanism to that seen in patients with optic pits. A vitrectomy or steps to reduce the intraocular pressure may result in resolution of the fluid and improved vision.

[Dramatic alteration in optic nerve head topography after filtering surgery in an adult patient with traumatic glaucoma].

PURPOSE: We treated an adult patient with traumatic glaucoma who exhibited dramatic elasticity in the topography of the optic nerve head, as shown in a Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT) examination after filtering surgery. CASE: A 41-year-old man came to us with a right eye injury following an external blow. At the first examination, visual acuity was 0.4 (1.2) and intraocular pressure (IOP) was 11 mmHg in both eyes. Cells in the anterior chamber and angle dialysis were noted in all quadrants of the right eye, but there was no hyphema. Two weeks later, the patient returned to our hospital with pain in the right eye and a headache. Visual acuity in the right eye had decreased to 0.06 (0.1) and IOP was 50mmHg. A cilioconjunctival injection and corneal edema were observed. The patient was treated with medications, but IOP was uncontrollable and the optic disc cupping in the right eye was enlarged. Further, values for Cup Disc Area Ratio (C/D; 0.553) and Cup Volume (CV; 0.548) in the right eye were larger than those of the left (0.287 and 0.168, respectively) in an HRT examination. We performed a non-penetrating trabeculectomy 5 weeks after the injury. Two weeks after surgery, IOP was lowered to 7 mmHg, and C/D 0.122) and CV (0.062) were improved. Six months after the procedure, C/D (0.304) and CV (0.202) were nearly the same as those of the left eye (0.292 and 0.144). CONCLUSION: Although the duration of high IOP was short, high elasticity in the optic disc morphology of this adult case was shown quantitatively in an HRT examination.

Efficacy and safety of bimatoprost in patients with uncontrolled glaucoma as alternative to filtration surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of bimatoprost 0.03% as an alternative to filtration surgery in patients with uncontrolled glaucoma. DESIGN: Interventional study. METHODS: A total of 83 consecutive patients (83 eyes) awaiting glaucoma surgery were enrolled in eight ophthalmic centers. Reasons for listing were inadequate intraocular pressure (IOP) control despite medical therapy and documented progression of visual field loss. All patients discontinued the previous treatment and were switched to bimatoprost 0.03% QD (one drop at 9 pm). The primary efficacy outcome was a 20% IOP reduction from baseline at each timepoint. IOP was measured at day 7, day 30, day 60, and day 90 of treatment; less than 20% IOP reduction was considered as a failure. RESULTS: An IOP reduction of at least 20% was achieved in 74 patients (89.1%) after 7 days and in 64 patients (86.5%) after 30 days. Sixty-two patients (74.6%) maintained IOP readings 20% lower than baseline after 60 and 90 days. In these patients, visual field indices improved in 8 eyes (13%), and remained unchanged in 54 eyes (87%). Ocular side effects were conjunctival injection (15.6%), burning sensation (9.6%), foreign body sensation (4.8%), and eyelash growth (2.4%). CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study shows that bimatoprost 0.03% could represent a useful therapeutic tool that might defer filtration surgery.