Mean rate of progression of visual fields in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension attending a tertiary care center in South India - A prospective cohort study using FORUM® Glaucoma Workplace software.

Purpose: To find out the mean rate of progression (MROP) of visual fields (VF) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT) using FORUM® Glaucoma Workplace. Methods: Two hundred and one eyes of 105 patients were included in this prospective cohort study. Patients with POAG and OHT were recruited, and VF analysis with 24-2 and or 10-2 was done using SITA standard strategy in Zeiss Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer (HFA). All the previous VFs were identified from FORUM software, and the baseline indices were recorded from the first reliable VF analysis. The present VF analysis was compared to the previous one using FORUM software, and the rate of progression (ROP) in VF was obtained by Guided Progression Analysis. Results: MROP of VF in the POAG group was - 0.085 dB/year, ranging from -2.8 to 2.8 dB/year with a standard deviation (SD) of 0.69. In the OHT group, the MROP of VF was -0.003 dB/year, ranging from - 0.8 to 0.5 dB/year with an SD of 0.27. The MROP of VF in medically treated eyes with POAG was -0.14 dB/year with an SD of 0.61 and in surgically treated eyes was -0.02 dB/year with an SD of 0.78. The overall baseline mean VF index (VFI) was 83.19% and the final mean VFI was 79.80%. There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean VFI value from baseline to the final visit (P-value 0.0005). Conclusion: The mean ROP of VF in the POAG group was -0.085 dB/year and in the OHT group was - 0.003 dB/year.

Outcomes of bleb needling in primary glaucoma: A prospective interventional study in a South Indian population.

Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the outcomes of bleb needling for the treatment of failure of filtration surgeries in primary glaucoma with a follow-up of six months. Methods: This prospective interventional study included patients with primary glaucoma who underwent trabeculectomy or combined glaucoma and cataract surgery with failed or failing bleb after six weeks of surgery and less than two years. A comprehensive examination including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, gonioscopy, slit-lamp examination, and bleb morphology grading was done. Selected patients underwent a subconjunctival bleb needling with mitomycin C (MMC) (dose 0.2 mg/ml). Postoperatively, patients were followed up on the first, third, and sixth months and were assessed with respect to IOP, need for antiglaucoma medication (AGM), and complications. Results: Sixty eyes of 59 patients were included. Preoperatively, 33.3% of patients were on one AGM, whereas postoperatively at the third month 51.7% and at the sixth month 50% of patients were on no AGM. There was a statistically significant decrease in IOP (P < 0.001) from preoperative (mean: 23.8 ± 7.86 mmHg) to postoperative first month (mean: 19.8 ± 9.08 mmHg), third month (mean: 17.4 ± 5.4 mmHg) and sixth month (mean 16.6 ± 4.39). According to the defined criteria in the current study, we achieved 22 (37.9%) successes, 31 qualified successes (53.4%), and 5 (8.6%) failures. Univariate regression analysis showed a higher failure rate among younger age groups. Gender, laterality, and intraoperative complications were not significant statistically. Conclusion: Bleb needling is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of failed filtration surgeries.

Intermediate-term outcome of Aurolab aqueous drainage implant.

PURPOSE: To report the intermediate-term safety and efficacy of Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) in patients with glaucoma. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients who underwent AADI between January 2013 and December 2016. Patients aged >16 years and with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were included. Success was defined as complete when the intraocular pressure was ≥6 and ≤21 mmHg without antiglaucoma medication and as qualified if those requiring additional antiglaucoma medications were included. RESULTS: The study included 55 patients (55 eyes) with a mean age ± standard deviation (SD) of 47.3 ± 18.1 years with a mean follow-up of 16.7 ± 11.4 months. Mean intraocular pressure reduced from 30.8 ± 11.1 mmHg to 13.1 ± 4.7, 14.1 ± 4.8, 15.7 ± 2.5 (P < 0.001) mmHg at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively. The mean number of antiglaucoma medications reduced from 3.4 ± 1 to 0.8 ± 1.2, 0.7 ± 1.1, 0.8 ± 1 (P < 0.001) at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively. The cumulative probability of complete and qualified success was 62% and 100% at 6 months, 54% and 92% at 1 year, and 43% and 88% at 2 years, respectively. Four patients failed during the follow-up period. Postoperative complication occurred in 28 eyes (51%), of which 17 eyes (31%) required intervention. CONCLUSION: AADI is a safe and effective treatment for the control of intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma.

Bilateral, Simultaneous, Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma in Pseudophakia Induced by Chlorthalidone.

UNLABELLED: Purpose. To report two persons with acute, bilateral, and simultaneous angle closure glaucoma in pseudophakia secondary to uveal effusions induced by administration of chlorthalidone. Methods. CASE REPORTS: Results. Bilateral shallow anterior chambers and high intraocular pressure with decline in visual acuity were reported in two patients within days of intake of chlorthalidone for systemic hypertension. Gonioscopy confirmed appositional angle closure while choroidal detachment and ciliochoroidal detachment were revealed on ultrasonographic studies. Discontinuing chlorthalidone and institution of aqueous suppressants to reduce IOP and cycloplegics reversed angle closure and glaucoma. Conclusions. Reports of angle closure glaucoma in pseudophakic eyes induced by idiosyncratic reaction to chlorthalidone confirms that osmotic changes in the crystalline lens has no role in the pathogenesis of drug induced glaucoma and reaffirms that glaucoma is secondary to ciliochoroidal detachment and ciliary body rotation and edema.

An unusual presentation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa blebitis following combined surgery.

We report a case of blebitis that occurred 3 years later following a combined glaucoma and cataract surgery. It was an atypical presentation, as patient had no classical fiery looking signs of blebitis despite the isolated organism being Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Improvized surgical techniques like use of Mitomycin C, releasable flap sutures though considered as part of the recommended procedure for better surgical outcomes, their role as potential risk factors for visually blinding complications like endophthalmitis are often overlooked. This case report throws light on such risk factors for bleb associated infections and recommends removal or trimming of all releasable sutures and the need for a regular postoperative follow-up.