Bridging gaps in ophthalmology residency programs: the link between practice, training and confidence in ocular examination and gonioscopy for diagnosing glaucoma, a blinding disease.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate real-world utilization of gonioscopy for diagnosing glaucoma among ophthalmologists with diverse subspecialties, and understand current perceptions of teaching, training, and confidence in gonioscopy. METHODS: A nationwide anonymous online survey was conducted among practicing ophthalmologists, querying about demographics, professional experience, practice of routine ocular examination for glaucoma and perceptions of confidence in performing them. RESULTS: 136 ophthalmologists participated in the survey, with various levels of experience from residency to over twenty years of ophthalmology practice. Glaucoma specialists comprised 23 (16.9%) of the participants. Of the non-glaucoma-specialist respondents, only 33 (29.2%) expressed being highly confident in interpreting gonioscopic findings, which correlated significantly with their self-reported inadequate level of training in gonioscopy during residency (p < 0.001) and even more so with their low frequency of implementing gonioscopy in routine examinations (p < 0.001). The commonly cited reasons for the low practice of gonioscopy were insufficient time allotted to examinations and lack of experience, knowledge or equipment. CONCLUSIONS: Gonioscopy is fundamental to the detection of glaucoma. This study reveals underutilization of gonioscopy in the practice of ophthalmology and its association with lower training opportunities, calling for expedited changes in the residency's curriculum, alongside measures to promote its use in clinical practice.

Ocular injury from foam dart (Nerf) blasters: a case series.

To report clinical outcomes following ocular injury from foam dart (nerf) blasters - a spring-loaded toy guns that fire foam-coated darts or bullets at a relatively low velocity. These guns gained popularity in recent years among children and adolescents. Eleven patients with ocular injuries from foam dart blasters were included in this retrospective, single-center study. Visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and anterior segment, glaucoma-related, and vitreoretinal complications were recorded at each visit. The average age at presentation was 13.4 years and 82% were male. Mean initial VA was 6/12 (range 6/6 - 1/18); On initial examination, nine patients (82%) had hyphema, three (27%) had corneal abrasions, three (27%) had vitreous hemorrhage, and two (18%) had traumatic mydriasis. Four patients (36%) experienced glaucoma-related complications, including three (27%) with angle recession and three (27%) with increased IOP. Three patients (27%) were diagnosed with posterior segment injuries, including three (27%) with commotio retinae and one (9%) with severe retinal photoreceptor damage. No patients required surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Foam dart blasters can cause severe blunt ocular trauma and permanent visual loss, illustrating the need for eye protection when handling these toys. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Foam dart blasters, a blanket term for spring-loaded toy guns that fire foam-coated darts or bullets at a relatively low velocity, have gained popularity in recent years among pediatric populations, with an increase in associated ocular injuries. • To date, scattered case reporting provides insufficient insight into the full clinical spectrum of injury and prognosis of foam dart blasters related ocular injury. WHAT IS NEW: • This case series characterizes the myriad foam dart blasters injuries that may afflict the eye, most of which are self-limiting, but some of which may result in poor visual outcomes and lifelong disability in pediatric patients. • We strongly recommend that all users wear eye protection while using foam dart blasters.

Influence of mental stress on intraocular pressure and visual field testing: is there a white coat syndrome in glaucoma?

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of mental stress stimulus on intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement and visual field (VF) testing. METHODS: Patients with open angle glaucoma underwent a baseline IOP measurement and VF testing. Afterwards, they completed a computerized mental stress test (Stroop test) which is a known standardized method to induce mental stress. After test completion, patients underwent a second IOP measurement and VF testing. RESULTS: Seventy-two eyes of 36 patients were enrolled. Mean age was 67.0 ± 9.5 years (range 47-84 years). The mean baseline IOP was 15.0 mmHg, and after the Stroop mental stress test, IOP increased to 16.0 mm Hg (P < 0.001). There was a trend towards significant mean deviation decreased from -6.9 dB to -8.0 dB (P = 0.054, t-test) following the stress test. This difference became significant using the Wilcoxon nonparametric test (P = 0.008). Correlation was found between glaucoma severity and change in IOP (P = 0.02) and PSD (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We found a small but statistically significant increase in IOP and a trend towards deterioration of visual field mean deviation, following a short mental stress test. Patients with more severe glaucoma showed more pronounced changes. Our results suggest that mental stress could affect IOP measurement in the clinic.

Teleophthalmology Screening for Early Detection of Ocular Diseases in Underserved Populations in Israel.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of an innovative telemedicine community-based intervention to increase detection of previously undiagnosed ocular diseases in high-risk populations in Israel. Methods: A team comprising an ocular technician, a project manager, and a driver was sent to underserved areas in Israel. Patient demographics, ocular, and medical information were recorded. Visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure and fundus photographs were obtained. The data were transferred to the Ophthalmology Reading Center in Tel-Aviv Medical Center, where it was interpreted by an ophthalmologist. A letter was sent to the patients indicating examination results. It instructed them to return for a follow-up examination if indicated. Results: A total of 124 individuals underwent telemedicine remote screening examinations in 10 locations. The mean age was 79.9 ± 7.2 years, with female predominance of 67%. The major pathologies detected were (1) reduction in VA >6/12 in at least one eye (n = 48, 38.7%); (2) glaucoma suspicion in the optic disk (n = 18, 14.5%); (3) ocular hypertension >21 mmHg (n = 15, 12.1%); (4) age-related macular degeneration (AMD; n = 15, 12.1%); (5) diabetic retinopathy (n = 6, 4.8%); (6) visually significant cataract (n = 6, 4.8%); and (7) other pathologies (n = 11, 8.9%); 97.7% of the patients reported high satisfaction rates (they were satisfied or very satisfied from the project model). Conclusions: Our pilot telemedicine screening project effectively detected ocular diseases in underserved areas in Israel and helped improve access to eye care. This project has the potential of reaching a national level, allow for early diagnosis, and prevent vision loss and blindness in underserved areas.

Intracameral tissue plasminogen activator in trabeculectomy: a 1-year prospective, randomized, controlled study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and the adjunctive effect of intracameral tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in trabeculectomy for patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized study consisting of patients with POAG who underwent trabeculectomy in Tel Aviv Medical Center between March 2013 and December 2014. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: Group 1 underwent mitomycin C (MMC) trabeculectomy and group 2 underwent MMC trabeculectomy with intracameral tPA. Complete and overall success were defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) between 5 and 18 mmHg and at least 30% IOP drop without and with or without anti-glaucoma treatment, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients (seven females and nine males) were recruited, and eight patients were assigned to each group. IOP at presentation was 27 ± 5.3 mmHg and 25.3 ± 5.1 mmHg, compared to 13.7 ± 4.3 mmHg and 10.6 ± 2.0 at 12 months (p < 0.0001) for groups 1 and 2, respectively. Complete success at 12 months was achieved in 62.5% of group 1 compared to 87.5% of group 2 (p = 0.28). Overall success was achieved in 87% compared to 100% of patients at 12 months (p = 0.33). No evidence of complications attributable to tPA was found. CONCLUSIONS: Augmentation of tPA during MMC trabeculectomy may have better complete and overall success rates, compared to MMC trabeculectomy. The safety profile was similar for both groups.

The Incidence of Retinal Vein Occlusion in Patients with Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate pseudoexfoliation (PXF) as an independent risk factor for the occurrence of retinal vein occlusion (RVO). METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study on the records of 300 PXF glaucoma patients (PXF group), 300 non-PXF glaucoma patients, and 599 nonglaucoma non-PXF (nGnP group) patients. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis resulted in a significant probability for RVO in the PXF (p = 0.005; OR 2.29 [1.13-4.68]) and non-PXF glaucoma groups (p = 0.005; OR 3.03 [1.55-5.94]) compared to the nGnP group. There was a much higher probability for central RVO (CRVO) in the PXF (p = 0.013; OR 3.64 [1.39-9.49]) and non-PXF glaucoma groups (p = 0.013; OR 3.78 [1.48-9.65]) compared to the nGnP group. After matching and excluding neovascular glaucoma, no significant difference was found between the PXF and non-PXF glaucoma groups regarding RVO (p = 0.541), CRVO (p = 0.092), and branch RVO (p = 0.774). CONCLUSIONS: PXF and other types of glaucoma are associated with RVOs, mainly CRVO. PXF was not found to be an independent risk factor for CRVO.

Original and generic latanoprost for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension: are they really the same?

We compared the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect and safety profile of latanoprost (Xalatan) with its generic variant, Glautan (Unipharm, Tel Aviv, Israel). After 1 and 4 weeks of treatment, a randomized, prospective, cross-over comparison was carried out that included patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, either naïve or treated and well-controlled, who were attending the Department of Ophthalmology, Tel Aviv Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel, between May 2010 and November 2012. After a 3-week washout period for the medicated subjects, the participants were randomized to 4 weeks of treatment with either Xalatan or Glautan once every evening and then, after a 3-week washout period, crossed-over to the other treatment for an additional 4 weeks. Efficacy was expressed by a change in intraocular pressure at three designated hours of the day after 1 week and 1 month of treatment, and tolerability was determined by ocular side-effects as reported by the patient in a questionnaire. A total of 19 patients (mean age at initial diagnosis 66 ± 9 years, 14 females) were enrolled, of whom 17 had bilateral open-angle glaucoma and two had unilateral disease. Both drugs lowered intraocular pressure after 1 week and 1 month (P = 0.06 and P = 0.04, respectively) of treatment. Xalatan had a tendency of greater efficacy than Glautan both after 1 week and 1 month, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.69 and P = 0.34, respectively). Drug safety was similar for Xalatan or Glautan, but more ocular side-effects were reported after treatment with Glautan (21 vs 12 for Xalatan, P = 0.06).

Topical bevacizumab for neovascular glaucoma: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bevacizumab (Avastin), an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drug, has been successfully used in recent years to treat ocular pathologies, mostly by intravitreal administration. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of topically applied bevacizumab for the treatment of neovascular glaucoma (NVG). METHODS: Patients with NVG were treated with topical bevacizumab (25 mg/ml) 4 times daily during 2 weeks. The following parameters were evaluated at baseline and on days 3, 7 and 14: visual acuity, slit-lamp examination, intraocular pressure (IOP), heart rate and systemic blood pressure. Iris neovascularization was documented using slit-lamp color photos at baseline and on day 14. RESULTS: Eight eyes of 8 patients with NVG were evaluated. After the 2-week treatment, mean IOP was lowered from 34.9 mm Hg (SD 12.8) at baseline to 28.8 mm Hg (SD 9.9) on day 14, representing a mean reduction of 6.1 mm Hg (17.5%). Three patients had clinical regression of their iris neovascularization. Ocular adverse events were transient and included mild upper eyelid swelling, mild exacerbation of superficial punctate keratitis and mild corneal epithelial bullae in an already edematous cornea. There were no serious systemic adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Topical application of bevacizumab may lower IOP and result in regression of neovascularization in patients with NVG.

[Comparison of dynamic contour tonometry, Goldmann applanation Tonometry and tonopen for measuring intraocular pressure in normal tension glaucoma].

BACKGROUND: Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is a chronic progressive optic neuropathy, characterized by relatively normal intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements. This study utilized three modalities in the measurement of lOP: dynamic contour tonometry (Pascal-DCT), Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and Tonopen XL. OBJECTIVES: To compare the lOP measurements of the three devices in eyes with NTG. METHODS: This retrospective study of thirty-three NTG patients (66 eyes) who underwent lOP measurements using the three devices was approved by a local ethics committee. The lOP measurements were stratified according to central corneal thickness (CCT) and corneal curvature (CC). RESULTS: The mean DCT IOP was higher (16.22 +/- 3.04 mmHg) than the mean GAT IOP (13.14 +/- 2.83 mmHg, P < 0.0042). The mean Tonopen XL lOP was lower than the mean GAT IOP (12.76 +/- 3.11 mmHg, P < 0.001). GAT and DCT measurements were significantly infLuenced by corneal curvature (P = 0.004 and P < 0.0001, respectiveLy). CONCLUSIONS: lOPs measured by GAT or Tonopen XL were consistently lower than by DCT. CC significantly influenced GAT and DCT results.

[Enlarged optic nerve head excavation in children].

OBJECTIVE: To present a series of children with enlarged optic disc excavation (EODE) and to define clinicaL parameters for additional investigational workup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records. RESULTS: Twelve children were included in this study. The average cup to disc ratio was 0.75 in both eyes. Indications for neuroimaging included: premature birth, a congenital syndrome, and visual field defects. Neuroimaging was also performed in 3 cases of incidental EODE. Physiological cupping was diagnosed in 11 of the 12 cases (92%). In one cases (8%), periventricular leucomalacia was diagnosed after neuroimaging. No deterioration was observed in visual acuity or cup to disc ratio during a one year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: An incidental finding of EODE, in the absence of a significant medical history and with a normal neuro-ophthalmologic examination, can be diagnosed as physiologic cupping and requires no further workup.

The effect of body mass index reduction on intraocular pressure in a large prospective cohort of apparently healthy individuals in Israel.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of change in body mass index (BMI) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in a large cohort of apparently healthy volunteers who underwent an annual comprehensive screening examinations. METHODS: This study included individuals who were enrolled in the Tel Aviv Medical Center Inflammation Survey (TAMCIS) and had IOP and BMI measurements at their baseline and follow up visits. Relationships between BMI and IOP and the effect of change in BMI on IOP were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 7,782 individuals had at least one IOP measurement at their baseline visit, and 2,985 individuals had ≥2 visits recorded. The mean (SD) IOP (right eye) was 14.6 (2.5) mm Hg and mean (SD) BMI was 26.4 (4.1) kg/m2. IOP positively correlated with BMI levels (r = 0.16, p<0.0001). For individuals with morbid obesity (BMI≥35 kg/m2) and ≥2 visits, a change in BMI between the baseline and first follow-up visits correlated positively with a change in the IOP (r = 0.23, p = 0.029). Subgroup analysis of subjects who had a reduction of at least 2 BMI units showed a stronger positive correlation between change in BMI and change in IOP (r = 0.29, p<0.0001). For this subgroup, a reduction of 2.86 kg/m2 of BMI was associated with a reduction of 1 mm Hg in IOP. CONCLUSIONS: BMI loss correlated with reduction in IOP, and this correlation was more pronounced among morbidly obese individuals.

Short-term outcomes of mitomycin C-augmented excisional bleb revision with capsulectomy for failed Ahmed glaucoma valve.

AIM: To report short-term outcomes of mitomycin C-augmented excisional bleb revision with capsulectomy (ERC) after Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) failure. METHODS: Patients who underwent ERC procedures between January 2017 and December 2019 with a minimum follow-up of 6mo were evaluated retrospectively for indications of AGV and AGV implantation to ERC interval. The number of anti-glaucoma medications (AGMs), intraocular pressure (IOP) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were recorded at baseline, 1, 7, 30, 90, and 180d. Intra- and postoperative complications were also recorded. Positive outcome was defined as IOP≤21 mm Hg with or without AGMs. RESULTS: Fourteen eyes [14 patients, median age 69.5y, interquartile range (IQR) 61.3-80] were included. Pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (n=5, 36%) was the most common form of glaucoma. The median AGV implantation to ERC interval was 8.8mo (IQR 3.91-43.67). At 6mo, the median number of AGMs decreased from 3.0 (IQR 3.0-4.0) to 2.0 (IQR 1.5-3), the median IOP decreased from 26 mm Hg (IQR 22-29) to 16.5 mm Hg (IQR 13.75-20) and there was no significant change in BCVA. The success rate at 6mo was 92.9%. The Kaplan-Meier cumulative probability of survival was 93%, 79%, 64%, and 64% at 1wk, and 1, 3, and 6mo, respectively. No intraoperative complications were identified. Postoperative complications were identified in 5 eyes (36%), which were resolved spontaneously during the first week following ERC. CONCLUSION: ERC has a high success rate for short-term management of AGV failure. A longer follow-up study is required to determine long-term cumulative failure rates.

Urrets-Zavalia Syndrome Following Cataract Surgery.

We describe a case of Urrets-Zavalia syndrome (UZS) in a healthy 56-year-old woman who underwent femtosecond-assisted phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in both eyes. One month after an uneventful postoperative course in the left eye, the right eye was operated. Dilated pupil which was nonreactive to light appeared on day 21 postoperatively. This was discovered upon examination following anterior chamber inflammatory reaction which occurred 2 weeks following her surgery. Our case report emphasizes the importance and danger in developing UZS even if the reaction in the anterior chamber does not occur immediately after surgery. In addition, the importance of intraocular pressure follow-up in the period after UZS is acknowledged.

Integrating Telemedicine Services in Ophthalmology: Evaluating Patient Interest and Perceived Benefits.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess patient interest and willingness to pay (WTP) for teleophthalmology services, whose benefits include improved healthcare access and potential cost savings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 215 patients attending a single tertiary center to assess their interest in teleophthalmology. Comparisons between those interested and those not interested were conducted; logistic regression was used to evaluate the effect of price on interest. RESULTS: Two thirds (66.5%) of patients were interested in teleophthalmology instead of in-person clinic visits. Those interested were significantly younger than uninterested patients (48.8±22.7 vs 62.4±18.3 years) and were more likely to miss work to attend clinic, own both a computer and smartphone, have experience with video conferencing, and use the internet frequently (all P<0.05). Interested patients were also more likely to indicate time and cost savings, as well as improved follow-up testing, compared to uninterested patients (both P<0.001). Overall, 70.4% of interested patients expressed WTP out-of-pocket for teleservices, especially at low (<$14 US dollars) and moderate-high (>$28) price points. Higher level of education was associated with WTP (OR=2.31, 95% CI 1.05-5.06; P=0.037). CONCLUSION: Most patients were interested in teleophthalmology services, especially if they were young, would otherwise miss work, and were familiar with electronics, video conferencing, and internet use. Most interested patients expressed WTP out-of-pocket. Targeting factors related to teleophthalmology interest may increase patient use and enhance communication, thereby improving healthcare access and follow-up.

Role of home monitoring with iCare ONE rebound tonometer in glaucoma patients management.

AIM: To evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements and fluctuations using the iCare ONE rebound tonometer (RT-ONE), during home monitoring, in diagnosed and suspected glaucoma patients. METHODS: A retrospective case series of consecutive patients with known glaucoma or glaucoma suspects who were followed-up and treated between January 2016 and January 2017. The study included 80 eyes of 40 patients with a mean age of 59.1±14.6y (range, 24-78). All patients have undergone 4-5d of IOP home monitoring with RT-ONE at morning, noon, afternoon, and night time. RESULTS: Baseline mean IOP, as measured in the clinic (8 a.m.-12 p.m.), was 17.4±5.1 mm Hg, compared to RT-ONE home monitoring mean IOP of 15.6±4.1 mm Hg (P=0.002). Mean IOP was significantly lower at noon, afternoon and night times compared to clinic measured IOP and morning measurements (P=0.005). IOP peak measured during home monitoring was significantly higher compared to the clinic measured IOP (21.3±5.6 mm Hg and 17.4±5.1 mm Hg, P<0.001). IOP peaks during home monitoring demonstrated a majority of 47 peaks during morning measurements, compared to 23 at noon, 19 at afternoon and only 12 at night (P<0.001). The home monitoring results led to treatment modification of 44 eyes (55%), treatment regime was insufficient for 40 (50%) eyes. CONCLUSION: Home monitoring IOP with RT-ONE can provide good assessment of mean IOP, IOP fluctuations and peaks throughout the hours of the day, which lead to an accurate treatment for glaucoma patients.

Intraocular pressure changes in the contralateral eye after topical treatment: does an "ophthalmotonic consensual reaction" exist?

BACKGROUND: The existence of "ophthalmotonic consensual reaction," a contralateral change in intraocular pressure in the fellow eye induced by treatment of the first eye only, was suggested in 1924. Since then, the validity of this mechanism has been controversial. OBJECTIVES: To assess intraocular pressure changes in the contralateral fellow eyes of patients treated with IOP-lowering medication in one eye, and investigate the existence of an ophthalmotonic consensual reaction. METHODS: The study population included 38 patients with newly diagnosed bilateral ocular hypertension or early open angle glaucoma. One eye of each patient was randomly treated with one of five compounds: prostaglandin analogues, beta-blockers, alpha-2 agonists, carbonic anhidrase inhibitors and a combination therapy: dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate (Cosopt, Merck Sharpe & Dohme). The eye with the higher baseline IOP was selected to be the treated eye. After 3 weeks a masked examiner measured the IOP in both the treated and untreated eye. RESULTS: Mean IOP of the treated eyes at baseline was 26.1 +/- 4.2 mmHg and at follow-up 20.2 +/-2.9 mmHg, a reduction of IOP from baseline of -6 +/- 3.8 mmHg, a mean percent reduction of -22 +/- 10.1%. In the contralateral eyes, the mean IOP at baseline was 24.2 +/- 3 mmHg and 23.1 +/- 3.1 mmHg at follow-up; IOP reduction from baseline was -1.2 +/- 1.8 mmHg, or mean percent reduction -4.7 +/- 7.1%. A major contralateral IOP decrease was seen only in the beta-blockers and the combination (Cosopt) treatment groups (-6.1 +/- 8.3% and -12.3 +/- 8.3% mean percent reduction, respectively, P < 0.05). The contralateral eyes in the prostaglandin analogues, CAI or alpha2-agonist groups showed only a small change in IOP (-2.6 +/- 4.6%, -3.2 +/- 2.6%, +0.7 +/- 3.3%, mean percent reduction, respectively, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The existence of an ophthalmotonic consensual reaction was not supported.

Neurologic evaluations in normal-tension glaucoma workups: are they worth the effort?

BACKGROUND: Normal-tension glaucoma is a chronic progressive optic neuropathy of unknown etiology. Neuro-imaging workup in these patients is controversial. OBJECTIVES: To determine the value of routine neurologic and neuro-ophthalmologic evaluations in patients with NTG. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients diagnosed with NTG in our institution between 2001 and 2006. Neurologic and neuro-ophthalmologic data were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients were considered suitable for the study 135 males, 33 females; age range 43-90 years). Neurologic and neuro-ophthalmologic findings were normal in all of them. The computed tomography brain scan was normal in 88% and duplex carotid Doppler scan was normal in 92%. CONCLUSIONS: Pathologic findings in neurologic and neuro-ophthalmologic assessments were uncommon in NTG. Therefore, contrary to earlier suggestions, neurologic and neuro-ophthalmologlc evaluations in typical normal-tension glaucoma patients appear to have no added value.

Intracameral bevacizumab role in trabeculectomy: A 1-year prospective randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of intracameral Bevacizumab on trabeculectomy success rates. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, interventional clinical trial. Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were randomly assigned to two groups: trabeculectomy with mitomycin C and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C and intracameral bevacizumab. Complete success is defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction of at least 30% from baseline IOP to a measured pressure of between 5 and 18 mm Hg without the use of IOP lowering medications. Qualified success is defined as same achievement of reduced IOP, but with the use of IOP lowering medications. Overall success is defined as same achievement of reduced IOP with or without the use of IOP lowering medications. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients in the mitomycin C group and 36 patients in the mitomycin C and bevacizumab group were included in final analyses. The IOP at presentation was 28.3 ± 8 and 28.4 ± 8.6 mm Hg, compared to 10.8 ± 3.4 and 12.3 ± 3.7 mm Hg at 12 months (p < 0.0001) for the mitomycin C group and the mitomycin C and bevacizumab group, respectively. Complete success at 12 months was achieved in 65% of the mitomycin C group compared to 60% of the mitomycin C and bevacizumab group (p = 0.77). Overall success was achieved in 82% compared to 80% of patients at 12 months (p = 0.78). Both groups showed a statistically significant reduction in IOP after 6 and 12 months (p ⩽ 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in visual acuity and complications. CONCLUSION: Intracameral bevacizumab during mitomycin C trabeculectomy in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma apparently does not improve success rates. The adjuvant use of intracameral bevacizumab is therefore not justified.

Effect of brimonidine tartrate on basophil activation in glaucoma patients.

AIM: To evaluate the mechanism of which brimonidine tartrate 0.15% causes clinical hypersensitivity. METHODS: A prospective case-control study comparing 8 glaucoma patients with clinical hypersensitivity to brimonidine to a control group consisting 13 healthy volunteers. Blood samples were stimulated with brimonidine 0.15%, timolol 0.5% or brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate 0.2%/0.5%. Premixed antibodies (CD63/FITC and aIgE/PE) were added for direct staining and whole-blood samples were lysed, fixed and analyzed by a flow cytometer. The basophil population was defined by high IgE cell expression. Degranulation was identified by the expression of the activation molecule CD63. RESULTS: Basophil activation was not significant when comparing percent of activated basophils of patients and healthy controls after exposure to brimonidine (2.58%, 2.45%, respectively, P=0.72). There was a significant suppression of basophil activation when a combination of brimonidine-timolol (0.87%) was compared to timolol (2.27%; P=0.012) and to brimonidine alone (2.58%; P=0.017). CONCLUSION: The results of our study do not support the hypothesis that brimonidine induces an immediate allergic reaction. Basophil activation was suppressed by the presence of ß-blockers in patients hypersensitive to brimonidine and in healthy individuals. This finding indicates that timolol suppress brimonidine drug reaction by a different mechanism.