A Rare Association: Neovascular Glaucoma Accompanying Anterior Chamber Synchysis Scintillans

Synchysis scintillans, also known as cholesterolosis bulbi, is a degenerative eye pathology characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol crystals in the vitreous. It is typically observed bilaterally but can rarely be unilateral. It can be triggered by severe trauma, chronic inflammation, chronic retinal detachment, hyphema, vitreous hemorrhage, Coats' disease, and retinoblastoma. In this report, we present a case with an uncommon association of anterior chamber synchysis scintillans and neovascular glaucoma.

Incidence of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy and Other Neovascular Sequelae at 5 Years Following Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and risk factors for developing proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), tractional retinal detachment (TRD), and neovascular glaucoma (NVG) at 5 years after the initial diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Insured patients aged ≥18 years with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and 5 years of continuous enrollment were identified from a nationwide commercial claims database containing data from 2007 to 2015. The incidences of PDR, TRD, and NVG were computed at 5 years following the index diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Associations between these outcomes and demographic, socioeconomic, and medical factors were tested with multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: At 5 years following the initial diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, 1.74% (1,249 of 71,817) of patients had developed PDR, 0.25% of patients had developed TRD, and 0.14% of patients had developed NVG. Insulin use (odds ratio [OR] 3.59, 95% CI 3.16-4.08), maximum HbA1c >9% or >75 mmol/mol (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.54-2.69), renal disease (OR 2.68, 95% CI 2.09-3.42), peripheral circulatory disorders (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.25-2.83), neurological disease (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.24-2.11), and older age (age 65-74 years) at diagnosis (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.28-2.03) were identified as risk factors for development of PDR at 5 years. Young age (age 18-23 years) at diagnosis (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.29-0.74), Medicare insurance (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.70-0.76), morbid obesity (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.59-0.87), and smoking (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.70-1.00) were identified as protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: A subset of patients with type 2 diabetes develop PDR and other neovascular sequelae within the first 5 years following the diagnosis with type 2 diabetes. These patients may benefit from increased efforts for screening and early intervention.

Voxel-based morphometry reveals altered gray matter volume related to cognitive dysfunctioning in neovascular glaucoma patients.

We used correlation analysis to examine whether changes in grey matter volume in patients correlated with clinical presentation. gray matter volume was markedly reduced in neovascular glaucoma patients than healthy controls in the following brain regions: left cingulum anterior/medial frontal gyrus; left middle frontal gyrus, orbital part; left inferior frontal gyrus, orbital part; superior temporal gyrus/right frontal inferior orbital part. VBM directly suggests that neovascular glaucoma patients have changed in the volume of multiple brain regions. These changes exist in brain areas related to the visual pathway, as well as other brain areas which are not related to vision. The alteration of specific brain areas are closely related to clinical symptoms such as increased intraocular pressure and optic nerve atrophy in neovascular glaucoma patients. In conclusion, neovascular glaucoma may cause paralgesia, anxiety, and depression in patients.

Hipertensão ocular recorrente durante hemodiálise em paciente portador de glaucoma / Recurrent intraocular hypertension during hemodialysis in glaucoma patient

RESUMO A hipertensão ocular aguda durante a hemodiálise constitui evento raro e pode ser causa relevante de interrupção do tratamento dialítico devido à dor. Relata-se o caso de um paciente de 70 anos de idade, do sexo masculino, que apresentou quadros recorrentes de intensa dor ocular unilateral durante sessões dialíticas devido ao aumento de pressão intraocular. O paciente era portador de grave diminuição da acuidade visual no olho direito devido a glaucoma neovascular, controlado com medicação hipotensora tópica. Uma hora após o início da sessão dialítica, apresentou dor excruciante no olho direito, sendo necessário interromper o tratamento por diversas vezes. A dor somente era amenizada com uso de opioides por via endovenosa ou após cerca de 6 horas do procedimento. Injeção intraocular de drogas antiangiogênicas e acetazolamida por via oral, assim como tratamentos tradicionais para quadros agudos de hipertensão intraocular, como uso de hipotensor tópico e medicamentos hiperosmolares, foram insuficientes para o controle da dor. O problema se resolveu com ciclofotocoagulação transescleral realizada com laser diodo, com redução da pressão intraocular basal e controle da dor, o que permitiu a realização de sessões completas de hemodiálise. A base fisiopatológica desse evento incomum e suas opções terapêuticas são discutidas aqui.

ABSTRACT Acute ocular hypertension during hemodialysis is a rare event and may lead to interruption of dialytic therapy due to pain. A case of a 70-year-old male patient is reported, who presented recurrent intense unilateral ocular pain episodes during dialysis sessions for increased intraocular pressure. The patient presented with severely decreased visual acuity in the right eye due to neovascular glaucoma, which was controlled with topical hypotensive medication. One hour after initiating dialysis, he presented an excruciating pain on the right eye, which required interruption of treatment several times. Pain relief was possible only with intravenous opioids, or approximately 6 hours after dialysis. Intraocular injection of antiangiogenic drugs and per oris acetazolamide, as well as other traditional treatments for acute episodes of intraocular hypertension, such as topical antihypertensive agents and hyperosmotic medications, were not sufficient to control pain. The problem was solved with transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation, which reduced baseline intraocular pressure and controlled pain, enabling complete hemodialysis sessions. The pathophysiological aspects and therapeutic options of this unusual condition are discussed.

Tratamento do olho cego doloroso por glaucoma neovascular com ciclofotocoagulação transescleral / Transescleral cyclophotocoagulation treatment for painful eye with glaucoma neovascular

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a efetividade e o perfil de segurança da ciclofotocoagulação transescleral padrão (CTCTE) e sua variação técnica denominada slow cooking (CTCTE SC) em pacientes com olho cego doloroso por glaucoma neovascular. Métodos: Pacientes foram submetidos a exame oftalmológico, graduando o nível da dor através de escala gráfica/numérica e divididos em dois grupos, um para tratamento com CTCTE e outro CTCTE SC. O acompanhamento foi realizado no primeiro, trigésimo e nonagésimo dias. Resultados: Dos 26 pacientes inclusos, 11 (42,3%) eram do sexo masculino. A idade média dos pacientes foi de 69 anos. Destes, 16 pacientes foram submetidos ao tratamento CTCTE e 10 pacientes a CTCTE SC. A pressão intraocular (PIO) teve média pré tratamento de 49 ± 23 mmHg no grupo CFCTE e medias no 1º, 30º e 90º dias pós-operatórios respectivamente: 32 ± 24 mmHg, 38 ± 18 mmHg, 43 ± 10 mmHg. No grupo submetido a técnica CFCTE SC a PIO prévia foi 54 ± 16 mmHg e médias no 1º, 30º e 90º dias pós-operatórios respectivamente: 38 ± 22 mmHg, 39 ± 10 mmHg , 44 ± 09 mmHg. A redução da dor foi efetiva em 88,4% pacientes. Durante o pós-operatório foi verificado hiperemia, quemose e hifema. Não foram observadas complicações graves. Conclusão: O tratamento do olho cego doloroso com ciclofotocoagulação transescleral com baixa carga foi um procedimento seguro e eficaz na resolução da dor, mas apresentou um baixo nível de redução da pressão intraocular em ambas técnicas usadas.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety profile of standard transescleral cyclophotocoagulation (CTCTE) and its technical variation of slow cooking (CTCTE SC) in patients with neovascular glaucoma pain. Methods: Patients underwent ophthalmological examination, grading their pain level through a graphical / numerical scale and divided into two groups, one for treatment with CTCTE and another CTCTE SC. Follow-up was performed on the first, thirtieth and ninetieth days. Results: Of the 26 patients included, 11 (42.3%) were male. The average age of the patients was 69 years. Of these, 16 patients underwent CTCTE treatment and 10 patients underwent CTCTE SC. Intraocular pressure (IOP) had a mean pre-treatment of 49 ± 23 mmHg in the CFCTE group and medians at the 1st, 30th and 90th postoperative days respectively: 32 ± 24 mmHg, 38 ± 18 mmHg, 43 ± 10 mmHg. In the group submitted to the CFCTE SC technique, the previous IOP was 54 ± 16 mmHg and averages on the 1st, 30th and 90th postoperative days respectively: 38 ± 22 mmHg, 39 ± 10 mmHg, 44 ± 09 mmHg. Pain reduction was effective in 88.4% patients. During the postoperative period, hyperemia, chemosis and hyphema were observed. No serious complications were observed. Conclusion: Painful blind eye treatment with low load transscleral cyclophotocoagulation was a safe and effective procedure for pain resolution, but presented a low level of intraocular pressure reduction in both techniques used.

Vascularisation of the anterior lens capsule in an eye with excellent visual acuity.

A 53-year-old phakic female with a history of nanophthalmos and hyperopia was incidentally found to have unilateral neovascularisation on the left inferoanterior lens surface on routine review for ocular hypertension.

Glaucoma neovascular, complicación de la isquemia retiniana / Neovascular glaucoma, a retinal ischemia complication

Introducción: el glaucoma neovascular es un tipo de glaucoma secundario frecuente en los pacientes diabéticos, se produce por la formación de una membrana fibrovascular a nivel del ángulo camerular, como consecuencia de un estímulo angiogénico producido por enfermedades que generan isquemia ocular. Los pacientes con retinopatía diabética proliferativa pueden sufrir esta enfermedad de difícil tratamiento para el oftalmólogo, y que constituye una amenaza para la visión del paciente. Objetivo: revisar aspectos clínicos, patogenia, métodos para el diagnóstico y tratamiento terapéutico del glaucoma neovascular con vistas a prevenir o reducir la pérdida visual. Desarrollo: el glaucoma neovascular es una complicación de la diabetes mellitus y de otras enfermedades generales, que provoca una disminución importante de la visión, y en muchas ocasiones, ceguera. Las enfermedades oculares que con más frecuencia lo producen son la oclusión de la vena central de la retina, la retinopatía diabética proliferativa y el síndrome isquémico ocular, generando isquemia retiniana y coroidea con la consecuente formación de neovasos. Conclusiones: la educación al paciente diabético y el adecuado tratamiento terapéutico de la retinopatía diabética es importante para prevenir la aparición del glaucoma neovascular(AU)

Introduction: neovascular glaucoma is the type of secondary glaucoma common in diabetic patients; it is caused by the formation of fibrovascular membrane at the camerular angle as a result of angiogenic stimulus due to ocular ischemia-generating diseases. The proliferative diabetic retinopathy patients may suffer this difficult-to-treat disease that represents a threat to the vision of a patient. Objective: to review clinical aspects, pathogenenesis, diagnosis methods and treatment of the neovascular glaucoma with a view to preventing or reducing the vision loss. Development: neovascular glaucoma is a complication of diabetes mellitus and of other general diseases, which brings about significant reduction of vision and often blindness. The most frequent eye diseases responsible for this are central retinal vein occlusion, proliferative diabetic retinopathy and ocular ischemic syndrome, leading to retinal and choroid ischemia with resulting formation of neovessels. Conclusions: education aimed at diabetic patient and the adequate therapeutic treatment of the diabetic retinopathy is important to prevent the occurrence of neovascular glaucoma(AU)

Triancinolona intra-vítrea e clorpromazina retrobulbar como alternativas ao manejo do olho cego doloroso / Intravietrea trianciclone and retotubulbar chlorpromazine as alternative to blind paintful eye manegement

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo desde estudo foi avaliar a efetividade da triancinolona intra-vítrea e da clorpromazina retrobulbar como alternativas no manejo da dor ocular em olhos cegos. Métodos: Este foi um estudo prospectivo intervencionista não-randomizado de pacientes com olho cego doloroso não responsivo ao tratamento tópico e sem indicação de evisceração atendidos no Serviço de Oftalmologia do Hospital Governador Celso Ramos no ano de 2010. Após exame oftalmológico e ultrassonografia ocular modo B, os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos. Pacientes do Grupo 1 possuíam glaucoma intratável e receberam injeção retrobulbar de clorpromazina 2,5ml, e pacientes do Grupo 2 possuíam olhos phthisicos com componente inflamatório e receberam injeção intra-vítrea de triancinolona 0,3ml. Foram realizadas avaliações com 1, 3 e 6 meses após o procedimento e a dor quantificada de forma subjetiva em uma escala de 0 a 10 (sem dor e com o máximo de dor, respectivamente). Resultados: Foram incluídos 38 olhos, sendo 15 no Grupo 1 e 21 no Grupo 2. Houve predomínio do sexo masculino e idade média de 54 anos. A causa mais prevalente de olho cego doloroso foi o glaucoma neovascular. Tanto a injeção de clorpromazina retrobulbar quanto a de triancinolona intra-vítrea mostraram-se eficazes no controle da dor ocular em olhos cegos no período do estudo (p<0,001). Ocorreu uma redução de 77,1% no uso de colírios (p<0,01) após a aplicação das medicações. Conclusão: Tanto a injeção de clorpromazina retrobulbar quanto a de triancinolona intra-vítrea mostraram resultados significativos no controle da dor ocular em olhos cegos, além de uma redução no uso de colírios. A clorpromazina é um medicamento de baixo custo, com melhor perfil de efeitos adversos e mostrou resultados discretamente melhores relação à triancinolona. Possíveis viéses identificados no estudo são o de tempo e seleção.

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone and retrobulbar chlorpromazine as alternatives in the management of ocular pain in blind eyes. Methods: This was a non-randomized interventional prospective study of patients with painful blind eye unresponsive to topical treatment and without indication of evisceration treated at the Hospital Governador Celso Ramos Ophthalmology Service in 2010. After ocular examination and ocular B mode ultrasound, patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 patients had intractable glaucoma and received retrobulbar injection of chlorpromazine 2.5ml, and Group 2 patients had phthisics eyes with inflammatory component and received intravitreal triamcinolone injection 0.3ml. Evaluations were performed at 1, 3 and 6 months after the procedure and quantified pain subjectively on a scale from 0 to 10 (no pain and maximum pain, respectively). Results: 38 eyes were included, 15 in Group 1 and 21 in Group 2. There was a predominance of males with a mean age of 54 years. The most prevalent cause of painful blind eye was the neovascular glaucoma. Any retrobulbar injection of chlorpromazine as the intravitreal triamcinolone shown to be effective in the control of ocular pain in the eye blind study period (p <0.001). There was a 77.1% reduction in eye drops (p <0.01) after application of medication. Conclusion: Both the retrobulbar injection chlorpromazine as the intravitreal triamcinolone showed significant results in the control of ocular pain in blind eyes, and a reduction in the use of eye drops. Chlorpromazine is a low cost product, with a better adverse effect profile and showed slightly better results compared to triamcinolone. Potential bias identified in the study are the time and selection.

Angiogenic and Inflammatory Vitreous Biomarkers Associated With Increasing Levels of Retinal Ischemia.

PURPOSE: To characterize the angiogenic and inflammatory vitreous biomarker profiles in a spectrum of ischemic retinopathies, including neovascular glaucoma. METHODS: This institutional review board-approved study retrospectively analyzed 80 undiluted vitreous samples obtained during pars vitrectomy. The specimens were frozen (-80°C) and sent for concentration analysis of 34 proteins by Bio-Plex Pro assays. Specimens were divided into four groups: patients undergoing epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling and/or macular hole (MH) surgery with no history of diabetes (non-DM group), patients undergoing ERM peeling, and/or MH surgery with a history of diabetes (DM group), patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR group), and patients with neovascular glaucoma (NVG group). Parametric and nonparametric analyses of demographics and cytokine levels were performed using SPSS. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographics among cohorts. Numerous proteins were significantly elevated between non-DM and DM (G-CSF, sCD40L, Endoglin, IL-6, placental growth factor [PlGF], VEGF-D), DM and PDR (leptin, IL-8, PlGF, VEGF-A), and PDR and NVG (G-CSF, leptin, TIE-2, sCD40L, EGF, HB-EGF, IL-6, IL-8, PlGF, TNF-α). Only PlGF was significantly elevated between each successive cohort. The most potent drivers of NVG were PlGF, VEGF-A, IL-6, and IL-8. CONCLUSIONS: While the role of angioproliferative growth factors is well documented in ischemic retinopathy, our study delineates the importance of inflammatory and previously underreported angiogenic proteins. It also demonstrates a significant incremental increase in certain factors with increasing levels of ischemia. Both of these findings may guide the development of future therapies for ischemic retinopathies.

[The role of laser photocoagulation in the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy era].

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy has recently become the first-line treatment for wet age related macular degeneration, macular edema secondary to diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion, retinopathy of prematurity and neovascular glaucoma. It is worth thinking about whether laser photocoagulation still has its therapeutic value in these diseases. The purpose of this article is to discuss the role of laser photocoagulation in the anti-VEGF therapy era. And the article also discussed the combined treatment strategy in order to avoid clinical errors and to provide a new insight for prevention and treatment of ocular neovascular disease in the future.

[Surgical treatment of neovascular glaucoma]. / Operative Therapie des Neovaskularisationsglaukoms.

PURPOSE: The neovascular glaucoma is one of the leading causes for an enucleation. The cyclocryocoagulation, the peripheral retinal cryocoagulation and the intravitreal injection of bevacizumab as combined therapy aim at the reduction of the intraocular pressure and of neovascularisation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study follows up 135 patients with neovascular glaucoma who underwent the above-mentioned combined therapy consisting of cyclocryocoagulation, peripheral retinal cryocoagulation and intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. RESULTS: The most common causes of neovascular glaucoma in our study are diabetic retinopathy and central retinal vein occlusion. The intraocular pressure was 37.4 mmHg (± 15.8) mmHg preoperatively under maximum antiglaucomatous therapy and was reduced to 19.0 (± 8.5) mmHg direct postoperatively. In the long-term intraocular pressure remained within the normal range in 93.33 % of patients. A successful reduction of the local antiglaucomatous drops of 1.9 substances to 1.7 substances was observed after 3 months. The oral intake of acetazolamide was also statistically significantly reduced. 47.37 % of the patients were normotensive without local therapy and only 3 patients were still on acetazolamide even after 1 year. The most serious complication was a phthisis bulbi in 1.5 % of patients. Overall 98.5 % of patients remained free of pain and maintained visual acuity after the end of the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Long-term pressure regulation and freedom from pain were successfully achieved. For decompensated neovascular glaucoma with poor vision and painful bulb, the combination of retinal cryocoagulation and intravitreal application of bevacizumab is an important therapeutic option.

[Study of free radicals in aqueous humor in glaucoma and cataracts: differences in presence or absence of diabetes mellitus and neovascular glaucoma].

PURPOSE: This study was conducted for the purpose of comparing differences in the types of free radicals in the aqueous humor of glaucoma and cataract patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Free radicals in the aqueous humor of 44 glaucoma eyes and 15 cataract eyes were measured by electron spin resonance (ESR), followed by comparing the detection rates. In addition, subgroup analyses were also conducted for the presence or absence of complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) and neovascular glaucoma (NVG) in the patients. RESULTS: Three types of free radicals were measured, ascorbate-free radical (AFR), AFR containing a trace amount of superoxide (SO) (AFR +), and SO containing a trace amount of AFR (SO +). Significant differences were observed in the detection rates of each type between the glaucoma group (maximum SO +) and the cataract group (maximum AFR), between the DM group (maximum SO +) and the non-DM group (maximum AFR) in the glaucoma, and between the DM group (maximum AFR +) and the non-DM group (maximum AFR) in the cataract. SO + was detected in all cases of NVG regardless of whether they were DM or non-DM. CONCLUSION: Glaucoma cases are more susceptible to the generation of SO in the aqueous humor than cataracts, and they are more liable to occur in DM than in non-DM in both glaucoma and cataract cases. This study suggest an evidence for a strong correlation with SO and vascularization in NVG.

Risk factors for hyphema after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C.

PURPOSE: To determine the risk factors for hyphema after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 420 patients (420 eyes) with glaucoma who underwent trabeculectomy with MMC between June 1, 2005 and December 31, 2010 at Kumamoto University Hospital, Japan, were retrospectively evaluated. Hyphema after trabeculectomy was defined as the niveau formed by bleeding in the anterior chamber. Logistic multivariable analysis was applied to determine the risk factors for hyphema. RESULTS: Of the 420 patients, 104 (24.8%) had hyphema. Neovascular glaucoma [NVG; odds ratio (OR)=2.404; P=0.0017] and anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication at trabeculectomy (OR=2.143; P=0.0274) were significant risk factors for hyphema. Of the 108 NVG patients, 43 (39.8%) had hyphema after trabeculectomy with MMC. In the subgroup analysis of NVG patients, neovascularization in the anterior chamber angle at trabeculectomy (OR=5.7886; P=0.0163) and anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication at trabeculectomy (OR=3.3325; P=0.0450) were risk factors for hyphema, whereas preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab injection significantly reduced the hyphema risk (OR=0.3568; P=0.0275). CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors for hyphema after trabeculectomy with MMC are independently associated with NVG and anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication. Neovascularization in the anterior chamber at trabeculectomy and anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication enhance the risk of hyphema developing in NVG patients, whereas preoperative injection of intravitreal bevacizumab reduces the likelihood.

[Molecular genetic basis of age-related macular degeneration].

Visual loss due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is caused by one or both forms of advanced disease: "wet" (neovascular) or "dry" (geographic atrophy). Immune system plays a central role in pathogenesis and progression of both AMD forms. Main genetic polymorphisms associated with risk of AMD development and progression were found to be genes that regulate inflammation especially in complement factor H gen (1q31 locus) and 10q26 locus (PLEKHAI/ARMS2/HTRA1). Association of response to treatment and genotype was shown in patients with AMD. Complete characterization of both common and rare alleles that influence AMD risk is necessary for accurate determination of individual genetic risk as well as identification of new targets for therapeutic intervention.

Pars plana Ahmed implantation combined with 23-gauge vitrectomy for refractory neovascular glaucoma in diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a pars plana Ahmed valve implantation combined with 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy in the treatment of patients with medically uncontrolled neovascular glaucoma (NVG) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 11 consecutive patients with refractory NVG in PDR who underwent a 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy combined with pars plana placement of an Ahmed valve implant. Control of intraocular pressure (IOP), pre- and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity and the development of intra- and postoperative complications were evaluated during the follow-up. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 12.2 months (range, 8 to 25 months). Mean preoperative IOP was 35.9 ± 6.3 mmHg and mean postoperative IOP at the last visit was 13.3 ± 3.2 mmHg. Control of IOP (8 to 18 mmHg) was achieved in all patients, but 91% (10 of 11 patients) needed antiglaucoma medication (mean number of medications, 1.2 ± 0.6). Postoperative visual acuity improved in 11 eyes, and the logarithmically to the minimum angle of resolution mean visual acuity in these eyes improved from 1.67 ± 0.61 to 0.96 ± 0.67. The complications that occurred were transient hypotony in one case, transitory hypertension in two cases, and postoperative vitreous hemorrhage which spontaneously cleared in two cases. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest the combination of 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and Ahmed valve implantation is safe and effective in PDR patients with refractory NVG.

Pain management in blind, painful eyes: clinical experience with retrobulbar alcohol injection in 4 cases.

Ocular pain is often difficult to treat and may be caused by many eye diseases. The first step in pain management is medical therapy combined with analgesics; however, severe and resistant cases may require neurolytic eye blocks or definitive surgery. Retrobulbar block with neurolytic agents such as alcohol may be preferred, if the eye is cosmetically normal or the patient is medically or psychologically unsuitable for enucleation or evisceration. Here, we present our successful and efficient pain management using retrobulbar alcohol injection in 4 patients with painful blind eyes. Patients with neovascular glaucoma presenting with painful blind eyes were accepted to our clinic for pain management. The patients had continuous pain with an increasing severity in the recent months. We planned to perform retrobulbar alcohol injection as the pain of the patients was resistant to medical therapy. We noted measurement of verbal analogue scale for pain (VAS) before the block (7, 9, 9 and 10, respectively), after retrobulbar lidocaine and alcohol injection, at the postoperative 1st day, 1st, 2nd 3rd and 4th weeks, and 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 12th months. Early and late complications were also recorded. On the first day after injection, no patient required additive analgesic therapy and their VAS scores were 0, 0, 0, and 3, respectively. Except for one patient who underwent enucleation because of a bacterial infection, the other three patients' VAS scores were 1, 0 and 1 at the 12th month assessment. We suggest that neurolytic retrobulbar block is an efficient pain management strategy in blind painful eyes.

Coats' disease and neovascular glaucoma in a child with neurofibromatosis.

This report describes an extremely rare case of Coats' disease and neovascular glaucoma in a child with neurofibromatosis 1. Intraocular pressure control and vision restoration were achieved with intravitreal injection with bevacizumab, hemiretinal laser photocoagulation, peripheral retinal cryotherapy, and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C.

Antivascular endothelial growth factors in anterior segment diseases.

Proangiogenic growth factors, mainly VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) play a significant role in anterior segment diseases, characterized by neovascularization. Newly grown vessels in the cornea can lead to an impairment of transparency and visual acuity. Neovascularization of the iris (rubeosis iridis) and the anterior chamber angle are caused by ischemic retinopathies, usually leading to neovascular glaucoma with serious loss of vision. A pterygium is characterized, amongst others, by fibrovascular proliferation and may have vision threatening consequences if left untreated. Several antiangiogenic drugs have evolved in the last decade, mainly used for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration. Bevacizumab though, is also widely used off-label, in topic form or as an intracameral injection, to treat anterior segment neovascularization with encouraging results.

Progression of impending central retinal vein occlusion to the ischemic variant following intravitreal bevacizumab.

A 60-year-old woman who had experienced two episodes of amaurosis fugax in her right eye presented with vision loss. Two weeks earlier, at a private clinic, she was diagnosed with impending central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) of the right eye and received an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. Two weeks after this injection she was diagnosed with ischemic CRVO. At 11-weeks post-presentation, extremely ischemic features were observed with fluorescein angiographic findings of severe vascular attenuation and extensive retinal capillary obliteration. At 22-weeks post-presentation she was diagnosed with neovascular glaucoma; she experienced no visual improvement over the following several months.