Limitations of the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph.

Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy where damages that occur at the optic nerve head and the retinal never fiber layer are associated with changes in the visual field. The Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (Heidelberg Engineering, Carlsbad, CA), a scanning laser ophthalmoscope, performs a three-dimensional topographic analysis of the optic nerve head and the retinal never fiber layer. The Heidelberg Retina Tomograph has been reported to be a reliable and objective method of identifying structural changes prior to the occurrence of visual field defects. In our series of patients, all had significant visual field defects but normal Heidelberg Retina Tomograph results, including rim area and Moorfield regression analysis. It is important to recognize that interpreting the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph results alone may be misleading; however, when combined with careful clinical evaluation of the optic nerve head and the visual field, the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph may provide valuable information in assisting the clinician with the diagnosis and management of glaucoma.

Trabeculectomy Outcomes by Supervised Trainees in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of trabeculectomy performed in an ophthalmology training program. DESIGN: Retrospective study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 160 patients undergoing trabeculectomy performed by a resident or fellow under attending supervision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Trabeculectomy surgeries performed by a supervised resident or fellow surgeon between October 2000 and April 2010 were reviewed. Success was considered to be complete or partial if intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medications were not or were required to achieve IOP≤21 mm Hg, respectively. Failure was defined as IOP>21 mm Hg on 2 consecutive visits, loss of light perception vision, IOP≤5 on 2 consecutive visits with associated visual acuity loss of ≥2 lines, or need for surgical intervention. Trabeculectomy survival was determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis through 60 months of follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Final IOP, success/failure rate. RESULTS: Complete success was achieved in 65 patients (41%). The average final IOP of this group was 9.1±3.7 mm Hg. Qualified success was achieved in 56 patients (35%). The average final IOP of this group was 11.5±6.4 mm Hg. At 60 months, the estimated cumulative probability of survival for complete and qualified successes was 28.9% and 63.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing trabeculectomy by supervised residents or glaucoma fellows in a large Veterans Affairs Medical Center, IOP reduction was significant and similar to published studies. Trabeculectomy remains a successful intervention to lower IOP, with satisfactory success rates in the hands of trainee surgeons.

Outcomes of surgical bleb revision for late-onset bleb leaks after trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: To describe the outcome of surgical bleb revision for late-onset bleb leaks after trabeculectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Appropriate cases were identified. Qualified and complete success required intraocular pressure of 21 mm Hg or less with and without glaucoma medication use, respectively. Bleb survival was determined using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and overall success rate was defined as qualified success at last follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative ocular parameters were compared using the signed-rank test. Age, sex, ethnicity, time between leak and revision, and surgeon type (attending vs. surgeons in training) were entered into a logistic regression analysis to assess the impact on surgical outcome. RESULTS: Seventy-eight eyes of 75 patients were included. The overall rate of successful bleb revision was 77%, and qualified and complete success at 24 months was 71% and 34%, respectively. Postoperative complications included early and late bleb leaks in 6% and 9% of the eyes, respectively; bleb-related infections in 4% of the eyes; and the need for additional glaucoma surgery in 10% of the eyes. There was no difference in preoperative and postoperative visual acuity (P=0.34) but there was an increase in intraocular pressure (P<0.0001) and the number of medications used (P<0.0001). The number of eyes that did not require glaucoma medication decreased (P=0.002). None of the variables examined had a significant impact on successful surgical outcome. CONCLUSION: Bleb revision showed a high success rate. About two-thirds of eyes required medication, 10% of eyes required additional glaucoma surgery, and there was a low risk for bleb-related infection following bleb revision.

Agreement of visual field interpretation among glaucoma specialists and comprehensive ophthalmologists: comparison of time and methods.

AIMS: To evaluate interobserver agreement and interpretation time for three clinically available formats of visual field presentation: serial Humphrey visual field (HVF), STATPAC2 and PROGRESSOR. METHODS: 40 field series from the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study were presented to eight glaucoma specialists and eight comprehensive ophthalmologists to determine whether each field series was stable or progressive. Interobserver agreement and agreement with Hodapp-Parrish-Anderson criteria were evaluated using κ statistics, and the interpretation time was compared. RESULTS: For glaucoma specialists, median κ values for interobserver agreement were 0.47, 0.60 and 0.43 for HVF, STATPAC2 and PROGRESSOR, respectively. Respective κ values for comprehensive ophthalmologists were 0.43, 0.43 and 0.35. For glaucoma specialists, median κ values for agreement with Hodapp-Parrish-Anderson criteria were 0.52, 0.67 and 0.52 for HVF, STATPAC2 and PROGRESSOR, respectively. Respective κ values for comprehensive ophthalmologists were 0.41, 0.47 and 0.33. For glaucoma specialists, the mean±SD interpretation time for the series of 40 fields was 63.4±35.9, 57.1±23.1 and 41.1±15.3 min using HVF, STATPAC2 and PROGRESSOR, respectively. Respective interpretation times for comprehensive ophthalmologists were 72.9±38.3, 68.6±30.6 and 51±24.1 min. Interpretation time was decreased when STATPAC2 or PROGRESSOR was used rather than HVF. Time reduction was significant for glaucoma specialists using PROGRESSOR (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: For glaucoma specialists, interobserver agreement and agreement with HPA criteria were moderate to substantial. For comprehensive ophthalmologists, interobserver agreement and agreement with HPA criteria were fair to moderate. Field interpretation time may be reduced clinically when using STATPAC2 or PROGRESSOR rather than HVF.

The PCP's role in chronic open-angle glaucoma.

Chronic open-angle glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in older adults. Optic nerve damage and the associated peripheral and subsequent central vision loss are irreversible, but early diagnosis and treatment will give patients the best chance to maintain functional vision and quality of life. Primary care physicians can assist with the diagnosis of glaucoma by making appropriate referrals for routine ophthalmic examinations, especially in patients with risk factors for glaucoma. Medication adherence and persistence may also be enhanced by discussing strategies to improve medication use and efficacy in the primary care setting. Recognition of adverse reactions from glaucoma medications and surgeries will allow proper management of these potentially serious conditions. Patients with advanced visual deficits can still benefit from treatment as well as low-vision and supportive care and should be referred for an ophthalmic evaluation. With an understanding of comprehensive glaucoma management, primary care physicians play an invaluable role in assisting their patients with effective and timely therapy that will result in improved outcomes.