Travoprost Intracameral Implant for Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension: 12-Month Results of a Randomized, Double-Masked Trial.

INTRODUCTION: This prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-masked pivotal phase 3 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of the travoprost intracameral SE-implant (slow-eluting implant, the intended commercial product) and FE-implant (fast-eluting implant, included primarily for masking purposes) compared to twice-daily (BID) timolol ophthalmic solution, 0.5% in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT). METHODS: The trial enrolled adult patients with OAG or OHT with an unmedicated mean diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) of ≥ 21 and unmedicated IOP ≤ 36 mmHg at each diurnal timepoint (8 A.M., 10 A.M., and 4 P.M.) at baseline. The eligible eye of each patient was administered an SE-implant, an FE-implant or had a sham administration procedure. Patients who received an implant were provided placebo eye drops to be administered BID and patients who had the sham procedure were provided timolol eye drops to be administered BID. The primary efficacy endpoint, for which the study was powered, was mean change from baseline IOP at 8 A.M. and 10 A.M. at day 10, week 6, and month 3. Non-inferiority was achieved if the upper 95% confidence interval (CI) on the difference in IOP change from baseline (implant minus timolol) was < 1.5 mmHg at all six timepoints and < 1 mmHg at three or more timepoints. The key secondary endpoint was mean change from baseline IOP at 8 A.M. and 10 A.M. at month 12. Non-inferiority at month 12 was achieved if the upper 95% CI was < 1.5 mmHg at both timepoints. Safety outcomes included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and ophthalmic assessments. RESULTS: A total of 590 patients were enrolled at 45 sites and randomized to one of three treatment groups: 197 SE-implant (the intended commercial product), 200 FE-implant, and 193 timolol. The SE-implant was non-inferior to timolol eye drops in IOP lowering over the first 3 months, and was also non-inferior to timolol at months 6, 9, and 12. The FE-implant was non-inferior to timolol over the first 3 months, and also at months 6 and 9. Of those patients who were on glaucoma medication at screening, a significantly greater proportion of patients in the SE- and FE-implant groups (83.5% and 78.7%, respectively) compared to the timolol group (23.9%) were on fewer topical glaucoma medications at month 12 compared to screening (P < 0.0001, chi-square test). TEAEs, mostly mild, were reported in the study eyes of 39.5% of patients in the SE-implant group, 34.0% of patients in the FE-implant group and 20.1% of patients in the timolol group. CONCLUSIONS: The SE-travoprost intracameral implant demonstrated non-inferiority to timolol over 12 months whereas the FE-implant demonstrated non-inferiority over 9 months. Both implant models were safe and effective in IOP lowering in patients with OAG or OHT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03519386.

Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial of the Safety and Efficacy of Travoprost Intraocular Implant in Patients with Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering efficacy of 2 models of the travoprost intraocular implant (fast-eluting [FE] and slow-eluting [SE] types) from 1 of 2 phase 3 trials (the GC-010 trial). DESIGN: Multicenter, randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled, noninferiority trial. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension having an unmedicated baseline mean diurnal IOP (average of 8 am, 10 am, and 4 pm time points) of ≥ 21 mmHg, and IOP of ≤ 36 mmHg at each of the 8 am, 10 am, and 4 pm timepoints at baseline. METHODS: Study eyes were randomized to the travoprost intraocular implant (FE implant [n = 200] or SE implant [n = 197] model) or to timolol ophthalmic solution 0.5% twice daily (n = 193). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was mean change from baseline IOP in the study eye at 8 am and 10 am, at each of day 10, week 6, and month 3. Safety outcomes included adverse events (AEs) and ophthalmic assessments. RESULTS: Mean IOP reduction from baseline over the 6 time points ranged from 6.6 to 8.4 mmHg for the FE implant group, from 6.6 to 8.5 mmHg for the SE implant group, and from 6.5 to 7.7 mmHg for the timolol group. The primary efficacy end point was met; the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval of the difference between the implant groups and the timolol group was < 1 mmHg at all 6 time points. Study eye AEs, most of mild or moderate severity, were reported in 21.5%, 27.2%, and 10.8% of patients in the FE implant, SE implant, and timolol groups, respectively. The most common AEs included iritis (FE implant, 0.5%; SE implant, 5.1%), ocular hyperemia (FE implant, 3.0%; SE implant, 2.6%), reduced visual acuity (FE implant, 1.0%; SE implant, 4.1%; timolol, 0.5%), and IOP increased (FE implant, 3.5%; SE implant, 2.6%; timolol, 2.1%). One serious study eye AE occurred (endophthalmitis). CONCLUSIONS: The travoprost intraocular implant demonstrated robust IOP reduction over the 3-month primary efficacy evaluation period after a single administration. The IOP-lowering efficacy in both implant groups was statistically and clinically noninferior to that in the timolol group, with a favorable safety profile. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

First Real-World, Multicenter, Post-Marketing, Retrospective Study of Dexamethasone Intraocular Suspension for Inflammation After Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate dexamethasone intraocular suspension 9% (intraocular DXM) in real-world clinical use to manage inflammation associated with cataract surgery. Setting: Patients who underwent cataract surgery and received intraocular DXM at 22 outpatient eye surgery centers in the US. Design: Retrospective, observational chart review. Methods: Records of all patients who received intraocular DXM from March to December 2019 at participating centers were reviewed. Main Outcome Measures: Outcomes included anterior chamber cell (ACC) grades, anterior chamber flare (ACF) grades, and visual acuity, as well as intraocular pressure (IOP) and adverse events (AEs) at postoperative days (PODs) 1, 8, 14, 30. Descriptive statistics were generated. Results: The study population included 527 patients (641 eyes), with glaucoma history in 66 patients (80 eyes). Among eyes with recorded ACC grades, the percentage with grade 0 increased from 40% at POD 1 to 89.7% at POD 30, with similar results in eyes with glaucoma history. Among eyes with recorded ACF grades, the percentage with grade 0 increased from 78.4% at POD 1 to 97.1% at POD 30. At POD 30, 96.6% eyes with recorded results achieved target acuity. Mean IOP was 18.6 mmHg at POD 1 but declined to ≤15.2 mmHg thereafter. Investigators reported 22 AEs in 20 patients, all reported mild or moderate, the most common: IOP increase (7 events). Conclusion: Patients undergoing cataract surgery and treated with intraocular DXM showed favorable inflammatory and visual outcomes, without unanticipated safety problems, consistent with results of previous controlled clinical trials.

Actinic Granuloma of the Conjunctiva: Case Series and Review of the Literature.

PURPOSE: To characterize the clinical and histopathologic features of actinic granuloma of the conjunctiva. DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series METHODS: Institutional pathology records between 2014 and 2020 were searched for all cases of conjunctival actinic granuloma. Information collected included age, sex, ocular and medical history, clinical findings, laboratory workup, treatment, follow-up, pathologic diagnosis, and histopathologic inflammation pattern. RESULTS: Eight eyes of 8 patients, 5 men and 3 women, with a median age of 43 years (mean 49, range 24-83) were identified. Clinical diagnosis was pterygium (n = 4, 50%), inflamed pterygium (n = 1, 13%), pterygium vs conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (n = 1, 13%), episcleritis vs inflamed pinguecula (n = 1, 13%), and scleritis vs keratoacanthoma (n = 1, 13%). Of 5 lesions with follow-up information, none recurred following excision with a median follow-up of 9 weeks (mean 19 weeks, range 1-61 weeks). Allergy/atopy was documented in 4 of 7 (57%) patients with available medical information. There were no other systemic associations. Histopathologically, actinic granuloma was associated with pterygium (n = 6, 75%) and pinguecula (n = 2, 25%). All lesions were composed predominantly of histiocytes and a variable number of foreign body-type giant cells associated with a focus of severe actinic elastosis. The inflammatory pattern was giant cell (n = 4, 50%), sarcoidal (n = 2, 25%), histiocytic (n = 1, 13%), and combined histiocytic and sarcoidal (n = 1, 13%). CONCLUSION: Conjunctival actinic granuloma has diverse clinical and histopathologic manifestations, which need to be distinguished from other autoimmune, neoplastic, and infectious etiologies. This lesion frequently occurs in pre-existing pterygium and pinguecula and may be associated with allergy and atopy.

Canaloplasty and trabeculotomy ab interno with the OMNI system combined with cataract surgery in open-angle glaucoma: 12-month outcomes from the ROMEO study.

PURPOSE: To provide safety and effectiveness outcomes 12 months postsurgically for sequential canaloplasty and trabeculotomy with the OMNI system combined with cataract surgery in mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma (OAG). SETTING: Eleven ophthalmology practices and surgery centers located in 8 U.S. states. DESIGN: Retrospective, multicenter, single arm. METHODS: Twelve surgeons contributed 81 patients meeting eligibility criteria: OAG, 12-month follow-up, and medicated intraocular pressure (IOP) 36 mm Hg or less on 4 or less medications preoperatively. Analysis was stratified by baseline IOP: more than 18 mm Hg (Group 1) and 18 mm Hg (Group 2) or less. Success was defined as proportion with 20% reduction or greater in IOP or IOP between 6 and 18 mm Hg (inclusive) and on the same or fewer medications without secondary surgical intervention (SSI). Other endpoints included mean IOP and medications at 12 months. Safety included corrected distance visual acuity and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: Of the 81 patients included, primary success was met by 79% in Group 1 and 81% in Group 2. The mean IOP was reduced in Group 1 (21.9 to 15.1 mm Hg, P < .0001) and remained controlled in Group 2 (14.1 to 13.4 mm Hg, P = .3177). Medications went from 2.0 ± 1.3 to 1.1 ± 1.1 in Group 1 and from 1.6 ± 1.3 to 0.9 ± 1.2 in Group 2. AEs were typical for cataract or angle surgery: mild inflammation (11%), IOP spikes (5%), and hyphema (4%). Four patients (5%) required an SSI. CONCLUSIONS: The OMNI system provided effective IOP reduction, sustained IOP control, and meaningful medication reduction for up to 12 months postoperative.

Elevated amounts of myocilin in the aqueous humor of transgenic mice cause significant changes in ocular gene expression.

Myocilin is a 55-57kDa secreted glycoprotein and member of the olfactomedin family, which is mutated in some forms of primary open-angle glaucoma. To assess the effects of elevated amounts of myocilin on aqueous humor outflow dynamics in an in vivo system, transgenic betaB1-crystallin-MYOC mice have been developed that strongly overexpress myocilin in their eyes. The transgenic overexpression of myocilin results in an almost five-fold increase of secreted normal myocilin in the aqueous humor of betaB1-crystallin-MYOC mice. In the present study, we wanted to use betaB1-crystallin-MYOC as a tool to identify the response of ocular tissues to the presence of higher than normal amounts of myocilin, and to identify changes in gene expression that could help to shed light on the functional in vivo properties of myocilin. RNA was isolated from ocular tissues of betaB1-crystallin-MYOC mice and wild-type littermates. Changes in gene expression were determined by hybridization of gene microarrays and confirmed by real time RT-PCR and Western blotting. The expression of genes that had been found to be differentially regulated in betaB1-crystallin-MYOC mice was further analyzed in cultured human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells treated with recombinant myocilin. Although betaB1-crystallin-MYOC mice do not have an obvious phenotype, a statistically significant up- and downregulation of several distinct genes was found when compared to gene expression in wild-type littermates. Among the genes that were found to be differentially regulated were Wasl, Ceacam1, and Spon2, which are involved in cell adhesion and cell-matrix interactions. Differences in expression were also found for Six1 which encodes for a transcription factor, and for Pftk1 whose gene product is a cdc2-related protein kinase. The expression of these genes was also found to be regulated in vitro in HTM cells treated with recombinant myocilin. Substantially higher amounts in ocular tissues of betaB1-crystallin-MYOC mice were found for connexin 46 and alphaB-crystallin. In addition, several genes that encode for olfactomedin proteins showed distinct changes in expression. Olfml3 was significantly downregulated, while Lphn1, Lphn2, and Lphn3 were significantly upregulated. Our findings support a role for myocilin in modulating cellular adhesion, and suggest functional processes that involve other proteins of the olfactomedin family.