The RELIEF study: Tolerability and efficacy of preservative-free latanoprost in the treatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

PURPOSE:: To assess tolerability and efficacy following a switch from benzalkonium chloride-latanoprost to preservative-free latanoprost in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. METHODS:: A total of 140 patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension controlled with benzalkonium chloride-latanoprost for at least 3 months were switched to treatment with preservative-free latanoprost. Assessments were made on days 15, 45, and 90 (D15, D45, and D90) and included best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit lamp examination, fluorescein staining, tear film break-up time, patient symptom evaluation, and subjective estimation of tolerability. RESULTS:: Mean best-corrected visual acuity remained unchanged during the study. Mean intraocular pressure compared with baseline (D0) remained stable throughout the study (D0, 15.9 mmHg (standard deviation = 2.6); D90, 15.3 mmHg (standard deviation = 2.4); p < 0.006). Tear film break-up time improved or remained unchanged relative to baseline in 92% of patients at D45 and in 93% at D90. Moderate-to-severe conjunctival hyperemia was seen in 56.8% of patients at D0, but this figure decreased to 13.7%, 2.2%, and 1.6% at D15, D45, and D90, respectively. Subjective assessment of tolerability (0-10 scale) indicated improvement with change of therapy (mean score: 5.3 (standard deviation = 2.2) at D0 versus 1.9 (standard deviation = 1.7) at D90; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION:: Preservative-free latanoprost has at least the same intraocular pressure-lowering efficacy as benzalkonium chloride-latanoprost, with a better tolerability profile. This may translate into greater control of treatment and improved quality of life.

[Flicker perimetry (CFF) in patients with lens opacities--first report]. / Perymetria z pomiarem krytycznej czestotliwosci fuzji (CFF) w diagnostyce pacjentów ze zmetnieniami w soczewce--doniesienie wsepne.

PURPOSE: Comparison of standard W/W and CFF perimetry in patients with cataract and lens opacities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Visual field was measured on Octopus 301 perimeter with option flicker perimetry. W/W and CFF perimetry (Program G1 in TOP strategy) was performed in 44 eyes with cataract and lens opacities. RESULTS: Defects in visual field with CFF perimetry were found in 24% of cases but with W/W perimetry in 100% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Perimetry CFF is a new tool for early detection and follow up of visual field defects in patients with cataract and lens opacities.

[Assessment of blood flow in retinal pigment degeneration]. / Ocena przeplywu naczyniowego krwi w zwyrodnieniu barwnikowym siatkówki.

Degeneratio pigmentosa retinae (RP) is one of the most common inherited retinal disease. The authors analyzed the blood flow in the central retinal artery using the DRG Retina Doppler. The blood flow velocity depending on the perimetry was also measured. The outcome of our study was compared to the results obtained from the control group of healthy patients. The comparison showed statistically significant decrease in blood flow velocity in RP patients: Vmax, Vmin, Vaverage. The parameters: resistance index (RI), pulsation rate (PI) did not differ from normal values. Although we observed that the blood flow in RP was decreased even in the case of normal perimetry. The worse the perimetry was, the more reduced was the blood flow. Measurements of blood flow may be of use in monitoring the progression of the disease as well as the effects of therapy.

[The state of the visual system in the isolated form of retinitis pigmentosa or in Usher syndrome considering examination of retinal blood flow in the middle retinal artery with Doppler]. / Stan narzadu wzroku w izolowanej postaci zwyrodnienia barwnikowego siatkówki oraz w zespole Ushera z uwzgledieniem badania przeplywu krwi w tetnicy srodkowej siatkówki metoda Dopplera.

In this paper the authors compare a group of patients suffering from isolated form of retinitis pigmentosa with these with Usher syndrome.

[Retrospective evaluation of eyes with high progressive myopia in children and youth ten years after Snyder and Thompson's scleroplasty]. / Retrospektywna ocena oczu z krótkowzrocznoscia postepujaca u dzieci i mlodziezy poddanych przed 10 laty zabiegowi skleroplastyki wg Snydera i Thompsona.

PURPOSE: Of the study was, to assess the safety and efficiency of scleral reinforcement after Snyder and Thompson surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The scleroplasty was performed on 129 eyes of 75 children with progressive myopia from 6 to 10 years of age. The control study group included 40 eyes of 25 children with similar age, mean eyeball axial length and refraction. In the control study group scleroplasty was not performed. The main indication criteria for surgery included: severe myopia more than -6.0 D, and the increase in refraction error more than -1.0 D per year. We evaluated the eyeball axial length in all subjects, before time of surgery and ten years after surgery, using Ultrasound Alcon Imaging System. The visual acuity, tonometry, visual field were evaluated as well. RESULTS: In the study group the mean eyeball axial length measured before surgery was 25.95 mm +/- 0.62 mm. Ten years after surgery the length of the eyeball was 26.97 mm +/- 0.64 mm. The average increase was 1.03 mm +/- 0.29 mm. In the control group, at the time when study group children were operated, the mean eyeball axial length was 25.91 mm +/- 0.48 mm, and ten years later it was 28.06 mm +/- 0.59 mm. The average increase in the eyeball length was 2.13 mm +/- 0.3 mm. There was statistically significant difference between the eyeball axial length progression in the study group and the control group, where surgery was not performed. In the study group no serious complications after surgery were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Scleral reinforcement is an effective and safe surgery, that can stabilize the progression of severe myopia in children.

[Flicker perimetry (CFF) in glaucoma diagnosis]. / Perymetria z pomiarem krytycznej czestotliwosci fuzji (CFF) w diagnostyce jaskry.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of CFF perimetry results in patients with suspected glaucoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Visual field was measured on Octopus 301 perimeter with option "flicker perimetry". 49 patients (98 eyes) with suspected glaucoma were tested. Standard W/W perimetry revealed glaucomatous visual field defect in one eye, but not in the second eye. Patients with cataract and diabetes were not taken into consideration. RESULTS: Defects in CFF perimetry tests were found in 71.4% of cases, but in W/W perimetry test in 50.0% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Perimetry CFF is useful for early detection and follow up of glaucoma. Indices MD and LV may be used for those purposes.