Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy after uneventful delivery in a healthy woman.

INTRODUCTION: Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is the most common cause of optic nerve swelling and optic neuropathy in adults over 50 years of age. It has been rarely reported during pregnancy, mostly related to systemic and ocular predisposing conditions. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 44 years-old healthy female with no previous remarkable clinical history. She had in vitro fertilisation treatment to get pregnant. 18 days after uneventful cesarean section she referred sudden painless vision loss in her right eye (RE), denser inferiorly, with concurrent optic disc edema and relative afferent pupillary defect. Steroid intravenous treatment during the acute episode showed no improvement. Our patient showed normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), blood test, autoimmune disease biomarkers, infectious serology and inflammatory markers. She was diagnosed of RE NAION. After one year follow-up visual field defect remains stable. CONCLUSION: As far as we know this is the first report of NAION after in vitro fertilisation, uneventful pregnancy and cesarean section showing no systemic or ocular risk factors other than a small cup to disc ratio. Hemodynamic and hormonal changes during late pregnancy and uneventful cesarean section can trigger an episode of NAION in a healthy young woman.

Influence of corneal biomechanical properties on intraocular pressure measurement in different types of Graves' orbitopathy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To compare the ocular biomechanical properties of inactive Grave's orbitopathy (GO) patients and healthy subjects and to evaluate the influence of severity and phenotype of GO on these parameters. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. All included inactive GO patients and healthy controls underwent complete ocular examination, including Goldman applanation tonometry (GAT), corneal biomechanical analysis using Ocular Response Analyser (ORA), and corneal epithelial thickness analysis using Optovue. Patients with inactive GO were classified based on the severity and orbital phenotype (predominantly myogenic or lipogenic). Comparison among groups was performed. RESULTS: 60 eyes from 30 inactive GO patients and 30 healthy eyes were examined. Corneal hysteresis (CH) was significantly lower in inactive GO patients (9.6 [p25 8.1; p75 11.2]) compared to controls (10.4 [9.8; 11.5]) (p = 0.012). In GO patients, cornea compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) was significantly higher than Goldman applanation tonometry IOP (IOP-GAT) (p = 0.001). A total of 13.3% GO patients were initially classified as having ocular hypertension (OHT; defined as IOP > 21 mmHg with no signs of glaucomatous optic neuropathy) based on IOP-GAT measurement. According to IOPcc, 27.8% of GO patients were classified as OHT. In GO patients, no differences were found in corneal bimechanical properties according to the disease severity or orbital phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: CH is significantly lower in inactive GO patients compared to healthy subjects. ORA corrected IOP was significantly higher in GO patients compared to IOP-GAT. No differences in corneal biomechanical properties between mild and moderate-to-severe GO disease and between myogenic and lipogenic orbitopathy were found.

Conjunctival bleb tearing by XEN gel stent after conjunctival compression sutures.

PURPOSE: As minimally invasive glaucoma surgery devices emerge, newer complications are reported. XEN gel stent is safer than classic glaucoma surgery but may also lead to severe adverse effects as hypotony. Compression conjunctival sutures are a useful treatment for overfiltration hypotony after XEN gel stent implantation, but might force bleb tearing by the implant as it gets tightly close to the sutured conjunctiva. This complication has not been previously reported. METHODS: We report a patient with overfiltration hypotony after XEN gel implantation. Conjunctival compression sutures and implant relocation ab interno were performed obtaining a good outcome. As conjunctiva got tightly close to the stent, the device eroded the bleb so leakage and implant extrusion were found. RESULTS: Bleb reconstruction by conjunctival autograft was performed in order to avoid hypotony due to continuous conjunctival leakage. CONCLUSION: Conjunctival compression sutures may be used for overfiltration control after XEN gel implantation but we must be aware of potential conjunctival damage due to implant erosion even if it is correctly positioned. Close follow-up and early suture release may be convenient in these patients.

Case Report: Role of Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography in Late-onset Capsular Block Syndrome.

SIGNIFICANCE: We report the use of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) as a valuable tool for capsular block syndrome diagnosis and follow-up. PURPOSE: The purposes of this study are to report a case of late-onset capsular block syndrome or lacteocrumenasia and to describe differential diagnosis with other more common phacoemulsification complications such as intraocular lens (IOL) or posterior capsule opacification. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 56-year-old man with a clinical history of cataract surgery in his left eye. Five years after cataract surgery, he complained of blurred vision and was referred for IOL removal to our hospital. After careful slit-lamp examination, we found that the lens was clear, and opacity belonged to the accumulation of a whitish material in the capsular bag behind the lens. AS-OCT gave the definite diagnosis of capsular block syndrome. Intraocular lens removal had been wrongly indicated, and we treated our patient by YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. AS-OCT confirmed the absence of a further accumulated material, so no other interventions were needed. After treatment, best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.48 to 0.1 logMAR. CONCLUSIONS: Capsular block syndrome is a rare late-onset complication of cataract surgery causing a deep visual acuity decay. A precise slit-lamp examination and AS-OCT, together, avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgical treatment, which may be needed in case of IOL opacity or fibrotic-like lacteocrumenasia. AS-OCT also helps in determining the treatment outcome. Immediate best-corrected visual acuity improvement is reached after a successful intervention.

Transscleral versus endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation outcomes for refractory glaucoma.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the efficacy of transscleral cyclophotocoagulation versus endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation to reduce intraocular pressure. METHODS: A retrospective, non-randomized cohort study with 1 year of follow-up included 62 eyes of 62 refractory glaucoma patients who underwent transscleral cyclophotocoagulation or endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were enrolled in transscleral cyclophotocoagulation group and 30 patients in endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation group, and the follow-up period was 1 year. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure was 35.6 ± 12.9 mm Hg in the transscleral cyclophotocoagulation group and 31.8 ± 8.8 mm Hg in the endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation group without significant difference (p = 0.18). When we compare both groups, there was no difference at 1 month (p = 0.46) and 3 months (p = 0.21) after surgery. However, there was a statistically significant difference at month 6 (p = 0.0055) and 1 year (p = 0.0019), finding lower intraocular pressure in the transscleral cyclophotocoagulation group. Cumulative success for intraocular pressure <21 mm Hg was 93.8% in transscleral cyclophotocoagulation group and 83.3% in endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation group after 1 year (p = 0.2). For intraocular pressure <18 mm Hg, the success rate was 78.1% in transscleral cyclophotocoagulation group and 63.3% in endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation group (p = 0.06), and for intraocular pressure <16 mm Hg, the success rate was 62.5% in transscleral cyclophotocoagulation group and 43.3% in endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation group (p = 0.02). Hypotony (p = 0.01) and vision loss of two lines (p = 0.01) were statistically significant lower in endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that both transscleral cyclophotocoagulation and endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation are effective at decreasing intraocular pressure. However, transscleral cyclophotocoagulation is related to more complications than endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation, whereas endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation shows lower intraocular pressure decrease than transscleral cyclophotocoagulation.

Late-onset Endophthalmitis after XEN45® Implantation: A Retrospective Case Series and Literature Review.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To report the incidence of late-onset endophthalmitis following XEN45® stent implantation. BACKGROUND: Long-term safety profile and efficacy in relation to the so-called microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) techniques are still under evaluation. The XEN45® gel stent entails a bleb formation and often requires postoperative conjunctival management, differing from the current reviewed concept of minimally invasive procedures. Endophthalmitis has been described among the complications, triggered in the majority of cases by tube extrusion. CASES DESCRIPTION: From our chart of 293 eyes operated on between November 2016 and November 2019, five (1.7%) patients developed endophthalmitis, which took place in the months 3, 4, 5, 11, and 14 after surgery, respectively. Sixty percent had undergone previous needling procedures. All of them showed a previous flat bleb and developed perforation of the conjunctiva caused by the distal portion of the tube. One patient was early eviscerated due to a fateful course. Treatment consisted of intravitreal, oral, and topical antibiotics, as well as topical corticosteroids. Eighty percent underwent device withdrawal, conjunctival gap suturing, anterior chamber washout, aqueous humor (AH) tab extraction (one positive for S. epidermidis and one for Streptococcus agalactiae), and pars plana vitrectomy. A second patient was eviscerated due to phthisis bulbi. Out of three remaining patients, one underwent vitrectomy for retinal detachment, while two patients required glaucoma surgery for intraocular pressure control. The final VA was ≤20/125 in all patients. CONCLUSION: The XEN45® device appears to trigger endophthalmitis by extruding the stent or unnoticed leakage through conjunctival defects. Special attention should be paid to flat and avascular blebs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This series shows a higher rate of endophthalmitis (1.7%) compared with previous studies with a significant sample size (0.4-1.4%). HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Burggraaf-Sánchez de las Matas R, Such-Irusta L, Alfonso-Muñoz EA, et al. Late-onset Endophthalmitis after XEN45® Implantation: A Retrospective Case Series and Literature Review. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2021;15(3):153-160.

Prospective pilot study comparing deep sclerectomy outcomes with a long-term and intense corticosteroid treatment versus a standard one.

OBJECTIVE: To compare prospectively intraocular pressure (IOP) results after deep sclerectomy (DS) using a topical short-term corticosteroid treatment (STCT, 1 month) versus a topical long-term and intense corticosteroid treatment (LTCT, 6 months) in a two2 year-follow-up. METHODS: Patients with medically uncontrolled open angle glaucoma were prospectively recruited and underwent a DS. RESULTS: We operated 45 eyes of 45 patients, 22 in STCT group and 23 in LTCT group. Median preoperative IOP was 27 (22-36.75) mm Hg for STCT and for 25 (22-28) mm Hg for LTCT group without significant difference (p=0.195). Median postoperative IOP was 4 (3-6.25) mm Hg in STCT group versus 2 (0-5) mm Hg in LTCT at day 1 (p=0.003); 8.5 (5.75-11.25) mm Hg (STCT) vs 6 (4-9) mm Hg (LTCT) at week 1 (p=0.079); 17.5 (14.75-22.25) mm Hg (STCT) vs 13 (10-14) mm Hg (LTCT) at month 1 (p=0.001); 16 (12-20) mm Hg (STCT) vs 12 (10-15) mm Hg (LTCT) at month 3 (p=0.008); 17 (14-20) mm Hg (STCT) vs 12 (10-14) mm Hg (LTCT) at month 6 (p=0.000); 16 (14-20) mm Hg (STCT) vs 14 (10-16) mm Hg (LTCT) at year 1 (p=0.002) and 17.5 (15-19) mm Hg (STCT) vs 14 (12-16) mm Hg (LTCT) at year 2 (p=0.001). The complete success rate was 54.5 % in STCT and 87 % in LTCT (p=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: A long-term and intensive postoperative treatment enhances success rate in DS compared with a standard protocol.

A Novel Surgical Technique for Ahmed Valves in Refractory Glaucoma With Silicone Oil Endotamponade.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to describe a novel technique to implant Ahmed valves in patients with refractory glaucoma because of silicone oil (SO) endotamponade PATIENTS:: Three patients with glaucoma without SO removal were used as an example for this technique. METHODS: Technique report. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We introduce a standard technique modification for Ahmed valves in patients with SO. This modification consists on locating the Ahmed valve more tangential to the limbus curvature instead of the usual perpendicular position and inserting the tube in the posterior chamber. The tube can be longer and run parallel to pupil. This technique allows use superotemporal quadrant (fewer complications), avoid corneal touch and decrease SO loss through the tube to subconjunctival space.

Relationship between corneal hysteresis and lamina cribrosa displacement after medical reduction of intraocular pressure.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between the displacement of the lamina cribrosa (LC) and prelaminar tissue with corneal hysteresis (CH) using spectral-domain coherence tomography (SD-OCT) after reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) with medical treatment. METHODS: Sixty-one eyes of 61 patients with ocular hypertension or primary open-angle glaucoma who were going to start with treatment were imaged by means of 12 cross-sectional scans of the optic nerve using enhanced depth imaging SD-OCT before and after 1 week of treatment. We used the 'follow-up' mode to make sure that all the measurements were performed in the same location. We also measured the CH using an Ocular Response Analyzer, and we related it to the magnitude of displacement of LC and prelaminar tissue and the thickness of both structures. RESULTS: There was a significant variation of LC thickness from 132.66±37.40 to 160.09±41.13 µm (p<0001). LC distance was significantly reduced from 258.53±145 µm before treatment to 239.86±135 µm after it. No significant changes were found in the thickness and movement of prelaminar tissue before and after treatment. The only factors related with LC displacement were CH (R2=0.48) and age (R2=0.42). CONCLUSIONS: A significant increase in LC thickness and a reduction in the posterior displacement of LC but not in the prelaminar tissue were demonstrated after IOP reduction with medical treatment. The factors most related with LC displacement were age and CH.

Corneal biomechanics, retinal nerve fiber layer, and optic disc in children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the possible associations between corneal biomechanical parameters, optic disc morphology, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in healthy white Spanish children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 100 myopic children and 99 emmetropic children as a control group, ranging in age from 6 to 17 years. The Ocular Response Analyzer was used to measure corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor. The optic disc morphology and RNFL thickness were assessed using posterior segment optical coherence tomography (Cirrus HD-OCT). The axial length was measured using an IOLMaster, whereas the central corneal thickness was measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (Visante OCT). RESULTS: The mean (±SD) age and spherical equivalent were 12.11 (±2.76) years and -3.32 (±2.32) diopters for the myopic group and 11.88 (±2.97) years and +0.34 (±0.41) diopters for the emmetropic group. In a multivariable mixed-model analysis in myopic children, the average RNFL thickness and rim area correlated positively with CH (p = 0.007 and p = 0.001, respectively), whereas the average cup-to-disc area ratio correlated negatively with CH (p = 0.01). We did not observe correlation between RNFL thickness and axial length (p = 0.05). Corneal resistance factor was only positively correlated with the rim area (p = 0.001). The central corneal thickness did not correlate with the optic nerve parameters or with RNFL thickness. These associations were not found in the emmetropic group (p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: The corneal biomechanics characterized with the Ocular Response Analyzer system are correlated with the optic disc profile and RNFL thickness in myopic children. Low CH values may indicate a reduction in the viscous dampening properties of the cornea and the sclera, especially in myopic children.

Relationship among corneal biomechanics, refractive error, and axial length.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between different ocular and corneal biomechanical parameters in emmetropic and ametropic healthy white children. METHODS: This study included 293 eyes of 293 healthy Spanish children (135 boys and 158 girls), ranging in age from 6 to 17 years. Subjects were divided according to the refractive error: control (emmetropia, 99 children), myopia (100 children), and hyperopia (94 children) groups. In all cases, corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were evaluated with the Ocular Response Analyzer system. Axial length (AL) and mean corneal power were also measured by partial coherence interferometry (IOLMaster), and central corneal thickness (CCT) and anterior chamber depth were measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (Visante). RESULTS: Mean (±SD) CH and CRF were 12.12 (±1.71) and 12.30 (±1.89) mm Hg, respectively. Mean (±SD) CCT was 542.68 (±37.20) µm and mean (±SD) spherical equivalent was +0.14 (±3.41) diopters. A positive correlation was found between CH and CRF (p < 0.001), and both correlated as well with CCT (p < 0.0001). Corneal resistance factor was found to decrease with increasing age (p = 0.01). Lower levels of CH were associated with longer AL and more myopia (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Higher values of CH were associated with increasing hyperopia. Significant differences in CH were found between emmetropic and myopic groups (p < 0.001) and between myopic and hyperopic groups (p = 0.011). There were also significant differences in CRF between emmetropic and myopic groups (p = 0.02). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that lower CH and CRF significantly associated with thinner CCT, longer AL, and flatter corneal curvature. CONCLUSIONS: The Ocular Response Analyzer corneal biomechanical properties seem to be compromised in myopia from an early age, especially in high myopia.

Bimatoprost 0.03%/timolol 0.5% preservative-free ophthalmic solution versus bimatoprost 0.03%/timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution (Ganfort) for glaucoma or ocular hypertension: a 12-week randomised controlled trial.

AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of single-dose bimatoprost 0.03%/timolol 0.5% preservative-free (PF) ophthalmic solution with bimatoprost 0.03%/timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. METHODS: In this multicentre, randomised, parallel-group study, patients were randomised to bimatoprost/timolol PF or bimatoprost/timolol once daily in the morning for 12 weeks. Primary efficacy endpoints, reflecting differing regional regulatory requirements, included change from baseline in worse eye intraocular pressure (IOP) in the per-protocol population at week 12, and the average eye IOP at weeks 2, 6 and 12 in the intent-to-treat population. RESULTS: 561 patients were randomised (278 to bimatoprost/timolol PF; 283 to bimatoprost/timolol); 96.3% completed the study. Both treatment groups showed statistically and clinically significant mean decreases from baseline in worse eye IOP and in average eye IOP at all follow-up time points (p<0.001). Bimatoprost/timolol PF met all pre-established criteria for non-inferiority and equivalence to bimatoprost/timolol. Ocular adverse events were similar between treatment groups, with conjunctival hyperaemia being the most frequent. Most were mild or moderate in severity. CONCLUSIONS: Bimatoprost/timolol PF demonstrated non-inferiority and equivalence in IOP lowering compared with bimatoprost/timolol, with no significant differences in safety and tolerability. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01177098.

Prevention of vision loss after cataract surgery in diabetic macular edema with intravitreal bevacizumab: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: To determine whether an intravitreal bevacizumab injection after phacoemulsification can improve cataract surgery visual outcomes in patients with diabetic macular edema by acting on the degree of edema. SETTING: Fundación Oftalmológica del Mediterráneo, Valencia, Spain. METHODS: We selected 26 consecutive diabetic patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and macular edema who were to undergo cataract surgery, and we divided them into two randomized groups to be studied prospectively. Group I included 13 eyes that were injected with intravitreal bevacizumab upon completion of cataract surgery; Group II included 13 control eyes that were injected with balanced salt solution. RESULTS: Preoperative macular thickness was 282.62 microm +/- 57.64 in Group I and 310.38 microm +/- 82.99 in Group II. Preoperative Snellen best-corrected visual acuity was 0.27 +/- 0.17 and 0.24 +/- 0.16 in Groups I and II, respectively. Best-corrected visual acuity at 3 and 6 months was better in Group I--0.4 +/- 0.28 and 0.4 +/- 0.27--whereas poorer results were observed in the control group--0.21 +/- 0.13 and 0.14 +/- 0.13. These mean macular thickness values differed significantly between groups at 3 months (P = 0.040) and 6 months (P = 0.004). Optical coherence tomography measured macular thickness was also better in Group I, 292.46 +/- 104.75 microm at 3 months and 277.62 +/- 92.99 microm at 6 months. For Group II, the results were 367.62 +/- 75.24 microm at 3 months and 387.46 +/- 74.11 microm at 6 months. These mean macular thickness values differed significantly between groups at 3 months (P = 0.046) and 6 months (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab immediately after phacoemulsification prevents exacerbation of the macular edema seen in many diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery. In addition, this effect seems to hold in the short term.

Photodynamic therapy directly over the optic nerve head to treat a papillary hemangioma.

PURPOSE: To show how effective photodynamic therapy (PDT) is for papillary hemangioma. PATIENT AND METHODS: During follow-up, a papillary hemangioma in a 7-year-old girl increased in size, reducing visual acuity. PDT (verteporfin at a dose of 6 mg/m body surface area and a light dose of 50 J/cm for 83 seconds) with a spot placed directly over the whole papilla was used to treat the tumor. A reduction in exudation and an improvement in visual acuity were achieved after two treatments. DISCUSSION: In this case, PDT over a tumor on the optic nerve head allowed preservation of some visual function; this strategy can be considered a therapeutic option for tumors in this location.