Macular and peripapillary vascular parameters in the fellow eyes of unilateral primary congenital glaucoma: a comparative study.

PURPOSE: To study the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and compare them to normal age- and refractive error-matched healthy controls. METHODS: Using OCTA, the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, cup:disk ratio, vessel density (VD) of the optic nerve head (ONH) and peripapillary area and the macular VD in superficial (SCP) and deep vascular complexes in both 3 mm and 6 mm scans of both groups were compared. Clinical data included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), cycloplegic refraction, intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior and posterior segments examination findings, including ONH cup:disk ratio. RESULTS: A total of 48 eyes of 48 children (24 eyes in each group) were included. There was no difference in the mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, cup:disk ratio, baseline visual acuity, or spherical equivalent between groups (P > 0.05). In the 3 mm macular scan, the VD of the SCP at the fovea was significantly higher in the PCG group compared to controls (P = 0.04). In the ONH scans, there was a significantly reduced inside the disk VD in the PCG group compared to controls (P = 0.03). There was no significant difference in other macular and ONH vascular parameters between groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our study cohort, there was no difference in most of the macular and ONH vascular parameters between groups. However, the fellow eyes of PCG patients exhibited higher VD of the SCP at the fovea and reduced inside the disk VD compared with control eyes.

Phacoemulsification with gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy versus phacoemulsification alone in primary angle closure glaucoma: A randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of combining phacoemulsification with gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) compared to phacoemulsification alone in the management of primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). METHODS: Prospective, institutional study in which eyes requiring surgery for PACG were randomized to undergo phacoemulsification followed by GATT (phaco-GATT group) or phacoemulsification alone. Success was defined as having a final IOP of 6-20 mmHg with no subsequent glaucoma surgery or vision-threatening complications. RESULTS: Thirty-six eyes underwent phaco-GATT with 360° angle incision and 38 eyes underwent phacoemulsification alone. IOP and glaucoma medications were significantly lower in the phaco-GATT group at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. The success rate in the phaco-GATT group was 94.4% after 12.16 ± 2.03 months, with 75% of eyes being off medications compared to 86.8% after 12.47 ± 4.27 months in the phaco group, with 42.1% off medications. (p = 0.008). Hyphema and fibrinous anterior chamber reaction were the most common complications in the phaco-GATT group and resolved with conservative treatment or required YAG capsulotomy. Although this delayed visual rehabilitation in the phaco-GATT group, it did not affect the final visual outcome with no significant difference in the final best-corrected visual acuity between both groups (p = 0.25). CONCLUSION: Combining phacoemulsification with GATT in PACG yielded more favourable outcomes in terms of IOP, glaucoma medications and surgical success. Although the postoperative hyphema and fibrinous reaction may delay visual rehabilitation, GATT further lowers the IOP by breaking residual peripheral anterior synechiae and removing the dysfunctional trabeculum circumferentially, while avoiding the risks inherent in more invasive filtering procedures.

Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy following Failed Glaucoma Surgery in Primary Congenital Glaucoma: One-Year Results.

Purpose: To evaluate the one-year outcomes of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) with a history of prior glaucoma surgery. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify all PCG patients ≤ 16 years who underwent GATT surgery at Cairo University Children's Hospital from January 2016 to March 2022. Pre- and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma medications were collected at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and last follow-up visits. Success was defined as IOP ≤ 21 mmHg without (complete) or with (qualified) glaucoma medications at the last follow-up. Results: Seven eyes of 6 subjects were included in the study. The mean IOP was statistically significantly reduced from 25.7 ± 5.9 mmHg preoperatively to a mean IOP of 12 ± 1.5 mmHg (P = 0.001) at 12 months and 11.5 ± 1.2 mmHg (P = 0.001) at the last follow-up visit. Six eyes (85.7%) achieved complete success, and one eye (14.2%) achieved qualified success. No patients required further glaucoma procedures. No serious intra- or postoperative complications were identified. Conclusions: Our early experience highlights that GATT can be performed as an alternative procedure before considering conjunctival or scleral glaucoma surgeries.

Glaucoma Drainage Device Surgery Outcomes in Children With Uveitic Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate outcomes of glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation children with uveitic glaucoma. DESIGN: Retrospective interventional case series. METHODS: Success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) ≥5 and ≤21 mm Hg. Failure was defined at final follow-up when the IOP was outside the success criterion, and visual function was no perception of light or if further glaucoma surgery (excluding removal of intraluminal stent suture or needling) was required. RESULTS: Fifty eyes of 36 children with uveitic glaucoma underwent GDD implantation. Mean age at surgery was 10.1±3.1 years (range 5-17) with a mean follow-up of 113±61 months (range 8-228). Mean cumulative probabilities of success (95% CI) were 0.98 (0.86-1.00) at 1 year, 0.87 (0.73-0.94) at 5 years, and 0.59 (0.32-0.78) at 15 years. Fourteen tubes were classified as failed, with 12 due to uncontrolled IOP (11 eyes required a second GDD); 1 eye, removal of the tube due to plate exposure; and 1 eye, lost light perception. Postoperative complications occurred in 36% of patients and included hypotony (22%), tube exposure (6%), tube obstruction (4%), corneal decompensation (2%), and cystoid macular edema (2%). Visual acuity remained stable (preoperation 0.35±0.42 vs postoperation 0.45±0.67, P = .49). IOP was significantly reduced from 31.4±7.5 mm Hg to 14.4±5.1 mm Hg (P < .0001) as were the number of glaucoma medications 3.5±1.0 vs 1.1±1.3 (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Refractory pediatric uveitic glaucoma can be treated successfully by GDD implantation. Further interventions to manage consequences of glaucoma or the underlying disease are common, and visual function is maintained in the majority of cases.

Childhood glaucoma profile in a tertiary centre in Egypt according to the childhood glaucoma research network classification.

PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence and clinical characteristics of a large cohort of childhood glaucoma patients that presented to a tertiary Egyptian children's hospital using the childhood glaucoma research network (CGRN) classification. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of all patients ≤ 14 years with a diagnosis of childhood glaucoma or glaucoma suspects who presented to Children's Hospital between January 2014 to December 2019 was conducted. Data collected included age at the time of diagnosis, gender, laterality, prenatal history, parental history, including consanguinity, intraocular pressure, horizontal corneal diameter, and cup-to-disc ratio. RESULTS: A total of 1113 eyes of 652 patients with diagnoses of either childhood glaucoma or glaucoma suspects were included in the study. Six hundred and sixteen patients (94%) were born full-term. A history of positive parental consanguinity was identified in 334 patients (51.2%). Almost 60% of patients were males. Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) was the most prevalent diagnosis (68.2%), followed by glaucoma suspects (10.4%) and glaucoma following cataract surgery (GFCS) (8.4%). Juvenile open-angle glaucoma was the least prevalent category (0.3%). Other categories including glaucoma associated with non-acquired systemic disease, glaucoma associated with non-acquired ocular disease, and glaucoma associated with acquired conditions represented 5.8%, 4.7%, and 1.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PCG is the most common form of glaucoma in Egypt. More than half of the pediatric glaucoma patients had a positive history of parents' consanguinity.

Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy: A Review.

AIM: To review the recent evidence in the literature regarding the efficacy and safety of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in the management of pediatric and adult glaucoma. METHODS: A literature search was performed in the electronic databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase the Register of Controlled Trials, and Ovid Medline for studies evaluating the safety and outcomes of GATT in glaucoma. RESULTS: GATT is a novel minimally invasive glaucoma surgery that allows the incision of the inner wall of Schlemm's canal increasing aqueous drainage through the physiologic outflow pathway with subsequent intraocular pressure reduction in different types if of glaucoma. CONCLUSION: GATT demonstrated favorable results in a wide range of both primary and secondary open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma.

Effect of general inhalational anesthesia on intraocular pressure measurements in normal and glaucomatous children.

PURPOSE: To investigate the agreement between the intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements in the awake condition and under different stages of general inhalational anesthesia using sevoflurane in both glaucomatous and normal children. METHODS: A prospective study was performed on 43 glaucomatous children and 30 age-matched controls. Baseline IOP of one eye was measured immediately before general anesthesia using Perkins tonometer and then re-measured under light, intermediate, and deep anesthesia, and then after intubation. Depth of anesthesia was determined using bispectral index pediatric sensor. The agreement between the IOP measurements before and during different stages of anesthesia was analyzed using Bland-Altman plots. Systematic and proportionate deviations between the IOP measurements were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 58.6 ± 41.99 months. The mean IOP was significantly lower at all stages of anesthesia in both groups. The coefficient of variation was over 20% in all measurements under anesthesia. For all IOP measurements during anesthesia, the limits of agreement were > 7 mmHg difference in the control group and > 20 mmHg in the glaucomatous group. The best agreement was with the IOP measurement after intubation (mean limit of agreement of -1.4 mmHg, 1.96 s range, -8.8-6 mm Hg) in the control group and with the IOP measurement under intermediate anesthesia (mean limit of agreement of -4.2 mmHg, 1.96 s range, -15.1-6.8 mm Hg) in the glaucomatous group. CONCLUSIONS: Inhalational anesthesia has variable effects on IOP measurement at all stages of anesthesia. Caution should be taken when extrapolating the true IOP from these measurements.

Kahook Dual Blade Ab-interno Trabeculectomy Compared With Conventional Goniotomy in the Treatment of Primary Congenital Glaucoma: 1-Year Results.

INTRODUCTION: Kahook dual blade (KDB) removes a strip of the trabecular meshwork from the angle, which may make it superior to simple goniotomy in treating the angle anomaly in primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). This prospective study compares KDB ab-interno trabeculectomy to conventional goniotomy in PCG. METHODS: Forty-two eyes of 29 patients with PCG underwent ab-interno trabeculectomy using a KDB or conventional goniotomy using a 25-G irrigating needle, targeting 100 to 120 degrees of the nasal iridocorneal angle. Patients were seen at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤21 mm Hg at 1-year follow-up visit, with no evidence of glaucoma progression. RESULTS: The KDB group included 21 eyes of patients with a median age of 6 months (interquartile range: 4 to 8.5 mo) and the goniotomy group included 21 eyes of patients with a median age of 5 months (interquartile range: 3 to 9.5 mo). There was a significant reduction in IOP in both groups at all follow-up visits. The reduction in the number of glaucoma medications was significant at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively in the KDB group, and at 1 month in the goniotomy group. There was no significant difference in IOP or glaucoma medications between both groups at any follow-up visit. Success was achieved in 12 eyes (57.1%) in each group, with no eyes developing any serious complications. CONCLUSION: One-year results show that KDB ab-interno trabeculectomy is at least as effective as goniotomy in the treatment of PCG. Eyes with bilateral glaucoma had a tendency to fail both procedures.

Factors influencing the outcome of goniotomy and trabeculotomy in primary congenital glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To study the prognostic factors influencing intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and success rates of paediatric goniotomy and trabeculotomy. PATIENTS: Data from patients aged ≤12 years who underwent goniotomy or trabeculotomy for primary congenital glaucoma from 2013 to 2016 were reviewed. The analysis included 452 eyes of which 120 eyes of patients with a median age (IQR) of 6 months (4.1-11 months) underwent goniotomy, and 332 eyes of patients with a median age of 5.2 months (2.3-9.3 months) underwent trabeculotomy. METHODS: Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to predict the correlation of preoperative and operative risk factors to the per cent IOP reduction, while multivariate logistic regression was done to determine independent predictors of failure. Failure was defined as a final IOP >18 mm Hg while on medications or the need for another glaucoma procedure. RESULTS: In the goniotomy group, the median IOP reduction was 19.4% and was positively correlated to a high initial IOP (p≤0.001) while in the trabeculotomy group, it was 36.8% and mostly influenced by preoperative IOP (p≤0.001), corneal clarity (p=0.04), gender (p=0.04) and consanguinity (p=0.03). The failure rate in the goniotomy group was 56% and was influenced by the preoperative cup-to-disc ratio, while in the trabeculotomy group it was 30% and strongly correlated to positive consanguinity (p≤0.001), higher preoperative IOP (p=0.003), female gender (p=0.01) and younger age at surgery (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Several factors can predict the outcome of angle surgery and can help in deciding the appropriate surgical intervention in paediatric glaucoma. Trabeculotomy seems to be superior to goniotomy in primary congenital glaucoma.

One-year results of two-site trabeculotomy in paediatric glaucoma following cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: The management of glaucoma following cataract surgery (GFCS) in children is challenging. This study looks at the results of two-site trabeculotomy in paediatric aphakic/pseudophakic glaucoma, 1-year post operatively. METHODS: This prospective, institutional study was performed on 33 eyes with GFCS in patients aged ≤14 years. Patients underwent two-site trabeculotomy using the rigid-probe trabeculotome, through a superonasal and an inferotemporal scleral flap. Intraocular pressure (IOP), medications, complications and success rates at 1 year were reported. Success was defined as IOP < 23 mmHg or 30% IOP reduction, on the same or fewer number of medications at 1 year, without the need for another glaucoma procedure. RESULTS: Trabeculotomy was performed on average 3.5 years after the cataract surgery. Patients were aged 5.73 ± 1.79 years. We excluded four eyes in which >180° incision could not be achieved. A 360° incision was achieved in 14 eyes (48%). There was a significant reduction in IOP and medications at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months (p < 0.001). At 1 year, mean IOP reduction was 48.2 ± 31.5%. Success was achieved in 26 eyes (89.6%), of which 15 were controlled without medications. There was no significant difference in IOP, medications or success between aphakic and pseudophakic eyes nor between eyes that had 360° trabeculotomy and eyes that had a 180-270° incision. Three eyes (10.3%) required another glaucoma procedure. One eye required core vitrectomy for vitreous haemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Two-site trabeculotomy can be used as an effective and safe first-line procedure in paediatric GFCS eyes that do not have extensive peripheral anterior synechiae.

Collector Channels: Role and Evaluation in Schlemm's Canal Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: 1) To elucidate the role of collector channels in the aqueous humor outflow pathway 2) To suggest anatomic and functional methods of imaging collector channels in-vitro and in-vivo and 3) To discuss the role of such imaging modalities in the surgical management of glaucoma. METHODS: A thorough literature search was conducted on databases for studies published in English regarding the available methods to determine the role of collecting channels in normal and glaucomatous patients and to assess their patency. RESULTS: Intraocular pressure (IOP) exists as a balance between aqueous humor production and aqueous humor outflow. Collector channels are an essential anatomical constituent of the distal portion of the conventional aqueous humor outflow pathway. There are different surgical options for glaucoma management and with the recent advances in Schlemm's canal-based surgeries, collector channel's patency became a key factor in determining the optimum management for the glaucomatous eye. The advent of anatomic imaging methods has improved the ability to visualize collector channel morphology in-vitro, including swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), micro-computed tomography (micro CT), new immunohistochemistry techniques and scanning electron microscopy. The recent advent of real-time assessment of collector channel patency (including evaluation of episcleral venous outflow, observation of episcleral venous fluid wave, and tracer studies utilizing fluorescein, indocyanine green, and trypan blue) has been validated by the aforementioned anatomic imaging modalities. CONCLUSIONS: New modalities of in-vitro and in-vivo studies of collector channels provide promise to aid in the assessment of collector channel patency and individualization of surgical management for glaucoma patients.

Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 in Ocular Surface Disorders.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To explore the role and significance of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), a proteolytic enzyme, in various ocular surface diseases of inflammatory, infectious, and traumatic etiology (2), to further elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for its overexpression in ocular surface disease states, and (3) to discuss possible targets of therapeutic intervention. METHODS: A literature review was conducted of primary sources from 1995 onward using search results populated from the US National Library of Medicine search database. RESULTS: MMP-9 overexpression has been found in in vitro and in vivo models of dry eye disease (DED), corneal ulceration, microbial keratitis, corneal neovascularization, ultraviolet light-induced radiation, and a host of additional surface pathologies. MMP-9 is involved in an intricate signal transduction cascade that includes induction by many proinflammatory molecules including interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB), platelet-activating factor, activator protein 1 (AP-1), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B). MMP-9 expression is blunted by a diverse array of molecular factors, such as tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, cyclosporine A (CyA), PES_103, epigalloccatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), N-acetylcysteine (NaC), ascorbate, tetracyclines, and corticosteroids. Inhibition of MMP-9 frequently led to improvement of ocular surface disease. CONCLUSIONS: Novel insights into the mechanistic action of MMP-9 provide potential for new therapeutic modulations of ocular surface diseases mediated by its overexpression.

New approaches for diagnosis of dry eye disease.

We reviewed the literature for different diagnostic approaches for dry eye disease (DED) including the most recent advances, contradictions and promising diagnostic tools and technique. We performed a broad literature search for articles discussing different methods for diagnosis of DED including assessment of tear osmolarity, tear film stability, ocular biomarkers and others. Articles indexed in PubMed and google scholar were included. With the growing cosmetic industry, environmental pollution, and booming of digital screens, DED is becoming more prevalent. Its multifactorial etiology renders the diagnosis challenging and invites the emergence of new diagnostic tools and tests. Diagnostic tools can be classified, based on the parameter they measure, into tear film osmolarity, functional visual acuity, tear volume, tear turnover, tear film stability, tear film composition, ocular biomarkers and others. Although numerous methods exist, the most accurate diagnosis can be reached through combining the results of more than one test. Many reported tests have shown potential as diagnostic/screening tools, however, require more research to prove their diagnostic power, alone or in combination. Future research should focus on identifying and measuring parameters that are the most specific to DED diagnosis.

Mitomycin C-augmented Phacotrabeculectomy Versus Phacoemulsification in Primary Angle-closure Glaucoma: A Randomized Controlled Study.

PRECIS: Phacotrabeculectomy yielded similar results to phacoemulsification in primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering, glaucoma medications and success rates. Although releasable sutures may have reduced the risk of hypotony; complications and interventions were more common with phacotrabeculectomy. PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of phacotrabeculectomy using releasable sutures and adjunctive mitomycin C versus phacoemulsification alone in the management of PACG. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 63 eyes of 63 PACG patients were randomized to undergo either mitomycin C-augmented phacotrabeculectomy with tight scleral flap closure using releasable sutures aiming at no flow or phacoemulsification alone. The primary outcomes were success rates and complications. Secondary outcomes were IOP and glaucoma medications. RESULTS: The IOP and glaucoma medications were significantly reduced at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively in both groups (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in IOP, IOP reduction, success rates, or survival times between both groups. Glaucoma medications were only significantly lower in the phacotrabeculectomy group at 1 and 3 months. The rates of postoperative interventions and complications were higher in the phacotrabeculectomy group. Complete success, defined as an IOP of 6 to 21 mm Hg on no medications and with no signs of glaucoma progression, was achieved in 58% in the phacotrabeculectomy group, compared with 62% in the phacoemulsification group (P=0.9). Only 2 eyes (6%) in the phacoemulsification group required a subsequent trabeculectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Trabeculectomy did not seem to add an advantage when combined with phacoemulsification in PACG patients and was associated with more postoperative interventions. Despite the use of releasable sutures to allow titration of the IOP postoperatively, the rate of hypotony and other complications was higher in the phacotrabeculectomy group.

Circumferential Schlemm's Canal Surgery in Adult and Pediatric Glaucoma.

Purpose: Although trabeculectomy, and to a less extent glaucoma drainage devices are currently the gold standard in glaucoma surgery, there is a rising interest in addressing the more physiological pathway of aqueous outflow through surgeries that target Schlemm's canal (SC). These surgeries have the advantage of a lower risk of hypotony and bleb-related complications commonly associated with conventional glaucoma surgery.In this article we review new developments and the different techniques of circumferential angle surgery in adult and pediatric glaucoma, as well as procedures which target the canal circumferentially without incising it, such as canaloplasty and Visco360.Methods: A comprehensive literature search of various electronic databases was performed.Results: Angle surgery, namely goniotomy and trabeculotomy, have been well established as standard procedures in pediatric glaucoma, yet their results in the management of adult glaucoma have not been as promising. In recent years, ab-interno trabeculectomy using Trabectome and Kahook dual blade have yielded variable results in adult glaucoma. As growing evidence suggests that bigger extent incisions into SC result in increased lowering of intraocular pressure than conventional 120 to 180-degree incisions, several procedures have been developed to create a circumferential incision into SC. Circumferential SC incision using sutures, microcatheters, TRAB360 or the rigid probe trabeculotome, through an ab-interno or ab-externo approach, have yielded promising results in both adult and pediatric glaucoma by reducing the resistance to aqueous outflow through the inner wall of SC over 360 degrees of the angle.Conclusions: Various techniques of circumferential Schlemm's canal surgery is effective in management of different adult and pediatric glaucomas. Further long-term comparative studies would be useful in evaluating safety and efficacy of these procedures.

Transscleral sutureless intraocular lens versus retropupillary iris-claw lens fixation for paediatric aphakia without capsular support: a randomized study.

PURPOSE: To compare results of sutureless transscleral intraocular lens (IOL) fixation to retropupillary iris-claw lens implantation in cases of paediatric aphakia without capsular support. METHODS: Thirty eyes of children with insufficient capsular support for IOL implantation were randomized to undergo sutureless transscleral IOL fixation or iris-claw lens fixation. The primary outcome was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Secondary outcomes included operative time, astigmatism, central corneal thickness, endothelial cell count (ECC), IOL decentration and tilt, central foveal thickness and complications. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in BCVA at all follow-up visits, with no significant difference between both groups. 53.3% in the transscleral-fixated IOL group and 80% in the iris-claw IOL group had a final BCVA ≥0.3. The operative time was significantly shorter in the iris-claw IOL group (p = 0.001). IOL decentration and tilt were higher in the transscleral-fixated IOL group, but the difference was not significant. The ECC was reduced by 14.6% in the transscleral-fixated IOL group and 11% in the iris-claw group at 6 months, with no significant difference between both groups (p = 0.5). In the transscleral-fixated IOL group, two eyes developed ocular hypertension and two eyes had IOL decentration, while in the iris-claw IOL group, 1 eye developed glaucoma, three eyes had haptic disenclavation, and one eye had retinal detachment. CONCLUSION: Both techniques yielded a comparable visual outcome. Retropupillary iris-claw lens fixation is a shorter procedure and technically easier than sutureless transscleral fixation, but the risk of disenclavation should be considered especially in younger age groups. Scleral fixation is the only option in case of severe iris damage, but may be associated with more endothelial cell loss.

Micropulse Versus Continuous Wave Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation in Refractory Pediatric Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of micropulse cyclophotocoagulation (MP-CPC) and transscleral continuous wave cyclophotocoagulation (CW-CPC) for the treatment of refractory glaucoma in the pediatric age group. METHODS: This prospective study included 45 eyes of 36 children requiring transscleral cyclophotocoagulation, in the period spanning from September 2016 to August 2017, using micropulse (MP-CPC) or continuous wave (CW-CPC) modes. The intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, success rates, and complications were compared for both groups. Success was defined as an IOP of 5 to 21 mm Hg, in the absence of vision-threatening complications at 6 months. RESULTS: The MP-CPC group included 17 eyes, in patients aged 67.8±48 months, and the CW-CPC group included 28 eyes, in patients aged 61.3±38.3 months. There was a tendency toward lower IOP in the MP-CPC group at all follow-ups, almost reaching statistical significance at 2 weeks and 3 months (P=0.05). IOP reduction was 63% in the MP-CPC group and 67% in the CW-CPC group (P=0.6). The success rate was higher in the MP-CPC group (71% vs. 46% in the CW-CPC group), but the difference was not significant (P=0.1). No significant complications were noted in the MP-CPC group whereas, in the CW-CPC group, 1 eye developed phthisis bulbi, and 2 eyes had severe pain and uveitis (P=0.3). CONCLUSIONS: Both the MP-CPC and CW-CPC are effective in lowering the IOP in children with refractory glaucoma. However, the rate of complications, pain, and inflammation seem to be lower with the micropulse mode, making it a safer alternative for cyclophotocoagulation, especially since retreatments are often needed.

Microcatheter-assisted Trabeculotomy Versus 2-site Trabeculotomy With the Rigid Probe Trabeculotome in Primary Congenital Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of microcatheter-assisted trabeculotomy to circumferential trabeculotomy using the rigid probe trabeculotome in primary congenital glaucoma. METHODS: This retrospective study was performed in an institutional setting. The medical records of primary congenital glaucoma patients who underwent circumferential trabeculotomy (≥270 degrees incised) using Glaucolight-illuminated microcatheter or a rigid probe trabeculotome were reviewed. The primary outcomes were the percent reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) and success rates. Complete success was defined as achieving an IOP<18 mm Hg without medications. Secondary outcomes were the postoperative IOP and glaucoma medications. RESULTS: The study included 92 eyes of 92 patients. Of these, 33 eyes of 33 patients aged 6.4±8.7 months underwent microcatheter-assisted trabeculotomy creating a 336±34-degree incision, with 19 eyes (58%) having a complete 360-degree incision. The other 59 eyes of 59 patients aged 8.2±13.1 months underwent 2-site trabeculotomy, using a rigid probe trabeculotome through a combined superonasal and inferotemporal approach, creating a 338±29-degree incision, with 33 eyes (56%) having a complete incision. After a follow-up of 21.2±8.9 months, there was a 42%±25% IOP reduction and a 73% rate of complete success in the microcatheter group, compared with 40%±22% IOP reduction and an 80% success rate in the rigid probe group (P=0.7 and 0.3, respectively). There was no significant difference in survival time in both groups (P=0.6). CONCLUSION: Circumferential trabeculotomy using either the illuminated microcatheter or rigid probe trabeculotome yielded comparable results; however, the added cost of the microcatheter should be considered.