Outcomes of Trabeculectomy and Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation in Patients with Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome.

PRECIS: Our study highlights the long-term success of trabeculectomy or AGV surgery in subjects with glaucoma secondary to ICE syndrome. However, many of ICE syndrome cases may need multiple glaucoma surgeries to achieve controlled IOP, with/without concomitant corneal graft surgery. PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcome of trabeculectomy and Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation in iridocorneal endothelial syndrome (ICE). METHODS: Patients with glaucoma secondary to ICE syndrome who underwent either trabeculectomy or AGV surgery with intraoperative adjunctive MMC from 2009 to 2020 were included in this study. All patients were followed for at least 6 months after initial surgery. The main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), number of IOP lowering medications and surgical success. Surgical success was defined as complete according to the levels of IOP (<18) and at least 20% reduction from preoperative IOP without medications and qualified as complete success but with medications, where the number of medications was less than preoperative numbers. Cumulative success was the sum of the qualified and complete success. RESULTS: Twenty-nine eyes of 29 patients were included. Trabeculectomy was done in 13 patients (group A, 44.8%) and 16 patients underwent AGV surgery (group B, 55.2%). The median age was 50(42-56.50) and 47(36.75-52.75) years in groups A and B, respectively (P value=0.10). All patients completed at least 2 years of follow up. Mean IOP was not significantly different between groups preoperatively (P=0.70) and the effect of the type of surgery on IOP was not statistically significant at multiple follow-up time points (repeated measures ANOVA, P=0.44). The mean IOP decreased from 35.76±6.36 mmHg preoperatively to 16.00+3.10 in group A and from 36.12+8.11 mmHg to 17.00+3.75 in group B (P=0.449) at year 2 of follow-up. The effect of the type of surgery was not significant on the total number of IOP lowering medications used throughout the study (repeated measures ANOVA, P=0.81). Kaplan-Meier analysis show complete success in 14 patients (48.3%), 11 patients (37.9%) and 7 patients (24.1%) at 6-month, 1 year and 2 years follow-up, respectively. Cumulative success rate was 95% at two years follow-up for all patients. CONCLUSIONS: In 2 year follow up, trabeculectomy or AGV could significantly reduce the IOP in glaucoma patients secondary to ICE syndrome.

Early Macular Thickness Changes after Trabeculectomy and Combined Phaco-Trabeculectomy.

Purpose: To assess postoperative changes in central retinal thickness (RT) following trabeculectomy and combined phaco-trabeculectomy using spectral domain-optical coherence tomography. Methods: In a prospective interventional comparative study, 64 consecutive glaucoma patients who underwent trabeculectomy (32 eyes) or phaco-trabeculectomy (32 eyes) were included. A macular thickness map using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study circles of 1 mm, 3 mm, and 6 mm was the standard to evaluate the 9-subfield thickness preoperatively and again at 1 and 3 months after surgery. Four subfields in each of the 3 mm and 6 mm rings were considered parafoveal and perifoveal regions, respectively. Results: Preoperative measurements were similar in the two groups, except patients in the combined group which were older (P = 0.002). The mean RT in the combined phaco-trabeculectomy group at month 1 was significantly higher than baseline measurements at central subfield retinal thickness (CSRT) (P = 0.01), temporal (P = 0.001), and inferior (P = 0.04) parafoveal and temporal (P = 0.01), superior (P = 0.02), and nasal (P < 0.001) perifoveal quadrants; however, RT changes in the trabeculectomy-only group were not statistically significant at months 1 and 3 (P > 0.05). The increase in the temporal perifoveal RT of the combined phaco-trabeculectomy group persisted at month 3 (P = 0.01), while the RT in other sectors returned to preoperative values. The two treatment groups did not differ in terms of changes in the CSRT over time (P = 0.37). In addition, no difference was observed between the treatment groups regarding the parafoveal RTs at each time points (0.06 ≤ P ≤ 0.29). Conclusions: There was no significant difference in the pattern of changes of CSRT and parafoveal RT between trabeculectomy and combined phaco-trabeculectomy treatment groups up to 3 months after surgery. Some detectable increase in RT in the combined phaco-trabeculectomy will reverse to baseline values 3 months after surgery, except in the temporal perifoveal region.

Trans-Scleral Cyclophotocoagulation in Refractory Pigment Dispersion-Like Glaucoma Secondary to Ciliary Body Melanoma.

Purpose: To report a case of ciliary body melanoma with acute high intraocular pressure (IOP) due to pigment dispersion, treated by limited trans-scleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) and plaque radiotherapy. Methods: A 33-year-old woman was referred to clinic with acute ocular pain and decreased visual acuity from 1 week before presentation. The IOP was 55 mmHg accompanied by red eye, perilimbal injection, mild corneal edema (stromal and epithelial), scattered pigment dust on central corneal endothelium, 4+ anterior chamber pigments, and pigmented cells. Gonioscopy revealed a bulging mass posterior to the iris root, about 2 o'clock width alongside a heavy dark brown pigmentation of all angle structures. Ultrasound biomicroscopy confirmed a ciliary body mass of about 4.5 mm × 4 mm × 3.3 mm in the superior ciliary region, in favor of melanoma. Due to no response to maximal antiglaucoma therapy, a limited TSCPC in the inferior hemisclera was done. After control of the IOP, plaque radiotherapy with Ru-106 was done. Results: Three days after the cyclophotocoagulation, IOP decreased to 18 mmHg. Visual acuity reached to 20/25 and IOP remained 18 mmHg, with timolol/dorzolamide drop twice a day. Anterior chamber pigments gradually decreased, and antiglaucoma and steroid drops were tapered during 1 month, thereafter. The IOP was 14-16 mmHg with timolol/dorzolamide bid at months 3 and 6 of follow-up and 21-22 mmHg without any drop at months 12 and 18, with no sign of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Conclusion: Limited cyclophotocoagulation may be a good choice for controlling the high refractory IOP in cases of intraocular neoplasms such as ciliary body melanoma, which are planned for salvage therapy such as plaque radiotherapy.

Effects of fasting on peripapillary capillary density, peripapillary nerve fiber layer, intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of fasting on intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) density and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness during Islamic fasting month of Ramadan. METHODS: Twenty-seven healthy fasting volunteers were enrolled. All subjects underwent full ophthalmic examination and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) of both eyes. All measurements were recorded first in the morning (8:00-10:00 a.m.) and then in the evening (4:00-6:00 p.m.). The first visit was performed during the second and third week of Ramadan and then two months later in a nonfasting routine day. RESULTS: Mean age of participants was 40.07 ± 9.29 years. A significant decrease was found for evening IOP (11.17 ± 2.29 mmHg) in comparison with morning IOP (12.00 ± 2.28) (p = 0.00) only on fasting days. A decrease was observed for CCT both on fasting (6 µm) and nonfasting days (3 µm) (p = 0.00 and p = 0.02, respectively) in the evening. There was a significant increase in whole and peripapillary RPC density (%) on fasting days (48.79 ± 3.08 morning, 49.72 ± 2.85 evening for whole and 50.57 ± 4.06 morning, 51.64 ± 3.71 evening for peripapillary) (p = 0.00). Average RNFL thickness was decreased from morning to evening both on fasting days (0.80 µm) and nonfasting days (1.25 µm) (p = 0.00). Optic nerve head (ONH) vertical cup/disc (C/D) ratio was greater on fasting days (0.30 ± 0.25 morning, 0.31 ± 0.24 evening) in comparison with nonfasting days (0.27 ± 0.25 morning, 0.28 ± 0.25 evening) (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Fasting decreases the IOP and CCT in healthy subjects. OCTA revealed significant difference in RPC vessel density, RNFL thickness and ONH vertical C/D ratio during fasting hours in comparison with nonfasting days.

Subconjunctival bevacizumab for primary pterygium excision; a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the local safety of bevacizumab and its effect on recurrence of primary pterygium excision. METHODS: This randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 44 eyes of 44 patients randomized to Group 1 (bevacizumab) and Group 2 (balanced salt solution). Group 1 underwent pterygium excision with a rotational conjunctival flap and received a total of 7.5 mg subconjunctival bevacizumab (5 mg/0.2 mL on the day of surgery and 2.5 mg/0.1 mL on the fourth day after surgery). Group 2 received balanced salt solution in the same manner. Recurrence, defined as any fibrovascular tissue crossing the limbus, and the number of patients with >1.5 mm fibrovascular overgrowth on the cornea were compared between the study groups. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the study groups in terms of demographics, pterygium size, daily sun exposure, preoperative visual acuity, keratomeric readings, corneal astigmatism, or IOP (P>0.05). Three and four patients in each group at the three- and six-month visits, respectively, had more than 1.5 mm fibrovascular tissue overgrowth on the cornea (P=1 and 0.62, respectively). At the three-month visit, 3 patients in Group 1 versus 7 patients in Group 2 (P=0.13), and at the six-month visit 4 patients in Group 1 versus 8 patients in Group 2 (P=0.17) had fibrovascular tissue crossing the limbus. Patients in Group 1 experienced a statistically significant rise in IOP at the one-week visit (P=0.007). CONCLUSION: Bevacizumab had no significant effect on the recurrence rate of pterygium. Although the frequency of fibrovascular tissue crossing the limbus in the bevacizumab group was half that of the BSS group, the difference failed to reach a statistically significant level.

Correlation between peak intraocular pressure of the water drinking test and peak intraocular pressure induced by intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy.

PURPOSE: It was the aim of this study to determine any possible correlation between the peaks and changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) of a water drinking test and intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy (IVMPT) IOP response. METHODS: Patients with rheumatic disorders scheduled for IVMPT with normal ocular examination received a WDT before and after 3 days of IVMPT. The maximum value of IOPs detected during the WDT or IVMPT was regarded as peak IOP, and IOP change was defined as the difference between peak IOP and baseline IOP. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) IOPs on the first (21.9 ± 4.6 mm Hg; p = 0.04), second (21.9 ± 4.1 mm Hg; p = 0.03) and third (21.3 ± 4.2 mm Hg; p = 0.01) days of 20 enrolled patients were greater than that at baseline (19.3 ± 2.8 mm Hg). The mean ± SD of peak IVMPT IOP response was 23.9 ± 3.7 mm Hg, and IVMPT IOP change was 4.6 ± 3.7 mm Hg. These values for the first and second WDTs were 22.9 ± 4.9 and 3.9 ± 4.07 as well as 24.1 ± 4.6 and 3.00 ± 2.9 mm Hg, respectively. A significant correlation was observed between the first WDT and IVMPT IOP changes (r = 0.5, p = 0.007) and peak IOPs (r = 0.6, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: WDT, a low-cost and feasible test in clinical practice, may be a useful tool in determining the IOP peak and change following IVMPT.

Ocular biometry in angle closure.

PURPOSE: To compare ocular biometric parameters in primary angle closure suspects (PACS), primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) and acute primary angle closure (APAC). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 113 patients including 33 cases of PACS, 45 patients with PACG and 35 subjects with APAC. Central corneal thickness (CCT), axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and lens thickness (LT) were measured with an ultrasonic biometer. Lens-axial length factor (LAF), relative lens position, corrected ACD (CACD) and corrected lens position were calculated. The parameters were measured bilaterally but only data from the right eyes were compared. In the APAC group, biometric parameters were also compared between affected and unaffected fellow eyes. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed in biometric parameters between PACS and PACG eyes, or between affected and fellow eyes in the APAC group (P>0.05 for all comparisons). However, eyes with APAC had thicker cornea (P=0.001), thicker lens (P<0.0001), shallower ACD (P=0.009), shallower CACD (P=0.003) and larger LAF (P<0.0001). Based on ROC curve analysis, lower ACD, and larger LT, LAF and CCT values were associated with APAC. In the APAC group, LAF (P<0.0001) and CCT (P=0.001) were significant risk factors. CONCLUSION: This study revealed no significant difference in biometric characteristics in eyes with PACS and PACG. However, larger LAF and CCT were predictive of APAC.

Comparison of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab and triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of uveitic macular edema.

BACKGROUND: Cystoid Macular Edema (CME) is one of the most common and sight threatening complications of uveitis. Intravitreal injection of corticosteroids and Anti-VEGF are two routine options for treatment. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of intravitreal injections of Bevacizumab and Triamcinolone Acetonide for the treatment of persistent macular edema in non-infectious uveitis. METHODS: In a randomized clinical trial, sixty eyes of 55 patients were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups with randomized digits table. 29 eyes received 4 mg of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide, and 31 eyes received 1.25 mg of intravitreal bevacizumab. Two main outcome measures were changes in visual acuity, measured with logarithm of minimal angle of resolution, and central macular thickness, measured with optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 25.3 weeks. The best visual acuities were achieved 6 months after injection in both groups. Improvement in visual acuity at 6 months was achieved in 28/29 (96%) of eyes in Triamcinolone group and in 26/31 (83%) eyes in Bevacizumab group (p=0.196). None of the eyes showed worsening of visual acuity after 6 months. Mean of central macular thickness in the pre-injection time for intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) group was 295.62 µ, and 309.87 µ in intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) group, which were decreased after six months to 199.27 µ and 221.06 µ, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study shows that IVT and IVB are both effective in improving vision in uveitic CME. Although effects of triamcinolone on Central Macular Thickness (CMT) are more apparent, this superiority is not seen on Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA).

Bevacizumab and ocular wound healing after primary pterygium excision.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of subconjunctival bevacizumab on early postoperative wound healing in patients with primary pterygium excision. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the patients were randomized into 2 groups. Group 1 (G1) received a total of 7.5 mg bevacizumab (5 mg/0.2 mL on the day of surgery and 2.5 mg on the fourth day after surgery). Group 2 received 0.2 mL balanced salt solution at the end of surgery. Postoperatively, patients were examined at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month. The following parameters were evaluated: horizontal length of the corneal epithelial defect (in millimeters), conjunctival erythema, conjunctival flap edema, subconjunctival hemorrhage, lacrimation, and photophobia. Any complications of conjunctival flaps such as retraction and melting or wound infection were recorded. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences for age, sex, operated eye, and horizontal size of pterygium among 44 eyes of 44 patients, 22 in each group. No patient had conjunctival flap melting or retraction, keratitis, or nonhealing corneal epithelial defect. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups for the evaluated measures except for conjunctival erythema at the first postoperative day (P = 0.005), which was more common in G1. Although the horizontal length of corneal epithelial defect in G1 was twice that of group 2 on the seventh postoperative day (average 0.09 vs. 0.04 mm, range 0-1 vs. 0-0.3 mm), the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.45). CONCLUSION: No adverse effect on early postoperative wound healing of excised primary pterygium was observed in patients who received subconjunctival bevacizumab.