Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of the New Susanna Glaucoma Drainage Device in Refractory Glaucomas: Short-term Results.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of the new Susanna glaucoma drainage device (SGDD) in patients with neovascular and refractory glaucomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, patients with neovascular glaucoma or refractory glaucomas (defined as eyes with previous trabeculectomy failure) were enrolled. All eyes had to have intraocular pressure (IOP) above 21 mm Hg despite maximum tolerated topical medication, or recent documentation of anatomic and/or functional progression. Patients underwent glaucoma surgery with the new SGDD in a standardized manner. Postoperative visits were performed at days 1 and 7; months 1, 3, and 6; and every 6 months thereafter. Preoperative and postoperative IOP, number of antiglaucoma medications, surgical complications, and any subsequent related events were recorded. Success criteria were: (I) IOP≥6 and ≤21 mm Hg; (II) IOP≥6 and ≤18 mm Hg. Each criterion was classified as complete (without medication) or qualified (with medication). RESULTS: A total of 58 patients with a mean age of 64.3±11.5 years were included [19 with neovascular glaucoma (group 1) and 39 with failure of first trabeculectomy (group 2)]. Overall, mean follow-up was 7.1±3.8 months, and mean IOP was reduced from 31.5±1.6 (range, 18 to 68) mm Hg to 12.6±0.7 (range, 2 to 28) mm Hg at the last follow-up visit (P<0.01). The mean number of antiglaucoma medications used was reduced from 3.4±0.9 to 1.4±1.5 (P<0.01). At 6 months postoperatively, qualified success rates for groups 1 and 2 were 73% and 86%, respectively (considering the stricter criterion). Main complications were 2 cases of conjunctival erosion and 2 cases of late hypotony. CONCLUSIONS: Our initial findings suggest that the new SGDD is an effective alternative for managing neovascular and refractory glaucomas, with minor postoperative complications in the short-term.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty for early glaucoma: analysis of success predictors and adjusted laser outcomes based on the untreated fellow eye.

BACKGROUND: To identify success predictors and to study the role of the fellow untreated eye as a co-variable for adjustment of intraocular pressure (IOP) outcomes following selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in early open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients. METHODS: A case series was carried out. Patients with uncontrolled early OAG or ocular hypertension (inadequate IOP control requiring additional treatment) underwent SLT (one single laser session) performed by the same surgeon in a standardized fashion. The same preoperative medical regimen was maintained during follow-up for all patients. Post-treatment assessments were scheduled at week 1 and months 1, 2, and 3. In order to account for possible influence of IOP fluctuation on laser outcomes, post-laser IOP values of the treated eye of each patient were also analyzed adjusting for IOP changes (between visits variation) of the untreated fellow eye (adjusted analysis). Pre and post-laser IOP values were compared using paired t-test. Factors associated with the magnitude of IOP reduction were investigated using multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 45 eyes of 45 patients were enrolled. Mean IOP was reduced from 20.8 ± 5.1 to 14.9 ± 2.9 mmHg at month 3 (p < 0.001). Adjusted success rate (defined as IOP reduction ≥ 20%) was 64% and mean percentage of IOP reduction was 23.1 ± 14.3% at last follow-up visit. Considering unadjusted post-laser IOP values, it was found a 20% greater absolute IOP reduction (median [interquartile range] 6 mmHg [4-7] vs 5 mmHg [3-7]; p = 0.04), with a success rate of 76%. Although baseline IOP was significantly associated with both adjusted and unadjusted post-laser IOP reduction, a stronger association was found when unadjusted IOP values were considered (p < 0.001 and R 2 = 0.35; p < 0.001 and R 2 = 0.67, respectively). Age, mean deviation (MD) index, central corneal thickness and type of glaucoma were not significant predictors (p ≥ 0.150). CONCLUSIONS: In this group of patients with early OAG or ocular hypertension, our short-term results confirmed SLT as a safe and effective alternative for IOP reduction. Although better outcomes were found in eyes with higher preoperative IOP, this effect was mitigated when results were adjusted to the fellow untreated eye (to the influence of between visits-IOP fluctuations).

Eyes with Suspicious Appearance of the Optic Disc and Normal Intraocular Pressure: Using Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics to Differentiate Those with and without Glaucoma.

Among all glaucoma suspects, eyes with optic nerve head features suspicious or suggestive of early glaucoma are probably those that offer the greatest challenge for clinicians. In contrast with the robust longitudinal data published on ocular hypertension, there is no specific management guideline for these patients. Therefore, evaluating eyes with suspicious optic disc appearance and normal intraocular pressure (IOP), we sought to investigate potential differences in clinical and epidemiological characteristics to differentiate those with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) from those with presumed large physiological optic disc cups (pLPC). In this observational case-control study, we consecutively enrolled individuals with pLPC and NTG. All eyes had vertical cup-to-disc ratio (VCDR)≥0.6 and untreated IOP<21 mmHg. Glaucomatous eyes had reproducible visual field defects. Eyes with pLPC required normal visual fields and ≥30 months of follow-up with no evidence of glaucomatous neuropathy. Clinical and epidemiological parameters were compared between groups. Eighty-four individuals with pLPC and 40 NTG patients were included. Regarding our main results, NTG patients were significantly older and with a higher prevalence of Japanese descendants (p<0.01). Not only did pLPC eyes have smaller mean VCDR, but also larger optic discs (p≤0.04). There were no significant differences for gender, central corneal thickness, and spherical equivalent (p≥0.38). Significant odds ratios (OR) were found for race (OR = 2.42; for Japanese ancestry), age (OR = 1.05), VCDR (OR = 5.03), and disc size (OR = 0.04; p≤0.04). In conclusion, in patients with suspicious optic disc and normal IOP, those with older age, Japanese ancestry, smaller optic discs, and larger VCDR are more likely to have NTG, and therefore, deserve deeper investigation and closer monitoring.

Suitability of the Visual Field Index according to Glaucoma Severity.

PURPOSE: To investigate the suitability of the visual field index (VFI) in different degrees of disease severity in glaucoma patients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we consecutively enrolled patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and glaucoma suspects (ocular hypertension). All eyes required a reliable standard automated perimetry (SAP) test to be included. Subjects were categorized into five groups based on glaucoma severity using SAP's mean deviation (MD). To evaluate the correlation among VFI, MD and pattern standard deviation (PSD), a linear regression model was built. To evaluate the nature of the correlation (i.e. linear vs nonlinear), results were plotted in a scatterplot graph. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-two eyes of 81 patients (mean age, 59.8 ± 14.5 years) were included. A strong, positive association was found between MD and VFI values (R(2) = 0.98, p < 0.001), showing a 3.2% reduction in the VFI for each dB loss in the MD index. It was noticed that 15% of eyes with mild glaucoma (average MD of -3.1 dB) had VFI > 99%. Considering only the eyes with mild and moderate damage in the regression, we found a weaker (nonlinear) correlation than the one we found using all eyes (R(2) = 0.85, p < 0.001). There was also a significant, nonlinear correlation between VFI and PSD (R(2) = 0.85, p < 0.001). Although higher PSD values were found with increasing visual field damage, this initial trend was reversed when VFI became smaller than 50%, approximately. CONCLUSION: Visual field index had a strong correlation with MD; however, this correlation was weaker in mild disease, as some patients with early disease had very high VFI values (ceiling effect). Therefore, initial deterioration in visual field status (as assessed by MD values) in patients with early disease may not be detectable using the VFI alone. How to cite this article: Sousa MCC, Biteli LG, Dorairaj S, Maslin JS, Leite M, Prata TS. Suitability of the Visual Field Index according to Glaucoma Severity. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2015;9(3):65-68.

Eyes with large disc cupping and normal intraocular pressure: using optical coherence tomography to discriminate those with and without glaucoma.

We evaluated the ability of spectral-domain optic coherence tomography (SD-OCT) to differentiate large physiological optic disc cupping (LPC) from glaucomatous cupping in eyes with intraocular pressure (IOP) within the normal range. We prospectively enrolled patients with glaucoma or presumed LPC. Participants had optic discs with confirmed or suspected glaucomatous damage (defined as a vertical cup-to-disc ratio≥0.6), and all eyes had known untreated IOP<21 mmHg. For glaucomatous eyes, a reproducible glaucomatous visual field (VF) defect was required. LPC eyes required normal VF and no evidence of progressive glaucomatous neuropathy (follow-up≥30 months). Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) thicknesses were obtained using SD-OCT. For all studied parameters of pRNFL and GCC thicknesses, eyes with glaucoma (n=36) had significantly thinner values compared to eyes with LPC (n=71; P<0.05 for all comparisons). In addition, pRNFL parameters had sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 83.1%, and GCC parameters had sensitivity of 61.2% and specificity of 81.7%. The combination of the two analyses increased the sensitivity to 80.6%. In conclusion, while evaluating patients with large optic disc cupping and IOP in the statistically normal range, SD-OCT had only limited diagnostic ability to differentiate those with and without glaucoma. Although the diagnostic ability of the pRNFL and the GCC scans were similar, these parameters yielded an increase in sensitivity when combined, suggesting that both parameters could be considered simultaneously in these cases.

Angle closure associated with a cobblestone iris configuration: clinical and imaging description.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to report a patient with primary angle closure associated with a different nonpupillary block mechanism in which an abnormally thick peripheral iris assumes a cross-sectional shape resembling a cobblestone. METHODS: This is a case report focussing on clinical and imaging description. RESULTS: Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed patent laser peripheral iridotomies OU. The anterior chamber was relatively deep in the center but 360 degrees narrow at the periphery, associated with an abnormally elevated iris contour OU. On dark-room gonioscopy, the angles were occludable with few areas of peripheral anterior synechiae. Anterior segment-adapted spectral domain-optical coherence tomography revealed an unusual iris profile. Despite a flat contour and normal thickness until the mid-periphery, the iris assumed a rectangular cross-sectional shape (resembling a cobblestone) with an abnormal increase in its thickness in the periphery (360 degrees OU). Ultrasound biomicroscopy imaging showed a normal ciliary sulcus and ciliary body configuration, revealing no cysts at 360 degrees. Definitive relief of appositional angle closure was achieved with laser peripheral iridoplasty OU. CONCLUSIONS: This unusual anatomic condition of the peripheral iris, which has different characteristics when compared with ordinary cases of thick peripheral iris roll, may lead to angle closure and intraocular pressure elevation despite a patent iridotomy. Clinicians should be aware of this anatomic condition whenever dealing with cases of angle closure.

Association between corneal biomechanical properties and optic nerve head morphology in newly diagnosed glaucoma patients.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the association between corneal biomechanics and optic nerve head morphology in newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma patients. DESIGN: Hospital based prospective study. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-two untreated newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma patients. METHODS: Patients underwent corneal hysteresis measurement using the Ocular Response Analyzer and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy for optic nerve head topography evaluation. One eye was selected randomly for analysis. Data collected included age, race, gender, intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Multiple regression analysis (controlling for baseline intraocular pressure and disc area) was used to investigate factors associated with the following optic nerve head topographic parameters: linear cup-to-disc ratio and mean cup depth. RESULTS: Mean age of participants was 66.7 ± 11.8 years. Corneal hysteresis was the only factor significantly associated with both mean cup depth (correlation coefficient [r] = -0.34, P = 0.03) and cup-to-disc ratio (r = -0.41, P = 0.01). Central corneal thickness was significantly associated with mean cup depth (r = -0.35, P = 0.02), but not with cup-to-disc ratio (r = -0.25, P = 0.13). Although a trend towards a positive association between age and cup-to-disc ratio was identified (r = 0.26, P = 0.08), age was not significantly associated with mean cup depth (r = 0.06, P = 0.72). When comparing fellow eyes of patients with bilateral glaucoma, the eye with higher corneal hysteresis had smaller cup-to-disc ratio in 75% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: In untreated newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma patients, those with thinner corneas and mainly lower corneal hysteresis values had a larger cup-to-disc ratio and deeper cup, independently of intraocular pressure values and disc size.