A Case of Uveitis-Hyphema-Glaucoma Syndrome Due to EX-PRESS Glaucoma Filtration Device Implantation.

PURPOSE: To report a case of a 69-year-old patient who developed uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema syndrome (UGH) after an uneventful EX-PRESS mini shunt surgery for advanced primary open-angle glaucoma and to discuss management options and clinical implications. UGH syndrome is a rare, but serious complication usually described after cataract surgery. It is often described in anterior chamber intraocular lenses, sulcus lenses, and malpositioned or subluxed lenses resulting in chafing of the lens-iris interface. Clinical manifestations include increased intraocular pressure, anterior chamber inflammation, and recurrent hyphema. PATIENT AND METHODS: We report a case of a 69-year-old African American man who developed UGH syndrome 8 years after uneventful implantation of a P-50 EX-PRESS miniature shunt. Slit-lamp examination demonstrated persistent inflammation without evidence of iris atrophy nor intraocular lens dislocation; however, gonioscopy demonstrated localized iris atrophy under the shunt with surrounding iris billowing and a layered hyphema. RESULTS: A localized laser iridoplasty around the shunt was performed leading to resolution of uveitis and hyphema. No other complications occurred during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Given the increasing acceptance of glaucoma procedures involving implants, UGH syndrome may become more prevalent as new sources of intraocular devices may cause potential complications. Laser iridoplasty provides a minimally invasive approach to treating a localized source of chafing and reduce further surgical intervention.

Simultaneous dexamethasone intravitreal implant and anti-VEGF therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration resistant to anti-VEGF monotherapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a dexamethasone intravitreal implant in combination with intravitreal anti-VEGF agents for treatment resistant neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD). METHODS: This study was designed as a single-center, retrospective interventional case series. Consecutive patients with treatment-resistant nvAMD underwent simultaneous combined injection of anti-VEGF agent and dexamethasone intravitreal implant. Eighteen patients with mean age of 81.5 years were included. Patients received average of 26.3 anti-VEGF injections before dual therapy, with mean follow up of 8.2 months after dual therapy. RESULTS: Dual therapy produced a significant mean decrease in CFT (126.3 µm), compared to a mean increase of 29.9 µm when treated with anti-VEGF monotherapy (p=0.0017). Patients also had mean decrease in MCV of -0.85 mm3 with dual therapy compared with anti-VEGF monotherapy (p=0.0014). There was a moderate correlation between the number of prior anti-VEGF injections and the magnitude of anatomic response, suggesting that shorter disease duration may positively influence response to combined treatment. Although there was a slight trend towards improved mean visual acuity after dual therapy, these differences did not reach statistical significance. Nevertheless, with combination treatment, 33% of patients gained one or more lines of vision. Dual therapy resulted in a significantly lower number of required anti-VEGF injections (4.25 vs 5.33) and an increase of the anti-VEGF injection-free interval to 1.41 months from 1.12 months during the 6 months following dual therapy compared to the same interval before dual therapy. Dual therapy was well tolerated; two eyes developed mild IOP elevation effectively managed with topical therapy and one patient developed worsening cataract. CONCLUSIONS: Combined treatment of anti-VEGF with the dexamethasone intravitreal implant is a viable alternative for treatment-resistant nvAMD, and may reduce treatment burden. Earlier treatment with dual therapy may be beneficial to maximize anatomic and visual outcomes in these patients.