Lack of association between optineurin gene variants T34T, E50K, M98K, 691_692insAG and R545Q and primary open angle glaucoma in Brazilian patients.

PURPOSE: To verify the frequencies of T34T, E50K, M98K, 691_692insAG, and R545Q variants in the optineurin (OPTN) gene in Brazilian subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-nine patients with POAG and 100 normal controls were enrolled in this study. The frequency of alterations in the OPTN gene was analyzed by direct sequencing and enzymatic digestion of PCR products. RESULTS: None of the five alterations evaluated was significantly associated with POAG when compared to controls. However, the T34T silent change was present in greater frequency in POAG patients (37.37% vs. 23.00% in controls), while the R545Q change was more prevalent in controls (23.00% vs. 10.10% in POAG). The M98K and 691_692insAG presented with low frequencies in POAG patients (1.01% and 2.02%, respectively) and controls (2.00% and 2.00%, respectively). The E50K substitution was not observed. CONCLUSION: Our data show no association between the five evaluated variants and POAG in the Brazilian population.

Use of amniotic membrane in trabeculectomy for the treatment of glaucoma: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: To compare the safety and efficacy of human preserved amniotic membrane (AM) in the trabeculectomy for treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: A prospective, randomized clinical trial compared primary trabeculectomy with amniotic membrane (study group) and without amniotic membrane (control group) in the treatment of the glaucoma. Intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications and appearance of the bleb were compared between the two groups. Thirty-two patients divided into two groups of 16 patients were followed for a period of 12 months. RESULTS: The difference of the mean postoperative intraocular pressure between groups was not statistically significant (15.19 +/- 3.33 in the control group and 12.81 +/- 2.48 in the study group p=0.297) at one year follow-up. Postoperative number of medications decreased in both groups (p<0.001 and p=0.007, study group and control respectively). At the end of a 12-month follow-up period, nine eyes (56.25%) showed thin, avascular blebs in the study group as compared to only one eye (6.25%) in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Trabeculectomy with amniotic membrane and standard trabeculectomy promote lower postoperative intraocular pressure although results showed no statistically significant difference between groups regarding postoperative intraocular pressure after one year follow-up.

[Location and frequency of visual field defects as measured by SITA (Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm) strategy in primary open angle glaucoma]. / Localização e freqüência das alterações de campo visual no glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto na estratégia SITA (Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency, location and pattern of visual field defects as measured by SITA strategy in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: Six thousand and two-hundred charts were reviewed. One hundred and fifty two patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included. They were stratified according to severity into early, moderate and severe. The following visual field defects were defined: nasal step, paracentral scotomata, arcuate defect, Seidel scotomata, temporal defect, general reduction of sensitivity, annular scotomata and central island. Each examination was divided into sectors corresponding to optic disc regions. Student's t test was used to compare differences in frequency. RESULTS: In the early glaucoma group, the nasal superior step was the most frequent visual field defect, followed by paracentral scotoma and inferior nasal step. General reduction of sensitivity was noted in 7.8%. Defects were more common in the superior hemifield (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The superior nasal step and paracentral scotoma were the most commun visual field defects in early primary open angle glaucoma as evaluated by SITA strategy, and the superior hemifield comprises most of the defects. General reduction of sensitivity was an early and rare visual field defect.

Revisão interna de Simmons: análise preliminar de seus resultados clínicos / Internal revision of Simmons: first analysis of his clinical results

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia e eventual incidência de complicações desta cirurgia. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se estudo prospectivo para o qual foram selecionados pacientes com idade de 59±9,5 anos, que apresentavam piora do campo visual, da escavação do disco óptico e/ou descontrole dos níveis pressóricos. Foram operados 11 pacientes, 82 por cento eram portadores de glaucoma primário. Estabelecemos como critérios de sucesso: redução sustentada da pressão intra-ocular, igual ou abaixo de 30 por cento da pressão in-tra-ocular pré-operatória. RESULTADOS: A pressão pré-operatória de 24±7, passou para 12,6±3,7 após a cirurgia e o número de medicações caiu de 2,2±1,0 para 0,5± 0,5 (p<0,005). DISCUSSAO: Atualmente não dispomos de muitas formas eficazes de se salvar a bolha que já foi funcionante. O agulhamento pode ser uma alternativa, porém não demonstra taxa de sucesso satisfatória a longo prazo. A Revisão de Simmons, no tempo por nós estudada, denota abaixamento sustentado e significativo da pressão intra-ocular. 64 por cento alcançaram pressão intra-ocular menor que 14 mmHg. CONCLUSAO: A revisão interna de Simmons é um procedimento seguro e eficaz para recuperar as bolhas hipofuncionantes.

Quality of life in patients with glaucoma who live in a developing country.

PURPOSE: To assess the functional status and well-being in glaucoma patients who live in a developing country. METHODS: Cross-sectional case control study, comprising 102 glaucoma patients and 58 controls. All subjects were administered the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short-form survey (SF-36). SF-36 scores for study and control groups were compared. Statistical analysis included Student's t-test for score data and Student's t- and chi-square tests for demographic data. RESULTS: Patients with glaucoma had significantly lower scores than healthy control subjects (p < 0.05) in five domains of the SF-36 survey (physical functioning, role-emotional, bodily pain, social functioning and mental health). Bodily pain was the domain with the lowest score. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with glaucoma who live in a developing country have less functional status than non-glaucomatous patients.