Consensus recommendations for trabecular meshwork cell isolation, characterization and culture.

Cultured trabecular meshwork (TM) cells are a valuable model system to study the cellular mechanisms involved in the regulation of conventional outflow resistance and thus intraocular pressure; and their dysfunction resulting in ocular hypertension. In this review, we describe the standard procedures used for the isolation of TM cells from several animal species including humans, and the methods used to validate their identity. Having a set of standard practices for TM cells will increase the scientific rigor when used as a model, and enable other researchers to replicate and build upon previous findings.

Disinfection of Tonometers: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of various disinfection methods for reusable tonometer prisms in eye care and to highlight how disinfectants can damage tonometer tips and cause subsequent patient harm. METHODS: Literature searches were conducted last in October 2016 in the PubMed and the Cochrane Library databases for original research investigations. Reviews, non-English language articles, nonophthalmology articles, surveys, and case reports were excluded. RESULTS: The searches initially yielded 64 unique citations. After exclusion criteria were applied, 10 laboratory studies remained for this review. Nine of the 10 studies used tonometer prisms and 1 used steel discs. The infectious agents covered in this assessment include adenovirus 8 and 19, herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2, human immunodeficiency virus 1, hepatitis C virus, enterovirus 70, and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. All 4 studies of adenovirus 8 concluded that after sodium hypochlorite (dilute bleach) disinfection, the virus was undetectable, but only 2 of the 4 studies found that 70% isopropyl alcohol (e.g., alcohol wipes or soaks) eradicated all viable virus. All 3 HSV studies concluded that both sodium hypochlorite and 70% isopropyl alcohol eliminated HSV. Ethanol, 70% isopropyl alcohol, dilute bleach, and mechanical cleaning all lack the ability to remove cellular debris completely, which is necessary to prevent prion transmission. Therefore, single-use tonometer tips or disposable tonometer covers should be considered when treating patients with suspected prion disease. Damage to tonometer prisms can be caused by sodium hypochlorite, 70% isopropyl alcohol, 3% hydrogen peroxide, ethyl alcohol, water immersion, ultraviolet light, and heat exposure. Disinfectants can cause tonometer tips to swell and crack by dissolving the glue that holds the hollow tip together. The tonometer tip cracks can irritate the cornea, harbor microbes, or allow disinfectants to enter the interior of the tonometer tip. CONCLUSIONS: Sodium hypochlorite (dilute bleach) offers effective disinfection against adenovirus and HSV, the viruses commonly associated with nosocomial outbreaks in eye care. Tonometer prisms should be examined regularly for signs of damage.

An update on therapeutic modalities for the prevention of angle closure glaucoma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Angle closure glaucoma is a prominent burden for the worldwide health system. Because this disorder is commonly asymptomatic, and can lead to irreversible blindness, the proper screening and early management of this disease can be critical. The definitions of angle closure and consequently its treatment guidelines have been dynamically modified and updated in the past decades. Surgical and laser techniques have been adapted to address the different mechanisms involved in the manifestation of the disease and properly prevent its progression in different stages. In this review, we will assess the most recent techniques and their indications in the prevention and management of angle closure disorders. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent trends in surgical and laser procedures in the management of angle closure glaucoma are often geared toward combination strategies, to target different mechanisms. Targeting the lens and the angle structures and adjacent tissues simultaneously may be a promising approach in both the prevention of further angle closure, modulating the pressure, and prevention of cataract progression. SUMMARY: Modifying your therapeutic modalities and thresholds for treatment based on updated angle closure disorder definitions and guidelines, as well as innovative screening techniques, may be beneficial to your patients, in regards to both prevention and reduction of disease progression.

Update on ciliary body laser procedures.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There are currently various options available for glaucoma treatment procedures ranging from laser to penetrating to nonpenetrating surgeries. Innovations in glaucoma surgical therapeutics include features such as external application, focused tissue effects, and minimal manipulation as these factors all help lower the risk of side-effects in addition to increasing the success rate of the treatment. Traditional diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) is invasive and destructive. This review aims to provide an overview of the latest ciliary body laser modalities, including micropulse diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC), as well as endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation. RECENT FINDINGS: MP-TSCPC and endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation, less invasive interventional procedures than filtering surgeries, have shown promise in having reduced postoperative complications while demonstrating reasonably good success rates. These modalities allow direct effects to the inflow system of the eye. The precision of these interventions has led to comparable or greater control of intraocular pressure (IOP) and lower inflammatory-fibrotic response in comparison to conventional TSCPC. Recent studies of these procedures have focused on their repeatability, long-term survival rate, and ability to be combined with cataract surgery. SUMMARY: The development of new minimally invasive surgical modalities such as MP-TSCPC and endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation has provided new options for treating glaucoma with a relatively safe side-effects profile as compared with filtration surgeries. These new treatments can lead to a significant decline in the number of postsurgical medications needed for IOP control.

Effect of mitomycin c and 5-flurouracil adjuvant therapy on the outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: To examine the effect of mitomycin c and 5-flurouracil on treatment outcomes following Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation. DESIGN: Retrospective consecutive case series. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty patients who received Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation from 1999 to 2013 in the San Francisco Veterans Administration Hospital. METHODS: The +INJECTION group received intraoperative mitomycin c followed by postoperative mitomycin c and/or 5-flurouracil, whereas the -INJECTION group did not. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was treatment success at 1 year post-implantation. Intraocular pressure, hypertensive phase, and the number of glaucoma medications were also examined. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients/eyes in the +INJECTION group and 24 patients/eyes in the -INJECTION group were included. Treatment success was higher in the +INJECTION compared with the -INJECTION group (86 vs. 58%; P = 0.04). Intraocular pressure was lower in the +INJECTION compared with the -INJECTION group at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months (P ≪ 0.00001, P = 0.00003, 0.0008 and 0.024). Hypertensive phase occurred less often in the +INJECTION compared with the -INJECTION group (3.8 vs. 54%; P = 0.021). The +INJECTION group required fewer medications compared with the -INJECTION group (P = 0.02, 0.002, 0.003 and 0.008 at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months). Complication rates were comparable between groups (46.2 and 54.2%; P = 0.63). CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant treatment with antifibrotics following Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation decreased the hypertensive phase and improved surgical outcomes without impacting complication rates at 1 year. This study postulates a role for antifibrotics in the postoperative management of Ahmed glaucoma valves.

Oral Contraceptive Use and Prevalence of Self-Reported Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension in the United States.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between oral contraceptive (OC) use and glaucoma prevalence in the United States. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3406 female participants, aged 40 years or older, from the 2005 to 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, who reported a presence or absence of glaucoma or ocular hypertension completed both the vision and the reproductive health questionnaires and underwent eye examinations. METHODS: Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between OC use and self-reported glaucoma or ocular hypertension (n = 231 cases), controlling for potential confounders, including age, ethnicity, systemic comorbidities such as hypertension and stroke, ocular diseases such as cataract and diabetic retinopathy, and reproductive health factors, including age at menopause, age at menarche, history of hormone replacement therapy, and gynecological surgical history. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome variable was self-reported glaucoma or ocular hypertension. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, those with ≥3 years of OC use had greater odds (odds ratio, 1.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-3.07) of self-reported glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Other factors associated with higher glaucoma or ocular hypertension prevalence included older age, African American race, and later age at menarche. CONCLUSIONS: Oral contraceptive use may be associated with increased risk of self-reported glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

A role for antimetabolites in glaucoma tube surgery: current evidence and future directions.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The main treatment modality for glaucoma is the reduction and control of the intraocular pressure (IOP). Glaucoma filtration surgery, including trabeculectomy and/or implantation of a glaucoma drainage device (GDD), is warranted if IOP remains medically uncontrolled. However, postoperative scarring remains a critical determinant of long-term bleb survival and IOP control after drainage surgery. Antimetabolites, such as mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil, have been used for many years to increase survival time of filtration surgeries by preventing bleb fibrosis and scarring. The aim of this study is to provide an overview of: the current usage of these antimetabolites in GDD, the recent advancements of these antimetabolites in combination with other technologies, and the role of future antimetabolites. RECENT FINDINGS: Mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil have been used in GDD and trabeculectomy to prevent the exaggerated cellular reaction that leads to fibrosis. The adjunctive administration of these drugs intraoperatively and postoperatively has resulted in a lower rate of the hypertensive phase, and possibly a better long-term success rate in Ahmed valve surgeries. However, the application of these antimetabolites and their multiple-dosing applications are associated with nonspecific cytotoxicity and potentially severe complications such as bleb leak and conjunctival erosion over the tube. Recent studies are thus focusing on different medications, targeting new molecular pathways, and designing new delivery vehicles to minimize current antimetabolites side-effects and increase their efficacy. Promising results of these studies have led to development of new collaborative medications and advanced drug delivery systems for better modulation of GDD surgeries' predictable outcomes. SUMMARY: The development of small molecule therapeutics, combination therapies, and innovative drug vehicles to prevent postsurgical fibrosis and achieve better surgical outcome in glaucoma filtration surgeries is promising.

The Effect of Phacoemulsification on Intraocular Pressure in Glaucoma Patients: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

OBJECTIVE: To examine effects of phacoemulsification on longer-term intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with medically treated primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG; including normal-tension glaucoma), pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG), or primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG), without prior or concurrent incisional glaucoma surgery. METHODS: PubMed and Cochrane database searches, last conducted in December 2014, yielded 541 unique citations. Panel members reviewed titles and abstracts and selected 86 for further review. The panel reviewed these articles and identified 32 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, for which the panel methodologist assigned a level of evidence based on standardized grading adopted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. One, 15, and 16 studies were rated as providing level I, II, and III evidence, respectively. RESULTS: All follow-up, IOP, and medication data listed are weighted means. In general, the studies reported on patients using few glaucoma medications (1.5-1.9 before surgery among the different diagnoses). For POAG, 9 studies (total, 461 patients; follow-up, 17 months) showed that phacoemulsification reduced IOP by 13% and glaucoma medications by 12%. For PXG, 5 studies (total, 132 patients; follow-up, 34 months) showed phacoemulsification reduced IOP by 20% and glaucoma medications by 35%. For chronic PACG, 12 studies (total, 495 patients; follow-up, 16 months) showed phacoemulsification reduced IOP by 30% and glaucoma medications by 58%. Patients with acute PACG (4 studies; total, 119 patients; follow-up, 24 months) had a 71% reduction from presenting IOP and rarely required long-term glaucoma medications when phacoemulsification was performed soon after medical reduction of IOP. Trabeculectomy after phacoemulsification was uncommon; the median rate reported within 6 to 24 months of follow-up in patients with controlled POAG, PXG, or PACG was 0% and was 7% in patients with uncontrolled chronic PACG. CONCLUSIONS: Phacoemulsification typically results in small, moderate, and marked reductions of IOP and medications for patients with POAG, PXG, and PACG, respectively, and using 1 to 2 medications before surgery. Trabeculectomy within 6 to 24 months after phacoemulsification is rare in such patients. However, reports on its effects in eyes with advanced disease or poor IOP control before surgery are few, particularly for POAG and PXG.

Myopia and glaucoma: sorting out the difference.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of the present review was to summarize the evidence implicating the association between myopia and glaucoma, the possible underlying mechanisms for this relation, and the controversies surrounding detection of glaucomatous changes in coexisting myopia. RECENT FINDINGS: Numerous studies have shown that increasing categories of myopia are associated with a higher risk for optic neuropathy and glaucoma-like visual field defects. Recently, some high-resolution imaging modalities have been developed that aid further detection of the microanatomical changes of the optic nerve head and thus may provide a new insight to explain the association between myopia and glaucoma. Although the highly myopic eye usually shows many structural and functional defects that are difficult to distinguish from those caused by glaucoma, some new methods have been introduced to better differentiate between these changes. SUMMARY: The interaction of myopia with glaucoma risk remains complex, largely because of the retinal and nerve fiber layer damage that occurs in myopia alone. Whether to treat for glaucoma relies on the suspicion level of the clinician who must consider other risk factors for vision loss. Ultimately, it is the progression of glaucoma-like findings that determines whether a myopic patient has glaucoma.

Association between visual field defects and quality of life in the United States.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between visual field defects and quality of life in the United States population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 5186 participants in the 2005 through 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 40 years of age and older without a self-reported history of age-related macular degeneration or prior refractive surgery who had undergone frequency doubling technology perimetric testing. METHODS: Frequency doubling technology perimetry was performed in both eyes. Results from the better eye were used to categorize subjects as normal or having mild, moderate, or severe visual field loss. Subjects completed surveys about their visual and physical functioning ability. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Disability pertaining to 6 vision-related activities, 2 visual function questions, and 5 physical functioning domains. RESULTS: Eighty-one percent of subjects had normal visual fields and 10%, 7%, and 2% demonstrated mild, moderate, and severe visual field defects, respectively. Subjects with greater severity of visual field defects had greater difficulty with vision-related activities. Subjects with severe visual field defects demonstrated the greatest odds of difficulty with all 6 activities. The 2 activities impacted most adversely were daytime driving in familiar places (odds ratio [OR], 12.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.1-25.1) and noticing objects off to the side when walking (OR, 7.7; 95% CI, 4.7-12.7). Subjects with severe visual field defects had greater odds of worrying about eyesight (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 2.0-5.8) and being limited by vision in the time spent on daily activities (OR, 5.1; 95% CI, 3.0-8.5). Subjects with severe visual field defects demonstrated the greatest odds of difficulty with 3 physical function domains, including activities of daily living (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.37-4.38), instrumental activities of daily living (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.37-4.38), as well as leisure and social activities (OR, 3.29; 95% CI, 1.87-5.77). CONCLUSIONS: Greater severity of visual field abnormality was associated with significantly greater odds of disability with vision-related function and physical function. These findings support the necessity of routine screening to find those who may benefit from therapy to prevent progressive glaucomatous vision loss.

Pediatric glaucoma surgery: a report by the American Academy Of Ophthalmology.

OBJECTIVE: To review the current published literature to evaluate the success rates and long-term problems associated with surgery for pediatric glaucoma. METHODS: Literature searches of the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were last conducted in May 2012. The search yielded 838 potentially relevant citations, of which 273 were in non-English languages. The titles and abstracts of these articles were reviewed by the authors, and 364 were selected for possible further review. Members of the Ophthalmic Technology Assessment Committee Glaucoma Panel reviewed the full text of these articles and used the 36 that met inclusion and exclusion criteria for this Ophthalmic Technology Assessment. There were no studies on the topic that provided level I evidence. The assessment included only level II and level III studies. RESULTS: Surgeons treat pediatric glaucoma most commonly with goniotomy, trabeculotomy, trabeculectomy, combined trabeculotomy and trabeculectomy, tube shunt surgery, cyclodestruction, and deep sclerectomy. Certain surgical options seem better for specific diagnoses, such as primary congenital glaucoma, aphakic glaucoma, and glaucomas associated with other ocular or systemic anomalies. CONCLUSIONS: There are many surgical options for the treatment of the pediatric glaucomas. The relative efficacy of these various procedures for particular diagnoses and clinical situations should be weighed against the specific risks associated with the procedures for individual patients.

Association between baseline iris thickness and prophylactic laser peripheral iridotomy outcomes in primary angle-closure suspects.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between baseline measurements of iris thickness at 3 positions and change in anterior segment biometric parameters after prophylactic laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI). DESIGN: Prospective clinical cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two eyes of 52 nonglaucomatous subjects with anatomically narrow angles. METHODS: Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT) images captured before and after LPI were analyzed using customized software, the Zhongshan Angle Assessment Program (ZAAP) (Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre, Guangzhou, China). Differences in preoperative and postoperative measurements for anterior segment biometric parameters were compared by paired Student t tests. Multivariate linear regression models, adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, and preoperative pupil diameter, were used to examine the association between the baseline measurements of iris thickness at 3 positions and the change in anterior segment biometric parameters after LPI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Baseline iris thickness measured at 750 µm from the scleral spur (IT750), iris thickness measured at 2000 µm from the scleral spur (IT2000), and maximal iris thickness (ITM). Changes in iris curvature (ICURV) and trabecular-iris space area at 500 µm from the scleral spur (TISA500) and 750 µm from the scleral spur (TISA750) after LPI. RESULTS: The ICURV significantly decreased, whereas TISA500 and TISA750 significantly increased after LPI (all P < 0.0001). Lower baseline IT750 was significantly associated with greater postoperative increases in TISA500 and TISA750 (both P < 0.05). Lower baseline IT2000 and ITM were significantly associated with greater postoperative decrease in ICURV (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that lower baseline measurements of iris thickness are associated with greater decrease in ICURV and increases in TISA500 and TISA750 after LPI. This suggests that eyes with thinner irides undergoing LPI were more likely to exhibit greater magnitude of change in terms of flattening of the iris convexity (i.e., ICURV) and widening of the anterior chamber angle (i.e., TISA500 and TISA750).

Comparison of anterior segment morphology following prophylactic laser peripheral iridotomy in Caucasian and Chinese eyes.

BACKGROUND: To compare anterior segment biometric parameters between Caucasians and Chinese before and after laser peripheral iridotomy. DESIGN: Prospective clinical cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Caucasian and Chinese primary angle-closure suspects. METHODS: Anterior segment optical coherence tomography images captured before and after laser peripheral iridotomy were analysed to measure anterior segment biometric parameters. Paired Student's t-tests were used for within-ethnic group comparisons. Univariate and linear mixed-effect regression models were used for between-ethnic group comparisons. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Angle opening distance, angle recess area, iris thickness, iris curvature, anterior chamber area, anterior chamber volume and anterior chamber width. RESULTS: Caucasians had significantly greater preoperative angle recess area, anterior chamber width, and iris curvature and lower preoperative iris thickness compared to Chinese (P < 0.05). Significant postoperative increases in angle opening distance, angle recess area, anterior chamber area, anterior chamber volume, and anterior chamber width along with significant postoperative decrease in iris curvature were observed within both ethnic groups (P < 0.05). However, the amount of laser peripheral iridotomy-induced changes in angle opening distance, angle recess area, anterior chamber area, anterior chamber volume, anterior chamber width, and iris curvature did not differ between the two ethnic groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both Caucasian and Chinese demonstrated opening of anterior chamber angle width, expansion of anterior chamber dimensions, and flattening of iris convexity after laser peripheral iridotomy. Although certain aspects of anterior segment anatomy differed between Caucasians and Chinese preoperatively, they did not translate into significant ethnic differences in the amount of laser peripheral iridotomy-induced changes in the anterior segment biometric parameters.

Acute angle closure: qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the anterior segment using anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate different mechanisms of acute angle closure and to compare it with unaffected fellow eyes and primary angle closure suspects using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional. PARTICIPANTS: 116 eyes (76 patients) with angle closure disease were included. METHODS: Eyes were categorized into three groups: (i) acute angle closure (40 eyes); (ii) fellow eyes of acute angle closure (40 eyes); and (iii) primary angle closure suspect (36 eyes). Complete ophthalmic examinations including gonioscopy, A-scan biometry and anterior segment optical coherence tomography were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Based on the anterior segment optical coherence tomography images, four mechanisms of primary angle closure including pupil block, plateau iris configuration, thick peripheral iris roll and exaggerated lens vault were evaluated among the three subtypes of angle closure disease. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the mechanism of angle closure disease among the three groups (P < 0.001). Although the majority of fellow and primary angle closure suspect eyes had pupil block mechanism (77.5% and 75%, respectively), only 37.5% of acute angle closure eyes had dominant pupil block mechanism. The percentage because of exaggerated lens vault was greatest in acute angle closure eyes (50%). Acute angle closure eyes had the shallowest anterior chamber depth (P < 0.001), least iris curvature (P < 0.001) and greatest lens vault (P = 0.003) compared with the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: A statistically significant difference in the underlying primary angle closure mechanisms among acute angle closure eyes as compared with their fellow eyes and primary angle closure suspect may exist.

Diagnostic Abilities of Three-dimensional Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography in Detecting Angle Closure.

PRCIS: 3D-angle parameters and cutoff values for detecting angle closure were proposed. The 3D parameters demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance. Certain horizontal 2D parameters (i.e.,TISA-750, AOD-750, and AOD-500) can attain similar performance to their high-performing 3D counterparts. PURPOSE: To investigate the diagnostic performance of single horizontal 2-dimensional (2D) versus 3-dimensional (3D) angle parameters from swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (CASIA2) in detecting angle closure. METHODS: The cross-sectional study included 118 phakic subjects (59 open-angle, 59 closed-angle). Angle opening distance (AOD), angle recess area (ARA), trabecular-iris space area (TISA) at 250, 500, and 750 µm from scleral spur were measured in 360° radial-scan images. The 3D information of each measurement was analyzed in two patterns: (1) average 3D parameter - the averaged value from 360-degree angle values, and (2) estimate 3D parameter - the estimation of surface area of circumferential angle inlet (using AOD) or circumferential angle volume (using ARA and TISA). The areas under receiver operating curve (AUCs) of eighteen 3D parameters were compared with 2D horizontal parameters. RESULTS: Among 3D parameters, AOD-500 estimate 3D gave the highest AUC (AUC 0.950, cut-off 6.09 mm2), followed by AOD-750 estimate 3D (AUC 0.948, cut-off 8.26 mm2). 3D parameters significantly increased the AUC of ARA-250 and TISA-250 (all P<0.02) compared to the 2D parameters. No significant improvement in AUC was demonstrated for AOD-250 and all parameters at 500 and 750 µm. No significant difference in AUC was found among the six maximum AUC parameters which were AOD-750 horizontal 2D, AOD-500 estimate 3D, TISA-750 horizontal 2D, AOD-500 horizontal 2D, AOD-750 estimate 3D and TISA-750 average 3D. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D-angle parameters had high performance in detecting angle closure. However, comparing a horizontal measurement to 3D parameters, the AUC improvement was mostly insignificant.

Glaucoma severity and medication adherence in a county hospital population.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between disease severity and adherence with glaucoma medications in a county hospital population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 126 patients diagnosed with glaucoma receiving intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medication were recruited from the San Francisco General Hospital Ophthalmology Clinic. METHODS: Subjects completed an oral questionnaire to assess demographic information, knowledge of glaucoma, and perceptions of glaucoma medication adherence. Glaucoma disease severity was classified according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Preferred Practice Pattern guidelines. Medication adherence was measured for each patient by obtaining pharmacy refill data and calculating medication possession ratio (MPR), that is, the ratio of total days' supply of medication during a 365-day period. Adherence was measured retrospectively over the 18-month period before study entry. Subjects with an MPR >80% were considered adherent. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Medication adherence. RESULTS: Subjects with mild or moderate glaucoma were more likely to be nonadherent to their prescribed glaucoma medications than those with severe disease (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-2.31; P = 0.04). Age, gender, race, education level, years of glaucoma, number of medications, and glaucoma diagnosis were not found to be statistically significantly associated with adherence. CONCLUSION: Patients with severe glaucoma were more likely to adhere to their topical IOP-lowering medication regimen than those with milder glaucomatous disease. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Evaluation of the anterior chamber angle in glaucoma: a report by the american academy of ophthalmology.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the published literature pertaining to the association between anterior segment imaging and gonioscopy and to determine whether such imaging aids in the diagnosis of primary angle closure (PAC). METHODS: Literature searches of the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were last conducted on July 6, 2011. The searches yielded 371 unique citations. Members of the Ophthalmic Technology Assessment Committee Glaucoma Panel reviewed the titles and abstracts of these articles and selected 134 of possible clinical significance for further review. The panel reviewed the full text of these articles and identified 79 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, for which the panel methodologist assigned a level of evidence based on a standardized grading scheme adopted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Three, 70, and 6 studies were rated as providing level I, II, and III evidence, respectively. RESULTS: Quantitative and qualitative parameters defined from ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT), Scheimpflug photography, and the scanning peripheral anterior chamber depth analyzer (SPAC) demonstrate a strong association with the results of gonioscopy. There is substantial variability in the type of information obtained from each imaging method. Imaging of structures posterior to the iris is possible only with UBM. Direct imaging of the anterior chamber angle (ACA) is possible using UBM and OCT. The ability to acquire OCT images in a completely dark environment allows greater sensitivity in detecting eyes with appositional angle closure. Noncontact imaging using OCT, Scheimpflug photography, or SPAC makes these methods more attractive for large-scale PAC screening than contact imaging using UBM. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is evidence suggesting that anterior segment imaging provides useful information in the evaluation of PAC, none of these imaging methods provides sufficient information about the ACA anatomy to be considered a substitute for gonioscopy. Longitudinal studies are needed to validate the diagnostic significance of the parameters measured by these instruments for prospectively identifying individuals at risk for PAC. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Intravitreal ranibizumab as an adjunct for Ahmed valve surgery in open-angle glaucoma: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: To determine the safety and efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab therapy before and after Ahmed tube insertion for open-angle glaucoma as a means of optimizing postoperative intraocular pressure control. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: Open-angle glaucoma patients scheduled for Ahmed tube insertion, randomized to ranibizumab or control groups. METHODS: Ranibizumab (0.5 mg in 0.05 mL) was administered intravitreally at three time points: 9 days prior to surgery, 1 month post-surgery and 2 months post-surgery. Control patients underwent the same procedure without ranibizumab. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Success at 6 months postoperatively was defined as intraocular pressure <18 mmHg with no adjunctive medications or intraocular pressure <15 mmHg with one adjunctive medication. RESULTS: The study and control arms included six and five subjects, respectively, with four in each arm undergoing combined cataract surgery. In the ranibizumab arm, the preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure/medication usage was 21.0 ± 6.7 mmHg on 3.2 ± 1.5 medications and 14.7 ± 1.9 mmHg on 0.5 ± 0.8 medications, respectively. In the control arm, preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure/medication usage was 18.8 ± 3.8 mmHg on 2.8 ± 1.3 medications and 16.2 ± 3.6 mmHg with 1.8 ± 1.6 medications, respectively. Success was achieved in 83% of subjects in the ranibizumab group compared with 40% in the control group (two-tailed Fisher's exact test, P = 0.24). CONCLUSION: The findings from this small pilot comparative study suggest that intravitreal ranibizumab use may be a safe and potentially effective adjunctive treatment modality in improving success after Ahmed tube placement.

Ethnic differences in intraocular pressure reduction and changes in anterior segment biometric parameters following cataract surgery by phacoemulsification.

BACKGROUND: To determine the association between ethnicity and changes in intraocular pressure and anterior segment biometric parameters following cataract surgery by phacoemulsification in nonglaucomatous subjects. DESIGN: Prospective clinical cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Caucasian and Asian subjects. METHODS: Customized software was used to calculate parameters from anterior segment optical coherence tomography images obtained preoperatively and at 3 months following cataract surgery by phacoemulsification. The percentage changes in intraocular pressure and anterior segment biometric parameters following cataract surgery by phacoemulsification were modelled as a function of ethnicity using linear mixed-effects regression, a likelihood ratio test function that adjusted for age, sex and the use of both eyes in the same subject, to determine the association between ethnicity and postoperative outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intraocular pressure, angle opening distance, anterior chamber depth, anterior chamber volume, and angle recess area. RESULTS: Fifty Asian and 23 Caucasian nonglaucomatous eyes were analysed. Postoperative decrease in intraocular pressure and increases in angle opening distance, anterior chamber depth, anterior chamber volume and angle recess area were observed within each ethnic group (P < 0.005). The percent changes in intraocular pressure, angle opening distance, anterior chamber depth, anterior chamber volume and angle recess area did not differ between ethnic groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, regardless of ethnic classification, subjects who received cataract surgery by phacoemulsification experienced a significant postoperative decrease in intraocular pressure and increases in angle opening distance, anterior chamber depth, anterior chamber volume and angle recess area. The percent changes in postoperative outcomes did not differ significantly by ethnicity.

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy in Filipino vs Caucasian Americans: a retrospective cross-sectional epidemiologic study of two convenience samples.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in Filipino and Caucasian Americans in two clinic populations. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional epidemiologic study of two convenience samples. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Five hundred twelve Filipino and 600 Caucasian patients aged 40 years or older examined by two community-based comprehensive ophthalmology clinics during a one-year period. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported type 2 diabetes mellitus among Filipino (F) and Caucasian Americans (C) was 40.6% and 24.8%, respectively (P<.001). In the subpopulation with type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=375: 208 Filipino; 149 Caucasian), there was a statistically insignificant higher prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among Filipino diabetics compared to Caucasians (F vs C: all forms of diabetic retinopathy, 24.5% vs 16.8%, P=.08; non-proliferative retinopathy, 17.3% vs 12.8%, P=.24; proliferative retinopathy, 7.2% vs. 4.0%, P=.21). In multivariate analyses of the diabetic subpopulation, Filipino ethnicity was not a significant predictor of diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Filipino Americans may have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy than Caucasian Americans. Among those with type 2 diabetes, however, Filipino Americans were not found to be more likely to show manifestations of diabetic retinopathy than Caucasian Americans.