First observation of secondary childhood glaucoma in Coffin-Siris syndrome: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Severe congenital ophthalmological malformations and glaucoma might be an important occasional feature in patients with Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS), especially Coffin-Siris syndrome 9 (CSS9, OMIM #615866) caused by SOX11 mutation. Recently, primary (open-angle) glaucoma was described in two children with the most common form of Coffin-Siris syndrome, CSS1 (OMIM #135900) by ARID1B (AT-rich interaction domain-containing protein 1B) gene mutation. In this article, we present the first report of glaucoma with Coffin-Siris syndrome 9 as well as the first report of secondary glaucoma with any form of Coffin-Siris syndrome. These findings indicate that secondary glaucoma is an occasional finding in patients with Coffin-Siris syndrome. CASE PRESENTATION: A child with secondary childhood glaucoma and additional ocular manifestations was evaluated and treated at the childhood glaucoma centre in Mainz, Germany. Examination under general anaesthesia revealed ocular anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD) (Peters type iridocorneal dysgenesis) in combination with congenital limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), aniridia, and cataract. The patient also had multiple other congenital anomalies and severe developmental delay. To explain his combination of anomalies, molecular genetic analysis from peripheral blood was performed in late 2018 and early 2019. Following normal findings with a panel diagnostic of 18 genes associated with congenital glaucoma, whole exome sequencing was performed and revealed a novel likely pathogenic heterozygous variant c.251G>T, p.(Gly84Val) in the SOX11 gene (SRY-related HMG-box gene 11). The variant had occurred de novo. Thus, the multiple congenital anomalies and developmental delay of the patient represented Coffin-Siris syndrome 9 (CSS9, OMIM #615866). CONCLUSIONS: When eye diseases occur in combination with other systemic features, genetic analysis can be seminal. Results indicate that glaucoma is an occasional feature of patients with Coffin-Siris syndrome. As early treatment may improve the visual outcome of patients with glaucoma, we suggest that patients with Coffin-Siris syndrome should receive specific ophthalmological screening.

Conjunctival fibrosis following filtering glaucoma surgery.

Despite advances in surgical technique and postoperative care, fibrosis remains the major impediment to a marked reduction of intraocular pressure without the need of additional medication (complete success) following filtering glaucoma surgery. Several aspects specific to filtering surgery may contribute to enhanced fibrosis. Changes in conjunctival tissue structure and composition due to preceding treatments as well as alterations in interstitial fluid flow and content due to aqueous humor efflux may act as important drivers of fibrosis. In light of these pathophysiological considerations, current and possible future strategies to control fibrosis following filtering glaucoma surgery are discussed.

Status and perspectives of neuroprotective therapies in glaucoma: the European Glaucoma Society White Paper.

Glaucoma, a chronic progressive neuropathy and the most frequent cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, is commonly treated by medication or surgery aimed at lowering intraocular pressure. In view of the limited therapeutic options, the European Glaucoma Society (EGS) sponsored two Think Tank Meetings with the goal of assessing the current status and the overall perspectives for neuroprotective treatment strategies in glaucoma. The results of the meetings are summarized in this EGS White Paper.

Comparison of phacotrabeculectomy versus phacocanaloplasty in the treatment of patients with concomitant cataract and glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: Cataract and glaucoma are both common comorbidities among older patients. Combining glaucoma surgery with minimal invasive phacoemulsification (phaco) is a considerable option to treat both conditions at the same time, although the combination with filtration surgery can produce a strong inflammatory response. Combined non-penetrating procedures like canaloplasty have shown to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) comparable to trabeculectomy without the risk of serious bleb-related complications. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the outcomes of phacotrabeculectomy and phacocanaloplasty. METHODS: Thirty-nine eyes with concomitant cataract and glaucoma who underwent phacotrabeculectomy (n=20; 51.3%) or phacocanaloplasty (n=19; 48.7%) were included into this trial on reduction of IOP, use of medication, success rate, incidence of complications and postsurgical interventions. Complete success was defined as IOP reduction by 30% or more and to 21 mmHg or less (definition 1a) or IOP to less than 18 mmHg (definition 2a) without glaucoma medication. RESULTS: Over a 12-month follow-up, baseline IOP significantly decreased from 30.0 ± 5.3 mmHg with a mean of 2.5 ± 1.2 glaucoma medications to 11.7 ± 3.5 mmHg with a mean of 0.2 ± 0.4 medications in eyes with phacotrabeculectomy (P< .0001). Eyes with phacocanaloplasty had a preoperative IOP of 28.3 ± 4.1 mmHg and were on 2.8 ± 1.1 IOP-lowering drugs. At 12 months, IOP significantly decreased to 12.6 ± 2.1 mmHg and less glaucoma medications were necessary (mean 1.0 ± 1.5 topical medications; P< .05). 15 patients (78.9%) with phacotrabeculectomy and 9 patients (60.0%) in the phacocanaloplasty group showed complete success according to definition 1 and 2 after 1 year (P= .276). Postsurgical complications were seen in 7 patients (36.8%) of the phacocanaloplasty group which included intraoperative macroperforation of the trabeculo-Descemet membrane (5.3%), hyphema (21.1%) and bleb formation (10.5%). Although more complications were observed in the phacotrabeculectomy group, no statistically significant difference was found. CONCLUSIONS: Phacocanaloplasty offers a new alternative to phacotrabeculectomy for treatment of concomitant glaucoma and cataract, although phacotrabeculectomy yielded in better results in terms of IOP maintained without glaucoma medications.

Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Modified Canaloplasty Versus Trabeculectomy in Open-Angle Glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of modified canaloplasty versus trabeculectomy in open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: In total, 210 subjects with open-angle glaucoma were included. 70 were treated with Mitomycin C-augmented modified canaloplasty with enhanced subconjunctival filtration and 140 with Mitomycin C-augmented trabeculectomy. Cases were matched 1:2 by sex and age. RESULTS: In canaloplasty and trabeculectomy groups, 61.4% and 57.9% of participants were female. Mean age was 60.0 ± 13.9 and 63.0 ± 12.2 years, median follow-up time was 4.6 [IQR 4.3, 5.05] years and 5.8 [IQR 5.4, 6.3]. Strict success was achieved in 20.0% and 56.4%, complete success in 24.3% and 66.4%, and qualified success in 34.3% and 73.6% (each p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a better survival probability for trabeculectomy than for canaloplasty (p < 0.001) and Cox regression analysis revealed an HR of 6.03 (95%-CI 3.66, 9.93, p < 0.001) after canaloplasty. Trabeculectomy showed superiority in terms of IOP decrease (9.2 ± 7.9 mmHg vs. 13.7 ± 10.4 mmHg, p = 0.002), use of AGM (50.0% vs. 10.7%, p < 0.001), and the number of revision surgeries (41.4% vs. 21.4%, p = 0.004). Occurrence of complications was similar in both groups (14.5% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: Trabeculectomy showed superiority in efficacy and equality in safety compared to modified canaloplasty.

European Glaucoma Society - A guide on surgical innovation for glaucoma.

PROLOGUE: Glaucoma surgery has been, for many decades now, dominated by the universal gold standard which is trabeculectomy augmented with antimetabolites. Tubes also came into the scene to complement what we use to call conventional or traditional glaucoma surgery. More recently we experienced a changing glaucoma surgery environment with the "advent" of what we have become used to calling Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS). What is the unmet need, what is the gap that these newcomers aim to fill? Hippocrates taught us "bring benefit, not harm" and new glaucoma techniques and devices aim to provide safer surgery compared to conventional surgery. For the patient, but also for the clinician, safety is important. Is more safety achieved with new glaucoma surgery and, if so, is it associated with better, equivalent, or worse efficacy? Is new glaucoma surgery intended to replace conventional surgery or to complement it as an 'add-on' to what clinicians already have in their hands to manage glaucoma? Which surgery should be chosen for which patient? What are the options? Are they equivalent? These are too many questions for the clinician! What are the answers to the questions? What is the evidence to support answers? Do we need more evidence and how can we produce high-quality evidence? This EGS Guide explores the changing and challenging glaucoma surgery environment aiming to provide answers to these questions. The EGS uses four words to highlight a continuum: Innovation, Education, Communication, and Implementation. Translating innovation to successful implementation is crucially important and requires high-quality evidence to ensure steps forward to a positive impact on health care when it comes to implementation. The vision of EGS is to provide the best possible well-being and minimal glaucomainduced visual disability in individuals with glaucoma within an affordable healthcare system. In this regard, assessing the changes in glaucoma surgery is a pivotal contribution to better care. As mentioned, this Guide aims to provide answers to the crucial questions above. However, every clinician is aware that answers may differ for every person: an individualised approach is needed. Therefore, there will be no uniform answer for all situations and all patients. Clinicians would need, through the clinical method and possibly some algorithm, to reach answers and decisions at the individual level. In this regard, evidence is needed to support clinicians to make decisions. Of key importance in this Guide is to provide an overview of existing evidence on glaucoma surgery and specifically on recent innovations and novel devices, but also to set standards in surgical design and reporting for future studies on glaucoma surgical innovation. Designing studies in surgery is particularly challenging because of many subtle variations inherent to surgery and hence multiple factors involved in the outcome, but even more because one needs to define carefully outcomes relevant to the research question but also to the future translation into clinical practice. In addition this Guide aims to provide clinical recommendations on novel procedures already in use when insufficient evidence exists. EGS has a long tradition to provide guidance to the ophthalmic community in Europe and worldwide through the EGS Guidelines (now in their 5th Edition). The EGS leadership recognized that the changing environment in glaucoma surgery currently represents a major challenge for the clinician, needing specific guidance. Therefore, the decision was made to issue this Guide on Glaucoma Surgery in order to help clinicians to make appropriate decisions for their patients and also to provide the framework and guidance for researchers to improve the quality of evidence in future studies. Ultimately this Guide will support better Glaucoma Care in accordance with EGS's Vision and Mission. Fotis Topouzis EGS President

Diurnal and nocturnal intraocular pressure fluctuations after trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare diurnal and nocturnal intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations before and after trabeculectomy, and to evaluate the potential of trabeculectomy to even out IOP peaks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, 35 diurnal and nocturnal IOP curves of patients (35 eyes) who underwent trabeculectomy were analyzed. Diurnal and nocturnal IOP profiles were recorded from 06:00 to 23:59 and 00:00 to 06:00, respectively. Follow-up was at least 300 days. Two criteria for success were defined: (1) IOP ≤21 mm Hg and at least a 20% IOP reduction from baseline; (2) <18 mm Hg without medication. RESULTS: The preoperative maximum diurnal and nocturnal IOP (IOP(max)) were 26.5 ± 5.9 and 23.4 ± 5.2 mm Hg, respectively. The postoperative diurnal and nocturnal IOP(max) were 16 ± 4.4 and 16 ± 5.4 mm Hg, respectively. Pre- to postoperative IOP reductions were statistically different (day 40% and night 32%; p < 0.001). Diurnal fluctuation was reduced significantly from 12.1 ± 4.2 mm Hg preoperatively to 5.6 ± 2.2 mm Hg postoperatively (reduction of 54%), and nocturnal fluctuation from 7.1 ± 4.5 to 3.9 ± 4.1 mm Hg (reduction of 46%, statistically insignificant due to large SD), respectively. Success criteria 1 and 2 were achieved in 71 and 54% of patients at daytime and in 63 and 57% at nighttime (no statistically significant difference detectable). Follow-up was 2.1 ± 1.7 years. CONCLUSIONS: Trabeculectomy achieves a leveling of IOP(max) in the diurnal-nocturnal comparison. The preoperative fluctuations could be nearly bisected. Relating to the success criteria, the statistical analysis did not reveal a difference in the diurnal-nocturnal comparison.

Results of childhood glaucoma surgery over a long-term period.

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term results of glaucoma surgery in newborn and infants with glaucoma. METHODS: Seventy-nine eyes of 52 children (age: 3 weeks-15.3 years) with primary congenital or secondary glaucoma treated between 2015 and 2017 were included. The median follow-up time was 3.9 years. Conventional probe trabeculotomy, 360° catheter-assisted trabeculotomy, filtering and cyclodestructive surgery were compared. Strict criteria for surgical success were applied: Complete surgical success (IOP below target IOP, no further surgery) and incomplete surgical success (additional surgery allowed) were analyzed, and IOP at baseline and last follow-up was compared. RESULTS: Intraocular pressure (IOP) was significantly reduced in primary congenital (preoperative IOP: 27.8 ± 7.5 mmHg vs. postoperative IOP: 14.2 ± 4.5 mmHg) and secondary glaucoma (preoperative IOP: 29.2 ± 9.1 mmHg vs. postoperative IOP: 16.6 ± 4.7 mmHg). 90% of all eyes reached target IOP with or without medication allowing for additional surgeries. As first surgery, 360° catheter-assisted trabeculotomy had a tendency to higher surgical success than other surgical approaches, while cyclodestructive procedures had lowest. CONCLUSIONS: We found very promising surgical results in our childhood glaucoma patient group. Surgical success in both congenital and secondary glaucoma was high.

Childhood glaucoma registry in Germany: initial database, clinical care and research (pilot study).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective pilot study is to establish an initial database to register patients diagnosed with different types of childhood glaucoma and the set-up of a national registry for childhood glaucoma (ReCG) in Germany. 28 children with different types of diagnosed childhood glaucoma, who were admitted and treated at the Childhood Glaucoma Center of the University Medical Center Mainz, Germany were included. Main outcome measures were the type of childhood glaucoma, mean intraocular pressure (IOP) and genetic data of the patients. RESULTS: The documents and questionnaires for each individual included: informed consent form of the parents, medical history form of the child, patient's gestational history questionnaire and general anesthesia examination form. Primary congenital and secondary childhood glaucoma were revealed in 11 (39%) and 17 (61%) patients, respectively. The mean IOP measured with Perkins tonometer in all patients under general anesthesia at the time of inclusion was 17.5 ± 11.8 mmHg in the right and 17 ± 8.9 mmHg in the left eyes. In 33% of children with glaucoma mutations in the CYP1B1, FOXC1, LTBP2 and TEK genes were found. The development of specific questionnaires for childhood glaucoma provides detailed baseline data to establish a ReCG in Germany for the first time.

The prognostic value of the wuerzburg bleb classification score for the outcome of trabeculectomy.

BACKGROUND: the Wuerzburg bleb classification score (WBCS) aims at an objective and standardized assessment of the developing filtering bleb after trabeculectomy, in order to detect and treat bleb scarring at the earliest possible stage of development. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the early postoperative WBCS for the long-term outcome of trabeculectomy. METHODS: the WBCS is a grading system for clinical bleb morphology. It evaluates the following parameters: vascularization, corkscrew vessels, encapsulation and microcysts. The WBCS of 113 eyes of 113 consecutive patients after trabeculectomy was determined 1 day, 1 and 2 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Complete success was defined as an intra-ocular pressure (IOP) <21 mm Hg and >20% pressure reduction without glaucoma medication after 1 year. RESULTS: a complete success rate of 73.9% and a qualified success rate of 82.4% were achieved 1 year after surgery. The average total bleb score during follow-up in the success group was always higher than in the failure group, but there was no statistically significant difference at any time. The bleb average score for eyes with an IOP of ≤ 12 mm Hg after 2 weeks was significantly higher (p = 0.005) than for eyes with an IOP ≥ 13 mm Hg at the end of follow-up. CONCLUSION: patients with a higher early WBCS postoperatively had a significantly lower IOP 1 year after surgery. However, the study could not reveal a certain prognostic value of the early total bleb score using the WBCS for the long-term complete success of trabeculectomy.

[Results of filtering trabeculotomy (FTO) compared to conventional trabeculectomy (TE)-a matched case control study]. / Ergebnisse der filtrierenden Trabekulotomie (FTO) im Vergleich zur konventionellen Trabekulektomie (TE) ­ eine gematchte Fall-Kontroll-Studie.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the 2­year results of filtering trabeculotomy (FTO) compared to conventional trabeculectomy (TE) in primary open-angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, and pigmentary glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients after FTO and 87 patients after TE were included in the study. Both groups were matched 1:3 according to age and intraocular pressure (IOP). The primary endpoint was reaching the target IOP after 2 years. An IOP without medication of ≤ 18 mm Hg and an IOP reduction of ≥ 30% were defined as complete success, and as qualified success with medication. Secondary endpoints were mean IOP reduction, resulting visual acuity, complications and subsequent operations. The surgical technique of the FTO is available as a video for this article. RESULTS: The 2­year data from 27 patients with FTO and 68 patients with TE were evaluated. The patients in both groups were matched according to age and IOP but were also homogeneous with respect to visual acuity, gender, and medication. The preoperative IOP with glaucoma medication was 23.0 mm Hg in both groups. According to the defined criteria, a qualified 2­year success was achieved in 70.4% of the FTO group and in 77.6% of the TE group (p = 0.60) and a complete 2­year success in 33.3% of the FTO group and 56.7% of the TE group (p = 0.07). The IOP was significantly reduced after 24 months in both surgical groups (p < 0.001) and was 12.8 mm Hg in the FTO group and 11.0 mm Hg in the TE group. Visual acuity was moderately reduced postoperatively but did not differ significantly between the two groups. Complication and reoperation rates were low and not different between both groups. CONCLUSION: The results of FTO and TE are largely similar after 2 years in terms of complete and qualified success rate, lowering of IOP, visual acuity, and complications.

Outcome of Bleb Revision With Autologous Conjunctival Graft Alone or Combined With Donor Scleral Graft for Late-onset Bleb Leakage With Hypotony After Standard Trabeculectomy With Mitomycin C.

PRCIS: Treatment of leakage with ocular hypotony after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC) can be safely achieved through conjunctival patch alone or combined with donor scleral graft in cases of melted underlying sclera. PURPOSE: To report outcomes of 2 surgical approaches for treating ocular hypotony in eyes with blebs with late-onset leakage after standard trabeculectomy with MMC. METHODS: Thirty consecutive cases with bleb leakage and hypotony underwent bleb revision surgery between 2009 and 2014 by the same surgeon (J.W.) at the Department of Ophthalmology of the Mainz University Medical Center, Germany. In 18 patients, an autologous conjunctival patch graft was applied. In 12 patients, the underlying sclera was found melted and an additional scleral donor graft was sutured in place. The authors analyzed intraocular pressure, visual acuity, and optical coherence tomography of the macula preoperatively at 1 day, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: The mean IOP was 6.2±3.5 mm Hg preoperatively and 21.7±16.4 mm Hg at 1 day, 13.7±6.7 at 1 week, 13.1±5.1 mm Hg at 4 weeks, and 12.1±4.7 mm Hg at 6 months after surgery. Visual acuity (logMar) increased from 0.57±0.49 preoperatively to 0.49±0.40 at 6 months. Optical coherence tomography showed flattening of macular folds that were present before treatment. No serious adverse event was reported. CONCLUSIONS: This revision technique with conjunctival patch and/or additional donor scleral graft is an effective and safe method for treating late bleb leakage and hypotony maculopathy after trabeculectomy with MMC.

Anaesthetic protocol for paediatric glaucoma examinations: the prospective EyeBIS Study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Neonates and young infants with diagnosed or highly suspected glaucoma require an examination under anaesthesia to achieve accurate intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements, since crying or squinting of the eyes may increase IOP and lead to falsely high values. IOP considerably depends on perioperative variables such as haemodynamic factors, anaesthetics, depth of anaesthesia and airway management. The aim of this paper is to report the design and baseline characteristics of EyeBIS, which is a study to develop a standardised anaesthetic protocol for the measurement of IOP under anaesthesia in childhood glaucoma, by investigating the link between the magnitude of IOP and depth of anaesthesia. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a single-centre, prospective cohort study in 100 children with diagnosed or highly suspected glaucoma all undergoing ophthalmological examination under general anaesthesia. 20 children, who undergo general anaesthesia for other reasons, are included as controls. The primary outcome measure is the establishment of a standardised anaesthetic protocol for IOP measurement in childhood glaucoma by assessing the relationship between IOP and depth of anaesthesia (calculated as an electroencephalography variable, the bispectral index), with special emphasis on airway management and haemodynamic parameters. The dependence of IOP under anaesthesia on airway management and haemodynamic parameters will be described, using a mixed linear model. Restricting the model to patients with healthy eyes will allow to determine a 95% reference region, in which 95% of the measurement values of patients with healthy eyes can be expected. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the local ethics committee of the Medical Association of Rhineland-Palatine (Ethik-Kommisssion der Landesaerztekammer Rheinland-Pfalz), Germany (approval number: 2019-14207). This work will be disseminated by publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts, presentation in abstract form at national and international scientific meetings and data sharing with other investigators. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT03972852).

Twenty-Years of Experience in Childhood Glaucoma Surgery.

To quantify the results of childhood glaucoma treatment over time in a cohort of children with different types of childhood glaucoma. A retrospective cohort study of consecutive cases involving children with primary congenital glaucoma, primary juvenile, and secondary juvenile glaucoma at the Childhood Glaucoma Center, University Medical Center Mainz, Germany from 1995 to 2015 was conducted. The main outcome measure was the long-term development of intraocular pressure. Further parameters such as surgical success, refraction, corneal diameter, axial length, and surgical procedure in children with different types of childhood glaucoma were evaluated. Surgical success was defined as IOP < 21 mmHg in eyes without a need for further intervention for pressure reduction. A total of 93 glaucomatous eyes of 61 childhood glaucoma patients with a mean age of 3.7 ± 5.1 years were included. The overall mean intraocular pressure at first visit was 32.8 ± 10.2 mmHg and decreased to 15.5 ± 7.3 mmHg at the last visit. In the median follow-up time of 78.2 months, 271 surgical interventions were performed (130 of these were cyclophotocoagulations). Many (61.9%) of the eyes that underwent surgery achieved complete surgical success without additional medication. Qualified surgical success (with or without additional medication) was reached by 84.5% of the eyes.

First Results from the Prospective German Registry for Childhood Glaucoma: Phenotype-Genotype Association.

Childhood glaucoma is a heterogeneous disease and can be associated with various genetic alterations. The aim of this study was to report first results of the phenotype-genotype relationship in a German childhood glaucoma cohort. Forty-nine eyes of 29 children diagnosed with childhood glaucoma were prospectively included in the registry. Besides medical history, non-genetic risk factor anamnesis and examination results, genetic examination report was obtained (23 cases). DNA from peripheral blood or buccal swab was used for molecular genetic analysis using a specific glaucoma gene panel. Primary endpoint was the distribution of causative genetic mutations and associated disorders. Median age was 1.8 (IQR 0.6; 3.8) years, 64% participants were female. Secondary childhood glaucoma (55%) was more common than primary childhood glaucoma (41%). In 14%, parental consanguinity was indicated. A mutation was found in all these cases, which makes consanguinity an important risk factor for genetic causes in childhood glaucoma. CYP1B1 (30%) and TEK (10%) mutations were found in primary childhood glaucoma patients. In secondary childhood glaucoma cases, alterations in CYP1B1 (25%), SOX11 (13%), FOXC1 (13%), GJA8 (13%) and LTBP2 (13%) were detected. Congenital cataract was associated with variants in FYCO1 and CRYBB3 (25% each), and one case of primary megalocornea with a CHRDL1 aberration. Novel variants of causative genetic mutations were found. Distribution of childhood glaucoma types and causative genes was comparable to previous investigated cohorts. This is the first prospective study using standardized forms to determine phenotypes and non-genetic factors in childhood glaucoma with the aim to evaluate their association with genotypes in childhood glaucoma.

Retrospective evaluation of two-year results with a filtering trabeculotomy in comparison to conventional trabeculectomy by exact matching.

Background: To compare two-year results of a filtering trabeculotomy (FTO) to conventional trabeculectomy (TE) in open-angle glaucoma by exact matching. Methods: 110 patients received an FTO and 86 a TE. FTO avoided the need for an iridectomy due to a preserved trabeculo-descemet window anterior to the scleral flap. TE employed a trabecular block excision and iridectomy. Mitomycin C was used in both. FTO and TE were exact matched by baseline intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of glaucoma medications. Complete and qualified success (IOP ≤18 mmHg and IOP reduction ≥ 30%, with or without medication) were primary endpoints. IOP, visual acuity (BCVA), complications and intervention were secondary endpoints. Results: 44 FTO were exact matched to 44 TE. The IOP baseline in both groups was 22.5±4.7 mmHg on 3±0.9 medications. At 24 months, complete success was reached by 59% in FTO and 66% in TE, and qualified success by 59% in FTO and 71% in TE. In FTO, IOP was reduced to 12.4±4.3 mmHg at 12 months and 13.1±4.1 mmHg at 24 months. In TE, IOP was 11.3±2.2 mmHg at 12 months and 12.0±3.5 mmHg at 24 months. Medications could be reduced at 24 months to 0.6±1.3 in FTO and 0.2±0.5 in TE. There were no significant differences between the two groups in IOP, medications, complications or interventions at any point. Conclusion: Modifying aqueous flow through a limited trabeculotomy in FTO yielded clinical outcomes similar to traditional TE but allowed to avoid an iridectomy.

Influence of conjunctival suture removal on the outcome of trabeculectomy.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the influence of early conjunctival suture removal following trabeculectomy on postoperative outcome. METHODS: In a prospective randomized clinical trial 73 eyes of 69 consecutive patients eligible for primary trabeculectomy were included in the study. Eyes were randomly assigned to a control or intervention group. Trabeculectomy was performed with a fornix-based conjunctival flap and a conjunctival running mattress-suture. In the intervention group, the conjunctival suture was removed 4 weeks postoperatively, in the control group the suture remained in place. Both groups were followed for up to 12 months and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction, corneal topography, intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior segment and fundus were assessed preoperatively and within a week, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows (t test for independent samples). RESULTS: Trabeculectomy induced similar astigmatism in both groups. Compared to the control group, suture removal seemed to improve BCVA at 6 and 12 months. This was associated with a significantly lower IOP at 6 and 12 months and a significantly higher complete success rate at 12 months (94 vs. 65%, p < 0.001). Astigmatism was not significantly altered by suture removal. CONCLUSION: Conjunctival suture material appears to hamper trabeculectomy success and postoperative visual acuity. This is independent of postoperative astigmatism. Early removal of conjunctival sutures is advisable.

XEN-augmented Baerveldt Implantation for Refractory Childhood Glaucoma: A Retrospective Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Tube implants can lead to long-term decompensation of the cornea after decades, in particular in complicated childhood glaucoma, because of a variety of causes including contact between the tube tip and the corneal endothelium. The augmentation of a XEN implant with a Baerveldt (250) tube implant, introduced 2016 by Mermoud et al for refractory glaucoma in adult patients, may reduce this risk in children. In our retrospective study, we report on the XEN-augmented Baerveldt (250) tube implant in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten consecutive patients with refractory childhood glaucoma who underwent XEN-augmented Baerveldt implantation by a single surgeon (F.G.) between January 2016 and August 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. In this technique, a XEN tube was inserted under a standard scleral flap from outside into the anterior chamber and its outer end was connected to the Baerveldt (250) tube. The follow-up consisted of regular anterior and posterior segment examination with intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements using a hand-held slit lamp and a Perkins applanation tonometer and/or rebound tonometer (Icare). RESULTS: Ten cases (6 female individuals, 4 male individuals, median age 6 years) were operated using a XEN-augmented Baerveldt implant [aphakic glaucoma, primary congenital glaucoma, secondary congenital glaucoma (Peters anomaly), ectropion uveae, and Stickler syndrome were 4, 3, 1, 1, and 1]. Before surgery (XEN-augmented Baerveldt implantation), median IOP was 31 mm Hg. At the last postoperative follow-up, the mean IOP was 18.5 mm Hg with a median follow-up period of 13 months (range, 3 to 21 mo). No shallow or flat anterior chamber was observed. In all cases, this technique could be performed without intraoperative complications. In 3 cases, however, a surgical revision was necessary. There was no prolonged postoperative hypotony or short-term corneal alteration. By using an S-shaped loop the original Baerveldt tube length could be preserved for potential future use. In a total of 6 out of 10 cases, the procedure was a complete success (IOP, ≤20 mm Hg without additional medication). CONCLUSIONS: XEN-augmented Baerveldt implantation was used for refractory pediatric glaucoma in which conventional surgery had already failed. A new additional modification using an S-shaped loop was introduced. Short-term IOP control seems promising, but long-term results are still pending and the long-term efficacy and safety must still be proven before this technique can be generally recommended.