Refractory Outcomes after Cataract Surgery in Acute Primary Angle-closure Glaucoma Patients Treated with Laser Iridotomy

PURPOSE: To analyze the accuracy of ocular biometry and prediction of postoperative refraction after cataract surgery in acute primary angle-closure glaucoma (ACG) patients treated with laser iridotomy (LI). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 44 patients who underwent cataract surgery after LI due to ACG (ACG group), and 37 patients who underwent cataract surgery without ocular disease other than cataract (control group) from January 2015 to May 2018. An Acrysof® single piece (SN60WF) was used as the intraocular lens. We performed preoperative ocular biometry and intraocular lens power calculations using AL-Scan®. The accuracy of the postoperative refractive power prediction was analyzed according to the anterior chamber depth (ACD) and axial length (AL). RESULTS: The preoperative ACD was 2.29 ± 0.32 mm in the ACG group and 3.15 ± 0.27 mm in the control group (p 2.31 mm in the ACG group (0.27 ± 0.20 D) and control group (0.27 ± 0.20 D). There was no significant difference in the mean absoluter error between each formula in patients with an AL of 22.1 mm in the ACG and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients treated with LI due to ACG, those patients with an ACD > 2.31 mm showed no difference in refractory prediction compared to the control group. However, in patients with an ACD < 2.30 mm, the refractory prediction may be inaccurate when using the Haigis formula, a fourth-generation formula that takes into account the ACD.

Validity of Korean Version Reading Speed Application and Measurement of Reading Speed: Pilot Study

PURPOSE: Reading speed is one of the methods used to measure near visual function. Although several versions of reading charts in different languages have been introduced, there is no Korean version of the reading chart yet. Therefore, we investigated the reading speed of normal-sighted Korean people using a recently developed reading speed application for the iPad tablet in Korea. METHODS: Normal-sighted participants without presbyopia were included and a third generation retina display iPad was used to measure reading speed. The iPad screen was set to maximum brightness and the examination was performed at a distance of 40 cm. Reading speeds were recorded twice: one for reading the sentence silently (reading only) and one for reading the sentence out loud (reading & speaking). RESULTS: The test sentences used in the application had 18.9 ± 2.6 letters and 6.5 ± 0.7 words on average. Twenty-five males and seventeen females were included. The average of the reading only speed was 202.3 ± 88.4 words per minute (WPM), and that of the reading & speaking speed was 129.7 ± 25.9 WPM, showing a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This Korean reading chart application is the first self-reporting reading chart in Korean. This chart could present a new standard for measuring both reading only and reading & speaking speeds.

Reinsertion of the Anterior Chamber Intraocular Lens with Long-Term Protruded Haptic

PURPOSE: To report a case of anterior chamber intraocular lens (ACL) reposition with the haptic protruded into the subconjunctiva in a patient with a previous ACL implantation. CASE SUMMARY: A 64-year-old man visited our clinic because of visual disturbance and discomfort in his right eye. Approximately 8 years earlier, he had cataract surgery and there was no visual improvement but eye discomfort. The haptic of the ACL protruded into the subconjunctiva at 11-1 o'clock. The visual acuity of the right eye was 0.2 and the intraocular pressure of the right eye was 27 mmHg. The ACL was repositioned because of low cell density (1222 cells/mm2). After 6 months, the visual acuity of the right eye was 0.3, best corrected visual acuity was 0.8, intraocular pressure was 12 mmHg and cell density was 838 cells/mm2. There were no inflammation signs or complications. CONCLUSIONS: Reinserting ACL when the haptic is protruding into the subconjunctiva could be a simple and safe method when a decrease in corneal endothelial cell density is present.

Effects of Mitomycin C on Trabeculectomy Outcomes in Patients Who Preoperatively Used Prostaglandin Ophthalmic Solution

PURPOSE: To investigate whether mitomycin C (MMC) results in an improved trabeculectomy outcome in primary open-angle glaucoma patients who preoperatively used prostaglandin (PG) ophthalmic solution. METHODS: The subjects consisted of three groups of primary open-angle glaucoma patients who underwent trabeculectomy. Group A consisted of 17 patients who did not use PG ophthalmic solution preoperatively, while Group B consisted of ten patients who used PG ophthalmic solution for at least three months but were not treated with MMC during the operation, and Group C consisted of 14 patients who used PG ophthalmic solution for at least three months and were treated with MMC during the operation. The operation was considered successful when the intraocular pressure ranged from 6 to 18 mmHg, regardless of application of ocular hypotensive agents. RESULTS: Four years after the operation, differences of the cumulative success rate between Group A and B (p = 0.008) and between Group B and Group C (p = 0.036) were statistically significant, but differences between Group A and C were not (p = 0.813) (Log rank test results). CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative success rate of trabeculectomy in primary open-angle glaucoma patients who used PG ophthalmic solution for at least three months was lower than that of patients who did not use PG ophthalmic solution. However, the intraoperative administration of MMC increased the cumulative success rate of trabeculectomy in patients who did use PG ophthalmic solution for at least three months to a level similar to patients who did not use PG ophthalmic solution.

Phacoemulsification versus Combined Phacotrabeculectomy in Closed-Angle Patients with Re-Elevated Intraocular Pressure after Peripheral Iridotomy

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical courses between phacoemulsification (PE) and PE with combined trabeculectomy (phacotrabeculectomy, PETL) in closed-angle patients with re-elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) after laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI). METHODS: Closed-angle patients whose IOP re-elevated between 19 and 38 mm Hg after LPI were included. Medical records of 26 patients in the PE group and 21 patients in the PETL group who were followed for more than 12 months after surgery were reviewed for clinical course. RESULTS: The IOP courses after surgery showed no statistical difference during the study period except at 1 and 7 days after surgery, in which IOP in the PETL group were lower than that in the PE group. The number of anti-glaucoma drugs also showed no significant difference except at 6 months, when the number was greater in the PE group. Success rates for IOP below 18 mm Hg at 3 years were 96.2% in the PE group, higher than the 69.8% in the PETL group (Log Rank test, p = 0.015). Postoperative complications were found in 2 patients in the PE group and in 8 patients in the PETL group (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that PE is a viable surgical alternative to PETL in closed-angle patients who have mildly re-elevated IOP after LPI.

Re-Elevation of Intraocular Pressure after Peripheral Laser Iridotomy in Patients with Closed Angle

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term effects of maintenance of intraocular pressure (IOP) after peripheral laser iridotomy (PLI) in patients with closed angle. METHODS: The patients who received PLI were assessed and divided into 2 groups. There were 38 patients (41 eyes) with a history or ocular findings of acute angle-closure attack in Group A, and 54 patients (70 eyes) who underwent prophylactic PLI in Group B. IOP over 18 mm Hg was considered to be re-elevated. The number of patients with re-elevated IOP and the duration until the re-elevation was investigated. RESULTS: The amount of IOP elevation immediately after PLI at 6, 24, and 48 months was 0.9, 2.5, and 2.6 mm Hg in Group A, and 0.1, 0.5, 0.5 mm Hg in Group B, respectively. The IOP re-elevation rate was 26.8, 40.0, and 51.4% at 6, 24, and 48 months in Group A and 8.6, 27.2, and 30.4% in Group B with statistically significant difference (p = 0.02, log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: Close, long-term observation for patients who receive PLI is recommended because there is a high risk of IOP re-elevation within 1 year after PLI. After prophylactic PLI, IOP was maintained under 18 mm Hg for a longer period than after acute angle-closure attack, thus performing preventive PLI should be considered.

Effect of Excision of Avascular Bleb and Advancement of Adjacent Conjunctiva for Treatment of Hypotony

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of excision of avascular bleb and advancement of adjacent conjunctiva (EBAC) for treatment of hypotony after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC). METHODS: Fifteen patients (17 eyes) who received EBAC for correction of hypotony between September 1996 and October 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. The main outcomes were intraocular pressure (IOP) and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Hypotony (IOP <6 mmHg) of eight eyes (47.1%, seven patients) was caused by bleb perforation. Of these, two eyes (two patients) had a history of trauma. Hypotony appeared at 33.9+/-30.8 months, and EBAC was performed at 48.2+/-35.3 months after trabeculectomy with MMC. The mean follow-up period was 38.3+/-29.8 months. The qualified success rate of EBAC was 100% at 51 months after EBAC, and the complete success rate of EBAC was 76.5% at six months and 70.6% at 51 months, as determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Post-EBAC complications included blepharoptosis in four eyes (23.5%) and bleb perforation in one (5.9%). The blepharoptosis resolved within one month after EBAC in two patients. However, in the other patients, mild blepharoptosis remained at 17 and 22 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: EBAC was found to be an effective method for treatment of hypotony after trabeculectomy with MMC, and postoperative blepharoptosis was a major complication.

Cup-to-Disc Ratio, Intraocular Pressure, and Occlusion Site in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

PURPOSE: To investigate correlations among the cup-to-disc ratio (CDR), intraocular pressure (IOP), and the occlusion site in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: This prospective study involved 62 eyes with a diagnosis of BRVO. Fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, Goldmann applanation tonometry, and optical coherence tomography were performed. Correlations among CDR, IOP, and the occlusion site were analyzed. RESULTS: A negative correlation was found between the occlusion site and IOP (p<0.001, Pearson's correlation analysis) and between the occlusion site and CDR (p<0.001, Pearson's correlation analysis). However, the correlation between IOP and CDR was poor (p=0.092, Pearson's correlation analysis). CONCLUSIONS: BRVOs with an occlusion site near the optic disc are associated with raised IOP and CDR values. This study suggests that the occurrence of BRVO with an occlusion site near the optic disc indicates that the patient should be evaluated for glaucoma.

Effect of Needle Revision of Failed Filtering Blebs with Different Concentrations of Mitomycin C

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and the risk factors for failure and complications of mitomycin C (MMC)-augmented needle revision (NR) of failed filtering blebs. METHODS: Thirty eyes whose intraocular pressure (IOP) did not decrease after the cutting of scleral flap sutures were recruited. NR was performed with a 26-gauge needle under a slit-lamp. Immediately following NR, all eyes received a subconjunctival injection of 0.1 ml of 0.02 mg/ml (group A) or 0.1 mg/ml (group B) MMC at the adjacent conjunctiva. The mean follow-up period after the last needle revision was 13.2+/-4.2 months. RESULTS: The mean IOP decreased from 25.7+/-10.6 mmHg before surgery to 13.7+/-2.5 mmHg at the last follow-up in group A and from 24.1+/-6.8 mmHg to 17.7+/-8.6 mmHg in group B (group A: p=0.001, group B: p=0.065). Subconjunctival hemorrhage, hyphema, and a shallow anterior chamber appeared in most cases. However, choridal detachment and avascular changes of the conjunctiva were observed in group B. CONCLUSIONS: IOP decreased in both groups A and B, but severe complications appeared only in group B. NR followed by a subconjunctival injection of 0.02 rather than 0.1 mg/ml is a safe and effective method.

The Clinical Outcomes of Lens Exchange in Patients with Opacified Posterior Chamber Lens

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of posterior chamber lens (PCL) exchange in patients with opacified foldable PCLs. METHODS: This study consisted of 31 patients (35 eyes) who had received phacoemulsification and implantation of foldable intraocular lenses in the bag or sulcus and developed late opacification of the PCL. All patients reported a reduction of visual acuity and deterioration in vision. The PCLs were explanted and replaced with new PMMA lenses. The perioperative complications and the best corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) before and after surgery were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean visual acuities (logMAR value) before and after IOL exchange were 0.59+/-0.80 and 0.21+/-0.27, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.005, paired t-test). Intraoperative complications included posterior capsule rupture in six patients, zonular dehiscence in three patients, and both in one patient. Postoperative complications included intraocular pressure elevation in five patients and cystoid macular edema in two patients. One patient showed hypopyon at 6 days postoperatively, which lasted for 3 months, but she showed good visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Intraocular lens exchange was a safe and effective treatment for patients whose PCLs were opacified.

Effect of Cataract Extraction in Chronic Angle-closure Glaucoma Patients

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of cataract extraction in chronic angle-closure glaucoma (CACG) patients. METHODS: Sixteen eyes from 14 patients with CACG underwent phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCL) implantation (group A), and 19 eyes from 17 patients with CACG underwent cataract surgery and additional trabeculectomy (combined surgery, group B) were evaluated for visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications and surgical complications. All patients had patent peripheral iridotomy holes before cataract surgery, and a minimum 6 month follow-up period was needed. RESULTS: The mean postoperative follow-up period was 15.6 months in group A, and 21.7 months in group B. After surgery, the IOP was significantly reduced in both groups [from 16.1 mmHg to 13.8 mmHg in group A (P=0.013), and from 16.7 mmHg to 13.2 mmHg in group B (P=0.005)], but the amount of IOP reduction was not significantly different between the two groups (P=0.401). The relative decrease in the mean number of postoperative glaucoma medications was 0.9 in group A and 1.8 in group B, but these were not significantly different (P=0.060). CONCLUSIONS: Simple cataract surgery was effective in reducing IOP as much as combined surgery in CACG patients. These results affirm that phacoemusification with PCL implantation may be considered as the first treatment in cataract and CACG patients.

Rotation Flap of Tenon's Capsule for Treating Hypotony

PURPOSE: To report a case of rotational flap of Tenon's capsule for hypotony with choroidal detachment occurring after trabeculectomy and needle revision (NR) of a nonfunctioning bleb. METHODS: An 15-year-old female, suffering acute angle-closure glaucoma with lens dislocation into anterior chamber, underwent pars plana vitrectomy, lensectomy, and intraocular lens scleral fixation. Three months later, trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC) and NR with MMC were performed to decrease intraocular pressure (IOP). After 5th NR, hypotony with choroidal detachment occurred. Consequently, bleb revision and rotation flap of the autologous Tenon's capsule were performed. RESULTS: One week after surgery, IOP was 18 mmHg, and a diffuse bleb was formed. Choroidal detachment improved with remaining vascular tortuisity and chorioretinal folds. At five months, best corrected visual acuity was 0.5, IOP was 20 mmHg, vascular tortuisity decreased, and chorioretinal folds disappeared in the macula. CONCLUSIONS: Hypotony with choroidal detachment occurring after needle revision was treated effectively with bleb revision and rotation at flap of autologous Tenon's capsule.