Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy in patients with advanced glaucoma

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of gonioscopy?assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in patients with advanced glaucoma. Methods: Records of 46 patients with advanced glaucoma were reviewed retrospectively in this single?center chart review. The main outcome measure was surgical success; intra?ocular pressure (IOP) and IOP lowering medication use were secondary outcome measures. Success was defined as an IOP of 18 mmHg or lower (criterion A) or 14 mmHg or lower (criterion B) and one of the following: IOP reduction >30% from baseline on the same or fewer medications or IOP ? of baseline on fewer medications as compared to baseline. Results: Forty?seven eyes were included in the analysis. The average mean deviation was ?17.5 ± 7.2 dB (range ?8.0 to ?33.0). The average follow?up was 6.8 months (range 3.2–22.3). Success at 6 months was 91% for criterion A and 75% for criterion B (n = 33). Mean IOP was reduced from 19.3 ± 6 mmHg (12–40) on 3.7 ± 1.4 medications to 13.2 ± 5.8 mmHg on 1.6 ± 1.4 medications at the 6th post?operative month (P < 0.001 for both IOP and medications). At the last follow?up visit, 37 patients (78%) had an IOP of 14 mmHg or lower, and ten of these patients were unmedicated. Transient hyphema and IOP spikes were the most prevalent adverse events following surgery. Three eyes required further surgery for IOP control. None of the patients lost vision because of surgery. Conclusions: GATT is a viable surgical option in cases of advanced glaucoma. Careful patient selection and attentive post?operative management are imperative.

To compare central visual field progression using mean deviation and pointwise linear regression analysis

Purpose: To compare central visual field progression using mean deviation and pointwise linear regression (PLR) analysis. Methods: We analyzed the 10?2 Humphrey visual field (HVF) tests for moderate and advanced primary glaucoma who had undergone at least five reliable 10?2 visual field tests with a minimum follow?up of at least two years and best?corrected visual acuity better than 6/12. Regression slope less than ?1 dB/year at P < 0.01 at a point was defined as an individual threshold point progression. Results: Ninety?six eyes of 74 patients were included. The median follow?up duration was of 4 years (±1.97). Median 10?2 mean deviation (MD) at inclusion was ?19.01 dB (interquartile range [IQR] ?13.2, ?24.14) and ?21.90 (IQR ? 13.4, ?27.8) on 24?2 HVF. The median rate of MD change was ?0.13 dB/year (IQR ? 0.46, 0.08) for 10?2. The median rate for visual field index (VFI) change was 0.9% per year (IQR ? 1.5, 0.4). Twenty?eight percent of eyes (27 eyes) showed progression. Twelve percent (12 eyes) showed progression of two or more points in the same hemifield on pointwise linear regression (PLR) analysis, and 16% of eyes (15 eyes) showed progression of one point. The median rate of MD change was significantly more in progressing eyes based on PLR analysis than eyes with no progression (?0.5 vs. ?0.06 dB/year P < 0.001). One patient had likely and the second had possible progression on 24?2. In 24 eyes, event analysis did not show any change; the rest mean deviation was out of range. Conclusion: Central visual field PLR analysis is useful in detecting progression in advanced glaucomatous damage.

Short-term outcomes of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation as a primary versus additional therapy in eyes with uncontrolled glaucoma

Purpose: To study the safety and efficacy outcomes of Micropulse Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation (MP?TSCPC) as a primary versus additional therapy in eyes with uncontrolled glaucoma. Methods: This was a prospective, interventional, comparative study. All patients with advanced and refractory glaucoma treated with MP?TSCPC from April 2020 to December 2020 were recruited in this study. Results: A total of 77 eyes of 77 patients were analyzed. Group A (n = 33), included patients with advanced glaucoma at high risk for invasive surgery, who underwent MP?TSCPC as the primary intervention, and group B (n = 44) included patients who had undergone previous surgical intervention and MP?TSCPC was used additionally to control the intraocular pressure (IOP). Mean IOP and mean number of antiglaucoma medications were 34.06 (13.9) mmHg and 3.64 (0.7), respectively, in group A and 35.61 (11.5) mmHg and 3.73 (0.9), respectively, in Group B. Postoperatively, the mean IOP and percentage of IOP reduction were significantly lower at 1, 3, and 6 months, that is, 20.78 (32%), 22.07 (30%), and 19.09 (37%), respectively, in group A and 23.68 (35%), 19.50 (44%), and 19.61 (42%), respectively, in group B, but there was no difference between the groups at all visits. Postoperative need for ocular hypotensive drugs did not differ in group A (P = 0.231); however, it was significantly lower in group B (P = 0.027). Group A had 87%, 77%, and 74% success rates at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively, whereas group B had 91%, 86%, and 77% success rates at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. Postoperative complications and intervention did not reveal any statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusion: MP?TSCPC may be considered as a temporizing measure both as a primary or as an additional intervention to control the IOP in eyes with refractory and advanced glaucoma that have a high risk of vision?threatening complications with invasive surgery.

Assessment of Risk Factors for Advanced Open Angle Glaucoma Presentation among Patients Visiting Jimma University Medical Center, Jimma, Ethiopia

Glaucoma is the predominant cause of irreversible blindness, particularly the late presentation. The purpose of this study is to identify the risk factors associated with late presentation in Jimma University Medical Center METHODS: A case-control study was done among patients newly diagnosed to have open angle glaucoma (of any type) at Jimma University Medical Center from July 2014 ­ January 2019. Cases were patients/eyes diagnosed to have any type of open angle glaucoma with advanced glaucomatous disc features, whereas controls were patients diagnosed with early and moderate stages of glaucoma. RESULTS: There were 205 (116 cases and 89 controls) participants. The mean age of the participants at the time of diagnosis was 58.3±13.4yrs. Family history of blindness, presenting IOP, type of glaucoma and age were independently associated with late presentation. Patients with family history of blindness had late advanced glaucoma five times higher than those with no family history of blindness. The presence of late glaucoma among patients with presenting intra ocular pressure < 30mmHg is lower than those having ≥30mmHg (Adjusted Odds Ratio= 0.136). Primary open-angle glaucoma patients were less likely to present with advanced glaucoma than pseudo exfoliative glaucoma patients (Adjusted Odds Ratio=0.39). The chance of presenting with late glaucoma was increased by 3.4% for every one-year increment of age. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of family history of blindness, high presenting intraocular pressure, pseudo exfoliative glaucoma and old age are risk factors for late presentation of glaucoma

Esclerectomía profunda no penetrante en el glaucoma avanzado / Non-penetrating deep sclerectomy in advanced glaucoma

El tratamiento del glaucoma se realiza con el objetivo de disminuir los niveles de presión intraocular, único factor tratable hasta el momento, y debe ser individualizado. Se presenta un paciente masculino de 54 años de edad, de piel mestiza, intelectual, con antecedentes de aparente salud y diagnóstico de glaucoma desde hace 10 años. Se realizó trabeculectomía con antimetabolito (mitomicina C) en el ojo izquierdo en el año 2012 por daño glaucomatoso avanzado. En el año 2016 acudió a nuestra consulta y refirió mala visión y descontrol de la presión intraocular de ambos ojos. Se constataron cifras muy elevadas de presión intraocular en ambos ojos, superiores a 30 mmHg; en el ojo derecho la unidad de visión con su mejor corrección y un daño campimétrico muy avanzado limitado a una isla de visión central con caída hasta los 5° centrales, y el ojo izquierdo no alcanzaba la percepción luminosa. Después de combinar 3 líneas farmacológicas con la dosis máxima, los valores de la presión intraocular no eran protectores. Surgió la disyuntiva entre realizar una cirugía filtrante, temiendo al riesgo quirúrgico elevado y tratándose de un ojo único, o no practicar cirugía alguna y solo continuar con el tratamiento farmacológico a pesar de no conseguirse valores de presión intraocular meta. Se decidió realizar esclerectomía profunda no penetrante con antimetabolito (mitomicina C al 0,02 por ciento). No se presentaron complicaciones asociadas y se consiguió el descenso de la presión intraocular a 24 mmHg, por lo que al mes de la cirugía se realizó goniopuntura. Se obtuvo la presión intraocular objetivo, sin progresión del daño glaucomatoso y hubo conservación de la agudeza visual(AU)

Treatment for glaucoma is aimed at reducing the levels of intraocular pressure. This is the only factor that may be treated so far, and it should be individualized. A case is presented of a male 54-year-old mulatto patient, intellectual, with a history of apparently good health who was diagnosed with glaucoma ten years ago. Trabeculectomy with antimetabolite (mitomycin C) was performed on the patient's left eye in the year 2012 due to advanced glaucomatous damage. In the year 2016 the patient attended our service and reported poor vision and uncontrolled intraocular pressure in both eyes. Very high intraocular pressure values above 30 mmHg were confirmed in both eyes. In the right eye the vision unit with its best correction, and very advanced campimetric damage limited to a central vision island with a fall to 5° central, whereas the left eye did not achieve light perception. After combining 3 drug lines at their maximum dosage, intraocular pressure values were not protective. The dilemma arose whether to perform filtration surgery, fearing the high surgical risk, being as it was a single eye, or not to perform any surgery and just go on with the drug treatment despite not having achieved target intraocular pressure values. It was decided to perform non-penetrating deep sclerectomy with antimetabolite (0.02 percent mitomycin C). No associated complications occurred and intraocular pressured fell to 24 mmHg. Therefore, goniopuncture was performed one month after surgery. The target intraocular pressure was obtained without glaucomatous damage progression and visual acuity was preserved(AU)

Visual Field Changes after Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling in Glaucoma Patients with Epiretinal Membrane

PURPOSE: To report visual field changes after internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for macular epiretinal membrane (ERM) according to the severity of glaucoma. METHODS: A retrospective review of 37 eyes from 37 patients who underwent ILM peeling to treat ERM. Standard automated perimetry (Humphrey visual field 24-2 program) was performed preoperatively and postoperatively. Based on the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) scoring system of preoperative visual field, patients were classified into the early glaucoma (AGIS ≤ 1) group or the advanced glaucoma (AGIS ≥ 2) group. Postoperative visual field sensitivity at each point was compared with the preoperative value. RESULTS: Out of 37 eyes, 15 eyes had early glaucoma and 22 had advanced glaucoma. Eyes from both groups had poor postoperative visual field parameters. For eyes with advanced glaucoma, the visual field index was significantly reduced and the visual field damage was larger and wider compared to those with early glaucoma. In both groups, visual field impairment was greater on the nasal side than on the temporal side, and visual acuity was not significantly different. Postoperatively, the macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness was decreased, especially on the temporal side of advanced glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: Visual field impairment was greater and wider in eyes with advanced glaucoma than in those with early glaucoma after ILM peeling in patients with ERM.

Simplifying “target” intraocular pressure for different stages of primary open-angle glaucoma and primary angle-closure glaucoma

Lowering of intraocular pressure is currently the only therapeutic measure for Glaucoma management. Many longterm, randomized trials have shown the efficacy of lowering IOP, either by a percentage of baseline, or to a specified level. This has lead to the concept of 'Target” IOP, a range of IOP on therapy, that would stabilize the Glaucoma/prevent further visual field loss, without significantly affecting a patient's quality of life. A clinical staging of Glaucoma by optic nerve head evaluation and perimetric parameters, allows a patient's eye to be categorized as having – mild, moderate or severe Glaucomatous damage. An initial attempt should be made to achieve the following IOP range for both POAG or PACG after an iridotomy. In mild glaucoma the initial target IOP range could be kept as 15-17 mmHg, for moderate glaucoma 12-15 mmHg and in the severe stage of glaucomatous damage 10-12 mmHg. Factoring in baseline IOP, age, vascular perfusion parameters, and change on perimetry or imaging during follow up, this range may be reassessed over 6 months to a year. “Target” IOP requires further lowering when the patient continues to progress or develops a systemic disease such as a TIA. Conversely, in the event of a very elderly or sick patient with stable nerve and visual field over time, the target IOP could be raised and medications reduced. An appropriate use of medications/laser/surgery to achieve such a “Target” IOP range in POAG or PACG can maintain visual fields and quality of life, preventing Glaucoma blindness.

Evaluation of ExPress glaucoma filtration device in Indian patients with advanced glaucoma.

ExPress glaucoma filtration device (GFD) has recently become available in India as a surgical option for glaucoma patients. We retrospectively evaluated the outcome of ExPress GFD in 12 eyes with advanced glaucoma with intraocular pressures (IOPs) not controlled on maximal tolerable medical therapy. The mean preoperative IOP of 29.58 ± 7.13 mmHg decreased to 17.0 ± 2.67 and 17.40 ± 0.89 mmHg at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Absolute success (IOP ≤ 18 mmHg, with no additional glaucoma medications) was achieved in eight cases (66.7%) and qualified success (IOP ≤ 18 mmHg, with additional glaucoma medications) in two cases (16.7%) at 1‑year after surgery. Early intervention was needed in 4 patients; two underwent anterior chamber reformation while the other two required needling. Two patients required resurgery. There was no significant change in the best corrected visual acuity postoperatively (P = 0.37). ExPress GFD does not seem to offer a benefit over standard trabeculectomy in patients with advanced glaucomatous disease in terms of IOP control or complication rate. However, due to the small sample size with a heterogeneous mixture of primary and secondary glaucoma’s, we await further studies with a larger sample size and long‑term follow‑up, to see how the device performs.

Reproducibility of retinal nerve fiber layer measurements across the glaucoma spectrum using optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: The purpose was to determine intra-session and inter-session reproducibility of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements with the spectral-domain Cirrus optical coherence tomography (OCT)® (SD-OCT) in normal and glaucomatous eyes, including a subset of advanced glaucoma. Materials and Methods: RNFL measurements of 40 eyes of 40 normal subjects and 40 eyes of 40 glaucomatous patients including 14 with advanced glaucoma were obtained on the Cirrus OCT® (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA, USA) five times on 1-day (intra-session) and on five separate days (inter-session). Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (COV), and test-retest variability (TRT) values were calculated for mean and quadrant RNFL in each group separately. Reproducibility values were correlated with age and stage of glaucoma. Results: For intra-session reproducibility, the ICC, COV, and TRT values for mean RNFL thickness in normal eyes were 0.993, 1.96%, and 4.02 μm, respectively, 0.996, 2.39%, and 3.84 μm in glaucomatous eyes, and 0.996, 2.41%, and 3.70 μm in advanced glaucoma. The corresponding inter-session values in normal eyes were 0.992, 2.16%, and 4.09 μm, 0.995, 2.62%, and 3.98 μm in glaucoma and 0.990, 2.70%, and 4.16 μm in advanced glaucoma. The mean RNFL thickness measurements were the most reproducible while the temporal quadrant had the lowest reproducibility values in all groups. There was no correlation between reproducibility and age or mean deviation on visual fields. Conclusions: Peripapillary RNFL thickness measurements using Cirrus OCT® demonstrated excellent reproducibility in normal and glaucomatous eyes, including eyes with advanced glaucoma. Mean RNFL thickness measurements appear to be the most reproducible and probably represent the best parameter to use for longitudinal follow-up.

The Surgical outcomes of combined Phacoemulsification, Posterior Chamber Lens Implantation and Trabeculectomy in Glaucoma Patients

PURPOSE: To access the surgical outcomes of combined cataract surgery and trabeculectomy in glaucoma patients. METHODS: Twenty one patients (23 eyes) with preoperative visual acuity over 0.3 treated by combined surgery in severance hospital from 1997 to 1999 were included in this study. We examined preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, intraocular pressure, number of ocular hypotensive eyedrops, visual field test retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients (23 eyes) were observed. Mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) were 18.62+/-2.58 mmHg and that of postoperative 1-year follow-up period were decreased to 15.43+/-2.04 mmHg (p<0.05). One, 2 and 3 years after surgery, 2 eyes (8%), 3 eyes (13%), 5 eyes (20%) were aggravated by Advanced Glauma Intervention Study (AGIS) scoring system, respectively. Although there was significant decrease in postoperative intraocular pressure (p<0.05), no significant change was observed in postoperative IOP, mean deviation (MD), and corrected pattern standard deviation (CPSD) between aggravated group and non aggravated group. CONCLUSIONS: The IOP was maintained under 21 mmHg following combined cataract surgery and trabeculectomy and AGIS score of some patients was aggravated during the follow up period. There were no significant difference in postoperative IOP, MD and CPSD between aggravated and non aggravated group, but rim volume and rim area decreased significantly in aggravated group at postoperative two years.

The Difference of Reversal of Glaucomatous Cupping After Filtration Surgery Between Advanced Glaucoma and Less Advanced Glaucoma

We investigated whether there was any difference in the extent of cupping reversal after reduction of intraocular pressure(IOP) by trabeculectomy between advanced glaucoma(stage IV of Jonas classification; 6 eyes) and less advanced glaucoma(stage III or less; 5 eyes). Computer-aided morphometry was performed in 11 eyes of 10 adult patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma in whom reversal of glaucomatous cupping was apparent photographically. Mean preoperative IOP, postoperative IOP, and percent reduction of IOP respectively were 42.5+/-8.3mmHg, 12.5+/-3.8mmHg, and 69.1+/-13.2%(range, 40.6 to 81.0%) over a mean period of 22.7+/-14.6 months(range, 5 to 53 months). Mean cup area and cup to disc ratio decreased significantly(P<0.01, Wilcoxon signed rank test). The reversal of rim area/disc area ratio showed a marginally significant correlation with the percent reduction of IOP(Spearman`s correlation coefficient=0.57, P=0.07). The reversal of vertical cup to disc ratio was significaltly lower in eyes with advanced glaucoma than in eyes with less advenced glaucoma(P=0.03, Mann-Whitney U test). Although reversal of other disc parameters tended to be lower in eyes with advanced glaucoma, they were not statistically significant. In eyes with advanced glaucoma, reversal of rim area/disc area ratio was more pronounced in the nasal disc region than in the superior or inferior disc region. Our results suggest that the extent of cupping reversal after reduction of IOP may decrease in the advanced stage of glaucoma than in mild to moderate stages of glaucoma.

The Difference of Reversal of Glaucomatous Cupping After Filtration Surgery Between Advanced Glaucoma and Less Advanced Glaucoma

We investigated whether there was any difference in the extent of cupping reversal after reduction of intraocular pressure(IOP) by trabeculectomy between advanced glaucoma(stage IV of Jonas classification; 6 eyes) and less advanced glaucoma(stage III or less; 5 eyes). Computer-aided morphometry was performed in 11 eyes of 10 adult patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma in whom reversal of glaucomatous cupping was apparent photographically. Mean preoperative IOP, postoperative IOP, and percent reduction of IOP respectively were 42.5+/-8.3mmHg, 12.5+/-3.8mmHg, and 69.1+/-13.2%(range, 40.6 to 81.0%) over a mean period of 22.7+/-14.6 months(range, 5 to 53 months). Mean cup area and cup to disc ratio decreased significantly(P<0.01, Wilcoxon signed rank test). The reversal of rim area/disc area ratio showed a marginally significant correlation with the percent reduction of IOP(Spearman`s correlation coefficient=0.57, P=0.07). The reversal of vertical cup to disc ratio was significaltly lower in eyes with advanced glaucoma than in eyes with less advenced glaucoma(P=0.03, Mann-Whitney U test). Although reversal of other disc parameters tended to be lower in eyes with advanced glaucoma, they were not statistically significant. In eyes with advanced glaucoma, reversal of rim area/disc area ratio was more pronounced in the nasal disc region than in the superior or inferior disc region. Our results suggest that the extent of cupping reversal after reduction of IOP may decrease in the advanced stage of glaucoma than in mild to moderate stages of glaucoma.

Combined Phacoemulsification, Posterior Chamber Lens Implantation and Trabeculectomy in Advanced Glaucoma Patients

The treatment of the patients with coexisting cataract and glaucoma is various. It is possible that small conjuntival and scleral incisions, minimal conjunctival dissection, and less ocular inflammation could decrease wound healing stimuli.So, we studied the results of combined phacoemulsification, posteior chamber lesn implantation and trabeculectomy with or without mitomycin C (MMC) in advanced glaucoma patients with coexisting cataract. The preoperative, postoperative 1months and last follow-up intraocular pressures (mean+/-standard deviation) were 23.4+/-8.29, 12.8+/-2.95 and 14.1+3.37mmHg, respectively. Mitomycin C was applied to 13 eyes in high risk group offiltering bleb failure during the combined operation. The amount of postoperative intraocular pressure decrease was not significantly different between two groups. The preoperative and postoperative last follow-up visual acuities (mean) wer 20/200 and 20/30 in bot group, respectively. The complications were corneal epithelial defect, hyphema and posterior subcapsular opacity. But there wer no hypotony with symptomatic maculopathy and bleb leakage. Therefore combined phacoemulsification, posterior chamber lens implantation and trabeculectomy with or without mitomycin C appears to be a safe and effective surgical technique for treating advanced glaucoma patients with coexisting cataract.

Sudden Wipeout Phenomenon Following Fitering Surgery in Patients with Advanced Glaucoma

It was previously reported that sudden loss of central vision and small residual fields in advanced glaucomatous eyes after filtering surgery. This study was undertaken to assess the risk of sudden wipe-out phenomenon on 57 eyes of advanced glaucomatous patients who could be followed up at least 8 weeks after filterlng surgery. The eyes were classified into three categones according to the seventy of visual field loss, evaluated with Humphrey computerized visual field analyzer and Goldmann perimetry using target with I-4-e. Sudden wipe-out phenomenon was divided into absolute and relative. The former was sudden complete loss of central vision immediately after filtering surgery. The latter was visual acuity decreasing 2 or more lines in Snellen visual acuity chart compared with before surgery or obvious progress1on of visual field defect at the t1me of 8 to 1O weeks after surgery However there were no absolute and relative sudden wipe-out phenomenon in our study. In the light of our experiences, it is concluded that filtering surgery can be performed with caution in advanced glaucomatous eye whenever it is indicated.

Visual Prognosis in Advanced Glaucoma

Many surgeons have noted that when the visual field is markedly constricted, immediate and permanent loss of central vision may follow otherwise successful glaucoma surgery. The present study was undertaken to assess the relative risk of surgical therapy in the loss of central vision in patients with advanced glaucoma. We reviewed the records of 44 eyes(including 8 macular split eyes) of 36 patients who had undergone trabeculectomy. The patients were followed for a minimum of 4 months with an average follow-up of 4.1 years. None of the patients suddenly lost visual field following surgery when central vision was spared at the time of the operation. There was good preservation of preoperative visual acuity except in 3 eyes which developed lens opacity. There was no progression of visual field loss when the intraocular pressure was controlled below 21 mmHg. There was good control of intraocular pressure in 43 out of 44 operated eyes. However, in one of the 2 reoperated eyes, we could not control the intraocular pressure below 21 mmHg.

Visual prognosis in advanced glaucoma

Many surgeons have noted that when the visual field is markedly constricted, immediate and permanent loss of central vision may follow otherwise successful glaucoma surgery. The present study was undertaken to assess the relative risk of surgical therapy in the loss of central vision in patients with advanced glaucoma. We reviewed the records of 44 eyes (including 8 macular split eyes) of 36 patients who had undergone trabeculectomy for intraocular pressure (IOP) control. The patients were followed for a minimum of 4 months with an average follow-up of 4.1 years. None of the patient suddenly lost visual field following surgery when central vision was spared at the time of operation. There was good preservation of preoperative visual acuity except in 3 eyes which developed lens opacity. There was no progression of visual field loss when the IOP was controlled below 21 mmHg. There was good control of IOP of 43 eyes in 44 eyes operated. However, in one of the 2 reoperated eyes, we could not control the IOP below 21 mmHg.