Phacoemulsification with Kahook Dual Blade goniotomy in eyes with medically treated glaucoma: analysis of surgical outcomes and success predictors / Facoemulsificação combinada à goniotomia com Kahook Dual Blade em olhos com glaucoma tratado clinicamente: análise dos resultados cirúrgicos e preditores de sucesso

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the postoperative outcomes and evaluate the success predictors of phacoemulsification with Kahook Dual Blade goniotomy for cataract and glaucoma management in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma. Methods: This was a retrospective, non-comparative; inter ventional case series in which all patients with primary open-angle glaucoma who underwent phacoemulsification with Kahook Dual Blade goniotomy between June 2018 and April 2019 were enrolled. All the participants had a minimum follow-up period of 6 months. Preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure values (at 1, 3, and 6 months), number of antiglaucoma medications, best-corrected visual acuity, surgical complications, and any subsequent related events or procedures were recorded. A logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between the different variables and surgical outcomes. Results: A total of 47 patients (57 eyes) were included (mean age, 70.5 ± 7 years). The mean intraocular pressure was reduced from 15.5 ± 4.2 mmHg to 12.2 ± 2.4 mmHg at the last follow-up visit (p<0.001). The mean number of antiglaucoma medications decreased significantly from 1.9 ± 1.0 to 0.6 ± 1.0 during the same period (p<0.001). On the basis of the predefined criterion (intraocular pressure reduction ≥20% and/or reduction ≥1 medication), the 6-month success rate was 86%. A higher preoperative intraocular pressure value (odds ratio [OR]= 2.01; p=0.016) and greater percentage of initial (30 days) intraocular pressure reduction (OR= 1.02; p=0.033) were sig nificantly associated with surgical success. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that phacoemulsification with Kahook Dual Blade goniotomy is an effective and safe alternative for cataract management in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma that positively impacts intraocular pressure control and medication burden. Eyes with higher baseline intraocular pressure and a more pronounced initial response to the procedure appeared to present better outcomes at 6 months. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety profile of the procedure.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar os resultados pós-operatórios e avaliar os preditores de sucesso da facoemulsificação combinada à goniotomia com o Kahook Dual Blade para o tratamento da catarata e do glaucoma em olhos com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto. Métodos: Série de casos retrospectivos, não comparativos e intervencionistas, em que todos os pacientes com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto submetidos ao procedimento de facoemulsificação combinada à goniotomia com o Kahook Dual Blade entre junho de 2018 e abril de 2019 foram inscritos. Todos os participantes tiveram um acompanhamento mínimo de 6 meses. Foram registrados os valores de pressão intraocular pré e pós-operatória (em 1, 3 e 6 meses), número de medicamentos antiglaucomatosos, melhor acuidade visual corrigida, complicações cirúrgicas e quaisquer eventos ou procedimentos subsequentes relacionados. A análise de regressão logística foi usada para investigar a associação entre diferentes variáveis e resultados cirúrgicos. Resultados: Um total de 57 olhos de 47 pacientes foram incluídos (média de idade, 70,5 ± 7 anos). A pressão intraocular média reduziu de 15,5 ± 4,2 mmHg para 12,2 ± 2,4 mmHg na última visita de acompanhamento (p<0,001). O número médio de medicamentos antiglaucomatosos diminuiu significativamente de 1,9 ± 1,0 para 0,6 ± 1,0 durante o mesmo período (p<0,001). Com base no critério predefinido (redução da pressão intraocular ≥20% e/ou redução de ≥1 medicamento), a taxa de sucesso em 6 meses foi de 86%. Um valor de pressão intraocular pré-operatório mais alto (OR= 2,01; p=0,016) e maior porcentagem de redução da pressão intraocular inicial (30 dias) (OR= 1,02; p=0,033) foram significativamente associados ao sucesso cirúrgico. Conclusão: Nossos resultados sugerem que o procedimento de facoemulsificação combinada à goniotomia com o Kahook Dual Blade é uma alternativa eficaz e segura para o manejo da catarata em olhos com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto, impactando positivamente no controle da pressão intraocular e no número de medicamentos. Olhos com pressão intraocular basal mais alta e resposta inicial mais pronunciada ao procedimento parecem apresentar melhores resultados em 6 meses. Mais estudos são necessários para avaliar a eficácia em longo prazo e o perfil de segurança.

Lack of association between provocative test-based intraocular pressure parameters and functional loss in treated glaucoma patients / Falta de associação entre parâmetros de pressão intraocular obtidos pelo teste de sobrecarga hídrica e dano funcional em pacientes com glaucoma

ABSTRACT Purpose: To correlate provocative test-based intraocular pressure (IOP) variation parameters (fluctuation and peak) with functional status, and to compare these IOP parameters between treated eyes with asymmetric primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: A prospective observational study including consecutively treated patients with primary open-angle glaucoma was performed. Subjects with ocular diseases other than glaucoma or previous incisional glaucoma surgery were excluded. The primary inclusion criteria were 33 visual field tests and 32 years of follow-up, without any changes on current medical regimen. Long-term intraocular pressure parameters were acquired via isolated intraocular pressure measurements from the patients' last 5 office visits. To evaluate provocative test-based intraocular pressure parameters, all patients were submitted to a water drinking test. Initially, the partial correlation coefficients between each intraocular pressure variation parameter and visual field mean deviation were calculated, adjusting for the baseline intraocular pressure and number of antiglaucoma medications. In addition, each intraocular pressure parameter was compared between eyes with better visual field mean deviation and fellow eyes with worse visual field mean deviation in patients with asymmetric visual field loss (defined as an inter-eye visual field mean deviation difference of at least 3 dB). Results: A total of 87 eyes (87 patients; mean age, 61.9 ± 12.5 years; 59.8% women) with primary open-angle glaucoma were included. The patients underwent a median of 5 visual field tests, with a mean follow-up of 4.3 ± 1.4 years. Neither long-term nor water-drinking test intraocular pressure variation parameters were significantly associated with visual field mean deviation values (p30.117). In the subgroup with asymmetric visual field loss (64 eyes of 32 patients; mean age, 65.0 ± 11.4 years), neither long-term water-drinking test intraocular pressure variation parameters differed significantly between eyes with better and worse visual field mean deviation (p30.400). Conclusion: Our results indicate that neither long-term intraocular pressure variation parameters nor stress test-derived intraocular pressure metrics, as assessed by the water-drinking test, appear to correlate with the visual field status or differ significantly between eyes with asymmetric visual field damage, suggesting that other factors may explain such functional asymmetry, and that the water-drinking test does not add significant information to these cases.

RESUMO Objetivo: Correlacionar os parâmetros de variação da pressão intraocular (flutuação e pico) com o dano funcional em pacientes tratados com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto, e comparar esses parâmetros de pressão intraocular entre olhos com dano funcional assimétrico. Métodos: Estudo observacio nal prospectivo foi realizado incluindo consecutivamente pa cientes tratados com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto. Foram excluídos indivíduos com outras doenças oculares que não o glaucoma ou cirurgia prévia incisional de glaucoma. Os principais critérios de inclusão foram: 33 testes de campo visual e 32 anos de acompanhamento, sem quaisquer alterações no regime medicamentoso atual. Parâmetros de pressão intraocular de longo prazo foram obtidos através de medidas de pressão intraocular isoladas de cada consulta (as últimas 5 consultas de cada paciente foram consideradas para análise). Para avaliação dos parâmetros de pressão intraocular de curto prazo, todos os pacientes foram submetidos ao teste de sobrecarga hídrica. Ini cialmente, calculamos os coeficientes de correlação parcial de cada parâmetro de variação da pressão intraocular com o nível de dano funcional, baseado no índice Mean Deviation (MD), ajustando para a pressão intraocular basal e o número de medicações antiglaucomatosas. Além disso, comparamos cada parâmetro de pressão intraocular entre os olhos com melhor e pior nível de dano funcional em pacientes com perda de campo visual assimétrica (definida como diferença no índice mean deviation entre os olhos de pelo menos 3 dB). Resultados: Foram incluídos 87 olhos (87 pacientes) com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto. A idade média foi de 61,9 ± 12,5 anos e 59,8% eram mulheres. Em geral, os pacientes foram submetidos a 5 testes (mediana) de campo visual, com um seguimento médio de 4,3 ± 1,4 anos. Nem os parâmetros de variação da pressão intraocular de longo prazo nem aqueles obtidos pelo teste de sobrecarga hídrica se correlacionaram significativamente com o nível de dano no campo visual (p30,117). No subgrupo com perda de campo visual assimétrica (64 olhos de 32 pacientes; idade média, 65,0 ± 11,4 anos), nem os parâmetros de variação da pressão intraocular de longo prazo nem os obtidos pelo teste de sobrecarga hídrica diferiram significativamente entre olhos com melhor e pior nível de dano funcional (p3 0,400). Conclusão: Nossos resultados indicam que não apenas parâmetros de variação da pressão intraocular de longo prazo, mas também medidas de pressão intraocular derivadas do teste de sobrecarga hídrica, não parecem se correlacionar com o nível de dano do campo visual, nem diferem significativamente entre olhos com nível de dano funcional assimétrico. Esses achados sugerem que outros fatores poderiam explicar essa assimetria funcional e que o teste de sobrecarga hídrica não acrescenta informações significativas a esses casos.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty as an initial treatment option for open-angle glaucoma / Trabeculoplastia seletiva como opção terapêutica inicial para o tratamento do glaucoma de ângulo aberto

ABSTRACT Although eye drops are frequently used as an initial treatment option for open angle glaucoma (OAG), side effects, and poor adherence, among others, may compromise treatment efficacy. In this scenario, laser trabeculoplasty is an interesting therapeutic option for open angle glaucoma cases. Commonly used for many years as a last alternative prior to glaucoma incisional surgery, laser trabeculoplasty has been changing its indication after the advent of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT). In the current review, we critically evaluated the published data regarding the use of laser trabeculoplasty as a first treatment option for open angle glaucoma patients. Studies using SLT as a first-line treatment have encouraging findings. One-year efficacy results are comparable to those obtained with prostaglandin analogues, with a good safety profile. Although the laser´s effect is known to be transitory, recent data suggest it can be successfully repeated in cases with good response to the first SLT treatment.

RESUMO Embora a terapia tópica seja frequentemente usada como primeira opção para o tratamento inicial do glaucoma de ângulo aberto (GAA), efeitos colaterais, baixa adesão, entre outros fatores podem comprometer a eficácia do tratamento. Nesse cenário, a trabeculoplastia a laser surge como uma opção terapêutica interessante. Comumente usada como última alternativa antes da cirurgia antiglaucomatosa incisional por muitos anos, a trabeculoplastia a laser tem sido indicada cada vez mais cedo com o advento da trabeculoplastia seletiva a laser (SLT). Nessa revisão, nós avaliamos criticamente as publicações sobre trabeculoplastia a laser como primeira opção para glaucoma de ângulo aberto. Os estudos de SLT como primeira opção terapêutica têm apresentado dados animadores. Os resultados de um ano de acompanhamento mostram eficácia semelhante àquela obtida com análogos de prostaglandinas. Embora o efeito do laser seja transitório, estudos recentes sugerem que o procedimento pode ser repetido com sucesso nos casos que tiveram boa resposta ao primeiro tratamento com SLT.

Angle Recession Glaucoma.

Traumatic glaucomas are a very heterogeneous group of entities due to a variety of mechanisms which increase the intraocular pressure in the early or late phase after traumatic injury. Glaucoma after closed globe injury is a major concern because many cases may go unnoticed and are diagnosed many years later as having irreversible glaucomatous optic nerve damage.[1,2] Angle recession is one of the causes for late onset posttraumatic glaucoma; this condition may be underdiagnosed because the onset is often delayed and because a history of eye injury may be distant or forgotten.

Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant in Combination with Laser Photocoagulation for the Treatment of Diffuse Diabetic Macular Edema.

Purpose: To study the efficacy of dexamethasone (DEX) intravitreal implant followed by macular laser after 1-month for diffuse diabetic macular edema (DDME). Methods: Interventional case series of 49 eyes of 33 patients with DDME attending the retina clinic from November 2013 to December 2014. All patients underwent detailed ophthalmic evaluation followed by fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography. The sequential macular laser was done after 1-month after DEX implant. All patients had a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Results: Mean age was 58.33 years ± 9.4 years, mean best corrected visual acuity (VA) was 0.5418 logMAR units at presentation improved to 0.4748 at 1-month and maintained 0.4385 at 3 months and 0.4376 at 6 months follow-up (P = 0.01). Mean Central macular thickness was 529.2 μ at presentation reduced to 285.4 μ at 1-month and maintained 296.1 μ at 3 months and 321.1 μ at 6 months follow-up (P = 0.0001). Total macular volume was 11.78 mm3 at presentation reduced to 7.78 mm3 at 1-month and maintained 7.97 mm3 at 3 months and 8.1 mm3 at 6 months follow-up (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: DEX intravitreal implant followed by macular laser showed favorable results by decreasing macular edema and improving VA in DDME, where the role of laser alone is limited.

Anterior segment imaging in glaucoma: An updated review.

Anterior segment imaging allows for an objective method of visualizing the anterior segment angle. Two of the most commonly used devices for anterior segment imaging include the anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS‑OCT) and the ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). AS‑OCT technology has several types, including time‑domain, swept‑source, and spectral‑domain‑based configurations. We performed a literature search on PubMed for articles containing the text “anterior segment OCT,” “ultrasound biomicroscopy,” and “anterior segment imaging” since 2004, with some pertinent references before 2004 included for completeness. This review compares the advantages and disadvantages of AS‑OCT and UBM, and summarizes the most recent literature regarding the importance of these devices in glaucoma diagnosis and management. These devices not only aid in visualization of the angle, but also have important postsurgical applications in bleb and tube imaging.

Ocular Perfusion Pressure and Pulsatile Ocular Blood Flow in Normal and Systemic Hypertensive Patients.

Purpose: The purpose was to compare the ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) and the pulsatile ocular blood flow (POBF) in normal and systemic hypertensive patients. Materials and Methods: Totally, 121 individuals (normal n = 60, systemic hypertension patients n = 61) were enrolled in this prospective age-matched comparative study. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and systemic arterial pressure were measured in seated position with 2 min interval between the measurements using Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and tycos sphygmomanometer, respectively. The OPP was calculated as 2/3 of mean arterial pressure (MAP) minus IOP. After 5 min in the seated position POBF measurements were taken with the ocular blood flow (OBF) tonograph. Results: Mean age was 57.5 years (range 35-72 years) in the normal group and 59.6 years (range 36-78 years) in the hypertensive group; majority of the patients were female (68.5% and 71% respectively in each group). Measured parameters in both the groups showed, systolic blood pressure (BP) (143.6 ± 20.5 mmHg vs. 121.9 ± 17.5 mmHg), diastolic BP (90.7 ± 13.5 mmHg vs. 80.1 ± 9.9 mmHg), MAP (108.4 ± 14.2 mmHg vs. 94.2 ± 11.2 mmHg), and OPP (57.6 ± 14.6 vs. 48.7 ± 10.6 mmHg) were significantly greater (P = 0.001) in systemic hypertensive patients in comparison to normals. However, there was no difference in OBF tonograph values in both groups. The IOP measured by the OBF tonograph was higher than GAT in both groups, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.41). Conclusion: Systemic hypertensive patients have a higher OPP in comparison to normal patients, but they do not have higher POBF. More studies are required to evaluate the role of the OPP in different ocular pathologies affecting the POBF.

Non-pupillary block angle-closure mechanisms: a comprehensive analysis of their prevalence and treatment outcomes / Mecanismos de fechamento angular sem bloqueio pupilar: análise de prevalência e resultados terapêuticos

Purpose: To assess the prevalence and treatment outcomes of angle-closure mechanisms other than pupillary block in a population of Brazilian patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to evaluate patients who had undergone laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) due to occludable angles at a single institution between July 2009 and April 2012. An occludable angle was defined as an eye in which the posterior trabecular meshwork was not visible for ≥180° on dark-room gonioscopy. Key exclusion criteria were any form of secondary glaucoma and the presence of >90° of peripheral anterior synechiae. Collected data were age, race, gender, angle-closure mechanism (based on indentation goniocopy and ultrasound biomicroscopy), intraocular pressure (IOP), number of antiglaucoma medications and subsequent management during follow-up. If both eyes were eligible, the right eye was arbitrarily selected for analysis. Results: A total of 196 eyes of 196 consecutive patients (mean age 58.3 ± 11.6 years) who underwent LPI were included. In most of the patients [86% (169 patients; 133 women and 36 men]), LPI sucessfully opened the angle. Mean IOP was reduced from 18.3 ± 6.4 mmHg to 15.4 ± 4.5 mmHg after LPI (p<0.01). Among the 27 patients with persistent occludable angles, the most common underlying mechanisms were plateau iris (56%) and lens-induced component (34%). Most of these patients (85%) were treated with argon laser peripheral iridoplasty (ALPI); approximately 90% showed non-occludable angles following the laser procedure (mean IOP reduction of 18.9%), with no significant differences between patients with plateau iris and lens-induced components (p=0.34; mean follow-up of 11.4 ± 3.6 months). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that, in this population of Brazilian patients, several eyes with angle closure were not completely treated with LPI. In the present large case series involving middle-age patients, plateau iris was the ...

Objetivo: Reportar a prevalência e os resultados terapêuticos em casos de fechamento angular por outros mecanismos além de bloqueio pupilar em uma população de pacientes brasileiros. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo para avaliar pacientes apresentando ângulo oclusível submetidos à iridotomia periférica a laser (LPI), em uma única instituição, entre julho/2009 e abril/2012. Ângulo oclusível foi definido pela não observação do trabeculado posterior em mais de 180° à gonioscopia sem identação. Olhos com glaucomas secundários ou >90º de sinéquia anterior periférica foram excluídos. Foram coletados os seguintes dados: idade, raça, sexo, mecanismo de fechamento angular (com base na gonioscopia e biomicroscopia ultrassônica), pressão intraocular (PIO), número de medicações antiglaucomatosas e manejo subsequente durante o seguimento. Sempre que ambos os olhos eram elegíveis, o olho direito foi escolhido arbitrariamente para análise. Resultados: Foram incluídos 196 olhos de 196 pacientes (58,3 ± 11,6 anos) que foram submetidos à LPI. Na maioria dos casos [86% (169 pacientes; 133 mulheres e 36 homens), a LPI foi capaz de abrir o ângulo. A PIO média foi reduzida de 18,3 ± 6,4 para 15,4 ± 4,5 mmHg após a LPI (p<0,01). Entre os 27 casos que persistiram com ângulo oclusível, os mecanismos mais comuns envolvidos foram íris em platô (56%) e induzido por componente cristaliniano (34%). A maioria desses casos (85%) foram tratados com iridoplastia periférica a laser (ALPI). Aproximadamente 90% tornaram-se não oclusíveis após a ALPI (redução média da PIO de 18,9%), não havendo diferença significativa entre os pacientes com componentes de íris em platô ou cristaliniano (p=0,34; seguimento médio de 11,4 ± 3,6 meses). Conclusões: Nossos resultados sugerem que, nessa população de pacientes brasileiros, parte dos olhos com fechamento angular não foi completamente tratada com LPI. Nesta série de pacientes de meia-idade, a presença de íris em ...