Nonsuperotemporal quadrant implantation of the Ahmed glaucoma valve using modified long scleral tunnel technique for intraocular pressure control

ABSTRACT Purpose: As superotemporal implantation of the Ahmed glaucoma valve is not always feasible in cases of refractory glaucoma, this study examined the characteristics and surgical outcomes of cases in which the valve was implanted in a nonsuperotemporal quadrant using a modified long scleral tunnel technique. Methods: This retrospective case-control study included 37 eyes with nonsuperotemporal quadrant--Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation in Group 1 and 69 eyes with superotemporal Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation in Group 2. The demographic characteristics of these groups, surgical outcomes, including complications, further surgical interventions, and surgical success rates were compared. Surgical success was defined as an intraocular pressure not exceeding 21 mmHg, accompanied by a minimum reduction of 20% in intraocular pressure from the baseline without any additional intraocular pressure-lowering procedures, and the absence of light perception loss or phthisis bulbi. Results: Group 1 had significantly higher numbers of eyes with secondary glaucoma and preoperative surgical procedures than Group 2 (p<0.05). Both groups had mean preoperative intraocular pressure values, and mean intraocular pressure values at the last visit of 34.2 and 27.9 months, 35.5 ± 1.5 and 35.8 ± 1.2 mmHg, and 14.5 ± 5 and 14.9 mmHg, respectively. Although both groups had 70.2% and 75.8% as their five-year cumulative probability of success, respectively, the rates of complications, revisional surgery, and additional surgical procedures did not differ significantly (p>0.05). Conclusion: The modified long scleral tunnel technique for Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation in nonsuperotemporal quadrants achieves intraocular pressure control and complication rates comparable to superotemporal implantation.

Management of glaucoma with Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis / Manejo do glaucoma em olhos com ceratoprótese Boston tipo 1

ABSTRACT Purpose: To describe the frequency, clinical characteristics, complications, and management of glaucoma in eyes that underwent keratoprosthesis implantation. Methods: Patients who underwent keratoprosthesis surgery between June 2010 and January 2020 were retrospectively evaluated for glaucoma association and prognoses. Results: Among 17 patients who underwent keratoprosthesis surgery, 9 (52.9%) were associated with underlying or keratoprosthesis-induced glaucoma. Five eyes (29.4%) had underlying glaucoma and underwent a glaucoma drainage device implantation at least 6 months before keratoprosthesis surgery. One eye (5.9%) with normal intraocular pressure had glaucoma drainage device implantation at the same session with keratoprosthesis surgery due to high-risk characteristics of anterior segment structures. Four eyes with preexisting glaucoma showed progression after keratoprosthesis surgery. Additional antiglaucomatous treatment was commenced in two eyes whereas implantation of 2nd glaucoma drainage device was performed in two eyes. Postoperative complications in three eyes (100%) with glaucoma drainage device implanted 6 months before or at the same session with aphakic type keratoprosthesis surgery with partial vitrectomy included rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in two eyes and bacterial endophthalmitis in one eye. Migration of silicone oil through the tube to the subconjunctival area was seen after pars plana vitrectomy in one eye. None of the three eyes (0%) that underwent glaucoma drainage device implantation years before keratoprosthesis surgery experienced a posterior segment complication other than glaucomatous progression. Out of 11 eyes with no previous history of glaucoma, 3 (27.3%) showed high intraocular pressure and glaucomatous disc changes after keratoprosthesis surgery, which could be pharmacologically controlled. Conclusions: In this cohort, eyes with preexisting glaucoma were more difficult to manage compared to eyes with de novo glaucoma after keratoprosthesis surgery. Retinal complications appeared more often when glaucoma drainage device implantation was performed no more than 6 months before aphakic type keratoprosthesis surgery with partial vitrectomy.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever a frequência, as características clínicas, as complicações e o manejo do glaucoma em olhos submetidos a implantes de ceratoprótese. Métodos: Pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de ceratoprótese entre junho de 2010 e janeiro de 2020 foram avaliados retrospectivamente em termos de glaucoma associado e prognóstico. Resultados: Dos 17 pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de ceratoprótese, em 9 (52,9%) foi constatado glaucoma subjacente ou induzido por ceratoprótese. Cinco olhos (29,4%) tinham glaucoma subjacente e receberam a implantação de um dispositivo de drenagem de glaucoma pelo menos 6 meses antes da cirurgia de ceratoprótese. Um olho (5,9%) com pressão intraocular normal teve implantado um dispositivo de drenagem de glaucoma na mesma sessão da cirurgia de ceratoprótese, devido às características de "alto risco" das estruturas do segmento anterior. Quatro dos olhos com glaucoma preexistente apresentaram progressão após a cirurgia de ceratoprótese. Foi iniciado um tratamento antiglaucomatoso adicional em 2 olhos, enquanto outros 2 olhos receberam o implante de um segundo dispositivo de drenagem de glaucoma. Foram observadas complicações pós-operatórias em 3 olhos (100%) com dispositivo de drenagem de glaucoma implantado 6 meses antes ou na mesma sessão da cirurgia de ceratoprótese tipo afácica com vitrectomia parcial, incluindo descolamento de retina regmatogênico em 2 olhos e endoftalmite bacteriana em 1 olho. Em 1 olho observou-se migração do óleo de silicone para a área subconjuntival através do tubo após vitrectomia via pars plana. Nenhum dos 3 olhos (0%) implantados com dispositivo de drenagem de glaucoma anos antes da cirurgia de ceratoprótese apresentou complicações do segmento posterior, exceto progressão glaucomatosa. Dos 11 olhos sem história prévia de glaucoma, 3 (27,3%) apresentaram alta pressão intraocular e alterações do disco glaucomatoso após cirurgia de ceratoprótese, condições que podem ser controladas clinicamente. Conclusões: Nesta coorte, os olhos com glaucoma pré-existente foram mais difíceis de manejar, comparados àqueles que desenvolveram glaucoma após a cirurgia de ceratoprótese. Apareceram mais complicações retinianas quando o implante do dispositivo de drenagem de glaucoma foi realizado no máximo 6 meses antes da cirurgia de ceratoprótese do tipo afácico com vitrectomia parcial.

Study on dynamic expression of IL-10 on scarring after implantation of glaucoma drainage material / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM:To investigate the dynamic expression characteristics of interleukin-10(IL-10)after implantation of glaucoma drainage material, and to reveal the role of IL-10 on scarring formation.METHODS:Totally 75 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups, which were implanted with different types of material-Polymethyl methacrylate coated Parylene C(PMMA group), silicone together with injection of Mitomycin C(MMC)(silicon-MMC group)and silicone(silicone group). Aqueous humor were collected at 1, 3d, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8wk after operation and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)were utilized to detect the expression of IL-10 in the aqueous humor. The connective tissue surrounding the material were collected at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8wk postoperatively. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was applied to evaluate the proliferation of fibroblasts and the infiltration of inflammatory cells. The protein expression and mRNA of IL-10 in the connective tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR.RESULTS:Compared with PMMA and silicon-MMC group, silicone group showed significantly increased proliferation of fibroblasts and infiltration of inflammatory cells according to the HE staining result. The result of ELISA showed the expression of IL-10 in the aqueous humor increased significantly at the early stage after surgery, and then decreased gradually,the highest appeared on the third day after operation,and in silicone group there was higher than the other two groups in the early stage postoperatively(1d-3wk)(all <i>P</i><0.05), and there was no significant difference in the late stages(4-8wk). The protein expression and mRNA of IL-10 in connective tissue were the highest in the first week after operation, decreased gradually at 2-3wk after operation, and increased again at 4-8wk after operation by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. And the expression was higher in silicone group than in the other two groups at each time point(all <i>P</i><0.05). Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between the expression of IL-10 protein and the proliferation of fibroblasts in the late stages(4-8wk).CONCLUSION: After implantation of glaucoma drainage material, the process of IL-10 increased first, then decreased gradually, and increased again 4wk later, thus IL-10 may be a potential target for inhibiting the scar formation.

Clinical outcome of a nonvalved Aurolab aqueous drainage implant in posterior segment versus anterior chamber

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of a nonvalved Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) in the management of refractory glaucoma. Methods: Retrospective case series of patients with refractory glaucoma underwent AADI implantation in posterior segment (PS group) or anterior chamber (AC group) with minimum follow-up of 1 year. Primary outcome criterion was success, defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) <18 or >6 mm Hg or IOP reduced to <20% from baseline, for two consecutive visits after 3 months. Failure was defined as inability to meet IOP criteria, any additional glaucoma surgery, loss of light perception, and implant explantation. Secondary outcome criteria compared groups based on mean IOP, mean glaucoma medication use, best-corrected visual acuity, and complications at each postoperative visit. Results: In the AC and PS group of 64 patients, 32 tubes each were placed. Preoperative mean IOP was 37.41 ± 8.6 and 43.38 ± 10.3 mm Hg in AC and PS, respectively. Postoperatively IOP reduced to 14.22 ± 4.9 and 15.21 ± 8.1 mm Hg in AC and PS groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Preoperative mean antiglaucoma medication changed from 2.56 ± 0.9 and 3.44 ± 0.5 to 1.03 ± 0.9 and 1.67 ± 0.5 in AC and PS, respectively, postoperatively (P < 0.001). No significant change in VA was noted in either group. At 12 months, success rate was 84% in AC group and 72% in PS group, with PS group having 2.63 times higher hazard (risk) of failure than AC group. Conclusion: AADI implantation in PS or AC is a safe and effective method for IOP control in refractory glaucoma with its low cost being of significance in developing countries.

Panophthalmitis with orbital cellulitis following glaucoma drainage implant surgery in a pediatric patient / Panoftalmite com celulite orbitária após implante de drenagem em glaucoma congênito

ABSTRACT Here we report a case of childhood glaucoma refractory to angle and trabeculectomy surgery. The patient was treated with an Ahmed™ drainage implant that was subsequently complicated by rapid-onset panophthalmitis and orbital cellulitis. Intravenous and intravitreal antibiotic therapy was initiated and the drainage tube was removed. The infectious process resolved within 3 weeks; however, phthisis bulbi developed subsequently.

RESUMO Relato de um caso de uma criança portadora de glaucoma congênito primário, refratário a cirurgias angulares e trabeculectomias prévias, submetido à implante de drenagem do tipo Ahmed®. O paciente evoluiu com panoftalmite e celulite orbitária de aparecimento súbito, sendo submetido à remoção do tubo e antibioticoterapia endovenosa e intravítrea. O processo infeccioso foi resolvido em três semanas, porém o olho evoluiu para phthisis bulbi.

Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation for refractory glaucoma after sequential failed trabeculectomy / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation for refractory glaucoma after sequential failed trabeculectomy. METHODS: Thirty - six patients (36 eyes) with prior failed sequential trabeculectomy who underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation were included. The intraocular pressure ( IOP), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and complications were ovserved and all the patients were followed up at least for 12mo. RESULTS: Mean preoperative IOP was 35. 20±7. 28mmHg and reduced to 10. 15±3. 34, 11. 23±3. 56, 15. 63±5. 72, 17. 17±5. 47, 17. 73±6. 23,19. 76±5. 43mmHg at 1, 2wk, 1, 3, 6 and 12mo after surgery, which was significant different from the preoperative level (t = 12. 643, 11. 837, 10. 324, 8. 839, 8. 462, 8. 046, all P 0. 05). At 12mo after operation, the complete success rate reached 78% and the conditional success rate reached 92%. There were 5 eyes complicated with shallow anterior chamber, 3 eye complicated with anterior chamber hemorrhage, which all recovered after additional treatments. Late complications included valve exposure and encapsulated cystic blebs around the plate. Severe corneal endothelium loss occurred in 1 patient. CONCLUSION: Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation is effective in reducing IOP at 1-year follow-up in refractory glaucoma patients with prior sequential failed trabeculectomy, but we should fully understand and attach great importance to all kinds of complications that may occur.

Clinical evaluation of FP-7/FP-8 Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation for childhood refractory glaucoma / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Clinical study showed that FP-7/FP-8 Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation is effective and safe for the adult refractory glaucoma.However,it is welt-known that childhood glaucomatous eyes have different pathogenesis and protean clinical manifestations.So the efficacy of FP-7/FP-8 Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation in child deserves some attention.Objective This study was to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of FP-7/FP-8 Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation for refractory glaucoma in children.Methods The clinical data of 30 eyes of 26 children with refractory glaucoma who undergone FP-7/FP-8 Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation in the Center Hospital of Cangzhou from October 2008 to April 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.The age of patients was 4 months to 16.5 years.The patients included ocular hypertension after trabculectomy/goniotomy for cogenital glaucoma,later stage of cogenital glaucoma,aphakic or pseudophakic glaucoma,traumatic glaucoma and Sturge-Weber syndrome.The follow-up ranged from 1 week to 24 months to obverse the changes of intraocular pressure (IOP),postoperative complications and cumulative success rate.Results The mean IOP was significantly different among various time points (F=58.929,P＜0.05).The IOP was (36.93± 10.56) mmHg in preoperation and (13.13± 3.34),(14.13±3.15),(15.93±4.76),(17.96±5.37),(19.74±5.43) mmHg 1 week,1 month,6 months,12 months,24 months following surgery,showing significant reduce after operation.Compared with preoperative IOP,the IOP of 1 week,1 month,6,12,24 months after AGI was significant decreased,with significant differences between them (t =11.641,11.458,10.688,7.988,8.018,all at P ＜ 0.05).The total cumulative success rate after Ahmed glaucoma valve implant was 100％,96.67％,93.21％,85.76％ and 71.46％ 1 week,1 month,6 months,12 months,24 months after surgery.The postoperative complications occurred in 8 eyes,including shallow anterior chamber,drainage tube obstruction,hyphema of anterior chamber and valve exposure,and these were cured by medicine and surgery.No serious complication appeared in all patients after operation.Conclusions FP-7/FP-8 Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation is an effective and safe method for the treatment of refractory glaucoma,and it can be considered as one of the first choices for management of refractory glaucoma in childhood.

Boston keratoprosthesis and Ahmed glaucoma valve for visual rehabilitation in congenital anterior staphyloma.

Congenital anterior staphyloma entails grave visual prognosis. The majority of reported patients have undergone enucleation. We report a promising result of staphylectomy with implantation of a keratoprosthesis and a glaucoma drainage device in a seven-month-old child with a large, congenital anterior staphyloma.

The Effects of Topical Cyclosporin A on Glaucoma Drainage Implant Surgery in Rabbits

To assess the effects of topical cyclosporin A(Csa) on the function of fibrous capsule and fibroblast proliferation after glaucoma drainage implant surgery in rabbits, we compared intraocular pressure(IOP), outflow resistance through the capsule and fibroblast density in capsule and fibroblast density in capsule among three groups: group A(12 eyes) that received implant surgery only, group B(11eyes) trated with topical 2% CsA twice a day for 2 weeks after implant surgery, and group C(14 eyes) with intraoperative subcon-junctival soaking of 2% CsA for S minutes and postoperative topical 2% CsA twice a day for 2 weeks. There was significant postoperative IOP decreases at 2, 4 and 8 weeks in group B(7.3 +/- 2.0. 7.1 +/- 1.7, and 6.6 +/- 1.8 mmHg, respectively) and group C(7.8 +/- 2.6, 7.1 +/- 1.7, and 6.8 +/- 1.6 mmHg, respectively) compared with group A(5.1 +/- 1.7, 5.0 +/- 1.0, and 4.8 +/- 1.5 mmHg, respectively)(p0.05 for each). Fibroblast density was not significantly lower in group B and Group C than in group A(n=3, p=0.08). These results suggest adjunctive topical CsA may enhance the effectiveness of glaucoma drainage implant surgery.

New Technique of Anterior Chamber Tube Shunt to an Eneircling Band for Refractory Glaucoma

New techniques of anterior chamber tube shunt to an encircling band (ACTESB) were used in 49 eyes of 47 patients with neovascular glaucoma and other types of refractory glaucoma. In 34 eyes of 33 patients (Group A), by using Isingle slit incision and end suturing technique at the distal portion of tube, intraocular bressure was controlled less than 21mmHg in 21 eyes (61.8%) with a follow-up of 6 months to 18 months (mean, 13 month). The mean intraocular pressure of 36.38mmHg was reduced. Visual acuity was maintained or improved in 61 %. In 15 eyes of 14 patients (Group B), by using multiple slit incision at the distal portion of tube and single slit incision of the tube beneath scleral flap and external occlusion of tube with 8-0 vicry1, successful outcome was obtained in 86.6% of eyes after average follow up of 6 months. The mean intraocular pressure of 41.47mmHg reduced. Visual acuity was maintained or improved in 86.8%. The incidence of flat anterior chamber was decreased markedly and hyphema was not found in group B. In 4 eyes, there was evidence of blockage of the distal end of tude. Thus we think that the pattern of one piece valved implant is better than the other technique.

Use of e-PTFE Membrane for Glaucoma Drainage Surgery

A new glaucoma drainage implant, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene(e-PTFE) membrane implant, and e-PTFE-silicone tube implant were used in 11 eyes of 11 patients with recalcitrant glaucomas including neovascular glaucoma. After an average follow-up of 13 months, intraocular pressures(IOPs) decreased to the level ranging from 10 to 20mmHg in all the eyes. Five patients were not on antiglaucoma medication. Four patients required one beta blocker and/or pilocarpine. The remaining two patients still required the maximum tolerated medical therapy and were considered to have a failed drainage surgery. A temporary obstruction of the drainage tube occurred in 2 eyes with neovascular glaucoma which developed a minimal hyphema and fibrinous aqueous after surgery. Postoperative hypotony and shallow anterior chamber developed in 4 eyes, but their situations were not dangerous. The patients each had a filtration bleb postequatorially after surgery. These blebs disappeared one to seven months later. In spite of the presence of a filtration bleb, 7 eyes developed an increased IOP temporarily. The required conjunctival incision for installation of an e-PTFE drainage implant was less than 90 degrees and the overall surgical procedures seemed to be simple.