Efficacy of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy and trabeculectomy in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma: A single surgeon's experience.

PURPOSE: To compare the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering efficiency of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) and trabeculectomy (TRAB) with mitomycin C in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG). METHODS: In this retrospective comparative study, consecutive patients with POAG or PEXG who underwent GATT or TRAB by a single surgeon and with a follow-up period of at least 1 year were included. Surgical success rates, change in best-corrected visual acuity, IOP, the need for antiglaucoma medication, surgical complications, and the need for additional glaucoma surgery were compared. Surgical success was defined as an IOP reduction of ≥30% or an IOP of ≤18 mmHg. Complete success was defined as without medication. Qualified success was defined as with or without topical medication. RESULTS: The mean baseline IOP was 27.4 ± 8.3 and 24.6 ± 7.6 mmHg (P = 0.13) with the mean number of medications being 3.7 ± 1.0 and 3.7 ± 1.1 (P = 0.98) in TRAB and GATT, respectively. At 12 months, the mean IOP was 15.3 ± 3.5 and 12.5 ± 4.6 mmHg (P = 0.24) with the mean number of medications being 0.9 ± 1.2 and 0.8 ± 1.4 (P = 0.76) after GATT and TRAB, respectively. IOP was lowered from baseline by 52.7% ± 17.5% after TRAB and 45.7% ±18.6% after GATT (P = 0.12). There was no decrease in best-corrected visual acuity in either group. The qualified surgical success rate was 94.4% in the GATT group and 94.9% in the TRAB group (P = 0.75). Percentage of complete success was 64.1% and 52.8% (P = 0.22) after TRAB and GATT, respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with POAG and PEXG, GATT was as effective and safe as TRAB in lowering IOP and reducing the number of antiglaucomatous drugs.

Evaluation of pericardium patch graft thickness in patients with Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation: an anterior segment OCT study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in thickness of tissues, specifically the pericardium patch graft (PPG) covering the silicone tube in Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study. METHODS: This study included cases with refractory glaucoma that underwent AGV implantation with PPG coverage. Conjunctival epithelium, stroma and PPG thickness covering the tube were measured using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) at 1, 6 and 12 months. Additionally, the same measurements were taken 1500 µm away from the tube as a control for the central measurements. RESULTS: Twenty-seven eyes of 27 patients were evaluated in the study. Although PPG thickness decreased significantly in both regions, the amount of reduction was more pronounced centrally. Centrally, the reduction rate was 21.2% and 34.8% during the 1-6 months period and 6-12 months period, while peripherally it was 3.5% and 5.1%, respectively. No change was observed in the thickness of the epithelium during the follow-up period. There was a significant thinning of the stroma in the central and peripheral regions during the 1-6 months period (30.5% and 17%, respectively). No cases of exposure were observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Although the most evident thinning of the layers covering the tube was observed in the early postoperative period, PPG showed a stable decrease even in the late period. The progressive reduction in the PPG thickness observed also in the peripheral region indicates that factors beyond mechanical forces contribute to this degenerative process. AS-OCT could be a valuable non-invasive tool in clarifying this process.

Long-Term Results of Transscleral Diode Laser Cyclophotocoagulation in Glaucoma: A Real-Life Study.

PRCIS: Transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (TDLC) is effective and safe in a large population and different types of glaucoma but is least effective in the neovascular glaucoma (NVG) group. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of TDLC in a large cohort of patients with different types of refractory glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using patient charts, we retrospectively analyzed the success and complications of TDLC performed on eyes categorized into 6 groups: primary glaucoma (116 eyes), trauma (41 eyes), NVG (84 eyes), post-vitreoretinal surgery (post-VRS, 79 eyes), penetrating keratoplasty (47 eyes), and miscellaneous (40 eyes). Failure was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) >22 mm Hg or <5 mm Hg, the need for further glaucoma surgery, and the loss of light perception during follow-up. RESULTS: Overall, the mean follow-up time was 33.4 ± 17.4 months, the mean total energy delivered was 109.2 ± 56.5 J, and the mean IOP reduction rate was 41.8%. Total energy delivered and IOP reduction rates were similar between the groups (all P > 0.05). The probability of success at 36 months was 71.5%, 70.7%, 55.9%, 77.2%, 72.3%, and 72.5% in primary glaucoma, trauma, NVG, post-VRS, penetrating keratoplasty, and miscellaneous groups, respectively. The NVG group showed a significantly lower success rate ( P = 0.009) than the other groups. Significant complications consisted of phthisis bulbi in 1 eye (0.2%) in the NVG group and chronic hypotony in 7 eyes (1.7%) in the NVG (3 eyes), trauma (2 eyes), post-VRS (1 eye), and primary glaucoma (1 eye) groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although TDLC was found to be a safe, effective method in the long term, it was least effective in eyes with NVG.

Three year outcomes of intravitreal ranibizumab and aflibercept treatment of patients with diabetic macular edema: A comparative study.

Background: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the most common cause of visual deterioration in patients with diabetes mellitus. Various treatment options have been used for DME, including intravitreal injection of steroids and anti-vascular endothelial growth factors. Objectives: To evaluate and compare the functional and anatomical outcomes of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) and intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) treatments in patients with DME. Design: Retrospective study. Methods: Four hundred three eyes of 235 naïve patients who underwent IVR or IVA treatment for DME followed up to 36 months included in the study. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were measured at baseline, year 1, 2 and 3. Primary endpoint of the study was the change in BCVA and CMT each year from baseline and requirement of additional treatment (laser/steroid injection). Results: There were 198 eyes in IVR group and 205 eyes in IVA group. The changes in mean BCVA were 0.09 ± 0.32 versus 0.17 ± 0.41 Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (p = 0.042) at year 1, 0.09 ± 0.37 versus 0.12 ± 0.45 logMAR (p = 0.512) at year 2 and 0.13 ± 0.36 versus 0.15 ± 0.48 logMAR (p = 0.824) at year 3 in IVA and IVR groups, respectively. The baseline mean BCVA were lower (p = 0.004) in IVA group. The mean total number of injections was 7.93 ± 3.38 versus 7.42 ± 3.05 (p = 0.112). Conclusion: At year 1, change in mean BCVA was statistically significantly higher in IVA group; however this difference did not persist at years 2 and 3. Although the mean total number of injections was similar between groups, the requirement for adjuvant steroid treatment was significantly higher in ranibizumab group, which may affect the number of visits and treatment costs. Both ranibizumab and aflibercept treatments achieved a good long-term visual and anatomical response in DME patients.

Single Layered Free ILM Graft Technique in Large Macular Holes with Associated ERM.

PURPOSE: We aimed to describe single layered free ILM graft technique (FIGT) and present results of this technique in the primary surgery of large macular holes (MHs). METHODS: In this retrospective study, we identified MHs with a minimum hole diameter >400 µm that underwent FIGT by a single surgeon. Nineteen eyes were found to have an associated epiretinal membrane (ERM) and four eyes demonstrated a patchy ILM staining intraoperatively. A single layered FIGT was performed first by peeling the ILM around the hole and then creating a free ILM flap and transplanting it to cover the hole. All cases were evaluated for anatomical closure and visual improvement. RESULTS: Twenty-three eyes of 22 patients (mean age 68.7 ± 7.4 years) were included in the study. The mean follow-up was 9.6 ± 4.9 months. Flap closure was observed in two eyes (8.6%) at week 1, while all eyes (100%) showed a complete closure at month 1. Mean preoperative visual acuity of 1.42 ± 0.66 LogMAR increased to 1.11 ± 0.51, 0.99 ± 0.34, 0.92 ± 0.38, 0.74 ± 0.37, 0.52 ± 0.28, 0.64 ± 0.39 respectively at week 1, month 1, month 3, month 6, year 1 and final follow-up postoperatively (p < .05 for all). In none of the eyes ERM recurred, nor flap contraction developed. CONCLUSION: The study showed encouraging results using free ILM graft in the primary surgery of large MHs. This technique might be considered in large MHs that are associated with ERM or demonstrate patchy ILM staining. Further studies are needed to prove the effectiveness also in the long-term.

Repeat Surgery following Temporal Inverted ILM Flap Technique: Next Step after Primary Failure.

PURPOSE: We aimed to report our surgical experience with repeat surgery as the next step after an unsuccessful hole closure with the primary single-layered temporal inverted flap technique (IFT). METHODS: We identified cases with persistent macular holes by reviewing the records of eyes that underwent IFT between October 2018 and October 2021. These cases were evaluated for hole features, anatomical closure, and visual improvement before and after the first and second surgeries. In addition, the technique applied in repeat surgery was recorded. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images at follow-up were used to evaluate the flap position. RESULTS: A persistent hole was identified in 11 (6.4%) of 172 patients who underwent IFT. An inferotemporal displacement was observed in seven eyes, while no flap could be identified in the OCT images of the other four eyes. In the second surgery, the old flap was reinverted in one eye, and a new flap was created from the superior region in five eyes and the nasal region in the other five eyes and was stabilized under perfluorocarbon liquid. A gas tamponade (C3F8/SF6) was used in all patients at the end of surgery. The minimum hole diameter was > 400 µm in all eyes and 100% closure was achieved after the second surgery. Visual acuity gain of ≥ 3 lines was observed in 9 of the 11 eyes (81.8%). The mean visual acuity increase at the last follow-up was significant (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: With single-layer temporal IFT in the primary surgery of macular holes, unsuccessful results may be observed due to the flap displacement in the early period. In our series, IFT was applied again with the use of the old flap or the creation of a new flap in the second surgery of the persistent holes, and successful results were obtained.

Optic disc tilt and rotation effects on positions of superotemporal and inferotemporal retinal nerve fibre layer peaks in myopic Caucasians.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In myopic eyes, the optic disc may become tilted and rotated, making glaucoma diagnosis more difficult. BACKGROUND: To determine the presence of tilted optic disc, the degree of optic disc rotation, and their effects on the angular location of superotemporal and inferotemporal retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) peaks in healthy myopic Caucasians. METHODS: Non-glaucomatous healthy myopic Caucasian eyes with an axial length > 24 mm were evaluated. ImageJ was used to quantify optic disc tilt and torsion on red-free fundus photography. The RNFL was scanned using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The angle of the superotemporal and inferotemporal peaks with the vertical-horizontal meridian was measured. RESULTS: Fifty-four eyes of 54 individuals were evaluated. The axial length was correlated with the angular location for both the superotemporal (r = -0.549, p < 0.001) and inferotemporal (r = -0.415, p = 0.002) RNFL peaks; they were placed more temporally in eyes with higher axial lengths. For each 1 mm increase in axial length, the angle between the superotemporal peak and the temporal horizontal meridian decreased by 3.976°, and the angle between the inferotemporal apex and the temporal horizontal meridian decreased by 3.028°. The angle between the inferotemporal peak and the temporal horizontal meridian decreased by 0.231° for each 1° increase in optical disc torsion (R2 = 0.09 Regression coefficient = -0.231, p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: The temporal shift of superior and inferior peaks, the thickening of temporal and nasal RNFL, the presence of tilted optic disc, and optic disc rotation may cause misinterpretation of the RNFL in myopic Caucasians. When evaluating peripapillary RNFL thickness in myopic individuals, it would be better to consider these to avoid misinterpretation.

Comparison of corneal, endothelial, and anterior segment parameters in eyes with and without pigment dispersion.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the differences of central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal endothelial cell morphology, and biometric parameters of the anterior chamber and iridocorneal angle in pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS), pigmentary glaucoma (PG), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and healthy group. METHODS: Twenty- three eyes in the PDS group, 39 eyes in the PG group, 33 eyes in the POAG group, and 45 eyes in the healthy control group were included in this cross-sectional retrospective study. Corneal endothelial cell density, the coefficient of variation in the cell area, hexagonality, and central corneal thickness (CCT) were obtained by specular microscopy (CEM 530, NIDEK, Japan). Anterior chamber depth (ACD), iridocorneal angle parameters and CCT were measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) (Visante OCT, Carl Zeiss AG, Germany). RESULTS: The mean CCT via specular microscopy (SM-CCT) was measured at the thinnest value in the PG group (531.20 ± 34.91 µm) and the thickest in the control group (569.13 ± 37.52 µm). CV value was higher in PG (34.65 ± 6.84) and POAG group (34.27 ± 9.93) and lower in control group (28.82 ± 5.18) (p = 0,005). The mean AS-OCT-CCT was the thinnest in the PG group (513.61 ± 39.94 µm), and the thickest in the control group (547.04 ± 36.72 µm) (p = 0.001). All parameters of the iridocorneal angle were larger in the PDS and PG groups (p < 0.001). In the correlation analysis of the glaucomatous eyes, a negative correlation between the C/D ratio and SM-CCT and AS-OCT-CCT (p = 0.037, p = 0.017, respectively) and a positive correlation between the pRNFL thickness and AS-OCT- CCT (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: CCT values obtained with both SM and AS-OCT were found to be significantly thinner in PG cases. CV, which is the measure of polymegatism, was found to be significantly higher in PG cases.

Glaucoma Detection in Myopic Eyes: Structural and Vascular Assessment by Optic Coherence Tomography Methods.

PRCIS: Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness is helpful in the diagnosis of glaucoma in myopic eyes but neuroretinal rim (NRR) thickness is the most valuable measure. However, changes in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) parameters are insufficient for the diagnosis of mild to moderate glaucoma in myopia. PURPOSE: To detect how a multimodal evaluation, which includes RNFL, NRR thickness, and optic nerve head (ONH) OCT-A, affects glaucoma diagnosis in myopic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Parameters of healthy myopic and myopic glaucoma eyes with an axial length of ≥24 mm were compared. The ONH structural features and peripapillary RNFL thickness were determined with Cirrus 5000 HD-OCT (Cirrus HD-OCT; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA). The Cirrus 5000 HD-OCT with AngioPlex was utilized to perform OCT-A imaging. The sensitivity and specificity levels were calculated by the best cut-off values with area under curve (AUC). RESULTS: One hundred healthy myopic and 54 myopic glaucoma eyes were evaluated. In all areas, myopic glaucoma patients exhibited lower RNFL and NRR thickness than healthy myopic individuals ( P <0.05), with the exception of nasal quadrant RNFL thickness ( P =0.152). The mean entire and 4 quadrants of global radial peripapillary capillary (RPC)-perfusion and global RPC flux index (FI) were significantly lower in the group of myopic glaucoma patients except for the nasal quadrant mean RPC perfusion ( P =0.224). The average RNFL and NRR thickness had a significant difference in AUC for the diagnosis of glaucoma in myopic individuals ( P =0.001, for each). The average NRR showed excellent diagnostic performance, whereas the average RNFL showed good diagnostic performance. Average RPC perfusion and average RPC FI showed poor diagnostic ability. The average NRR AUC was more significant than average RPC perfusion and average RPC FI AUC ( P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although RNFL thickness was helpful to diagnose glaucoma in patients with myopia, the diagnostic power of NRR thickness performed best. OCT-A parameters showed poor diagnostic accuracy for glaucoma and the observed perfusion decrease in myopic glaucoma eyes was not sufficiently discriminative compared with NRR and RNFL thickness measurements.

Surgical management of glaucoma following different keratoplasty techniques.

PURPOSE: To investigate the results of surgical management of glaucoma following different keratoplasty techniques. METHODS: Medical records of 628 cases who underwent keratoplasty were reviewed. One hundred and eighty-eight patients (29.9%) who developed post-keratoplasty glaucoma were evaluated. Patients who could not be controlled with maximal medical treatment and underwent glaucoma surgery were included in this study. Trabeculectomy, Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation or diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (DLC) were applied. RESULTS: Glaucoma surgery was performed in 55 (29.3%) patients who had uncontrolled post-keratoplasty glaucoma. In penetrating keratoplasty group (n = 42), DLC was applied to 30 (71.4%) eyes, AGV to 11 (26.2%) eyes, and trabeculectomy in 1 (2.4%) eye. In Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty group (n = 8), DLC was applied to 4 (50%) eyes, trabeculectomy for 3 (37.5%) eyes and AGV for 1 (12.5%) eye. In deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty group (n = 5), DLC was applied to 2 (40%) eyes, trabeculectomy to 2 (40%) eyes and AGV to 1 (20%) eye. While a statistically significant decrease was found in intraocular pressure (IOP) and anti-glaucomatous medication after surgery (p < 0.05 for each), no significant difference was found in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). During follow-up, DLC was applied as re-glaucoma surgery in 19 (34.5%) cases. A significant reduction in IOP together with number of anti-glaucomatous medications was found with re-operation; however, a significant decrease in BCVA was noted (p < 0.05 for each). CONCLUSION: Glaucoma surgeries after keratoplasty are effective in decreasing IOP and the number of anti-glaucomatous medication. While BCVA doesn't change after the first glaucoma surgery, after re-operation significant decrease may occur.

Parallel Suture: A Simple Approach to Enable Early Laser Suture Lysis and Prevent Hypotony after Trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: To define a modified flap suture approach and evaluate its effectiveness. METHODS: Clinical data of patients undergoing trabeculectomy with modified parallel suture technique (Group 1, N = 38 eyes) were compared to patients operated with classical flap suture technique (Group 2, N = 42 eyes). In the modified technique, two parallel sutures (one tight and one loose) are placed simultaneously in one of the flap corners with the aim of obtaining a safety stitch when the tight one needs to be cut. Data from preoperative and postoperative visits at day 1, week 1, months 1, 3, 6 and year 1 were recorded from patient charts and compared between the groups. RESULTS: In Group 1, seven eyes underwent laser suture lysis (LSL) between postoperative days 2 to 8 and in Group 2 two eyes at days 29 and 37. No complication related to LSL was observed. Rate of postoperative hypotony decreased with the parallel suture approach (P= .002). Number of eyes experiencing any of the complications related to hypotony was lower in Group 1 (P= .004). No significant difference was noted in the mean IOP between the groups (P> .05 for all). CONCLUSION: The modified approach with parallel suture technique was found to be effective and safe. By enabling early LSL, it provided more precise IOP modulation in the early postoperative period. Thus, in our series, the rate of hypotony and hypotony-related complications decreased, while the success of the surgery was preserved.

Anterior chamber laser flare photometry after diode laser cyclophotocoagulation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in intraocular inflammation according to energy delivered per eye during transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (TDLC) in refractory glaucoma using laser flare (LF) photometry and to investigate the relationship between the change in anterior chamber flare values ​​and the success of TDLC. METHODS: Patients who underwent TDLC for refractory glaucoma and had LF photometry data were analyzed retrospectively. We recorded the best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP) with Goldmann applanation tonometer, number of anti-glaucoma medications, LF photometry values (ph/ms) on pre-and postoperative days 1, 10 and 30. RESULTS: The mean laser power applied during TDLC procedure was 2.45±0.35 W. The mean laser duration was 2.09±0.28 s. The mean total energy applied per eye was 114.69±16.13 J, the mean number of pulses was 22.43±4.3. While the mean LF value was 49.71±11.99 ph/ms preoperatively, it was 63.94±12.41 ph/ms at the postoperative 30th day. Possible predictors of success of TDLC were investigated using linear regression analysis (R adjusted 0.454 p = 0.001). The IOP decrease at postoperative 30th day was significantly related to the difference between the postoperative 1st day and the preoperative LF (p = 0.025, B/95% CI -0.358/-0.107- -0.008), and total cyclodiode energy delivered per eye (joules) (p = 0.016, B/95% CI -0.396/-0.287 to -0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Anterior chamber flare values increases after TDLC, though it does not regress to the preoperative level on the postoperative 30th day. Total cyclodiode energy delivered per eye and the difference between the postoperative 1st day and the preoperative LF can be used to predict TDLC response.

Pressure restoration and visual recovery time in hypotony after trabeculectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To asses the course of intraocular pressure (IOP) restoration and visual acuity (VA) recovery in eyes with hypotony after trabeculectomy. METHODS: Medical charts of patients undergoing trabeculectomy between January 2017 and June 2019 were reviewed. Cases with hypotony (IOP < 5 mmHg) due to over-filtration in the early postoperative period were assessed retrospectively. Primary outcome measures included change in IOP and VA in the postoperative period and percentage of eyes with hypotony on each follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty-five eyes of 31 patients (23 male, 8 female) were included. The mean follow-up was 18.3 ± 6.9 months. The mean IOP was 3.0 ± 3.2, 9.2 ± 6.2, 9.4 ± 5.6, 9.4 ± 4.0, 10.9 ± 3.6 and 10.2 ± 3.3 mmHg at week 1, months 1, 3, 6, 12 and last follow-up, respectively. Out of 35 hypotonic eyes, 8 (22.8%) had prolonged hypotony at month 1, 4 (11.4%) at month 3, 1 (2.9%) at month 6. The decrease in VA continued to be significant at months 1 and 3 (p = 0.015, p = 0.036, respectively) and returned to baseline after the sixth month (p > 0.524). CONCLUSIONS: In eyes with early hypotony after trabeculectomy while low IOP recovers at first month, it takes longer for the visual restoration. The postoperative month 1 appears to be decisive for recovery of hypotony.

Effect of phacoemulsification surgery on intraocular pressure and function of bleb after trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of phacoemulsification (PE) surgery on intraocular pressure (IOP) control and morphology of filtering bleb in eyes that have previously had trabeculectomy in the long-term. METHODS: This retrospective study included 98 eyes of 93 patients who had undergone trabeculectomy first and then PE surgery. The IOP, morphology of bleb, the number of glaucoma medication of each patient before PE, and 1 day, 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, 2 years after PE, and at the last visit were recorded. The need for additional glaucoma medication or glaucoma surgery were noted. Surgical success was defined as 6 mmHg ≤ IOP ≤ 21 mm Hg at the 3rd month, 1st year, and 2nd year follow-up visit, without additional medication or surgery. RESULTS: Before PE the IOP was ≤ 21 mmHg in all of the eyes. At the last visit, the IOP was ≤ 21 mmHg in 6 eyes with fewer glaucoma medication, in 24 eyes with the same number, and in 36 eyes with more. There was an increase in the number of glaucoma medications on each visit (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in bleb morphologies between before PE and each visit after PE (p < 0.001). Surgical success after PE was obtained in 52 eyes, additional glaucoma medication was needed in 36 eyes, and additional surgical procedures were required in 14 eyes. CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification surgery may increase the number of glaucoma medications and the mean IOP and also may reduce the function of bleb in eyes that underwent trabeculectomy.

A Case of Paracentral Acute Middle Maculopathy Occurring After Pars Plana Vitrectomy.

Paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM) is a clinical finding that is thought to be a result of ischemia in the middle and deep capillary plexus of the retina. It has been reported in the literature that PAMM may be associated with systemic and vascular risk factors. This report describes a case of PAMM that occurred following a pars plana vitrectomy.

Do We Conform with European Glaucoma Society Guidelines in the Medical Treatment of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma/Ocular Hypertension? Data from a Real-Life Practice.

Purpose: To evaluate the prescribing habits of glaucoma specialists and of general ophthalmologists, and reveal the conformance with European Glaucoma Society (EGS) guidelines in the medical treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT). Methods: Patients receiving medical treatment for POAG/OHT in the glaucoma clinic comprised the "naive group." Patients having a diagnosis and a treatment for POAG/OHT initiated in another center before presentation comprised the second group and were named as "treatment initiated elsewhere" (TIEW). All patients were retrospectively evaluated from the patients' charts. The outcome measures included the percentage of eyes treated with monotherapy, the molecule groups preferred, and the change in prescription trends over the years in both groups. Results: Seventy-two subjects were included in the naive group and 135 subjects in TIEW group. The rate of monotherapy was 76% and 36% in both groups, respectively. The molecule number was significantly higher in the TIEW group compared with naive group (1.98 ± 0.89 vs. 1.28 ± 0.56, P < 0.001). Until 2003, beta blockers, and in the 2003-2008 period, prostaglandin analogs (PGAs) were the mostly prescribed drugs in glaucoma clinic. From 2009, the rate of PGAs declined, with PGAs being replaced by combination drugs and alfa-2 agonists. Conclusions: Overtreatment rate was high among patients receiving a diagnosis and a treatment by general ophthalmologists, whereas glaucoma specialists were found to conform with EGS guidelines. A shift toward polypharmacy was observed from 2000 to 2017. The common guidelines to evaluate and treat glaucoma need to be adopted by the general ophthalmologists in their real-life practice.

Comparison of the lamina cribrosa parameters in eyes with exfoliation syndrome, exfoliation glaucoma and healthy subjects.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare lamina cribrosa (LC) parameters obtained by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) of eyes with exfoliation syndrome (PXS), exfoliation glaucoma (PXG) and healthy subjects. METHODS: In this cross-sectional comparative study, 206 eyes of 206 subjects were included. The Bruch's membrane opening distance (BMOd), the anterior and posterior borders of the LC (LC thickness) and the anterior laminar depth (ALD) were imaged using the enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode of SD-OCT. RESULTS: There were 96 eyes in the PXG group, 55 eyes in the PXS group, and 55 eyes in the control group. The LC thickness was the thinnest in the PXG group (151.10 ± 51.18 µm), followed in the PXS group (158.76 ± 49.62 µm), and the thickest in the control group (181.00 ± 39.10 µm) (p = 0.002). In PXG cases where LC was observed in the deepest location, the ALD value was highest (423.92 ± 111.75 µm) in the PXG group, followed by the control group (403.08 ± 63.56 µm), and PXS group (357.43 ± 80.87 µm) (p < 0.001). The BMOd values were largest in the PXG group (1542.43 ± 152.99 µm), followed by the control group (1506.52 ± 169.09 µm) and PXS group (1435.74 ± 141.06 µm) (p < 0.001). In the PXG group, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness, BCVA, and cup to disc (C/D) ratio were also statistically different from the other groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found thinner LC thickness in PXG and PXS cases relative to the control group. Although its severity is associated with the diagnosis and severity of glaucoma, LC thinning can be encountered as an isolated condition in the presence of exfoliation.

Long-term results of aphakia management by scleral fixation intraocular lens placement with knotless transscleral Z-suture method.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term refractive outcomes and complications of posterior chamber intraocular lens placement by scleral fixation surgery (SF-IOL) with the knotless Z-suture method. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent SF-IOL placement with the Z-suture method between January 2010 and December 2018 and who attended a follow-up after at least 1 year. Preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anterior segment biomicroscopy, fundus examinations, and postoperative complications were evaluated. Lenticular astigmatism was calculated through the vector analysis method. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-six eyes of 136 patients (mean age 57.78 ± 22 years, 98 male/38 female) were included in the study. Of the 136 patients, 67 (49.3%) had a complicated cataract, 50 (36.8%) had pseudoexfoliation syndrome, and 19 (14%) had a trauma history. The mean follow-up period was 50.83 ± 27 months. The mean preoperative BCVA was 0.65 ± 0.24 LogMAR, and the postoperative BCVAs were: 0.40 ± 0.30 (p < 0.001) at 1 year; 0.40 ± 0.30 (p < 0.001) at 2 years; 0.41 ± 0.31 (p < 0.001) at 3 years; 0.43 ± 0.32 (p < 0.001) at 5 years; and 0.47 ± 0.24 (p = 0.03) at 8 years. Complications included retinal detachment in 2 patients (1.5%), cystoid macular edema in 4 patients (2.9%), increase in intraocular pressure in 5 patients (3.6%), suture loosening in 3 patients (2.2%), and IOL dislocation in 3 patients (2.2%). CONCLUSION: Scleral fixation of IOL with knotless Z-suture technique is an effective method to correct aphakia, with reliable long-term results.

Ultrasound Biomicroscopic Evaluation of Anterior Segment Parameters and Surgical Area Following Trabeculectomy Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: This study used ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) imaging to evaluate the anterior segment structure and surgical area of patients with open angle glaucoma following a trabeculectomy procedure. METHODS: Consecutive patients with primary open angle or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma who underwent a trabeculectomy were included. UBM was used to examine the anatomical parameters of anterior chamber depth, anterior chamber angle, angle opening distance at 500 µm (AOD500), trabecular ciliary process distance (TCPD), iris ciliary process distance, scleral ciliary process angle (SCPA), and ciliary process thickness, as well as the internal ostium opening, ostium-iris distance, and scleral flap dimensions. Bleb morphologies were evaluated qualitatively using the Yamamoto classification and quantitatively according to the presence of drainage from the medial, lateral, and posterior borders. RESULTS: Twenty-five eyes of 23 patients (4 female, 19 male) were included in the study. The TCPD and SCPA measurements were significantly greater in the postoperative third month (1.04±0.12 mm vs 1.09±0.16 mm, p<0.05; 58.6±3.9° vs 60.8±3.8°, p<0.05, respectively). Cases with a longer ostium-iris distance had a significantly greater AOD500, TCPD, and SCPA (p<0.05). Bleb drainage and morphological classification were correlated (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: UBM is a sound and efficient method to investigate anterior segment variations and the surgical bleb following a trabeculectomy. TCPD and SCPA values increased after surgery.