ABSTRACT
Aim: We report a case of successful intraocular pressure (IOP) management in a patient with refractory primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) following implantation of XEN gel implant in the same hemisphere as prior failed filtering surgeries [i.e., Baerveldt glaucoma implant (BGI) and trabeculectomy bleb)]. Background: Glaucoma is a major cause of blindness worldwide and is typically associated with elevated IOP and retinal ganglion cell loss. Treatment centers around decreasing IOP with eye drops and surgical interventions. The advent of minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) has expanded therapeutic options for patients who have failed traditional treatments. The XEN gel implant creates a shunt between the anterior chamber and the subconjunctival or sub-tenon's space, allowing for drainage of aqueous humor without significant tissue disruption. Given that the XEN gel implant also results in bleb formation, it is generally recommended to avoid placement in the same quadrant of prior filtering surgeries. Case description: A 77-year-old man with a 15-year history of severe POAG of OU presents with persistently elevated IOP despite multiple filtering surgeries and maximal eye drop regimen. The patient had a superotemporal BGI in OU and a scarred trabeculectomy bleb superiorly in the right eye (OD). He underwent an open conjunctiva ab externo XEN gel implant placement in the OD in the same hemisphere as previous filtering surgeries. At 12 months postoperatively, the IOP range continues to be maintained within goal without complications. Conclusion: The XEN gel implant can be successfully placed in the same hemisphere as prior filtering surgeries and can achieve goal IOP without any surgical complications at 12 months postoperatively. Clinical significance: A XEN gel implant can effectively lower patients' IOP and can be a unique surgical option in refractory cases of POAG with multiple failed filtering surgeries, even when inserted in close proximity to prior filtering surgeries. How to cite this article: Amoozadeh SA, Yang MC, Lin KY. A Case of Refractory Open-angle Glaucoma with Failed Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant and Trabeculectomy Treated with Ab Externo XEN Gel Stent Placement. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2022;16(3):192-194.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: In response to growing concern about the effect of blue light on ocular tissue, companies have created mobile device screen protectors to block blue light. This project evaluates one of these screen protectors' ability to reduce blue light intensity. METHODS: The intensity of light at 450 nm from an iPhone 8, iPhone X, and iPad was measured in a dark room. The averages of three measurements were taken with and without the screen protector at different distances, settings of brightness, and Apple's night shift (NS) mode. Results were analyzed using paired t-tests. RESULTS: At 33 cm, 100% brightness, and 0% NS, the screen protector decreased intensity by 43.9%, 32.3%, and 34.9% for the iPhone 8, iPhone X, and iPad, respectively. At 33 cm and 100% brightness, increasing NS mode from 0% to 100% decreased intensity by 81.2%, 84.2%, and 86.5%. At 33 cm without NS, decreasing the brightness from 100% to 0% decreased intensity by 99.5%, 99.8%, and 97.8%. CONCLUSIONS: The screen protector decreased the intensity at 450 nm for every setting other than those at 0% brightness. Decreasing brightness and applying NS mode were more effective in reducing blue light. More research is needed to determine the benefits of decreasing blue light exposure from electronic devices.
