Corneal viscoelasticity differences between diabetic and nondiabetic glaucomatous patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate corneal viscoelasticity in primary open-angle glaucoma patients with and without diabetes mellitus, and to correlate corneal hysteresis (CH) with central corneal thickness (CCT). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 44 primary open-angle glaucoma patients [19 with diabetes (34 eyes) and 25 without diabetes (40 eyes)] underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. Data collected by masked investigators included CH and CCT using the Ocular Response Analyzer. The mean of 3 measurements was considered for each test. We analyzed the difference between the mean CH in both groups using a general linear model. Partial correlation coefficient between CH and CCT was also calculated. RESULTS: Mean+/-SD age in diabetic and nondiabetic groups was 67.1+/-8.7 and 65.9+/-15.1, respectively (P=0.77). There was no significant difference regarding mean CCT between diabetic (531.7+/-31.3 mum) and nondiabetic (546.6+/-37.3 mum) groups (P=0.21). Patients with diabetes presented significantly higher CH values than patients without diabetes (9.1+/-1.9 mm Hg vs. 7.8+/-1.7 mm Hg, P=0.04). There was a significant and positive correlation between CH and CCT for all patients (r=0.407, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Primary open-angle glaucoma patients with diabetes have significantly higher CH values than those without diabetes. CH and CCT results were positively correlated. These findings merit further investigation to assess the role of different CH values on glaucoma evaluation and susceptibility.

A comparison of bimatoprost 0.03% versus the fixed-combination of latanoprost 0.005% and timolol 0.5% in adult patients with elevated intraocular pressure: an eight-week, randomized, open-label trial.

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: Bimatoprost and the fixed combination of latanoprost with timolol maleate are 2 medications widely used to treat glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OHT). The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy of these 2 drugs in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) after 8 weeks of treatment in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) or OHT. METHODS: In this randomized, open-label trial, 44 patients with POAG or OHT were allocated to receive either bimatoprost (1 drop QD) or latanoprost/timolol (1 drop QD). Primary outcome was the mean diurnal IOP measurement at the 8th week, calculated as the mean IOP measurements taken at 8:00 am, 10:00 am, and 12:00 pm Secondary outcomes included the baseline change in IOP measured 3 times a day, after the water-drinking test (performed after the last IOP measurement), and the assessment of side effects of each therapy. RESULTS: The mean IOP levels of latanoprost/timolol (13.83, SD = 2.54) was significantly lower than of bimatoprost (16.16, SD = 3.28; P < 0.0001) at week 8. Also, the change in mean IOP values was significantly higher in the latanoprost/timolol group at 10:00 am (P = 0.013) and 12:00 pm (P = 0.01), but not at 8:00 am (P = ns). During the water-drinking test, there was no significant difference in IOP increase (absolute and percentage) between groups; however, there was a significant decrease in mean heart rate in the latanoprost/timolol group. Finally, no significant changes in blood pressure and lung spirometry were observed in either groups. CONCLUSIONS: The fixed combination of latanoprost/timolol was significantly superior to bimatoprost alone in reducing IOP in patients with POAG or OHT. Further studies with large sample sizes should be taken to support the superior efficacy of latanoprost/timolol, as well as to better assess its profile of side effects.

Choroidal expansion during the water drinking test.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between intraocular pressure (IOP) rise, ocular pulse amplitude (OPA), and choroidal thickness (ChT) during the water drinking test (WDT). METHODS: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients were submitted to the WDT followed by serial IOP measurements using dynamic contour tonometry (DCT), Goldman tonometry (GAT), and ChT measurements using ultrasonographic A and B-scan (USG). A control group not submitted to the test was also evaluated using DCT, GAT, and USG. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated in the control group in order to assess the reproducibility of measurements. Spearman's coefficient (rho) was used to assess the correlation between the variables. RESULTS: Thirty eyes were included in the study. There was a significant IOP rise during the WDT using both GAT and DCT (p < 0.001). The OPA and ChT measurements also increased significantly (p < 0.001). Spearman's correlation between the OPA values and ChT measurements was significant and moderate (rho = 0.40, p = 0.005). The average increase of OPA and ChT measurements occurred 15 min before the IOP rise. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant increase of OPA and ChT measurements followed by an IOP rise during the WDT. Increased choroidal volume due to hemodynamic forces may be enrolled in the mechanism of IOP elevation during this stress test.

Intracameral bevacizumab and mitomycin C Trabeculectomy for eyes with neovascular glaucoma: a case series.

The purpose of this study was to describe the surgical outcomes and safety of intracameral bevacizumab during trabeculectomy in eyes with neovascular glaucoma. Pilot study included four eyes (four patients) with refractory neovascular glaucoma submitted to fornix-based trabeculectomy with adjunctive use of bevacizumab in the anterior chamber during the procedure. Patients were previously treated with panretinal photocoagulation as standard therapy. Variables evaluated were intraocular pressure, bleb appearance, iris neovascularization, intraoperative/postoperative complications, and visual outcomes. No intraoperative complication was observed. The mean follow-up period was 12.75 (range, 12-15 months). All eyes showed significant intraocular pressure control postoperatively. Iris neovascularization reduced significantly within 1 month after surgery. Mild anterior chamber inflammation was observed during follow-up in all eyes. No significant postoperative complication was observed, and no patient presented visual acuity deterioration. Intracameral bevacizumab may be used as an adjunctive therapy during trabeculectomy in eyes with neovascular glaucoma.