iStent versus iStent inject implantation combined with phacoemulsification in open angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of iStent vs. iStent inject implantation combined with phacoemulsification. METHODS: This single center retrospective comparative case series included subjects with open angle glaucoma who underwent iStent or iStent inject implantation combined with phacoemulsification with ≥1 year follow-up. The main outcome measures were in-group and between-group changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication number, proportion of eyes that achieved IOP ≤15 mmHg, and surgical success defined as 20% IOP reduction from baseline at 6/12 months. Univariate/multivariate regression analyses were done to identify predictors of surgical failure. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-seven eyes of 148 patients were included (122 iStent, 75 iStent inject). Both groups achieved significant IOP and medication reduction at months 6/12 (P < 0.05). At month 6, IOP was significantly lower in iStent inject vs. iStent eyes (P = 0.003), but the difference was insignificant by month 12 (P = 0.172). Medication number was comparable in both groups at months 6/12 (P > 0.05). More iStent inject eyes achieved IOP ≤15 mmHg at month 6 (P = 0.003) and 12 (P = 0.047). Surgical success was comparable in both groups at months 6/12 (P > 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed similar cumulative rate of surgical failure at year-1 in both groups (P = 0.644). The multivariate model identified older age (P = 0.017) and lower baseline IOP (P = 0.002) as the strongest predictors of surgical failure. CONCLUSION: Compared to iStent, iStent inject achieved lower IOP at month 6 and higher proportion of eyes achieved IOP ≤15 mmHg at month 6/12. However, surgical success was similar in both groups. Predictors of surgical failure were older age and lower baseline IOP rather than the stent type.

Combined Visco-Trab operation: A dual filtration pathway for management of advanced glaucoma-midterm results.

PURPOSE: To study midterm efficacy and safety of combined Visco-Trab operation for management of advanced glaucoma. METHODS: 168 eyes of 148 patients with advanced glaucoma had Visco-Trab operation (a merge of both viscocanalostomy and trabeculectomy operations). Mean follow-up was 29.1 ± 22.2 months. Criteria of success were intraocular pressure (IOP) of 14 mmHg or less with or without glaucoma medications, with no devastating complications, loss of light perception, or additional glaucoma surgery. RESULTS: IOP, number of glaucoma drops, and visual field mean deviation were significantly reduced (11.9 ± 5.6 mmHg, 0.7 ± 1.2, and 14.2 ± 6.3 dB, compared to preoperative values of 24.4 ± 9.9 mmHg, 2.8 ± 1.4, and 17.3 ± 6.3 dB, respectively). Success was reported in 136 of 168 eyes (81%) without (100 eyes, 59.5%) or with (36 eyes, 21.5%) glaucoma medications. A functioning bleb was seen in 2/3rd of eyes; diffuse (59 eyes, 35%) and thin ischemic (54 eyes, 32%). Predictors for failure to achieve the target IOP included previous ocular (p = 0.01) or glaucoma (p = 0.04) surgery, number of preoperative glaucoma medications (p = 0.029), and severity of glaucoma (p = 0.058). CONCLUSION: Combined Visco-Trab operation proved safe and effective, on midterm follow-up, in reducing IOP to the proposed target level in eyes with severe glaucoma via enhancing internal and external filtration.

Pattern electroretinogram changes in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma in correlation with visual field and optical coherence tomography changes.

PURPOSE: To study the pattern electroretinogram changes in primary open-angle glaucoma patients in correlation with visual field changes and optical coherence tomography measurements of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in the peripapillary region in an attempt to evaluate the clinical value of pattern electroretinogram as an objective test of functional deficit in glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 81 eyes of 81 participants: 50 primary open-angle glaucoma patients, 16 primary open-angle glaucoma suspects, and 15 controls. All subjects underwent visual field testing using 24-2 Humphrey standard automated perimetry, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer average thickness using the 3.4-mm circular scan of the Heidelberg OCT spectralis and pattern electroretinogram using CSO RetiMax device in accordance with the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision guidelines. RESULTS: We had three main groups: normal, glaucoma suspect, and primary open-angle glaucoma patients, and the last group included three subgroups: mild, moderate, and severe. There was significant difference in the visual field mean deviation, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer average thickness, and most pattern electroretinogram measured parameters between the three main groups and in between primary open-angle glaucoma subgroups. There was significant positive correlation between visual field mean deviation and the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer average thickness, P50 amplitude, and P50-N95 amplitude (p < 0.001, p = 0.018, and p < 0.001, respectively). Significant negative correlation was also found between peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer average thickness and N95 amplitude (p < 0.001). Significant positive correlation was found between retinal nerve fiber layer average thickness and P50-N95 amplitude (p = 0.001). Significant negative correlation was found between peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer average thickness and N95 amplitude (p = 0.001) and significant positive correlation of retinal nerve fiber layer average thickness with P50-N95 amplitude (p = 0.017) in primary open-angle glaucoma patients. CONCLUSION: Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer average thickness shows significant negative correlation with pattern electroretinogram N95 amplitude and a significant positive correlation with P50-N95 amplitude. In combination with optical coherence tomography, pattern electroretinogram can be used to objectively assess functional loss in glaucoma.

Combined Viscocanalostomy-Trabeculectomy for management of Advanced Glaucoma - A Comparative Study of the Contralateral Eye: A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: To compare combined viscocanalostomy-trabeculectomy (VISCO-TRAB) to trabeculectomy (TRAB) for the management of advanced glaucoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study cohort comprised of 18 subjects with bilateral advanced glaucoma who underwent VISCO-TRAB surgery (VISCO-TRAB group) in the right eye and TRAB (TRAB group) in the left eye. VISCO-TRAB constituted lamellar scleral flap, deep scleral flap dissection with deroofing of Schlemm's canal (SC), viscodilation of SC, penetrating trabeculectomy, peripheral iridectomy, and tight flap closure. All eyes received subconjunctival mitomycin. Success criteria included intraocular pressure (IOP) < 14 mmHg or > 30% lowering of IOP with no devastating complications. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Mean IOP was significantly lower after VISCO-TRAB compared to TRAB at 1 week and 3 months postoperatively (P<0.05). No eyes lost more than two lines of Snellen acuity. There were more hypotony-related complications after TRAB than VISCO-TRAB surgery. Target IOP was achieved in 83.3% in the VISCO-TRAB group compared to 55.6% in the TRAB group. CONCLUSION: Combined VISCO-TRAB is effective in reducing IOP to the target level for advanced glaucoma with lower postoperative complications.

Primary lens extraction for glaucoma management: A review article.

Recently, primary lens extraction alone gained more acceptance as an alternative surgical approach for glaucoma management. This view was supported by the advances in phacoemulsification and intraocular lenses with greater safety and visual recovery, in addition to a substantial reduction of intraocular pressure and deepening of the anterior chamber and filtration angle. The decrease in IOP after cataract surgery in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is mild, less predictable, related to baseline levels, and may return to presurgical values after an initial period of reduction. Therefore, the IOP-lowering effect of primary cataract extraction in POAG may be insufficient to achieve adequate IOP control. The IOP reduction after lens extraction is consistently greater in eyes with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) than in eyes with POAG. Primary lens extraction in acute PACG eliminates, or at least, reduces the risk of recurrence of acute attacks and deepens the anterior chamber and widens the angle which reduces the risk of progression of peripheral anterior synechiae and development of chronic PACG. Primary lens extraction may be more preferable to glaucoma incisional surgery in mild to moderate PACG eyes with appositional angle closure. The decision to do lens extraction as a primary treatment for glaucoma should be individualized based upon several factors other than the effect on IOP. These factors include patients' characteristics, surgeons' skills and preferences, status of glaucoma control, type of cataract and intraocular lens implanted, and potential harm of laser treatment for late capsular opacification and fibrosis.

Intravitreal bevacizumab and aqueous shunting surgery for neovascular glaucoma: safety and efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: To study the safety and efficacy of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab followed by aqueous shunting tube surgery for the management of neovascular glaucoma (NVG). STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, non-randomized study with a historical control group. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty eyes of 20 patients with intractable NVG were treated with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab followed by aqueous shunting surgery (IVB group). A historical group of 10 NVG eyes treated with panretinal photocoagulation followed by aqueous shunting surgery without bevacizumab injection was used for comparison (PRP group). METHODS: Injection of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) was performed under topical anesthesia. An Ahmed valve was implanted in all cases after 1-2 weeks. In the IVB group, 10 eyes received postoperative panretinal photocoagulation (subgroup 1A), and 10 eyes were followed without further photocoagulation (subgroup 1B). Minimum follow-up was 1 year or when failure was diagnosed. RESULTS: Mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 46.5 mm Hg in the IVB group and 49.2 mm Hg in the PRP group (p = 0.5). After bevacizumab injection, iris neovessels regressed markedly. The final IOP after aqueous shunting tube surgery was 18.8 mm Hg in the IVB group and 15.9 mm Hg in the PRP group (p = 0.2). Postsurgical complications were comparable between the groups. The success rate was 85% and 70% in the 2 groups, respectively. Two eyes were considered failures, and 3 required repeated bevacizumab injections in subgroup 1B as compared with 1 in subgroup 1A. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab is a useful preparatory step to safely and effectively implant an aqueous shunting tube in NVG. Panretinal photocoagulation after bevacizumab injection promotes the success rate of aqueous shunt surgery by permanent ablation of the ischemic retina.

Prevalence of glaucoma types and legal blindness from glaucoma in the western region of Saudi Arabia: a hospital-based study.

To determine prevalence of glaucoma subtypes and legal blindness in patients on their first visit to an ophthalmic center in the western region of Saudi Arabia a chart review analysis was carried out of new patients in 2006 with glaucoma diagnosis in our Glaucoma Unit. Diagnosis was confirmed clinically and by glaucoma workup. The main outcome was prevalence of glaucoma types and legal blindness from glaucoma. Of 2,354 new patients in 2006, 417 were glaucomatous. Mean age was 56.4 years and mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was 26.5 mmHg; 54.4% had prior glaucoma diagnosis. Prevalence of primary open-angle glaucoma was 30.5%, primary angle-closure 24.7%, neovascular 7.6%, surgically induced 6.5%, and exfoliative 5.2%. One-third of patients were unilaterally legally blind, whereas 11.3% were bilateral. Primary glaucoma represents two-thirds of glaucoma cases in Saudi Arabia. Approximately one-half of patients were legally blind in at least one eye at time of presentation.

Combined viscocanalostomy-trabeculectomy for management of far-advanced glaucoma: evaluation of the early postoperative course.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To study the early postoperative efficacy and safety of combined viscocanalostomy with trabeculectomy (VISCO-TRAB) for treating far-advanced glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with far-advanced glaucoma scheduled for glaucoma surgery were enrolled in the study. Surgery included viscocanalostomy until Schlemm's canal was deroofed and dilated with viscoelastic, followed by penetrating corneotrabeculectomy, peripheral iridectomy, and tight closure of lamellar flap. Patients with severe glaucoma who were treated with trabeculectomy only (TRAB) in the preceding year were used for comparison. RESULTS: The study included 39 eyes in the VISCO-TRAB group and 40 eyes in the TRAB group. Mean intraocular pressure was significantly lower in the VISCO-TRAB group during the early postoperative period (P < .05). The postoperative course was less eventful in the VISCO-TRAB group with minimal hypotony or suture lysis-related complications. CONCLUSION: During the early postoperative period, VISCO-TRAB proved efficacious and safe in reducing intraocular pressure to target levels in patients with far-advanced glaucoma.

Rate and amount of visual loss in 102 patients with open-angle glaucoma followed up for at least 15 years.

PURPOSE: To determine the probability of worsening of glaucoma and the rate of change in patients having open-angle glaucoma for approximately 20 years. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and two patients diagnosed and treated for open-angle glaucoma before 1982. TESTING/INTERVENTION: The optic disc and visual field of one eye of each patient were graded independently at diagnosis and periodically throughout the follow-up period for a minimum of 15 years (mean, 19 +/- 3 years), using a scale ranging from 0 = no damage to 5 = far-advanced damage. Therapy was contemperaneous and stepped through medical laser, and surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The probability of worsening by one or more stages was plotted against the length of follow-up (Kaplan-Meier survival curves). RESULTS: Nineteen eyes did not worsen, 43 deteriorated one stage, 31 two stages, and 9 three stages. The median time to first worsening was 7.5 years, to second worsening 18.5 years, and to third worsening 24.5 years. Patients with more advanced stages of damage were not more likely to deteriorate than those with less-marked damage. The intraocular pressure was not significantly lower in the patients who remained stable. Seventeen eyes deteriorated to a visual acuity of 20/200 or worse. Of these, causes other than glaucoma were responsible in at least 60% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 20% of eyes with open-angle glaucoma remained stable for about 20 years, 43% deteriorated one of five stages, and 9% three of five stages. Seventeen of the eyes lost acuity to a level of 20/200, usually from causes other than glaucoma. Deterioration of field was, on average, first noted at 7.5 years, after which the rate of deterioration slowed.