Impact of Total Corneal Astigmatism Estimated With the Abulafia-Koch Formula Versus Measured With a SS-OCT Biometer on the Refractive Outcomes of a Toric Intraocular Lens in Cataract Surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the impact of total corneal astigmatism (TCA) estimated with the Abulafia-Koch formula (TCAABU) versus measured by Total Keratometry (TK), swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) coupled with telecentric keratometry (TCATK) on the refractive outcomes after cataract surgery with toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. METHODS: Two hundred one eyes of 146 patients who underwent cataract surgery with toric IOL implantation (XY1AT; HOYA Corporation) were included in this single-center, retrospective study. For each eye, TCAABU (estimated from the anterior keratometry values measured with the IOLMaster 700 [Carl Zeiss Meditec AG]) and TCATK (measured using TK IOLMaster 700) were entered into the HOYA Toric Calculator. Patients were operated on based on TCAABU. For each eye, centroid and mean absolute error in predicted residual astigmatism (EPA) were calculated according to TCA used (TCAABU or TCATK). The cylinder power and the axis of the posterior chamber IOL were compared. RESULTS: The mean uncorrected distance visual acuity was 0.07 ± 0.12 logMAR, the mean spherical equivalent was 0.11 ± 0.40 D, and mean residual astigmatism was 0.35 ± 0.36 D. Mean centroid EPA was 0.28 D at 132° with TCAABU and 0.35 D at 148° with TCATK (P(x) < .001; P(y) < .01). Mean absolute EPA was 0.46 ± 0.32 D with TCAABU and 0.50 ± 0.37 D with TCATK (P < .01). In the with-the-rule astigmatism subgroup, a deviation from the target of less than 0.50 D was achieved in 68% of eyes with TCAABU versus 50% of eyes with TCATK. The proposed posterior chamber IOL was different depending on the calculation methods used in 86% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Both calculation methods showed excellent results. However, the predictability error was significantly reduced when TCAABU was used compared to TCATK measured with the IOLMaster 700 in the whole cohort. Finally, TCA was overestimated by TK in the with-the-rule astigmatism subgroup. [J Refract Surg. 2023;39(3):171-179.].

Retinal Pigment Epithelium Tear After Nonpenetrating Deep Sclerectomy.

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tear is a common complication in the context of neovascular age-related macular degeneration treated by intravitreal injections of antivascular endothelial growth factor drugs. There are some reports of such complications after trabeculectomy but none after nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS). A 57-year-old man presented to our hospital with uncontrolled advanced glaucoma of his left eye. NPDS with adjunctive use of mitomycin C was performed with no intraoperative complication. On the seventh postoperative day clinical examination and multimodal imaging revealed a macular RPE tear in the operated eye. Subretinal fluid induced by the tear resolved within 2 months with an increase in intraocular pressure. To the best of our knowledge, this article discusses the first reported case of RPE tear occurring just after NPDS.

Macular edema in Cogan-Reese syndrome.

PURPOSE: Iridocorneo-endothelial (ICE) syndrome is known as a rare spectrum causing glaucoma, corneal and iris damages. Retinal complications are uncommon. OBSERVATIONS: We report the case of a middle-aged woman suffering from a Cogan-Reese Syndrome (CRS) with refractory ocular hypertension (OHT) who presented a cystoid macular edema (CME) during follow up. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: We suspect the CME to be inflammatory linked to the pathophysiological hypotheses of the CRS. The CME was successfully treated with topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). No consensus is available on its duration. A recurrence happened when treatment was stopped, its reintroduction was successful.

Screening of telangiectatic capillaries in chronic macular edema based on multimodal imaging: a study of 101 eyes. LyoMAC1 study.

PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of telangiectatic capillaries (TCs) in patients followed for chronic macular edema (CME) (diabetic ME [DME] and ME associated with retinal vein occlusion [RVO]). METHODS: Real-life, prospective, bi-centric cohort study including all consecutive patients followed for a clinically significant CME secondary to diabetic retinopathy or RVO. Inclusion criteria were patients treated with intravitreal injection for their ME for at least 12 months who had to undergo follow-up angiography. Multimodal imaging with color retinophotography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), OCT angiography, and en face OCT was performed in all patients. RESULTS: A total of 101 eyes of 71 patients were included between November 2019 and June 2020. Of the 101 eyes analyzed, indocyanine green angiography found at least one TC in 67 eyes (66.3%). No significant differences were found between the groups with and without TC except for the distribution of DME and RVO (p < 0.008). In 83.6% of eyes with TCs, TCs contributed to the formation of the ME. SD-OCT sensitivity for TC detection was 94%. CONCLUSION: In our study, the estimated prevalence of TCs in CME (DME and ME associated with RVO) was 66.3%, i.e., two-thirds of patients. SD-OCT was an excellent screening examination with a sensitivity of 94%.

A prospective multicentre study of intravitreal injections and ocular surface in 219 patients: IVIS study.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of intravitreal injections (IVTI) on ocular surface of patients treated with multiple injections. METHODS: Prospective, tricentric study conducted in patients treated with unilateral IVTI. An asepsis protocol with povidone-iodine was used for all patients during IVTI. The primary endpoint was the difference between the pre-IVTI Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI 1) score and that measured on day one (D1) post-IVTI (OSDI 2). Secondary endpoints were the evaluation of predictive factors for OSDI scores, pain assessment on D1, and the Lacrydiag® analysis of tears from the injected eye versus contralateral eye before IVTI. RESULTS: Two hundred and nineteen patients with a mean age of 75.9 ± 10 years were included. The mean OSDI2-OSDI1 difference was 19.2 ± 20.6 (p < 0.001). The mean noninvasive tear break-up time was 6.41 ± 4.59 seconds in the injected eye versus 7.36 ± 4.36 seconds in the contralateral eye (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the factors significantly associated with the OSDI 2 score were the OSDI 1 score (p < 0.001), the pain score on D1 (p < 0.001) the number of instilled glaucoma eye drop (p = 0.01) and a centre effect (centres 2 and 3 versus centre 1, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results confirm the impairment of the ocular surface and quality of life immediately after an IVTI. These results suggest 3 levels of action to improve the immediate tolerance: improving the basal status of the ocular surface, reducing the contact time with povidone-iodine that might be toxic to the surface, and improving immediate post-IVTI treatment.

Impact of measured total keratometry versus anterior keratometry on the refractive outcomes of the AT TORBI 709-MP toric intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the visual and refractive outcomes of total keratometry (TK) versus anterior keratometry (AK) measurements of the IOLMaster 700® (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany) in surgery for age-related cataract with preexisting corneal astigmatism. METHODS: Monocentric retrospective comparative study. The IOLMaster 700® biometer was used in the 2 groups: in AK mode (AK group) and in TK mode (TK group), for toric IOL (AT TORBI 709 MP) calculation with ZCALC®, Zeiss toric IOL calculator. A 2:1 matching was made between the AK and TK groups. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), the correction index and the error in predicted residual astigmatism were analyzed 1 month postoperatively using the vector analysis by the Alpins method. RESULTS: The whole cohort included 405 eyes distributed as follows after 2:1 matching: 158 eyes in the AK group and 79 eyes in the TK group. The mean UDVA was similar in both groups (0.07 ± 0.10 LogMAR; p = 0.587). No significant difference in mean absolute error in predicted residual astigmatism (0.37 ± 0.33 D versus 0.35 ± 0.26 D; p = 0.545) and in mean centroid error in predicted residual astigmatism (0.19 ± 0.49 at 3° and 0.06 ± 0.46 at 0°; p = 0.008 and 0.161 respectively for the x- and y-components) was found between the AK and TK groups. CONCLUSION: TK of the IOLMaster 700® gives excellent refractive and visual outcomes, comparable to those obtained in AK mode, without showing its superiority for corneas with regular astigmatism.

Increased choroidal thickness: a new indicator for monitoring diabetic macular oedema recurrence.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether choroidal thickness (CT) increases at the time of exudative recurrence in diabetic patients with unilateral diabetic macular oedema (DME) treated with intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF or dexamethasone. METHODS: A real-life, prospective, two-centre study was conducted over a 9-month period investigating diabetic patients presenting with unilateral DME treated with anti-VEGF or dexamethasone intravitreal injections, and CT was measured manually, using the enhanced depth imaging module of the spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Choroidal thickness (CT) was measured in the morning, in both the affected and healthy eye of each patient at two timepoints: when the macula was 'dry' (T0) and at the time of exudative recurrence (T1). RESULTS: A total of 51 patients with unilateral DME were included. Mean CT in the affected eye was significantly thicker at the time of exudative recurrence (210.8 ± 44.1 µm at T0 versus 238.0 ± 49.0 µm at T1, p < 0.001). There was no significant variation in CT in the fellow eye (214.4 ± 52.3 µm at T0 versus 218.9 ± 53.4 µm at T1, p = 0.53). The type of intravitreal injection, the number of injections and the CT at T0 had no influence on the change in CT. CONCLUSION: This study found that CT increased significantly in the affected eye at the time of recurrence of DME treated with anti-VEGF or dexamethasone injections. Choroidal thickness (CT) could constitute an interesting new indicator for monitoring patients with DME.

Complications of cosmetic iris implants: French series of 87 eyes.

PURPOSE: Iris intraocular implants were developed to manage congenital or traumatic iris defects. However, they are also used to change the color of patient eyes. The aim of this retrospective series was to report complications in patients managed in France after cosmetic implantation. SETTING: Ophthalmological institutions and private ophthalmologists in France. DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective observational study. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to all ophthalmology departments in university hospitals and to private ophthalmologists. This questionnaire listed demographic and clinical data for each implanted eye with a focus on safety, the description of ocular complications (corneal edema, endothelial cell loss, increased intraocular pressure, and intraocular inflammation), and the therapeutic management implemented. RESULTS: Forty-four questionnaires (87 eyes) were collected, and ultimately, 33 questionnaires (65 eyes) were considered complete and analyzed. Two types of implants were identified. Of the 65 eyes analyzed, only 5 eyes (7.7%) did not experience any complication and 60 eyes (92.3%) had at least 1 complication. The most commonly reported complication was corneal decompensation (78.5%). The diagnosis of glaucoma was made in over half (52.3%) of the cases. Explantation was needed in 81.5% of cases. The mean final visual acuity was 0.45 ± 0.08 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (0 to 2 logMAR). CONCLUSIONS: Several ocular complications with a decreased mean visual acuity were described in a young healthy population. In addition, patient information on the safety of this procedure appeared insufficient.

Idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in Caucasians: The POLYON real-life study in 50 naive patients.

OBJECTIVES: Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy is a common disease in Asia, but it has been less described in the Caucasian population. The aim of this real-life observational study was to describe the diagnostic and therapeutic practices as well as the prognosis in this population. METHOD: Fifty Caucasian patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy were included in this study. All patients underwent angiography to confirm the diagnosis. Patients were divided into two treatment groups: patients of group 1 only received anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections and those of group 2 required photodynamic therapy rescue in addition to intravitreal injections in case of suboptimal (anatomically or functionally) response. Clinical (visual acuity, fundus examination), paraclinical (retinal pigment epithelium detachment height and central retinal thickness on optical coherence tomography), and therapeutic (number of intravitreal injections) criteria were analyzed after 24 months. RESULTS: Patient mean age was 73.9 ± 9.1 years, and half of the patients had age-related macular degeneration. In the whole cohort, the initial visual acuity was equivalent to the final visual acuity (59.9 ± 24.0 letters vs 62.5 ± 21.1 letters, p = 0.259). In group 1, the final visual acuity was significantly increased (from 56.9 ± 24.7 letters to 63.4 ± 21.6 letters, p = 0.016), while in group 2, it remained stable (from 61.7 ± 23.4 letters to 61.0 ± 21.4 letters, p = 0.249). The number of intravitreal injections was similar between both groups. CONCLUSION: In a Caucasian population, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy seems to have a later onset. A non-standardized management allows stabilizing the functional prognosis. Patients requiring photodynamic therapy rescue have a poorer prognosis.

EVALUATION OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME AS A RISK FACTOR FOR DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE II DIABETES.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between obstructive sleep apnea and diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients with Type II diabetes, using the apnea-hypopnea index and other nocturnal hypoxemia parameters. METHODS: This cross-sectional, case-control study included 99 patients with Type II diabetes: the first group included patients with DME (DME+ group) and the second patients without DME (DME- group). Polysomnography was performed in all patients. The two groups were compared, and the risk factors were studied using logistic regression. RESULTS: The DME+ group comprised 38 patients, and the DME- group comprised 61 patients, aged a mean 68.8 years and 66.3 years (P = 0.27), respectively; mean body mass index was 29.7 and 30.9 (P = 0.16), respectively. The mean apnea-hypopnea index was significantly higher in the DME+ group (43.95 [13.5-87.3]) than in the DME- group (35.18 [3.55-90.7]) (P = 0.034). Patients with DME had more severe obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index >30) than the others: 71% versus 50.8% (P = 0.049). Cumulative time of SPO2 below 90% (CT90%) was independently associated with DME after adjusting for confounding factors, whereas there was no difference between the oxygen desaturation index and minimum O2 saturation. CONCLUSION: Severe obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index >30) and parameters of nocturnal hypoxemia (cumulative time of SPO2 below 90%) are associated with DME.

Comparison of two biometers: A swept-source optical coherence tomography and an optical low-coherence reflectometry biometer.

PURPOSE: The technological improvements in optical biometers have made cataract surgery evolve to the level of refractive surgery. This study assessed the correlation and agreement between a biometer using swept-source optical coherence tomography technology (IOLMaster 700; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany) and a biometer using optical low-coherence reflectometry (Lenstar; Haag Streit, Koeniz, Switzerland). PROCEDURES: Optical biometric measurements were taken with the IOLMaster 700 and the Lenstar on 129 eyes of 129 patients referred for cataract surgery. We compared biometric data (axial length, mean keratometry, central pachymetry, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and horizontal white-to-white measurement) and the emmetropic intraocular lens power calculated with SRK/T and Haigis formulas. Correlation and agreement for these parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Only anterior chamber depth measurements (3.05 ± 0.07 vs 3.07 ± 0.07, p < 0.001) and the white-to-white measurement (11.97 ± 0.07 vs 12.06 ± 0.07, p < 0.001) differed significantly between the machines. Correlations and agreements were excellent, with perfect agreement for axial length measurement (r = 1, intraclass correlation coefficient = 1). Emmetropic intraocular lens power did not differ between devices with SRK/T formula (20.94 ± 0.51 vs 20.92 ± 0.50, p = 0.51). With Haigis formula, there was a statistically significant difference (21.04 ± 0.52 vs 20.84 ± 0.52, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that there is a very high correlation and agreement for the biometric measurements and calculation of intraocular lens implant power with the SRK/T formula.

Increased choroidal thickness: a new feature to monitor age-related macular degeneration recurrence.

PURPOSE: The main objective of this study was to assess choroidal thickness (CT) changes during an exudative recurrence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: A real-life prospective non-interventional 9-month study was conducted in two centers in consecutive patients with exudative AMD between November 2016 and July 2017. CT was measured manually in both eyes based on enhanced-depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography at different follow-up visits scheduled in the morning. RESULTS: A total of 134 patients were included. Ninety-five patients presented at least one episode, defined by a follow-up visit under controlled condition (dry retina) followed by a visit for exudative recurrence. A total of 119 episodes were analyzed. The mean CT change in the treated eye was + 8.45 ± 13.52 µm (p < 0.001) and + 5.62 ± 14.77 µm (p = 0.009) respectively in the subfoveal area and nasal area. No significant change in CT was observed in the fellow eye. No significant association between CT changes and treatment, number of intravitreal injections, and blood pressure was observed. CONCLUSION: CT increased in case of exudative recurrence of neovascular AMD. The increase was mild but significant. Thus, CT could be used as a monitoring criterion, like the central retinal thickness, in AMD management.

Retinal vein occlusion and obstructive sleep apnea: a series of 114 patients.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO). METHODS: A prospective and controlled study including 114 patients from January to September 2016, who were divided into two groups: 69 patients with RVO (RVO+) and 45 controls (RVO-), matched for age, sex and disease. All the patients completed a simple questionnaire and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and underwent a RUSleeping® (portable monitoring device and then continuously monitored the subject's respiration to detect respiratory events). In addition, all patients with RVO were administered OSA screening with a polysomnography (PSG) during an overnight stay in the hospital, which was analysed by a single sleep apnea specialist. RESULTS: Sleep apnea was suspected in 73.9% in the RVO group and 63% in the control group based on the simple questionnaire; 22% in the RVO group and 4.3% in the control group according to the Epworth Sleepiness Scale; 82.6% in the RVO group and 55.6% in the control group (p = 0.005) according to RUSleeping® . Multivariate logistic regression analysis (based on RUsleeping® ) confirmed that RVO was associated with OSA (adjusted odds ratio, 5.65, [1.60-19.92], p = 0.007). All patients in the RVO group were confirmed by PSG, and finally, 91.5% were diagnosed with moderate-to-severe OSA. Among the RVO+ patients, the mean apnea-hypopnoea index (AHI) was 42.2 events per hour (7.7-96.5). OSA was moderate in 22% patients and severe in 69.5% patients. There was no significant relationship between RVO severity and the PSG data variables. CONCLUSION: The systematic screening of OSA with the gold standard PSG found a high prevalence of OSA in patients with RVO. The OSA is probably a risk factor associated with RVO. Polysomnography remains the gold standard method; nevertheless, the RUsleeping® RTS portable monitoring device can assess the presence and severity of sleep apnea with a low failure rate and a single use, prior to PSG, which is less available in clinical practice. Further studies with larger samples are needed to clarify the association.

Cephalic region war injuries in children: Experience in French NATO hospital in Kabul Afghanistan.

BACKGROUNDS: The NATO KAIA Hospital (Kabul International Airport), under French command, provided medical support for NATO forces in the Kabul region from 2009 to 2014. Medical assistance to civilians was an additional mission which included support for children who were war injured. The objective of this study was to analyze characteristics of cephalic injuries in children victims of war trauma. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted and commenced with the hospital opening (July 2009) to March 2012 on all children (<15years) with war trauma. We distinguished cephalic lesions in cranial (neuro-surgical), ophthalmological and neck regions. We analyzed mechanism, region, severity score, surgeries and resuscitation efforts. RESULTS: 217 children were operated on with 81 war traumas (mean age 10.2years). 36 children (44.4%) had a cephalic injury. 52.9% of the injured had an ophthalmological injury, 38.2% a cranial region injury and 29.4% a neck lesion. Mortality rate was 5.6% (1 hemorrhagic shock and 1 cerebral wound) in this cephalic lesion group. Ophthalmic injuries were the most common of cephalic injuries; 19 children of which 7 had a bilateral injury (26 eyes). In this group, fragmentary injuries were the most frequent (64% of eyes). In cerebral lesion group, the lesions were linked to a bullet or a shrapnel in 9 of 13 children. This mechanism systematically caused a crania-cerebral wound. Explosion (fragmentary and shrapnel) was the most important in the neck lesions (7 children of 10). CONCLUSIONS: The cephalic lesions were the second most common region in children during our experience in Afghanistan. Lack of protection (helmet) in children may explain the frequency of cephalic wounds.

TOLERANCE OF INTRAVITREAL DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANTS IN PATIENTS WITH OCULAR HYPERTENSION OR OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the pressure tolerance of dexamethasone implants in open-angle glaucoma (OAG+) patients and ocular hypertension (OHT+) patients compared with nonglaucomatous and nonhypertensive patients. METHODS: Retrospective observational 2-center, controlled study including 100 patients treated with intravitreal injections of dexamethasone, divided into 2 groups: Group 1, OAG+/OHT+ (n = 50), and Group 2, OAG-/OHT- (n = 50), matched for age and disease. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and hypotensive treatment were evaluated initially, at 8 days, and every month for 6 months after intravitreal treatment. The primary endpoint was IOP increase greater than 10 mmHg. RESULTS: Thirty-four percent of glaucomatous patients experienced a transient IOP increase greater than 10 mmHg versus 16% in the OAG-/OHT- group (P = 0.06). Intraocular pressure greater than 25 mmHg was recorded early on Day 8 in 6% of the OAG+ patients versus 2% of the OAG- patients. Fifty-four percent of the glaucoma patients increased their treatment, and hypotensive treatment was initiated in 38% of the OAG- patients (P = 0.1). Filtering surgery was only required in the OAG+/OHT+ group (6% versus 0%), particularly in dual-therapy and triple-therapy patients, who had a higher risk of filtering surgery (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Half of the OAG+ and OHT+ patients needed an add-on treatment, with early onset beginning on Day 8 in 6%. This emphasizes the need for IOP monitoring during treatment, especially for OAG+/OHT+ patients.

Intraocular Pressure Spikes after Aflibercept Intravitreal Injections.

The objective of this study was to assess the intraocular pressure (IOP) as well as the anatomical modifications of the anterior segment following an aflibercept injection. Patients underwent an aflibercept intravitreal injection (IVI) (0.05 ml) with a 30.5-gauge needle and an antireflux system. IOP was assessed before injection (T0), immediately after (T1), and 5 min (T5), 15 min (T15), and 45 min (T45) after the IVI. Before the IVI and immediately after the T1 measurement, a PENTACAM® acquisition was used to evaluate the anterior chamber parameters (anterior chamber volume, depth and measure of the iridocorneal angle). At T0, IOP was 12.9 ± 1.3 mm Hg. IOP significantly increased after IVI (42.7 ± 3 mm Hg, p < 0.001). IOP returned to baseline at T45 (13.0 ± 1.2 mm Hg, p = 0.877). Anterior chamber volume decreased after IVI (160.6 vs. 168.3 mm3, p = 0.002). No significant changes were found for iridocorneal angle and anterior chamber depth. Aflibercept IVI causes an acute increase in IOP over a short period without iridocorneal angle closure.

Progression of visual field in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma - ProgF study 1.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual field rate of progression of patients with treated ocular hypertension (OHT) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in clinical practice, using the mean deviation (MD) and the visual field index (VFI). METHODS: Non-interventional cohort study. From a large multicentre database representative of the French population, 441 eyes of 228 patients with treated OHT or POAG followed up at least 6 years with Humphrey 24.2 Sita-Standard visual field examination at least twice a year were identified. From initial data, eyes were classified in five groups: 121 with OHT, 188 with early glaucoma (MD greater than -6 dB), 45 with moderate glaucoma (MD -6 to -12 dB), 41 with advanced glaucoma (MD -12 to -18 dB) and 46 with severe glaucoma (MD less than -18 dB). Rate of progression during the follow-up period was calculated using the trend analysis of the Guided Progression Analysis software. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up was 8.4 ± 2.7 years and the mean number of visual field, 18.4 ± 3.5. In eyes with OHT, rate of progression was -0.09 dB/year (-0.17%VFI/year). In eyes with POAG, rate of progression was -0.32 dB/year (-0.83%VFI/year) in eyes with early glaucoma, -0.52 dB/year (-1.81%VFI/year) in moderate glaucoma, -0.54 dB/year (-2.35%VFI/year) in advanced glaucoma and -0.45 dB/year (-1.97%VFI/year) in severe glaucoma. In eyes with POAG, a significant progression (p < 0.05) was detected in 159 of 320 eyes (49.7%) with trend analysis and 117 of 320 eyes (36.6%, likely progression) or 183 of 320 eyes (57.2%, possible and likely progression) with event analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Primary open-angle glaucoma is a progressive disease in the majority of patients despite cautioned treatment and follow-up. The rate of progression varies greatly among subjects.

Reproducibility of macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness measurement with cirrus HD-OCT in normal, hypertensive and glaucomatous eyes.

AIM: To evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of macular retinal ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness measurement by automated detection on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) images in normal, hypertensive (ocular hypertensive (OHT)) and glaucomatous eyes. METHODS: A total of 138 eyes were enrolled in three groups: 69 normal, 35 OHT and 34 primary open-angle glaucoma eyes. All patients underwent a complete ocular examination, 24-2 automated perimetry, biometry and pachymetry. Macular imaging was performed in each eye using the Cirrus HD-OCT 4000 with software V.6.0. (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, California, USA) three times on the same day by each of two observers, and the GC analysis (GCA) algorithm provided parameters expressed as average, minimum and six sectoral GC-IPL thicknesses. Reproducibility was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV) and test-retest variability (TRTV) calculated as 1.96 times the SD. RESULTS: Mean GC-IPL thickness was 82.27 ± 7.37 µm, 76.84 ± 7.01 µm and 66.16 ± 11.16 µm in normal, OHT and glaucoma groups, respectively. GC-IPL thickness was significantly lower in glaucomatous eyes than in normal and OHT eyes (p<0.0001 for all parameters). In all groups, ICC ranged from 96.4 to 99.9% and 92.5 to 99.8%, CV ranged from 0.41 to 2.24% and 0.55 to 1.67%, and TRTV ranged from 0.61 to 2.64 µm and 0.83 to 2.22 µm for intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of GCA algorithm reproducibility in normal, OHT and glaucomatous eyes. The reproducibility of GC-IPL thickness measurements using the Cirrus HD-OCT GCA algorithm was found to be highly satisfactory. GC-IPL thickness may be a promising new OCT parameter for analysis of ganglion cell damage in glaucoma.

Effect of topical pressure-lowering medication on prevention of intraocular pressure spikes after intravitreal injection.

Purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate pressure increases after intravitreal injections (IVI) and the interest in using prophylactic pressure-lowering medications. 
Methods. This was a prospective study of 250 anti-vascular endothelial growth factor IVI (ranibizumab) divided into 5 groups of 50 IVI (group 1: no intraocular pressure [IOP]-lowering medication; group 2: apraclonidine 1%; group 3: acetazolamide; group 4: fixed association brimonidine + timolol; group 5: fixed association dorzolamide + timolol). The IOP was measured before, immediately after (T1), 15 minutes after (T15), and 45 minutes after (T45) the IVI using a tonometer. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance followed by a Bonferroni as post hoc test if necessary.
Results. The mean IOP peak in group 1 was 46.4±10 mmHg at T1, 21.7±10.2 mmHg at T15, and 15.4±8.6 mmHg at T45. It was not correlated with axial length (r=0.04, p=0.81) or lens status (phakic vs pseudophakic: p=0.88). A mild but significant correlation was found with age (r=0.36, p=0.006). Topical medications produced a significant reduction of IOP at every time point, of around 9 mmHg at T1. The reduction in IOP obtained with acetazolamide was not significant at T1 (-1.6 mmHg, p=0.12), but became significant at T15 and T45 (p=0.011 and p=0.015). 
Conclusions. Intraocular pressure spike was high but transient. Topical medications, however, produced a significant reduction in IOP spike as well as in the duration of the increased pressure. It would be advisable to prevent this IOP spike, especially when procedures are repeated, notably in patients with glaucoma.