Combined versus standalone XEN45 Gel Stent implantation in either phakic or pseudophakic patients: a case-matched study.

PURPOSE: To determine differing outcomes among either phakic or pseudophakic patients who received standalone XEN45 Gel Stent (Allergan, an AbbVie Company, CA, USA) implantation and patients who underwent combined surgery with phacoemulsification. METHODS: This retrospective single-center study involved 180 eyes of 180 participants who underwent XEN45 Gel Stent implantation, of which 60 eyes received combined surgery with phacoemulsification (combined group). Standalone stent implantation was performed on 60 phakic (phakic group) and on 60 pseudophakic eyes (pseudophakic group). The groups were matched in a ratio of 1:1:1 based on multiple criteria. Successful surgery was defined by three scores: IOP at the longest follow-up of < 21 mmHg (Score A) or < 18 mmHg (Score B) and an IOP reduction > 20% or IOP ≤ 15 mmHg and an IOP reduction ≥ 40% (Score C). In all scores, one open conjunctival revision was allowed, and additional repeat surgery was considered a failure. RESULTS: After an average follow-up time interval of 20.6 ± 12.6 months, there was a mean IOP-reduction by 37% among the entire cohort. Comparative analysis between the three groups did not show significant differences regarding postoperative IOP, postoperative medication score, side effects, revision rate, repeat surgery rate or success rate. A dysfunctional stent was detected in eight eyes (4%) during open conjunctival revision in 76 eyes. CONCLUSION: The clinical endpoints investigated did not differ significantly among either phakic or pseudophakic patients who received standalone stent implantation and patients who underwent combined surgery. However mean latency between primary stent implantation and first revision surgery after combined surgery was markedly shorter.

Predictability of success for combined iStent inject trabecular bypass implantation with phacoemulsification in the subsequent eye.

BACKGROUND: To investigate in combined iStent inject implantation with phacoemulsification carried out bilaterally, whether intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effectiveness in the first eye has a predictive potential for the outcome of the second eye in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: This retrospective study included 72 eyes from 36 participants, who underwent trabecular bypass implantation in combination with cataract surgery at two study centres (Düsseldorf, Cologne). Surgery was classified as either 'success' or 'failure' based on three scores: IOP at follow-up <21 mmHg (Score A) or IOP < 18 mmHg (Score B), with an IOP reduction >20% respectively, without re-surgery and IOP ≤ 15 mmHg with an IOP reduction ≥40%, without re-surgery (Score C). RESULTS: The IOP lowering outcomes of first and second eyes did not differ significantly. There was a significantly higher chance of success in the second eye after effective surgery in the first eye compared with cases after a preceding failure. Within our cohort, a 76% probability of success for the subsequent eye was determined following prior success for Score A. This probability was reduced to 13% if surgery in the first eye failed. The respective probabilities were 75% and 13% for Score B and 40% and 7% for Score C. CONCLUSIONS: In bilateral trabecular bypass implantation combined with cataract surgery, there is a high predictive potential for subsequent eyes based on the extent of IOP-lowering in the initial eye, which should be considered by the surgeon for second eye surgeries.

Predictability of ab-interno trabeculectomy success in the subsequent eye: A contralateral eye comparison study.

BACKGROUND: To determine whether the outcome of the first eye may serve as a predictor for intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effectiveness in the second eye following bilateral ab interno trabeculectomy. METHODS: This retrospective single-centre study included 168 eyes from 84 participants, who underwent combined Trabectome surgery with phacoemulsification cataract surgery in a hospital setting. The clinical endpoint was defined as either 'success' or 'failure' based on four separate scores at the longest follow-up time point: IOP at follow-up <21 mm Hg (Score A) or IOP < 18 mm Hg (Score B), without re-surgery and IOP reduction >20%; IOP ≤15 mm Hg without re-surgery and IOP reduction ≥40% (Score C); and the sole absence of re-surgery according to the discretion of the surgeon (Score D). RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between the outcomes of first and second eyes. The frequency of success in the second eye after effective surgery in the first eye significantly exceeded that after prior failure. Within our analysis, the probability calculations determined a 75% chance of success following prior success for Score A. If surgery in the first eye failed, the chance of success in the subsequent eye was 37%. The corresponding probabilities were 79% and 32% for Score B, 56% and 9% for Score C, and 99% and 50% for Score D. CONCLUSION: The results of our study offer a useful tool to assess the success of subsequent eye surgeries based on the outcome in the initial eye, owing to the high predictive potential.

Trabectome, trabecular aspiration and phacoemulsification in a triple procedure for treating exfoliation glaucoma: A long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: This study investigates the long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering potential, risk profile and success rate of a triple procedure comprising phacoemulsification, trabecular aspiration and trabectome (Microsurgical Technology, Redmond, WA, USA) for treating exfoliation glaucoma. METHODS: A total of 117 eyes of 117 patients with exfoliation glaucoma underwent a combination of phacoemulsification, trabectome and trabecular aspiration. They were followed up for up to 7 years. The success rates were designated according to criteria based on the Tube versus Trabeculectomy Study and the World Glaucoma Association guidelines: A (no resurgery); B/C (IOP < 21/18 mmHg, no resurgery, IOP reduction > 20%); D (IOP ⩽ 15 mmHg, no resurgery, IOP reduction ⩾ 40%). RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 46 months. IOP showed a 38% reduction from 24.5 ± 6.1 to 15.2 ± 3.6 mmHg (p < 0.0001). The Medication Score decreased by 23% from 2.2 ± 0.9 to 1.7 ±1.0 (p < 0.0001). The success rates were 87, 76, 74 and 38% according to criteria A, B, C and D. In eyes with an initial IOP of >30 mmHg, a 57% reduction from 34.2 ± 4.4 to 14.8 ± 3.2 mmHg (p < 0.0001) was observed, and the success rates were 91, 91, 82 and 59% for criteria A, B, C and D, respectively. DISCUSSION: We conclude that the triple procedure may effectively lower IOP in patients with exfoliation glaucoma over a mean follow-up period of 46 months without significant side effects. Therefore, the triple procedure may serve as first-line surgery for patients with exfoliation and cataract, even with a high initial IOP.

Primary Versus Posttrabeculectomy XEN45 Gel Stent Implantation: Comparison of Success Rates and Intraocular Pressure-lowering Potential in Pseudophakic Eyes.

PRECIS: The XEN45 Gel Stent can be implanted after failed trabeculectomy without disadvantages compared with primary implantation. PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the outcomes of XEN45 Gel Stent implantation in pseudophakic eyes after failed trabeculectomy and in pseudophakic eyes without other previous surgeries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we included 30 pseudophakic eyes of 30 patients who underwent XEN45 Gel Stent implantation after failed trabeculectomy (trabeculectomy group) and 60 eyes of 60 patients with primary XEN45 Gel Stent implantation (control group). The groups were matched for preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), preoperative medication score, cup-to-disc ratio, follow-up time, visual acuity, and age at a ratio of 1:2. Eyes with concomitant eye diseases, those who had undergone previous surgery, and those with a follow-up duration <6 months were excluded. We compared the success rates on the basis of different criteria: Criteria A (IOP<21 mm Hg, IOP reduction>20%, no repeat surgery); Criteria B (IOP<18 mm Hg, IOP reduction>20%, no repeat surgery); and Criteria C (IOP≤15 mm Hg, IOP reduction≥40%, no repeat surgery). RESULTS: After an average follow-up period of 20 months, the mean IOP was reduced from 24.4±5.7 to 14.0±4.1 mm Hg in all the study subjects (90 patients). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in postoperative IOP, postoperative medication score, revision rate, and repeat surgery rate or success rate. CONCLUSIONS: XEN45 Gel Stent implantation is a viable option after failed trabeculectomy. According to our results, it has no disadvantage compared with primary XEN45 Gel Stent implantation.

Correction to: Influence of oral anticoagulation on success rates and risk of bleeding events after iStent inject implantation combined with phacoemulsification.

The published online version contains mistake as the author's first name and last name have been interchanged as "Hild Matthias" instead of "Matthias Hild".

Influence of oral anticoagulation on success rates and risk of bleeding events after iStent inject implantation combined with phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect, the success rates, and the risk of bleeding events of patients receiving an iStent inject combined with phacoemulsification under anticoagulation therapy compared with a matched control group. METHODS: In this retrospective study, sixty-four eyes underwent an iStent inject implantation combined with phacoemulsification at two centers. Thirty-two eyes received surgery while under anticoagulation therapy, and another thirty-two eyes served as a control group matched for visual acuity, IOP, and medication score. Success was defined as criteria A and B (IOP < 18/21 mmHg, > 20% IOP reduction, no resurgery) and criteria C (IOP ≤ 15 mmHg, IOP reduction ≥ 40%, no resurgery). The clinical goal of the study was to determine the difference between the study and control groups with respect to IOP, medication score, and the frequency of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding events. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up time of 1 year, the IOP lowered 28% from 20.1 ± 4.8 to 14.5 ± 3.7 mmHg in the group of 64 eyes. The medication score lowered 38% from 2.1 ± 1.1 to 1.3 ± 1.2. The two groups with and without anticoagulant agents did not significantly differ in postoperative IOP, medication score, success rates, or number of bleeding events. CONCLUSION: We conclude that in cataract surgery combined with the iStent inject a discontinuation of anticoagulant agents might not be necessary. It might be a good option in glaucoma surgery when anticoagulation treatment should not be interrupted and the target pressure is not very low.

Intraocular Degradation of XEN45 Gel Stent 3 Years After its Implantation.

INTRODUCTION: We report a case of XEN45 Gel Stent removal 3 years after its implantation. The stent had degraded with a closed lumen, so a new stent was implanted. CASE REPORT: A 63-year-old woman was scheduled for XEN45 Gel Stent implantation. Three years after the primary surgery and 2 years after a surgical revision, second revision surgery was required. The conjunctiva was opened, and the implanted XEN Gel Stent was stripped of the adhesive scar tissues. No aqueous humor flow was seen through the stent, and therefore, the stent was removed. The intrascleral and intracameral parts had degraded. The surface of the stent was irregular and cobbled. A part of the lumen in the middle of the stent had closed. DISCUSSION: We detected changes in the stent after its removal during the surgical revision with conjunctival opening, which is our standard approach for failed XEN Gel Stents. Most surgeons advise needling of the stent in cases of failure. However, in cases of needling, changes in the stent might not have been detected. Thus, the number of patients with similar changes as this report might be higher than the publications suggest. No unique characteristics distinguished this patient from those who had a functional XEN Gel Stent. The stent, in this case, might have been of inferior quality as an exception, or all stents might degrade over time. Therefore, gonioscopy should be performed carefully to detect any changes in the stent. In cases of suspected stent degradation, we recommend a revision surgery with conjunctival opening and removal of the stent in cases of degradation.

Femtosecond laser-assisted retinal imaging and ablation: experimental pilot study.

PURPOSE: To investigate retinal imaging and ablation using femtosecond laser pulses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two non-amplified near-infrared femtosecond lasers were used to irradiate porcine retinal specimens in vitro. The lasers were used for tissue removal as well as multiphoton laser scanning microscopy. RESULTS: Ablation of the nerve fiber layer was performed at pulse energies of 1.0 nJ to 3.9 nJ. Control laser scanning images were acquired within seconds after irradiation. Specimens were additionally investigated with electron microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Non-amplified femtosecond lasers may allow precise surgery controlled by fast high-resolution imaging of the target.

In vitro noncontact intravascular femtosecond laser surgery in models of branch retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To investigate intravenous femtosecond laser surgery in models of branch retinal vein occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Non-amplified near infrared femtosecond laser was used to ablate polyamide sutures and human hairs inserted into the vascular lumina of porcine retinal veins in vitro. Specimens were subjected to multiphoton laser scanning microscopy and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Regular laser cuts within sutures and hairs were detected with laser microscopy and electron microscopy. Neither laser microscopy nor histology revealed collateral damage of the vascular wall. CONCLUSIONS: Non-amplified femtosecond lasers may allow precise atraumatic non-contact intravenous retinal surgery controlled by high-resolution imaging of the target.