Tube obstruction caused by intraocular lens capture following PreserFlo MicroShunt implantation.

Purpose: We describe a rare case of tube obstruction caused by intraocular lens (IOL) capture following a PreserFlo MicroShunt (PMS) surgery and its subsequent management. Observations: Tube obstruction was noted following PMS implantation at 8 days postoperatively. The intraocular pressure (IOP) increased to 42 mmHg because of tube occlusion that was caused by iris and IOL capture at the tip of the tube. The occlusion was released surgically to free the lumen, and the IOP rapidly decreased to 14 mmHg. Conclusions and importance: IOP elevation due to tube obstruction caused by iris and IOL capture after PMS surgery was resolved by surgical intervention without tube reinsertion. Extra care is required regarding the IOL position in relation to the PMS tube when hypotony occurs in the early postoperative period.

Randomised clinical trial for morphological changes of trabecular meshwork between Kahook dual-blade goniotomy and ab interno trabeculotomy with a microhook.

We demonstrated whether the difference of trabecular meshwork remodeling occur depending on the incisional cross-sectional area by comparing Kahook dual-blade goniotomy (KDB) and ab interno trabeculotomy with a microhook. Phakic eyes with primary open-angle or exfoliative glaucoma were randomised into a KDB or a microhook group. The primary outcome was an incisional cross-sectional area quantified by anterior segment optical coherence tomography. In subgroup analysis, the number of patients with the unidentifiable incisional area was compared between the groups. Secondary outcomes were the rate of intraocular pressure changes, the laser flare metre values, corneal endothelial cell densities, the number of glaucoma medications, the usage rate per glaucoma medication type and postoperative complications between the two groups. A total of 29 eyes in 29 patients in the KDB and microhook group were included respectively, with an overall mean age of 72.6 ± 8.1 years. The incisional cross-sectional area of the KDB group was significantly larger at 1 week and at 1, 6 and 12 months (p < 0.01) postoperatively. The number of patients with the nonidentified incisional area was higher at 1, 6 and 12 months postoperatively (p ≤ 0.03) in the microhook group. The flare values in the KDB group were higher than those in the microhook group at 12 months postoperatively (p = 0.02). No significant differences were observed in other secondary outcomes. Incisional cross-sectional area remains larger in eyes treated with KDB goniotomy than in those treated with ab interno trabeculotomy with the microhook, whereas KDB goniotomy did not have an advantage in controlling intraocular pressure postoperatively.Trial registration: UMIN000041290 (UMIN, University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry of Japan; date of access and registration, 03/08/2020).

Long-term outcomes of Baerveldt glaucoma implant surgery in Japanese patients.

This study evaluated the long-term surgical outcomes of Baerveldt glaucoma implant (BGI) surgery in patients with refractory glaucoma (204 eyes/204 patients). Surgical failure was defined by: < 20% reduction in preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), or criterion A (IOP > 21 mmHg), criterion B (IOP > 17 mmHg), or criterion C (IOP > 14 mmHg). Reoperation, loss of light perception vision, or hypotony also denoted failure. The probability of success at 5 years postoperatively using criteria A, B, and C was 72.4%, 49.7%, and 24.4%, respectively. The mean IOP decreased significantly from 32.7 ± 9.7 mmHg preoperatively to 13.1 ± 3.9 mmHg at 5 years; the mean number of glaucoma medications also decreased from 3.7 ± 1.2 to 1.8 ± 1.9 (both P < 0.01). The number of previous intraocular surgeries was significantly associated with failure in the multivariable analysis for criterion B (hazard ratio 1.30; P < 0.01) and criterion C (hazard ratio 1.19; P = 0.031). Early and late postoperative complications occurred in 82 (40.2%) and 28 (13.7%) eyes, respectively. Postoperative interventions were performed in 44 eyes (21.6%). BGI surgery resulted in significant long-term decreases in IOP and the number of glaucoma medications. BGI surgery is effective for refractory glaucoma. However, postoperative interventions due to complications are required in numerous cases.

Ocular Distribution of Brimonidine and Brinzolamide after Topical Instillation of a 0.1% Brimonidine Tartrate and 1% Brinzolamide Fixed-Combination Ophthalmic Suspension: An Interventional Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the concentrations of brimonidine and brinzolamide in the vitreous and aqueous humor after instillation of a 0.1% brimonidine tartrate and 1% brinzolamide fixed-combination ophthalmic suspension. METHODS: The present investigation involved patients with macular holes or idiopathic epiretinal membranes who were planning to undergo vitrectomy. One week prior to surgery, the patients received twice-daily topical treatment with 0.1% brimonidine tartrate and 1% brinzolamide fixed-combination ophthalmic suspension. Before vitrectomy, vitreous and aqueous humor samples were collected, and the mean concentrations of brimonidine and brinzolamide were determined through liquid chromatography-tandem spectrometry. RESULTS: Ten eyes (nine phakic and one pseudophakic eyes; 10 patients) were examined. The concentration of brimonidine in vitreous and aqueous humor samples was 5.02 ± 2.24 and 559 ± 670 nM, respectively. The concentration of brimonidine in the vitreous humor, which is needed to activate α2 receptors, was >2 nM in all patients. The concentration of brinzolamide was 8.96 ± 4.65 and 1100 ± 813 nM, respectively. However, there was no significant correlation between the concentrations of brimonidine in the vitreous and aqueous humor samples. CONCLUSIONS: Sufficient concentrations of brimonidine were detected in all vitreous samples. The dissociated correlation of the drug concentrations between aqueous and vitreous humors implies the possibility of another pathway to vitreous humor, different from the pathway to aqueous humor.

Randomized Multicenter Clinical Trial Comparing 0.1% Brimonidine/0.5% Timolol Versus 1% Dorzolamide/0.5% Timolol as Adjuncts to Prostaglandin Analogues: Aibeta Crossover Study.

INTRODUCTION: This multicenter, randomized, comparative, and investigator-masked crossover clinical trial sought to compare the efficacy and tolerability of fixed combinations of 0.1% brimonidine/0.5% timolol (BTFC) versus 1% dorzolamide/0.5% timolol (DTFC) as adjunctive therapies to prostaglandin analogues. METHODS: A total of 110 patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension previously treated with prostaglandin analogue monotherapy were randomized to receive either BTFC or DTFC as adjunctive therapy for 8 weeks. These patients were then crossed over to the alternative treatment arm for another 8 weeks. The reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) (primary outcome), occurrence of adverse events, ocular discomfort after instillation, and patient preference (secondary outcomes) were recorded through patient interviews. RESULTS: BTFC instillation for 8 weeks reduced IOP by 3.55 mmHg, demonstrating non-inferiority to DTFC instillation (3.60 mmHg; P < 0.0001, mixed-effects model). Although adverse events were rare with both combinations, patients reported greater discomfort with DTFC than with BTFC (P < 0.0001). More patients preferred BTFC (P < 0.0001) over DTFC, as BTFC caused minimal or no eye irritation. CONCLUSION: As BTFC offered better tolerability than DTFC with comparable reduction in IOP, we recommend it as an alternative for patients who experience ocular discomfort with DTFC-prostaglandin analogue combination therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: jRCTs051190125.

Patients with glaucoma who require further reduction in intraocular pressure while undergoing monotherapy with prostaglandin analogue ophthalmic solution have been prescribed two enhanced treatment options: 0.1% brimonidine/0.5% timolol fixed combination ophthalmic solution (BTFC) and 1% dorzolamide/0.5% timolol fixed combination ophthalmic solution (DTFC). The Aibeta Crossover Study Group in Japan compared the efficacy and tolerability of fixed combinations of BTFC versus DTFC when an additional fixed combination ophthalmic solution was prescribed in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who had been treated with prostaglandin analogue monotherapy. We recruited 110 patients previously treated with prostaglandin analogue monotherapy at 20 clinical centers in Japan, then randomly assigned them to two alternative treatment groups: the BTFC to DTFC group or the DTFC to BTFC group, as an adjunctive therapy to prostaglandin analogues for total of 16 weeks. We compared the reduction in intraocular pressure, occurrence of side effects, eye discomfort after instillation, and patient preference between BTFC versus DTFC instillations. The intraocular pressure reduction of BTFC instillation was comparable to that of DTFC instillation, showing non-inferiority to DTFC (3.55 mmHg vs. 3.60 mmHg; P < 0.0001, mixed-effects model). Both eye drops caused few side effects; however, patients felt greater eye discomfort with DTFC than with BTFC (P < 0.0001). Because of less eye irritation, more patients preferred BTFC (P < 0.0001) over DTFC. We can recommend using BTFC for patients who feel eye discomfort with DTFC­prostaglandin analogue combination therapy.

Chronic Antioxidant Capacity Loss in Anterior Chamber Environment After Iridectomy.

Purpose: To compare the ascorbic acid concentration and total antioxidant capacity in the aqueous humor of pigmented Rex rabbits after sham operation (control), iridectomy, and trabeculectomy. Methods: Pigmented Rex rabbits were divided into control, iridectomy, and trabeculectomy groups and followed up for 12 months after surgery. Ascorbic acid concentration and total antioxidant capacity in the aqueous humor, intraocular pressure, and the occurrence of cataracts were examined in each group. Results: The ascorbic acid concentration and total antioxidant capacity after iridectomy and trabeculectomy were significantly lower at one week and at one, six, and 12 months after operation than those in the control group (P ≤ 0.03). Ascorbic acid concentration was positively and significantly correlated with total antioxidant capacity in the aqueous humor (P < 0.01). Compared to the control and the iridectomy groups, intraocular pressure in the trabeculectomy group was significantly lower at one week and at one and six months after surgery (one week: P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively; one month: P < 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively; six months: P = 0.03). Histological findings in the iridectomy and trabeculectomy groups included the appearance of vacuoles in the lens at six and 12 months after surgery. Conclusions: Iridectomy causes a sustained decrease in ascorbic acid concentration, followed by a long-term decrease in the total antioxidant capacity within the aqueous humor. Translational Relevance: The animal model possibly predicts the vulnerability focusing on the antioxidant level in the anterior chamber environment after trabeculectomy and iridectomy per se in clinical settings.

Posture-Induced Intraocular Pressure Changes after iStent Inject W Combined with Phacoemulsification in Open Angle Glaucoma Patients.

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the posture-induced intraocular pressure (IOP) changes after iStent inject W combined with phacoemulsification procedure in Japanese patients with open-angle glaucoma. Materials and Methods: We prospectively evaluated the posture-induced IOP changes after surgery. The primary outcome was the posture-induced IOP changes postoperatively. Secondary outcome measures included postoperative complications, visual acuity, visual field, and corneal endothelial cell density. Results: This study completed the prospective observation for 15 eyes (15 patients). The mean preoperative IOP with the Goldmann applanation tonometer was 16.0 ± 2.6 mm Hg with a mean glaucoma medication usage of 2.5 ± 1.2, which decreased to 14.4 ± 2.4 mm Hg (p = 0.14) and 0.5 ± 0.9 medications (p < 0.01), respectively, 12 months postoperatively. The mean baseline IOP with the ICare was 12.0 ± 2.7 mmHg in the sitting position, which significantly increased to 15.2 ± 3.8 mmHg in the lateral decubitus position (p < 0.01). This postural IOP difference was 3.2 ± 2.2 mmHg and 3.2 ± 2.4 mmHg at baseline and 12 months postoperatively, respectively, with no significant changes (p > 0.99). Conclusions: iStent inject W combined with cataract surgery reduced the IOP and the number of glaucoma medications during short-term follow-ups with high safety. However, iStent inject W did not affect the degree of posture-induced IOP changes.

Brimonidine and timolol concentrations in the human vitreous and aqueous humors after topical instillation of a 0.1% brimonidine tartrate and 0.5% timolol fixed-combination ophthalmic solution: An interventional study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the concentrations of brimonidine and timolol in the vitreous and aqueous humors after instillation of a 0.1% brimonidine tartrate and 0.5% timolol fixed-combination ophthalmic solution. METHODS: This single-arm open-label interventional study included patients with macular holes or idiopathic epiretinal membranes who were scheduled for vitrectomy. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. A 0.1% brimonidine tartrate and 0.5% timolol fixed-combination ophthalmic solution was administered topically twice daily for 1 week preoperatively. The vitreous and aqueous humors were sampled before vitrectomy, and brimonidine and timolol concentrations were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem spectrometry. This study was registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT, ID jRCTs051200008; date of access and registration: April 28, 2020). The study protocol was approved by the University of Fukui Certified Review Board (CRB) and complied with the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki. RESULTS: Eight eyes of eight patients (7 phakic eyes and 1 pseudophakic eye) were included in this study. The mean brimonidine concentrations in the vitreous and aqueous humors were 5.04 ± 4.08 nM and 324 ± 172 nM, respectively. Five of the eight patients had brimonidine concentrations >2 nM in the vitreous humor, which is necessary to activate α2 receptors. The mean timolol concentrations in the vitreous and aqueous humors were 65.6 ± 56.0 nM and 3,160 ± 1,570 nM, respectively. Brimonidine concentrations showed significant positive correlations with timolol concentrations in the vitreous humor (P < 0.0001, R2 = 0.97) and aqueous humor (P < 0.0001, R2 = 0.96). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients who received a 0.1% brimonidine tartrate and 0.5% timolol topical fixed-combination ophthalmic solution showed a brimonidine concentration >2 nM in the vitreous humor. Brimonidine and timolol may be distributed in the ocular tissues through an identical pathway after topical instillation.

Aqueous column changes in the episcleral veins after the instillation of ripasudil versus latanoprost: a randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial.

To investigate whether the topical administration of ripasudil ophthalmic solution enhances aqueous outflow in the episcleral vein of the human eye. Two-sequence, prospective, randomized, double-blind, crossover trial. Sixteen eyes of 16 healthy participants were recruited in this study. Participants were randomized into one of the two crossover sequences to the instillation of ripasudil or the control drug, latanoprost, followed by a washout period of more than 2 days, and crossed over to the alternative instillation. The aqueous columns in the episcleral veins were recorded using a video capture system connected to a slit-light microscope (hemoglobin video imaging) before and 2 and 8 h after the instillation. Comparisons between ripasudil and latanoprost for the changes of the aqueous column width after the instillation. Two hours after the instillation, the ripasudil group had significantly greater dilation of the aqueous column width than the latanoprost group. Eight hours after the instillation, the ripasudil group had significantly greater dilation of the aqueous column width than the latanoprost group. Hemoglobin video imaging revealed that the topical administration of ripasudil ophthalmic solution enhanced aqueous outflow in the episcleral vein of the human eye.

Comparing Surgical Outcomes in Neovascular Glaucoma between Tube and Trabeculectomy: A Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the surgical outcomes between Baerveldt glaucoma implant (BGI) surgery and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C for patients with neovascular glaucoma (NVG). DESIGN: Retrospective clinical cohort study at 5 clinical centers in Japan. PARTICIPANTS: Patients treated with trabeculectomy or BGI for NVG between April 1, 2012, and December 31, 2019, at 5 clinical centers were recruited. METHODS: The inclusion criteria were age ≥ 20 years and having NVG. The exclusion criteria were eyes with no light perception vision and with previous tube-shunt surgery. If both eyes in the same patient satisfied the inclusion criteria, the eye that was treated first was investigated. We included 100 eyes undergoing BGI surgery and 204 eyes undergoing trabeculectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was surgical success or failure, with failure being defined according to 3 criteria: < 20% reduction of the preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) or criterion A (IOP > 21 mmHg), criterion B (IOP > 17 mmHg), or criterion C (IOP > 14 mmHg). Cases of reoperation, a loss of light perception vision, or hypotony were also considered failures. RESULTS: The probability of success was significantly higher in patients undergoing BGI surgery than in those receiving trabeculectomy for criteria A (P < 0.01) and B (P = 0.01). Trabeculectomy was significantly associated with surgical failure in the multivariable analysis for criterion A (hazard ratio, 1.70) and criterion B (hazard ratio, 1.50). The overall incidence of postoperative complications was similar between the 2 groups. Reoperations for glaucoma were required significantly more frequently in the trabeculectomy group than in the BGI surgery group (20.1 % vs. 5.0%; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Baerveldt glaucoma implant surgery had a higher success rate compared with trabeculectomy in patients with NVG for a target IOP < 21 mmHg or < 17 mmHg. The rates of postoperative complications were similar between both surgical procedures. Additional glaucoma surgery was required more frequently after trabeculectomy than after BGI surgery.

Long-Term Outcomes of a Kahook Dual Blade Procedure Combined with Phacoemulsification in Japanese Patients with Open-Angle Glaucoma.

We retrospectively evaluated the long-term surgical outcomes of phacoemulsification combined with a Kahook dual blade (KDB) procedure in Japanese patients with open-angle glaucoma. The primary outcome was surgical success or failure. Surgical failure was indicated by a <20% reduction in preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) or IOP > 18 mmHg (criterion A), IOP > 14 mmHg (criterion B), or requirement for reoperation. Glaucoma medications after surgery and postoperative complications were recorded. Surgical outcomes were compared between primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and exfoliation glaucoma (ExG) groups. The probability of success at 36 months postoperation was 52.5% using criterion A and 36.9% using criterion B. Mean IOP decreased significantly from 19.5 ± 6.9 mmHg preoperatively to 11.9 ± 2.7 mmHg at 36 months, and the mean number of glaucoma medications from 2.4 ± 1.4 to 1.6 ± 1.4 (both p < 0.01). IOP spikes were significantly more common in the ExG group (23.7% vs. 9.1%; p = 0.045), as was the need for additional glaucoma surgery (10.5% vs. 1.8%; p = 0.038). A KDB procedure combined with cataract surgery resulted in significant long-term decreases in IOP and the number of glaucoma medications. The complication rate was higher in eyes with ExG. Therefore, these eyes require more careful management after a KDB procedure.

Application of moving particle semi-implicit (MPS) method on retro-oil fluid using three-dimensional vitreous cavity models from magnetic resonance imaging.

Silicone oil (SO) is a safe and widely used intraocular tamponade agent for treating complicated vitreoretinal diseases, such as retinal detachments (RRDs) with inferior proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). However, as the human vitreous cavity is irregularly shaped, it is difficult to predict the area of the inferior retina covered with SO and the retro-oil fluid currents in each patient. Here, we performed fluid simulation analysis using the moving particle semi-implicit method on the oil cover rates and absolute velocity gradient of retro-oil fluid to the retina using vitreous cavity models derived from magnetic resonance imaging of patients to determine the appropriate amount of SO and postoperative position to achieve a sufficient tamponade effect on the inferior retina. In all seven vitreous cavity models tested, the inferior quadrant of the retina was completely covered by SO in more positions and the absolute velocity gradient of the retro-oil fluid in contact with the retinal wall caused by eye and head movements was lower when the vitreous cavity was filled with 95% SO and 5% retro-oil fluid versus 80% SO and 20% retro-oil fluid. Taken together, these findings have clinical implications for the treatment of complicated RRDs with inferior PVR requiring SO tamponade.

Comparison of 5-year outcomes between trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy followed by phacoemulsification: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare the outcomes of trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification and those of trabeculectomy followed by phacoemulsification. METHODS: A total of 141 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, exfoliation glaucoma, and glaucoma secondary to uveitis glaucoma who underwent trabeculectomy followed by (n = 48) or combined with (n = 93) phacoemulsification were included. We analyzed data collected from the Collaborative Bleb-Related Infection Incidence and Treatment Study, a prospective cohort study conducted in 34 clinical centers that included 1249 eyes. The main outcome was the cumulative probability of success based on intraocular pressure (IOP) within 5 years. Surgical failure was defined as a case in which additional glaucoma surgery is required or one of the following criteria are met: preoperative IOP > 21 (A), > 18 (B), or > 15 mmHg (C). The secondary outcomes were cumulative probability of success, risk factors of surgical failure, and Δ visual acuity. However, the data on phacoemulsification during the 5-year follow-up were censored. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the cumulative probability of success as the main outcome. When the data on phacoemulsification during the 5-year follow-up were censored, the probabilities of success of trabeculectomy followed by phacoemulsification were significantly higher for criteria A (p = 0.02), B (p <  0.01), and C (p <  0.01). Lower preoperative IOP, younger age, and trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification were associated with poorer outcome. Trabeculectomy followed by phacoemulsification had significantly worse Δ logMAR visual acuity at 6 and 12 months (p <  0.01). CONCLUSION: The cumulative probability of success after trabeculectomy combined with or followed by phacoemulsification remained unchanged. Combining phacoemulsification with trabeculectomy adversely affected the cumulative probability of success after trabeculectomy. The visual acuity improvements observed in the early postoperative period after combining phacoemulsification with trabeculectomy disappeared within 5 years.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation analysis on retinal gas cover rates using computational eye models.

We investigated the change in the retinal gas cover rates due to intraocular gas volume and positions using computational eye models and demonstrated the appropriate position after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with gas tamponade for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs). Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) software was used to calculate the retinal wall wettability of a computational pseudophakic eye models using fluid analysis. The model utilized different gas volumes from 10 to 90%, in increments of 10% to the vitreous cavity in the supine, sitting, lateral, prone with closed eyes, and prone positions. Then, the gas cover rates of the retina were measured in each quadrant. When breaks are limited to the inferior retina anterior to the equator or multiple breaks are observed in two or more quadrants anterior to the equator, supine position maintained 100% gas cover rates in all breaks for the longest duration compared with other positions. When breaks are limited to either superior, nasal, or temporal retina, sitting, lower temporal, and lower nasal position were maintained at 100% gas cover rates for the longest duration, respectively. Our results may contribute to better surgical outcomes of RRDs and a reduction in the duration of the postoperative prone position.

Topical bromfenac reduces multiple inflammatory cytokines in the aqueous humour of pseudophakic patients.

Intraocular surgery is associated with increased ocular inflammation. If maintained for a prolonged period after surgery, this inflammation can cause various complications, including subconjunctival fibrosis and bleb scarring. This clinical trial was a prospective, randomised, single-blind, interventional study comparing the efficacy and safety of 0.1% bromfenac sodium ophthalmic solution and 0.02% fluorometholone ophthalmic suspension in the inhibition of multiple inflammatory cytokines in the aqueous humour of 26 patients with pseudophakic eyes who had undergone phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. The patients were randomly assigned to one of the trial drugs, and aqueous humour samples were collected before and after drug administration. Platelet-derived growth factor-AA levels significantly decreased in both drug groups, but they were significantly higher in the fluorometholone group than in the bromfenac group (P = 0.034). Bromfenac also significantly decreased vascular endothelial growth factor level (P = 0.0077), as well as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 level (P = 0.013), which was elevated for a prolonged period after phacoemulsification. These data suggest that bromfenac is useful to alleviate prolonged microenvironmental alterations in the aqueous humour of pseudophakic eyes.

Clinical practice preferences for glaucoma surgery in Japan: a survey of Japan Glaucoma Society specialists.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the surgical practice patterns of glaucoma management followed by glaucoma specialists in Japan. METHODS: A survey was administered to 50 glaucoma specialists who were councilors in the Japan Glaucoma Society about surgical preferences and postoperative glaucoma care. RESULTS: All 50 glaucoma specialists participated in the survey. Results show that, in 2019, compared to conventional trabeculotomy (4.6%), the frequency of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), combined with phacoemulsification, remarkably increased (79.0%) for non-operated eyes with mild open-angle glaucoma associated with cataract. Tube-shunt surgery was performed more often for open-angle glaucoma with previously twice failed trabeculectomy (65.8%) and neovascular glaucoma with previously once failed trabeculectomy (63.4%). In addition, during one year post-operatively, MIGS required less frequent follow-up visits compared to filtering surgery. CONCLUSION: Although glaucoma specialists in the Japan Glaucoma Society usually prefer trabeculectomy, in the past decade they have selected tube-shunt surgery more often to treat refractory glaucoma. MIGS is increasing remarkably as the choice primary glaucoma surgery.

Performances of glaucoma operations with Kahook Dual Blade or iStent combined with phacoemulsification in Japanese open angle glaucoma patients.

AIM: To compare surgical outcomes of phacoemulsification combined with glaucoma surgical techniques performed with either Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) or iStent for Japanese patients with either primary open angle glaucoma or exfoliation glaucoma. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the surgical outcomes of 129 eyes of 84 Japanese patients with glaucoma who underwent KDB or 44 eyes of 34 patients who underwent phacoemulsification with iStent procedures combined with cataract surgery. The primary outcome was surgical success or failure [with surgical failure being indicated by <20% reduction from preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) or IOP>18 mm Hg as criterion A; IOP>14 mm Hg as criterion B on two consecutive study visits; or reoperation requirement]. In addition, we assessed the number of postoperative glaucoma medications and the resulting complications. RESULTS: The probability of success was significantly higher in the KDB group than in the iStent group for criterion A (60.2% vs 46.4%, P=0.019). In the KDB group, the mean preoperative IOP of 19.8±7.3 mm Hg decreased significantly to 13.0±3.1 mm Hg (P<0.01), and the mean number of glaucoma medications at 2.5±1.4 decreased significantly to 1.6±1.6 (P<0.01) 12mo postoperatively. In the iStent group, the mean preoperative IOP of 17.8±2.9 mm Hg significantly decreased to 14.3±2.3 mm Hg (P<0.01), and the mean number of glaucoma medications at 2.2±1.1 decreased significantly to 0.9±1.4 (P<0.01) 12mo postoperatively. The overall IOP reduction percentage was higher in the KDB group (26.2%) than in the iStent group (19.0%) 12mo postoperatively (P=0.03). Hyphema occurred significantly more frequently in the KDB group (16.3%) than in the iStent group (2.3%, P=0.017). CONCLUSION: KDB and iStent procedures combined with cataract surgery both result in significant IOP and glaucoma medication reductions after the 12-month follow-up. The patients in the KDB group have a higher success rate for the target IOP of less than 18 mm Hg and a higher complication rate than those in the iStent group.