Nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy: a 6-year retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Nonpenetrating trabeculectomy, also called nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS), is a filtering surgery where the internal wall of Schlemm's canal is excised, allowing subconjunctival filtration without actually entering the anterior chamber. This, technique was developed to minimize the complications of trabeculectomy. The authors investigated its safety and efficacy in a retrospective noncomparative study. METHODS: A total of 258 eyes (179 patients, mean age 61.4 +/- 11.56 years) with uncontrolled open angle glaucoma with prior medical therapy were treated. NPDS with a biocompatible collagen device (157 eyes) sutured to deep scleral bed or with the use of a 5-fluorouracil sponge (90 eyes) were analyzed. The main outcome measure was postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) with an average follow-up of 54.4 +/- 17.07 months (range 1-85). Efficacy was determined 1 month, 3 months, and every 6 months after the procedure for 6 years. RESULTS: Mean preoperative IOP was 24.47 +/- 5.92 mmHg. Mean postoperative IOP was 14.44 +/- 5.31 mmHg (average lowering of the IOP was 38.94 +/- 23.81%) at 1 month, 15.16 +/- 4.57 mmHg (35.73 +/- 21.35%) at 3 months, 15.87 +/- 4.24 mmHg (32.45 +/- 20.52%) at 6 months, 16.32 +/- 4.53 mmHg (29.96 +/- 23.69%) at 12 months, 17.12 +/- 4.45 mmHg (26.51 +/- 23.93%) at 18 months, 16.77 +/- 4.44 mmHg (28.18 +/- 21.73%) at 24 months, 16.43 +/- 4.15 mmHg (28.89 +/- 23.69%) at 30 months, 16.34 +/- 4.12 mmHg (30.05 +/- 21.61%) at 36 months, 16.16 +/- 4.01 mmHg (30.06 +/- 22.55%) at 42 months, 15.71 +/- 3.74 mmHg (32.49 +/- 19.08%) at 48 months, 15.61 +/- 3.48 mmHg (31.26 +/- 21.01%) after 5 years, and 15.81 +/- 3.79 mmHg (33.73 +/- 20.9%) after 6 years. YAG goniopuncture was performed in 47.3% of cases with a mean follow-up of 12 +/- 13 months. These goniopunctures were effective in lowering IOP after a long-term follow-up (24 months). Additional 5-fluorouracil injections were used in 7% of cases. Visual field (Octopus or Humphrey mean defect and corrected loss variance or loss variance) was not modified (p < 0.01). Number of preoperative glaucoma medications was 2.01 +/- 0.58 and number of postoperative glaucoma medications was 0.85 +/- 0.92. Complications were peroperative microperforations in 27 eyes (10.5%), shallow anterior chamber in 2 eyes, hyphema in 2 eyes (0.8%), cataract in 5 eyes (2%), and dellen in 1 eye (0.4%). No cases of endophthalmitis or choroidal detachment were found. After surgery, 23 eyes (8.9%) required a new filtering surgical procedure, and diode laser cyclophotocoagulation was necessary in 2 eyes (0.8%). The probability success rate, defined as an IOP lower than 21 mmHg, was 66.46% (Kaplan Meier) at 60 months off all glaucoma medications and 80.32% with medical or new surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: NPDS appears to be an effective and safe filtering procedure for lowering IOP and could be an alternative to trabeculectomy in open angle glaucoma with the advantage of having fewer complications.

[Scoring system for chronic open glaucoma]. / Evaluation du glaucome chronique à angle ouvert par un score de gradation: analyse préliminaire.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate a scoring system for chronic open-angle glaucoma. We devised an empirical scoring system grading severity of the disease and correlated this with treatment. MATERIAL: and methods: Ninety patients were evaluated on 11 parameters: 1) Family history of glaucoma: blindness (2), yes (1) no (1); 2) Age: infantile (4), juvenile (4); 3) Race: Caucasian (0), Asian (1), Afro-Caribbean (2); 4) Myopia: 0-6 diopters (1), 6-12 diopters (2),>12 diopters (3); 5) Pigment dispersion or pseudoexfoliation (1); 6) Intraocular pressure without treatment:>30 mmHg (4); 25-30 mmHg (3), 20-25 mmHg (2); 7) Corneal central thickness:<500 micro m (3),>500 micro m (0); 8) Optic disc appearance: suspect (1), pathological (4); 9) Visual field defect: early (1), moderate (3), advanced (5); 10) Vascular risk factors: yes (1), no (0); 11) Loss of eyesight in one eye due to glaucoma (4). Scoring values were 2-34. We correlated this score with patient treatment: medical or surgical, number of glaucoma medications. RESULTS: Patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (36 patients), score 0-8; group 2 (24 patients), score 9-13; group 3 (30 patients), score above 13. Distribution between patients treated with medicine (mean number of medications) and patients with filtering surgery was: group 1, medical treatment with 1.63+/-0.73 medications, surgery 4/36; group 2, medical treatment with 2.00+/-0.7 medications, surgery 17/24 and group 3, medical treatment with 2.12+/-0.67 medications, surgery 27/30. In group 1, 88% of the patients did not have filtering surgery, but 90% of the patients in group 3 had filtering surgery. CONCLUSION: This scoring system seems to be an easy and practical tool to evaluate chronic open-angle glaucoma, which could also be used to evaluate target pressure. Other studies are necessary to validate this scoring system.

[Molteno implant and refractory glaucoma. Evaluation of postoperative IOP control and complications with a modified surgical procedure]. / Glaucomes réfractaires et implant de Molteno: étude rétrospective des suites opératoires et des résultats d'une variante chirurgicale.

BACKGROUND: Management of refractory glaucoma is difficult because classic medical and surgical treatments are ineffective in controlling highly elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Drainage implants are an alternative to cyclodestructive procedures in refractory glaucoma. The double-plate Molteno implant, a tube linked to two polypropylene plates, allows aqueous humor drainage from the anterior chamber towards the posterior subconjunctival spaces. The main postoperative complication is severe hypotony, potentially responsible for a decrease in visual acuity in cases of advanced glaucoma. Surgical modifications such as external tube occlusion can reduce postoperative hypotony. However, tube occlusion may lead to transient postoperative hypertony. Our retrospective study reports on double-plate Molteno implantation with intraoperative external tube occlusion associated with trabeculectomy in some cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirteen eyes of 13 patients with refractory glaucoma were included in the study (5 cases of open angle glaucoma, 7 cases of secondary glaucoma, one case of primary congenital glaucoma). All had ocular hypertony despite maximal tolerable medical treatment; 84.5% had previously undergone trabeculectomy with mitomycin (1-5 procedures) and 61% had undergone cyclophotocoagulation (1-4 sessions). All underwent double-plate Molteno implantation with external tube occlusion between 1993 and 2001. In three cases, intraoperative trabeculectomy was also performed. Visual acuity, IOP, relevant medical treatment and potential complications were reported at each follow-up visit. Complete success was defined as IOP less than 21 mmHg without treatment, while IOP control with medical treatment was considered as relative success. RESULTS: Mean (+/-SD) follow-up was 2.9+/-2.1 years (range, 9 months to 8 years). Mean (+/-SD) initial and final IOPs were 35.2+/-7 mmHg and 17.1+/-5 mmHg, respectively, i.e., a 50% IOP decrease. Mean (+/-SD) initial and final medical treatments were, respectively, 4.3+/-1.5 (61% with systemic acetazolamide) and 1.3+/-1.4 (without acetazolamide). The complete success rate was 38.5% and relative success 92.3%. Immediate postoperative hypertony occurred in 60% of the cases with external tube occlusion alone (10 cases). This hypertony was controlled with medical treatment in 2/3 of the cases but required surgical reintervention in 1/3 of the cases. For patients with intraoperative trabeculectomy (3 cases), postoperative immediate IOP without medical treatment was 2, 5 and 8 mmHg respectively. Complications reported were flat anterior chamber (1 case), visual acuity decrease (4 cases), lens opacification (1 case), macular edema (1 case), corneal edema (2 cases: 1 transient, 1 corneal decompensation) and long-term refractory hypertony (1 case). CONCLUSION: The double-plate Molteno implant is effective in controlling IOP in refractory glaucoma. External tube occlusion prevents complications related to excessive filtration; however, it may lead to transient postoperative hypertony. This hypertony can be avoided when simultaneous trabeculectomy is performed. Corneal decompensation remains the major complication of this surgical procedure.

[Deep nonpenetrating sclerectomy and open angle glaucoma. Intermediate results from the first operated patients]. / Sclérectomie profonde non perforante (SPNP) et glaucome à angle ouvert. Résultats à moyen terme des premiers patients opérés.

PURPOSE: The aim of this retropective study is to evaluate and to compare in glaucoma patients, the mid-term results of the non penetrating deep-sclerectomy (NPDS) with collagen implant or with per operative application of 5 fluorouracile (5 FU). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The aim of the NPDS, a new filtering surgical procedure, is to remove under a scleral flap the Schlemm's canal and the juxtacanalicular trabecular meshwork responsible for the outflow resistance in order to obtain a sub-conjunctival filtration of the aqueous humor with no opening of the anterior chamber. Forty-two open angle glaucoma patients with uncontrolled intra-ocular pressure and with no risk factor of bleb fibrosis, underwent a NPDS. In 27 eyes (group 1) a sponge soaked with 5 FU (50 mg/ml) was applied for 5 minutes in the scleral bed, and in 15 eyes (group-2) a collagen implant (Staar*) was sutured in the scleral bed. A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed on days 1, 8, months 1,2,3 and each 3 months until the end of the follow-up. In case of increased IOP, goniopuncture with the Nd: YAG laser was performed at any time of the post operative period. RESULTS: The mean intra-ocular pressure (IOP) significantly decreased from 23.5 +/- 5.1 mmHg to 15.5 +/- 2.9 at 11.1 +/- 5.6 months follow-up (group 1, p < 10(-3)) and from 22.6 +/- 6.9 Hg to 16.2 +/- 3.9 mmHg at 8.8, 3.6 months follow-up (group 2, p < 10(-3)) with a significant decrease in the medical treatment (p < 10(-3)). The Kaplan Meier probability of success (IOP < or = 20 mmHg without treatment and with no visual field deterioration) at 6 and 12 months was similar in both groups: 57.3% (group 1) and 66.0% (group 2) with a mean decrease in IOP of 30%. Goniopuncture had to be performed in more than one third of case in each group and was effective to control the IOP in half of the cases. No complication related to hypotony or inflammation occured in the post operative period. CONCLUSION: NPDS is an interesting alternative to the classical trabeculectomy since the post operative complications are markedly reduced. However, the mid-term control in IOP appears to be slightly lower. The use of a collagen device does not lead to better control in IOP as compared to the use of a sponge of 5 FU.

[Treatment of refractory glaucomas by transscleral cyclophotocoagulation using semiconductor diode laser. Analysis of 50 patients followed-up over 19 months]. / Traitement des glaucomes réfractaires par cyclophotocoagulation transsclérale au laser semi-conducteur diode. Analyse de 50 patients suivis pendant 19 mois.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with the diode laser for refractory glaucoma with respect to intra-ocular pressure, reduction of medical therapy and complications. METHODS: The diode laser system (Iris Medical Instrument, Oculight SLX) was used to treat 50 eyes of 47 patients with therapy resistant glaucoma and a poor prognosis with filtering surgery. All eyes had maximal hypotonic therapy and 40 (82%) patients were using carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Laser energy was delivered to the eye through a quartz glass fiber optic probe [13 to 20 spots over 270 degrees using 3.5 J (1.75 W x 2.0 sec)]. The mean follow-up was 19.4 +/- 9.1 months (from 12 to 29 months). RESULTS: Intra-ocular pressure significantly decreased from mean baseline 32.4 +/- 9.1 mmHg to 19.7 +/- 8.1 mmHg at the end of the follow-up (p < 0.001). An intra-ocular-pressure below 20 mmHg was obtained in 66% of the eyes. In 13 patients the carbonic anhydrase inhibitors were discontinued. Six of the 8 painful eyes had pain relief. Visual acuity decreased in 17 (34%): cataract progression in 5 eyes, uncontrolled intra-ocular-pressure in 4 eyes, glaucoma progression despite controlled intra-ocular-pressure in 3 eyes, corneal dystrophy in 3 eyes. Chronic uveitis occurred in 5 (10%) eyes. No conjonctival, scleral or direct lens damage was detected. CONCLUSION: Contact transscleral cylophotocoagulation with the diode laser system can be successfully used to reduce intra-ocular-pressure in therapy resistant glaucoma. The incidence of complications is low with no loss of vision related to cyclodestruction.

[Non-penetrating deep sclerectomy combined with a collagen implant in primary open-angle glaucoma. Medium-term retrospective results]. / La sclérectomie profonde non perforante associée à la pose d'un implant de collagène dans le glaucome primitif à angle ouvert. Résultats rétrospectifs à moyen terme.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the middle term tonometric results of a new filtering procedure, the non penetrating deep sclerectomy with collagen device, in primary open-angle glaucoma. This technique aims to eliminate or minimize the complications of classical trabeculectomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This procedure has been developed by Koslov et al. Under a limbal-base conjunctival flap and a superficial scleral flap, the ablation of a deep scleral flap takes away the external wall of Schlemm's canal, leaving only the Descemet membrane. A visible filtration across the opened Schlemm's canal and Descemet membrane is obtained. To improve the aqueous filtration, a cylindric collagen device, made from biocompatible porcine scleral tissue, known for its high water content, is fixed in the deep scleral bed with a 10/0 nylon suture. This device provides a support for the elimination route of aqueous humor and acts like a sponge, carrying the liquid by capillary action. It is sterilized by irradiation. Full guarantee against viral contamination is provided. This procedure ends in one suture (40/0 nylon) of superficial scleral flap and conjunctival closing suture. We conducted a retrospective study. Our material included 159 patients (92 males, 65 females), 2/9 eyes. The mean age was 65 years (11-91). The mean follow-up : 8 months (3-20). The types of glaucoma were: POAG: 183 eyes; juvenile POAG: 18 eyes: pigmentary glaucoma: 11 eyes; capsular glaucoma: 7 eyes, 58 eyes (40 patients) presented one or several risk factors of failure for filtering surgery. RESULTS: The mean pre-operative IOP was 24 mmHg +/- 6.60; 15.7 +/- 5.30 at the end of the follow-up (delta average IOP: 9.1 +/- 7.1). The probability success rate (IOP < or = 20 mmHg), according to the Kaplan-Meier Method, was 89% at six months, 75.6% at 16 months. With monotherapy with beta blockers, 79% at 16 months. It was better in the without risk factors group. The mean change in visual acuity was inferior to 0.1 at the end of the follow-up. Except several hyphemas, no complications of the trabeculectomy were observed. The reelevation of IOP was due to an internal obstruction (goniosynechiae or bad filtration), it was treated with Nd-Yag laser with a 2/3 of success rate. External obstruction was treated by 5FU injections into the bleb. CONCLUSION: Non penetrating deep sclerectomy with collagen device can be an excellent alternative to trabeculectomy in open and wide angles. It does not modify visual actuity. It carries less complications than trabeculectomy and the use of antimitotic agents is safer.

[Treatment of refractory glaucoma by diode semiconductor laser cyclophotocoagulation]. / Traitement des glaucomes réfractaires par cyclophotocoagulation au laser semiconducteur à diode.

PURPOSE: Ciliary photocoagulation was used to reduce pressure in eyes with refractory glaucoma or to suppress pain in blind painful eyes. The efficiency of transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) with a clinical diode laser system (Iris Medical Instrument, Oculight SLX) was evaluated. METHODS: This diode laser system (wavelengh: 810 nm) provides light energy to the eye through a specially designed quartz glass fiberoptic probe allowing precise location centered 1.2 mm behind the limbus, i.e. in front of the ciliary body. Thirty eight eyes in 38 patients with refractory glaucoma underwent TSCPC with the diode laser. RESULTS: Three months after surgery, intra-ocular pressure was controlled at 20 mmHg or below in 70% of the patients. Patients who most failed with the TSCPC had higher initial IOP (neovascular and congenital glaucoma). Seventy five percent of the painful glaucoma were painless after the laser treatment. Only a few cases (10%) of transient secondary hypertony were observed. The inflammatory response (21%) was mild and transient. No case of scleral perforation, no case of posterior uveitis, cararact or hypotony were observed. CONCLUSION: The transscleral ciliary photocoagulation laser diode system is efficient to reduce intraocular pressure in refractory glaucoma. Complications are mild compared with other methods of cyclophotocoagulation. A long-term study is necessary to evaluate the results on IOP and the incidence of hypotony.

[Treatment of refractory glaucoma with Nd:YAG laser cyclophotocoagulation]. / Traitement des glaucomes réfractaires par cyclophotocoagulation au laser Nd:YAG.

We treated 54 eyes of 51 patients with refractory glaucoma by using contact transscleral Neodymium: YAG laser cyclophotocoagulation; 32 burns (7 watts during 0.7 second) were applied to each eye by positionning the anterior edge of the probe at 0.5 to 1 mm from the limbus. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 33.7 mmHg and the mean postoperative IOP was 25.6 mmHg with a follow-up of five months. There was a decrease of IOP in 72.3% of the cases. The postoperative IOP was controlled (IOP < 21 mmHg) in 41.3% of the treated eyes. Pain decreased in 6.7% of the cases that had no control of IOP and they could stop their medical treatment. During the follow-up period we observed neither early post operative hypertonia nor phtisis bulbi. Three eyes had scleral perforations. Laser treatment can be repeated if necessary in no controlled IOP cases. We had less complications with the laser treatment than with cyclocryoapplication. We described the advantages of the contact probe used.

[Treatment of refractory glaucoma with high density focused ultrasonics]. / Traitement des glaucomes réfractaires par ultrasons focalisés de haute intensité.

The efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound was retrospectively assessed in 456 patients who presented with uncontrolled glaucoma refractory to maximal medical therapy and filtration surgery from April 1987 to January 1992. Treatment was performed under local anaesthesia in ambulatory outpatients. Therapeutic ultrasound induced local destruction of the ciliary epithelium and a thickening of the sclera. A 47% decrease in intraocular pressure (IOP) was obtained from the mean preoperative (33.8 mmHg) and the mean postoperative (18.2 mm Hg) values. After a 33-month mean follow-up, 65% of treated eyes had an IOP less than or egal to 20 mmHg. Therapeutic ultrasound was effective in most of the glaucomas, especially in open angle, closed angle, aphakic, pseudophakic and post-silicone oil glaucoma. The main complications were immediate ocular hypertension and corneoscleral alterations. Phtysis bulbi occurred in 5.7% of the eyes. The therapeutic interest of ultrasound were compared with those of the other cyclodestruction techniques.

Therapeutic ultrasound for the treatment of glaucoma.

We present a summary of the results obtained on 1142 treatments of 1072 eyes treated in our hospital during the last 5 years. Ultrasound has been used to treat 843 eyes with refractory glaucoma and also to restore failed trabeculectomy filtering blebs in 229 eyes. The single treatment success rate with success defined as an IOP > or = 20 mm Hg was 59% at one year and 46% at 3 years. In cases of failed blebs, ultrasound treatment performed 3 to 12 weeks after trabeculectomy revived the blebs of 82% of the phakic eyes when 5 FU subconjunctival injections were performed in the following days.

[Ultrasonic treatment of hypertonia caused by intraocular silicone oil]. / Traitement par ultra-sons des hypertonies provoquées par l'huile de silicone intra-oculaire.

The authors treated 53 patients with uncontrolled glaucoma in silicone oil filled eyes with high intensity focused ultrasound. The silicone oil filled eyes present unusually difficult problems in glaucoma management, since the silicone oil rapidly obstructs filtration openings, and laser techniques have not been effective. The mean pretreatment pressure was 34.2 mmHg. The patients were followed for a mean of 17 months. Seventy-five per cent of ultrasound treated eyes had successful reduction of intraocular pressure to below 20 mmHg with or without concomitant medical treatment at two years after treatment. The complication rate was low in this group of eyes. Five eyes developed hypotonia and three eyes had full thickness scleral perforations but were effectively controlled and developed no other complications during two years of follow-up. This technique appears more effective than cyclo-destructive techniques alone.

[Principles and histologic effects of the treatment of hypertension with focused high-intensity ultrasound]. / Principes et effets histologiques du traitement de l'hypertonie par les ultrasons de haute intensité focalisés.

Focused high-intensity ultra-sound is used to treat glaucoma. Histopathologic examinations of rabbit and pig eyes following therapeutic ultrasound demonstrated highly localized lesions including destruction of the ciliary epithelium and thinning of the sclera. The bond between the sclera and the ciliary epithelium is weakened. The conjunctiva remains intact. The histologic findings in human eye enucleated after ultra-sound therapy are identical. Three mechanisms for pressure reduction are proposed: transscleral outflow of aqueous humor can occur under the overlying conjunctiva; focal destruction of the ciliary epithelium can reduce aqueous production; scleral scarring produces the potential for separation of the ciliary body and the sclera.

Treatment of glaucoma with high intensity focused ultrasound.

Focused high intensity therapeutic ultrasound has been used since 1982 by Coleman and all, to treat patients with uncontrollable intraocular pressure. Three mechanisms may be responsible for lowering intraocular pressure: decreased aqueous humor production in the ciliary epithelium, transscleral outflow of aqueous humor, and increased uveal outflow. We began the use of focused ultrasound to treat glaucoma in April 1987. Up to now (April 1988), we have treated 220 patients. We describe results from patients that had a follow up of 3, 6, 12 months. Successful treatment resulting in pressure less than 20 mm Hg, was obtained in over 80% of patients treated at 90 days post treatment and of 50% after 6 and 12 months. The complication rate is low. Retreatment is safe and effective. Additionally, the use of U.S. to open closed filtering blebs, recently postoperative, has been a success in 90% of the treated eyes after 3 months. The follow-up period of this study is short which makes conclusions about long-term effects and side effects not possible.

[Use of 5-fluorouracil in the surgery of glaucoma]. / L'utilisation du 5 fluoro-uracile dans la chirurgie du glaucome.

63 eyes (46 patients) with different types of glaucoma have been operated by filtering surgery with subconjunctival 5 fluoro-uracil (5-FU) injections. The mean follow up is 7 months. Two groups of patients have been studied: In the 33 eyes with previous unsuccessful glaucoma surgery, the result was very good: 73% of complete success (IOP less than or = 20 mmHg without additional therapy) 18% of qualified success (IOP less than or = 20 mmHg with additional therapy) 8% of failure. The other group included 30 eyes without previous glaucoma surgery, but with a bad surgical prognosis. In all the cases, the result was good, only one eye required additional therapy. The corneal complications are the most frequent, but do not last long. The other complications depend upon the indications, there are many in the aphakic patients. The durable flat anterior chamber must also be quoted.

[Results 1 year after trabeculoretraction by 360 degree argon laser in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma]. / Résultats à un an de la trabéculorétraction au laser à l'argon sur 360 degrees, dans le traitement des glaucomes à angle ouvert.

On 210 glaucomatous patients (119 men, 91 women), 390 eyes with open angle chronic glaucoma, we have performed an argon laser trabeculoplasty according to Wise technique (360 degrees in one time). ALT was presented as an alternative to surgery. Therefore results were appreciated so that ALT allowed or not to avoid surgery. After one year, the rate of failures was: on all the 390 eyes: 15 p. cent on O.A.C.G. simplex: 6.7 p. cent on myopic glaucoma: 7 p. cent on pigmentary glaucoma: 29.5 p. cent on capsular glaucoma: 6 p. cent after trabeculectomy: 62 p. cent on aphakic glaucoma: 50 p. cent on secondary glaucoma: 33 p. cent on combined glaucoma: 0 p. cent In the group of successful results, ALT allowed to lower medical treatment in at less 70 p. cent after one year of follow-up except for pigmentary glaucoma where, in almost all cases, medication before ALT had to be continued.