Choroidal Detachment after XEN Gel Stent Implantation.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to estimate the incidence of choroidal detachment (CD) after XEN gel stent implant surgery and to evaluate the associated factors. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical charts of 126 patients who underwent XEN implantation between March 1, 2016, and December 31, 2018 at the University Eye Clinic of Genoa. Ocular, demographics, and perioperative factor were registered and analysed. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis were performed to investigate factors associated with CD occurrence. RESULTS: Of the 126 patients, 25 (19.8%) developed a choroidal detachment after XEN gel stent implant surgery. The mean period between surgery and CD detection was 5.84 ± 1.77 days. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) at the time of CD diagnosis was 6.4 ± 3.1 mmHg. Age (OR = 1.10, p < 0.019), early postoperative IOP (OR = 0.70, p < 0.001), and number of preoperative IOP-lowering drugs (OR = 5.70, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with CD presence. Complete resolution was observed in all the cases. Wide-field imaging and ultrasonography were useful tools to diagnose and follow up CD until resolution. CONCLUSIONS: When carefully investigated, CD is a relatively common complication after XEN gel stent implant procedure. Older age, lower postoperative IOP, and higher number of preoperative IOP-lowering drugs were significantly associated with the development of CD.

Early Postoperative Intraocular Pressure is Associated With Better Pressure Control After XEN Implantation.

PRéCIS:: Gel stent implantation is a bleb-forming surgery designed to achieve predictable pressure drop. An early low intraocular pressure (IOP) is associated with the long-term success of the procedure. PURPOSE: To identify the variables associated with the success of the XEN procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was part of a prospective, uncontrolled, consecutive case series study. Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma were included. All the patients underwent surgical XEN implant procedure with mitomycin-C subconjunctival injection 20 minutes before surgery. Success criteria were an off-medication IOP of 6 to 16 mm Hg 12 months after surgery; no additional glaucoma surgery; no visual threatening complications, no visual acuity loss >1 Snellen line. One eye per patient was considered for statistical analysis. A univariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to identify potential risk factors for surgical failure. Then, a multivariate Cox model was built. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three patients were recruited in this study: 93 patients underwent XEN implantation alone whereas 30 the combined procedure with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. Univariate Cox regression showed that the day after surgery intraocular lens>9 mm Hg was associated with surgical failure (P=0.02) and a postoperative number of needlings ≥2 in the follow-up was also predictive of surgical failure (P<0.01). These data were confirmed by a multivariate model too. At 1 year the surgical success criteria were 76% in the group with 24-hour IOP≤9 mm Hg, whereas it was 43% when above 9 mm Hg (P=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that an early IOP≤9 mm Hg is predictive of the efficacy of the procedure during 1-year follow-up, whereas more than 2 needlings are predictive of failure.

XEN Implant Fracture During Needling Procedure.

PURPOSE: The XEN implant is a small hydrophilic stent designed to be implanted permanently for the treatment of glaucoma. As with other bleb-forming surgical procedures, needling is part of postoperative care. We describe 3 cases of XEN fracture of the subconjunctival portion that occurred during the needling procedure. METHODS: The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical and anatomic outcomes in 3 cases of XEN fracture caused by the needling procedure. RESULTS: In our case series of XEN procedures (n=170), bleb needling has been performed in 98 cases (57.6%). In 3 cases (3.1%), we observed unintentional damage to the implant after the procedure.The mean distal segment length of the fractured XEN measured 0.83 (range: 0.7 to 1) mm. Despite the adverse event, the mean IOP changed from 25.0 (range: 21 to 30) mm Hg before needling to 12.0 (range: 10 to 14) after needling, with a mean follow-up of 15.3 (range: 11 to 18) months. No vision-threatening complications were recorded during the entire follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: XEN fracture related to the needling procedure should be considered as a possible adverse event of bleb management. Because XEN is composed of a soft and flexible gelatin material, it could be easily damaged by the needle. The fracture does not seem to impair the efficacy of the draining device. As a matter of fact, according to Poiseuille's laws, shortening of the implant's length decreases the resistance while increasing the flow rate. Despite our positive results, it is recommended to preserve the integrity of the implant.

Predictors of Endothelial Cell Loss after Phacoemulsification for the Treatment of Primary Angle Closure.

PURPOSE: To investigate demographic and anatomical factors associated with a reduction in endothelial cell density (ECD) after phacoemulsification (PE) for the treatment of primary angle closure (PAC). METHODS: In this prospective case series, ECD was evaluated by noncontact specular microscopy and biometric parameters by both noncontact optical biometry and anterior segment optical coherence tomography, preoperatively and at 12 months after surgery. Anterior segment biomicroscopy and gonioscopy were also performed. The change in ECD and its relation to clinical characteristics and biometric parameters were evaluated by linear regression analysis. RESULTS: 44 patients with PAC were included in the study. The mean (SD) patient age was 71.6 (10.2) years; thirty-one (70.5%) of them were women. Coexistence of exfoliation syndrome (XS) was observed in 4 cases (9.1%). The mean (SD) ECD (cells/mm2) changed from 2275 (463) preoperatively to 1964 (613) postoperatively with a mean reduction of -310 (95% CI -445 to -176; p < 0.001). In the multivariate regression model, after correction for age and lens status, XS was the only parameter associated with ECD percentage change (B = -36.00; p=0.001). CONCLUSION: PE in angle closure causes a significant ECD reduction. In our population of PAC patients, XS is significantly associated with ECD change. In this group of patients, a careful preoperative endothelial evaluation should be performed.

Timolol 0.1% in Glaucomatous Patients: Efficacy, Tolerance, and Quality of Life.

Glaucoma is a progressive, chronic optic neuropathy characterized by a typical visual field defects. Four main classes of topical medication are actually available on the market: beta-blockers, prostaglandins, alpha2-agonists, and topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor to treat intraocular pressure (IOP). The aim of this review is to outline the efficacy of timolol and to evaluate the impact of this treatment on patients' quality of life. Among beta-blockers, timolol is most used at three different concentrations: 0.1%, 0.25%, and 0.5%. While the first one is a gel, the other two products are solution. Timolol has few topical side effects, while it has some important systemic side effects on the cardiac and respiratory systems. The balance between efficacy and safety is always the main aspect to care patients. Because of the less efficacy of timolol 0.1% solution, the possibility to use carbomers as vehicle in the gel drops helped timolol 0.1 to be used in clinics, extending the time contact between the active ingredient and the surface of the cornea. Using preservative-free timolol 0.1 for treatment, IOP was at the same level of the other beta-blockers at higher concentration, but it was better tolerated. Preservative-free treatment improved the quality of life reducing dry-eye like symptoms; furthermore, the presence of an artificial tear in the medication bottle could help adherence. The once daily dosing improves compliance.