Goldmann applanation tonometry and dynamic contour tonometry are not correlated with central corneal thickness in primary open angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) measured by Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and dynamic contour tonometry (DCT) and assess their relationship to central corneal thickness (CCT) in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (OAG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: GAT, DCT, and CCT were assessed in 116 patients with OAG [mean age 65.9 (10.5); 59% female] participating in the Indianapolis Glaucoma Progression Study. GAT and DCT were measured in a randomized order followed by CCT (ultrasonic corneal pachymetry) during a single study visit. Bland-Altman plots were used to evaluate the limits of agreement between tonometery methodologies whereas multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of CCT on GAT and DCT IOP measurements. RESULTS: IOP values obtained by DCT and GAT showed a strong positive correlation in patients with OAG (r=0.93; P<0.001). Mean IOP measured with DCT [18.4 (5.1) mm Hg] was significantly higher (P<0.001) than GAT IOP measurements [16.5 (4.5) mmHg]. CCT did not seem to influence either GAT or DCT measurements (r=0.1025, P=0.16; r=0.05, P=0.46), respectively. The Bland-Altman data showed that the amount of disagreement between IOP assessment techniques varied, suggesting a proportional bias. CONCLUSIONS: In this group of patients with OAG, there was a strong correlation between GAT and DCT measurements of IOP. IOP measured with DCT was consistently higher than IOP measured with GAT. Neither GAT nor DCT measurements were correlated with CCT. This data suggests that factors other than CCT may be involved in the tendency of DCT to produce higher measures of IOP than GAT.

Visual loss after transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation for primary open-angle and neovascular glaucoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Varying incidences of visual loss after transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation for uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) have been reported. This study compared the treatment response in primary open-angle (POAG) and neovascular (NVG) glaucoma, particularly regarding vision loss. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Case notes of consecutive patients who underwent transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation between March 2001 and September 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. A diagnosis of POAG or NVG and at least 6 months of follow-up were required for inclusion. Conservative laser parameters were used. The treatment response of the POAG and NVG groups was compared. RESULTS: Twenty-five eyes of23 patients with POAG and 14 eyes of 14 patients with NVG were studied. Mean follow-up was 22.4 and 12.9 months in the POAG and NVG groups, respectively. Post-treatment, both groups had significant reduction in mean IOP of 7.3 (29.2%) and 13.2 (36.6%) mm Hg, respectively (between group P = .18). One eye in each group had mild hypotony of 4 mm Hg, and no eyes became phthisical. Oral acetazolamide treatment was significantly reduced in both groups. Visual acuity post-treatment decreased in both groups; the POAG eyes had better initial visual acuity and lost more visual acuity. Nine of 25 (36%) POAG and 4 of 8 (50%) NVG eyes lost 2 or more LogMAR lines. CONCLUSIONS: Transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation reduced IOP and medication requirements in POAG and NVG. Patients should be warned that visual loss may occur, especially in endstage glaucoma.

A comparative analysis of the effects of the fixed combination of timolol and dorzolamide versus latanoprost plus timolol on ocular hemodynamics and visual function in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of fixed combination of timolol and dorzolamide and latanoprost plus timolol on retinal, choroidal, and retrobulbar hemodynamics and visual function in primary open-angle glaucoma (OAG) subjects. METHODS: Sixteen (16) OAG patients (age, 63.5 +/- 10.8 years; 9 male) were evaluated in a randomized, crossover, double-blind study design after 4 weeks of treatment of latanoprost with timolol and fixed combination of timolol and dorzolamide. After randomization, 9 right eyes and 7 left eyes were included in the hemodynamic portion of the study. Measurements included: adverse events check, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, blood pressure, heart rate, intraocular pressure (IOP), and fundus examination. Ocular blood flow was assessed using confocal scanning laser Doppler flowmetry, color Doppler imaging, and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. RESULTS: Both therapies were effective at lowering IOP, whereas there was no statistically significant difference between latanoprost plus timolol and the fixed combination of timolol and dorzolamide (13.9% and 12.2% reduction, respectively; P = 0.5533). Fixed combination of timolol and dorzolamide significantly increased central retinal artery end diastolic blood flow velocity (P = 0.0168) and lowered resistance to flow (P = 0.0279). Temporal posterior ciliary artery peak systolic and end diastolic velocities were significantly increased with the fixed combination of timolol and dorzolamide (P = 0.0125 and 0.0238, respectively). Latanoprost plus timolol had no significant effects on ocular blood flow during 4 weeks of treatment. There were no statistically significant differences in adverse events, blood pressure, heart rate, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, or Heidelberg Retinal Flowmeter for any treatment period. CONCLUSIONS: Fixed combination of timolol and dorzolamide therapy might increase blood flow in OAG patients while attaining a similar IOP reduction compared to latanoprost plus timolol. Visual function, however, was not different in this short-term comparison between the two treatments.

Results of combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C in pseudoexfoliation versus non-pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications and the outcome of combined phacoemulsification (phaco) with posterior chamber (PC) intraocular lens (IOL) and trabeculectomy in patients with pseudoexfoliation (PXF) versus non-pseudoexfoliation (non-PXF) glaucoma. METHODS: One hundred and four eyes of 88 patients with combined phaco, PC IOL and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC) were included in the study. MMC 0.02% was applied for 1 min in all cases. Main outcome measures were rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications, intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual acuity (VA). Success rates were determined via Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Surgical success for both groups was defined as IOP being less than 21 mmHg with no treatment or less than 16 with one topical pressure-reducing agent allowed. RESULTS: The PXF group included 55 (52.9%) eyes and the non-PXF group 49 (47.1%) eyes. Transition to extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) occurred in 12.7% of the PXF group, and in 6.1% of the non-PXF group (P=0.16). The occurrence of vitreous loss did not differ significantly between the groups. Patients of both groups had a significant IOP reduction after surgery (P=0.0001). At the end of postoperative follow-up, the success rate approached 83.6% in the PXF group and 83.7% in the non-PXF group. The most common postoperative complications were hyphema (14.5%) in the PXF group and fibrin (14.3%) in the non-PXF group. CONCLUSIONS: Although transition to ECCE was more frequent in the PXF than in the non-PXF group, there was no significant difference in the rate of complications between PXF and non-PXF eyes.

Outcome of consecutive trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: To establish a criterion for success of primary phakic trabeculectomy in the second eye of the same patient, using the first operated eye as a predictor for the surgical outcome. METHODS: The outcome of primary phakic trabeculectomy was retrospectively compared in both eyes of 23 patients. Sixteen patients were treated with antimetabolites and seven were not. Postoperative intraocular pressure and number of glaucoma medications in paired eyes of the same patients were compared. Surgical success was defined as postoperative IOP of <20 mmHg without medication. Bleb morphology and the number of glaucoma medications were also compared in both eyes. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between the two eyes of a patient in the IOP values at each postoperative time point in both groups (with and without antimetabolites) (P > 0.05). At the last follow-up visit after trabeculectomy, the number of glaucoma medications used in paired eyes were not significantly different (P > 0.83). Surgical failure occurred more often in paired eyes than in single eyes. Bilateral failure occurred in 60% (3/5) of the failed trabeculectomies with antimetabolites and in 100% (3/3) of the failed trabeculectomies without antimetabolites. CONCLUSION: Trabeculectomy outcome in paired eyes of patients was similar in both antimetabolites treated and untreated eyes. Thus, trabeculectomy outcome in the first operated eye can predict the surgical result in the second eye of the same patient.

Prostaglandin analogs for hair growth: great expectations.

Latanoprost, a prostaglandin analog, has been reported to stimulate eyelash growth in patients using it in eye preparations for glaucoma and body and scalp hair growth when used topically in various animal models. Will prostaglandin analogs be the next agents used for forms of alopecia?

Reduced cerebrovascular blood flow velocities and vasoreactivity in open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To compare cerebral blood flow velocities between open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients and controls, at baseline and during hyperoxia. DESIGN: Observational cohort study. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in a single institution. Sixteen OAG patients and 15 normal subjects, matched for age, were enrolled. Patients and controls were studied at baseline, while breathing room air, and during 100% oxygen breathing. The eye with the more severe visual field defect was chosen in glaucoma patients, while in controls, the study eye was chosen randomly. Subjects with history of diabetes, cardiovascular, or respiratory disease were excluded. Measurements included brachial arterial pressure, heart rate, intraocular pressure and transcranial Doppler (TCD). Mean and peak velocity and pulsatility index of the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) were measured by TCD. RESULTS: At baseline, MCA mean and peak systolic blood flow velocities were significantly lower in glaucoma patients compared with controls velocities were significantly lower in glaucoma patients compared with controls (mean velocity: 50.2 vs 65.3 cm/s, P <.05; peak velocity: 74.2 vs 96.8 cm/s, P <.05). Additionally, while hyperoxia significantly decreased both mean and peak systolic velocities in MCA of controls (mean velocity: 65.3 vs 57.7 cm/s, P <.05; peak velocity 96.8 vs 87.9 cm/s, P <.05), it did not cause any significant change in OAG patients. CONCLUSIONS: Glaucoma patients were found to have lower MCA blood flow velocities and an absence of vasoreactivity to hyperoxia, compared with controls. The relationship of these cerebral hemodynamic abnormalities to glaucoma pathogenesis and progression remains to be explored.

Nocturnal blood pressure reduction: effect on retrobulbar hemodynamics in glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: Several studies suggest that nocturnal reductions in systemic blood pressure (BP) may be associated with onset or progression of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. The present study aimed to find out whether reductions in nocturnal BP are linked to retrobulbar blood flow perturbations in glaucoma patients. METHODS: Fifteen patients with non-progressing glaucoma and 15 controls were studied in the evening ("baseline") and then at a point of significantly reduced arterial BP during the night. Flow velocities were measured with color Doppler imaging (CDI) in the ophthalmic, central retinal, and nasal and temporal short posterior ciliary arteries, and with transcranial Doppler (TCD) in the middle cerebral artery. BP, corrected for posture, was monitored throughout the night. RESULTS: Maximal posture-corrected nocturnal BP reductions were similar in patients and controls. The reductions were about 10% for each group ( P<0.01). At baseline, patients had lower peak systolic and end-diastolic velocity ( P<0.05) in the short posterior ciliary arteries than controls. Flow velocities in these arteries remained constant in glaucoma patients, while controls showed significant declines. Patients and controls demonstrated blood flow velocities unchanged from baseline in the central retinal, ophthalmic, and middle cerebral arteries during nocturnal BP reduction. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with non-progressing glaucoma there was no evidence of cerebral or retrobulbar hemodynamic abnormalities during nocturnal BP dips. Posterior ciliary arterial blood flow velocities were similar in glaucoma patients and controls during nocturnal BP dips.

Comparison of trabeculectomy with mitomycin C with or without phacoemulsification and lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To compare the results of combined trabeculectomy with phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation to those of trabeculectomy alone using mitomycin C (MMC) application intraoperatively in all cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective comparative study of consecutive patients was conducted on two groups: 102 eyes of 90 patients studied in the combined procedure group, and 33 eyes of 30 patients in the trabeculectomy alone group. RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant decrease in IOP. The combined group had a change from 21.5+/-5.8 mm HG preoperative to 14.73+/-3.44 mm HG postoperative, P=0.0001; the trabeculectomy group changed from 24.2+/-7.5 mm HG preoperative to 12.46+/-3.86 mm HG postoperative, P=0.0001. This represents a 31.5% reduction in IOP in the combined group versus a 48.5% reduction in the trabeculectomy alone group (P=0.0001). The follow-up time was longer in the trabeculectomy group (trabeculectomy group, 22.6+/-13.3 months; combined group, 14.2+/-8.0 months), P=0.0014. There were 97 eyes in the combined group (95%) and 32 eyes (97%) in the trabeculectomy group that had an IOP of less than 20 mm HG at the end of follow up. Postoperatively, the two groups showed similar significant reductions in the number of antiglaucomatous medications used (combined group, 0.82+/-1.0 compared with 2.65+/-0.84 preoperatively, P=0.0001; trabeculectomy group, 0.76+/-1.2 compared with 2.7+/-0.95 preoperatively, P=0.0001). There were no cases of bleb leakage in the combined group and two cases (6%) in the trabeculectomy group. CONCLUSION: The reduction of IOP is significantly larger after trabeculectomy alone than after the combined procedure; however, the functional and anatomical results of the combined procedure of phacoemulsification, posterior chamber IOL implantation, and trabeculectomy with MMC application were as good as those of trabeculectomy alone with MMC.