Circulating Small Extracellular Vesicles Involved in Systemic Regulation Respond to RGC Degeneration in Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and is characterized by progressive retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration and vision loss. Since irreversible neurodegeneration occurs before diagnosable, early diagnosis and effective neuroprotection are critical for glaucoma management. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are demonstrated to be potential novel biomarkers and therapeutics for a variety of diseases. In this study, it is found that intravitreal injection of circulating plasma-derived sEVs (PDEV) from glaucoma patients ameliorated retinal degeneration in chronic ocular hypertension (COH) mice. Moreover, it is found that PDEV-miR-29s are significantly upregulated in glaucoma patients and are associated with visual field defects in progressed glaucoma. Subsequently, in vivo and in vitro experiments are conducted to investigate the possible function of miR-29s in RGC pathophysiology. It is showed that the overexpression of miR-29b-3p effectively prevents RGC degeneration in COH mice and promotes the neuronal differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Interestingly, engineered sEVs with sufficient miR-29b-3p delivery exhibit more effective RGC protection and neuronal differentiation efficiency. Thus, elevated PDEV-miR-29s may imply systemic regulation to prevent RGC degeneration in glaucoma patients. This study provides new insights into PDEV-based glaucoma diagnosis and therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Trend of glaucoma internal filtration surgeries in a tertiary hospital in China.

AIM: To evaluate the trend of glaucoma internal filtration surgeries for inpatients between 2015 and 2021 at the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. METHODS: A review of the medical records of inpatients who had been diagnosed with glaucoma and received anti-glaucoma surgery between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2021 was conducted. The glaucoma diagnosis in this study included primary open angle glaucoma, primary angle-closure glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, and paediatric glaucoma. The types of surgeries were categorised as internal filtration, external filtration, and cyclodestruction surgery based on the pathway of aqueous humor outflow. The trend of these glaucoma surgeries in the sample of patients with different types of glaucoma was then analysed. RESULTS: The number of patients hospitalised for glaucoma surgery increased yearly, from 752 in 2015 to 1373 in 2021, at the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University. Regarding the patients diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma, internal filtration surgery increased from 27.40% of the sample to 54.40% of the sample, while external filtration surgery decreased from 71.50% to 44.20% between 2015 and 2021. For paediatric glaucoma, internal filtration surgery increased from 37.50% in 2015 to 88.20% in 2021. Whilst different types of surgeries were performed on the sample of patients with secondary glaucoma, the proportion of internal filtration surgery also showed an increase from 18.20% in 2015 to 40.90% in 2021. Meanwhile, internal filtration surgery in the patient sample with primary angle-closure glaucoma already accounted for over 70.00% in 2015, and showed a small increase by 2021. CONCLUSION: As surgical technology and surgical experience continue to elevate and improve, the range of glaucoma surgeries are correspondingly evolving. This study find that internal filtration surgeries accounted for an increasing proportion of treatments in the surgical management of glaucoma between 2015 and 2021.

Safety of Fixed-Combination Bimatoprost 0.03%/Timolol 0.5% Ophthalmic Solution at 6 Months in Chinese Patients with Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension.

INTRODUCTION: Fixed-combination bimatoprost 0.03%/timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution (FCBT; Ganfort®, Allergan, an AbbVie company) effectively reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) via complementary mechanisms of action of the agents, but long-term (> 12 weeks) safety evaluations of FCBT remain limited. FCBT safety is evaluated herein, with particular focus on hyperemia and eyelash growth, at 24 weeks in Chinese patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT). METHODS: In this multicenter, open-label, noncomparative, phase 4 study conducted in China, patients diagnosed with OAG or OHT having insufficient response to ß-blocker- or prostaglandin analogue/prostamide (PGA)-based IOP-lowering monotherapy in one or both eyes were switched from their current IOP-lowering treatment to FCBT (one drop per eye every evening) without prior washout. Assessment visits were scheduled at baseline and weeks 4, 12, and 24 (or study exit). The primary outcome measure was adverse event (AE) incidence through 24 weeks. RESULTS: Of 725 patients enrolled, 632 (87.2%) completed the study; 93 (12.8%) patients discontinued, including 29 (4.0%) due to AEs. Of 1326 FCBT-treated eyes (total), 594 (44.8%) experienced ≥ 1 ocular treatment-related AE during the study. Conjunctival hyperemia (the most common AE overall) and eyelash growth were reported in 269 (20.3%) and 54 (4.1%) FCBT-treated eyes, respectively. The incidence of other known PGA-related AEs (including blepharal pigmentation and erythema of eyelid) was < 10% each. Most conjunctival hyperemia reports were mild in severity (214/259; 82.6%) and only 1/259 (0.4%) was severe. Similarly, most cases of eyelash growth were mild (46/52; 88.5%); none were severe. One (< 0.1%) FCBT-treated eye had a serious ocular AE (OAG) considered FCBT-related. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency and severity of FCBT-related AEs, including conjunctival hyperemia and eyelash growth, are consistent with previously published findings. No new safety concerns were raised. This prospective study reaffirms that once-daily FCBT is a safe and well-tolerated therapy for OAG and OHT. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT02571712.

Clinical characteristics, rates of blindness, and geographic features of PACD in China.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the rates of blindness with the demographics and clinical characteristics of patients with primary angle-closure disease (PACD) to provide a comprehensive epidemiologic reference in China. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in the Chinese Glaucoma Study Consortium database, which is a national multicenter glaucoma research alliance of 111 hospitals participating between December 21, 2015 and September 9, 2018. The diagnosis of PACD was made by qualified physicians through examination. Comparison of sex, age, family history, subtypes of PACD, and blindness were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 5762 glaucoma patients were included, of which 4588 (79.6%) had PACD. Of PACD patients, 72.1% were female with the sex ratio (F/M) of 2.6, and the average age of patients was 63.8±9.3 years with the majority between 60 and 70 years. Additionally, 30% of these patients had low vision in one eye, 8.8% had low vision in both eyes, 1.7% had blindness in one eye, and 0.3% had blindness in both eyes. There were statistical differences with regards to age between male and female patients with PACD, with male patients being older on average. Primary angle-closure glaucoma was more commonly diagnosed in males (60%) compared to females (35.9%), whereas acute primary angle closure (APAC) was more commonly diagnosed in females (54.3%) compared to males (37.7%). The visual acuity in APAC patients was lower and the rate of low vision and blindness was higher than other subtypes. CONCLUSION: PACD was the major type of glaucoma in Chinese hospitals. There were more female patients with PACD, mostly between 60 and 70 years old, with higher rates of APAC in women. APAC resulted in the worst visual outcomes of all PACD subtypes.

Combined Phacoemulsification With Goniosynechialysis Under Ophthalmic Endoscope for Primary Angle-closure Glaucoma After Failed Trabeculectomy.

PRECIS: Phacoemulsification with goniosynechialysis under an ophthalmic endoscope (Phaco-OE-GSL) is safe and able to lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) for failed trabeculectomy in primary angle-closure glaucoma with cataract. The larger pupil diameter and younger age are identified as the 2 risk factors for surgical outcome. PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of combined Phaco-OE-GSL for primary angle-closure glaucoma with cataract after failed trabeculectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients (25 eyes) were enrolled in this retrospective study. IOP, best-corrected visual acuity, and number of glaucoma medications at baseline and each postoperative follow-up visit were recorded. Peripheral anterior synechia (PAS) was recorded using gonioscopy. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of surgical failure. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 17.9±11.4 months. The mean IOP was significantly lower than the preoperative baseline IOP at all time points (P<0.001). The mean IOP was reduced from 24.4±6.5 mm Hg at baseline to 14.2±3.0 mm Hg at the last follow-up. The mean preoperative number of glaucoma medications was 2.2±1.2, which reduced to 0.9±1.1 at the last follow-up. The complete success rates at 1 year and the last follow-up were 70.6% and 68%, respectively. The total success rates were 96% and 92%, respectively. The most common postoperative complications were IOP spikes (48%) and hyphemas (32%). All eyes had degrees of PAS recurrence, with a range of 96.1±52.5 degrees (30 to 210 degrees) after 4 to 6 months. Larger pupil diameter and younger age were significantly associated with the failure of Phaco-OE-GSL. CONCLUSIONS: Phaco-OE-GSL is safe and can lower IOP for failed trabeculectomy in PACG with cataract despite the high recurrence rate of PAS.

Silicone Tube Miniature Drainage Device Implanted under Scleral Flap for the Surgical Treatment of Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a silicone tube miniature drainage device implanted under scleral flap for the surgical treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: This is a non-randomized prospective study. Patients with a minimum follow-up of 12 months were analyzed. Demographic information, preoperative and postoperative data including intraocular pressure (IOP), number of medications and complications were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 33 eyes of 33 patients were included in the analysis. Mean postoperative follow-up was 29.5 ± 6.9 months (range 18-50 months). The mean preoperative IOP was 25.8 ± 7.3 mmHg and decreased to 14.9 ± 4.3, 14.2 ± 3.4 and 14.9 ± 3.3 mmHg at 1 year, 2 years and last follow-up after surgery. The number of medications was decreased from 3.1 ± 1.3 preoperatively to 0.2 ± 0.7, 0.4 ± 0.9 and 0.4 ± 1.0 at 1 year, 2 years and last follow-up, respectively, after surgery. Only six (18.2%) patients used glaucoma medications at last visit. The complete success rates were 87.9% and 78.6%, respectively, at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. The operation-related complications were rare. CONCLUSIONS: The silicone tube miniature drainage device implanted under the scleral flap was found to be a relatively safe and effective surgery for the treatment of POAG. Longer follow-up periods and larger sample sizes are expected.

Circulating S100A8/A9 Levels Reflect Intraocular Inflammation in Uveitis Patients.

Purpose: To investigate whether there is an association between circulating S100A8/A9 levels and uveitis activity.Methods: A total of 549 plasma samples were collected from uveitis patients and non-uveitic controls.Results: S100A8/A9 plasma levels were elevated in uveitis patients compared to non-uveitic controls (P < 0.001). S100A8/A9 plasma levels in patients with active acute anterior uveitis (AAU) were significantly elevated and remarkably decreased in parallel with the severity of intraocular inflammation after corticosteroid treatment (P < 0.001). S100A8/A9 plasma levels were also higher in AAU patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) than in patients without AS (P = 0.02). S100A8/A9 plasma levels were significantly increased in uveitis patients with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP, P = 0.004) or erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR, P = 0.049) levels compared to uveitis patients with normal CRP or ESR values.Conclusion: Circulating S100A8/A9 might be a useful biomarker for the measurement of intraocular inflammation.

Elevated Plasma Levels of Drebrin in Glaucoma Patients With Neurodegeneration.

Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy characterized by progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Aberrations in several cytoskeletal proteins, such as tau have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, could be initiating factors in glaucoma progression and occurring prior to axon degeneration. Developmentally regulated brain protein (Drebrin or DBN1) is an evolutionarily conserved actin-binding protein playing a prominent role in neurons and is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the relationship between circulating DBN1 levels and RGC degeneration in glaucoma patients remains unclear. In our preliminary study, we detected drebrin protein in the plasma of glaucoma patients using proteomic analysis. Subsequently, we recruited a total of 232 patients including primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and Posner-Schlossman syndrome (PS) and measured its DBN1 plasma levels. We observed elevated DBN1 plasma levels in patients with primary glaucoma but not in patients with PS compared to nonaxonopathic controls. Interestingly, in contrast to tau plasma levels increased in all groups of patients, elevated drebrin plasma levels correlated with retinal nerve fiber layer defect (RNFLD) in glaucoma patients. To further explore the expression of DBN1 in neurodegeneration, we conducted experiment of optic nerve crush (ONC) models, and observed increased expression of DBN1 in the serum as well as in the retina and then decreased after ONC. This result reinforces the potentiality of circulating DBN1 levels are increased in glaucoma patients with neurodegeneration. Taken together, our findings suggest that circulating DBN1 levels correlated with RNFLD and may reflect the severity of RGCs injury in glaucoma patients. Combining measurement of circulating drebrin and tau levels may be a useful indicator for monitoring progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

Phacoemulsification With 3.0 and 2.0 mm Opposite Clear Corneal Incisions for Correction of Corneal Astigmatism.

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of 3.0 and 2.0 mm opposite clear corneal incisions (OCCIs) in phacoemulsification on reduction of preexisting corneal astigmatism, and their impact on corneal aberrations. METHODS: This study is a prospective randomized controlled study that included 140 patients with age-related cataract and regular corneal astigmatism ≥0.75 diopter (D). Phacoemulsification was performed using on-meridian 3.0 or 2.0 mm corneal incision with or without an OCCI. Cases were divided into 4 groups: 3.0 mm OCCIs, 3.0 mm single clear corneal incision (3.0 mm SCCI), 2.0 mm OCCIs, and 2.0 mm SCCI. Keratometry and topography were performed at 3 months postoperatively. The variations in corneal astigmatism and aberrations were recorded. Surgically induced astigmatism was calculated using vector analysis. RESULTS: The corneal astigmatism reduction was 0.61 ± 0.38 D in the 3.0 mm OCCIs group, significantly higher than the other groups (P ≤ 0.004); and 0.29 ± 0.29 D in the 2.0 mm OCCIs group. The mean surgically induced astigmatism was 1.07 ± 0.51 D in the 3.0 mm OCCIs group, higher than 0.61 ± 0.35 D in the 2.0 mm OCCIs group (P = 0.001). The root mean square values of corneal trefoil, spherical aberration, and total higher order aberrations increased at 3 months postoperatively, but there were no significant differences between OCCI and SCCI groups. CONCLUSIONS: On-meridian 3.0 mm OCCIs are effective for correcting mild-to-moderate corneal astigmatism during cataract surgery, exerting no additional impact on corneal aberration compared with SCCI.

Surgical peripheral iridectomy via a clear-cornea phacoemulsification incision for pupillary block following cataract surgery in acute angle closure.

BACKGROUND: To describe a technique of surgical peripheral iridectomy via a clear-cornea tunnel incision to prevent or treat pupillary block following phacoemulsification. METHODS: Description of technique and retrospective description results in 20 eyes of 20 patients with acute angle closure with coexisting visually significant cataract undergoing phacoemulsification considered at risk of postoperative papillary block as well as two pseudo-phakic eyes with acute postoperative pupillary-block. Following phacoemulsification and insertion of an intraocular lens, a needle with a bent tip was inserted behind the iris through the corneal tunnel incision. A blunt iris repositor was introduced through the paracentesis and placed above the iris to exert posterior pressure and create a puncture. The size of the puncture was enlarged using scissors. For postoperative pupillary block the same technique was carried out through the existing incisions created for phacoemulsification. RESULTS: Peripheral iridectomy was successfully created in all 22 eyes. At a mean follow-up of 18.77 ± 9.72 months, none of the iridectomies closed or required enlargement. Two eyes had mild intraoperative bleeding and one eye a small Descemet's detachment that did not require intervention. No clinically significant complications were observed. Visual acuity and IOP improved or was maintained in all patients. The incidence of pupillary block in our hospital was 0.09% overall, 0.6% in diabetics and 3.5% in those with diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: This technique of peripheral iridectomy via the cornea tunnel incision can be safely used during phacoemulsification in eyes at high risk of pupillary block or in the treatment of acute postoperative pupillary-block after cataract surgery. The technique is likely to be especially useful in brown iris, or if a laser is not available.

Prospective Study on Ex-PRESS Implantation Combined with Phacoemulsification in Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma Coexisting Cataract: 3-Year Results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of Ex-PRESS implantation combined with phacoemulsification surgery in primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) with cataract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective, nonrandomized study. A total of 34 eyes of 34 subjects were enrolled. The assessments were conducted preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months. The assessments included intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the number of glaucoma medications, corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), and related complications, if any. The anterior segment structure was also assessed by anterior segment optical coherence tomography based on the anterior chamber depth (ACD), angle opening distance (AOD500), and trabecular-iris angle (TIA). A complete success was defined as a controlled IOP between 5 and 21 mmHg without medications. RESULTS: The complete success rates at 12, 24, and 36 postoperative months were 91.2%, 81.7%, and 78.3%, respectively. The mean preoperative IOP was 28.43 ± 12.93 mmHg and decreased to 15.35 ± 4.02 mmHg at 3 years postoperatively (P < 0.001). The number of medications decreased from 2.47 ± 1.89 at baseline to 0.28 ± 0.76 at 3 years postoperatively (P = 0.001). BCVA was 0.83 ± 0.58 at baseline and 0.51 ± 0.33 at 3 years postoperatively (P = 0.008). The ACD, AOD500, and TIA significantly increased at 3 months postoperatively compared with baseline (P < 0.001). ECD at 3 months and 3 years postoperatively were both significantly lower compared with baseline (P = 0.03), but was not significantly different between 3 months and 3 years postoperatively (P = 0.07). The device-related complications identified were hypotony (5.8%), hyphema (2.9%), and iris touch (2.9%), which the incidence rates were all very low. CONCLUSIONS: Ex-PRESS implantation combined with phacoemulsification was effective for lowering IOP in PACG coexisting with cataract. The device-related complication was rare.

Combined Phacoemulsification and Goniosynechialysis under an Endoscope for Chronic Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of combined phacoemulsification with goniosynechialysis (GSL) under an ophthalmic endoscope for chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma and coexisting cataract. METHODS: This is a retrospective study. The intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and number of glaucoma medications at baseline and each postoperative follow-up visit were recorded. Other measurements included supraciliochoroidal fluid measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography, corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), and peripheral anterior synechia (PAS). All patients were followed for more than a year. RESULTS: Thirty-eight eyes of 31 patients were included. The mean follow-up duration was 16.3 ± 3.9 months. The IOP decreased from 22.2 ± 9.3 mmHg at baseline to 15.4 ± 4.2 mmHg at the last follow-up (P < 0.001). The mean number of glaucoma medications (0.1 ± 0.6) at the last follow-up was significantly lower than the preoperative number (2.3 ± 1.1) (P < 0.001). All patients achieved improved or stable visual acuity after surgery. All patients achieved a complete opened angle after GSL. The postoperative complications included hyphema (7.9%), exudation (5.3%), transiently elevated IOP (55.3%), and supraciliochoroidal fluid (40%). CONCLUSIONS: Combined phacoemulsification and GSL under an endoscope can completely reopen PAS and is an effective and safe method for patients with chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma and coexisting cataract.

Neovascular glaucoma: a retrospective review from a tertiary center in China.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to report the prevalence, etiology, treatment and outcomes of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) in a tertiary care ophthalmic center in China. METHODS: Medical records of patients diagnosed as NVG at the Wenzhou Medical University between 2003 and 2014 were reviewed. Success was defined as IOP between 6 and 21 mmHg without topical or systemic glaucoma medications with retention of presenting visual acuity (VA). RESULTS: NVG was diagnosed in 483 of 8306 (5.8%) of all glaucoma patients. Etiology is reported for all 310 eyes of 284 patients managed in the department. Interventions depended on insurance as well as personal finances; outcomes are reported for the 149 eyes of 138 patients with complete data that met follow up requirements. Diabetic retinopathy (DR,39.7%) was the major cause of NVG. Kaplan Meier survival analysis showed a success rate of 84.8% at 1 year, 47.5% at 3 years and 21.9% at 5 years. Major interventions included glaucoma drainage device (GDD) in 103 eyes and trans-scleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) in 22 eyes. Complications were more common in the GDD group. CONCLUSIONS: NVG comprised 5.8% of glaucoma patients seen in a tertiary Chinese hospital. DR was identified as the commonest cause and probably reflects the increasing prevalence of diabetes in China. Surgical interventions were partly determined by insurance status and personal finances. GDD was the commonest surgical intervention used and also had the most complications.

Safety and efficacy of bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination in Chinese patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) is currently the only therapeutic approach in primary open-angle glaucoma. and the fixed-combination medications are needed to achieve sufficiently low target IOP. A multicenter prospective study in the Chinese population was needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of Bimatoprost/Timolol Fixed Combination Eye Drop in China. In this study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of Bimatoprost/Timolol Fixed Combination with concurrent administration of its components in Chinese patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. METHODS: In this multicenter, randomized, double-masked, parallel controlled study, patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who were insufficiently responsive to monotherapy with either topical ß-blockers or prostaglandin analogues were randomized to one of two active treatment groups in a 1:1 ratio at 11 Chinese ophthalmic departments. Bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination treatment was a fixed combination of 0.03% bimatoprost and 0.5% timolol (followed by vehicle for masking) once daily at 19:00 P.M. and concurrent treatment was 0.03% bimatoprost followed by 0.5% timolol once daily at 19:00 P.M. The primary efficacy variable was change from baseline in mean diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) at week 4 visit in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population. Primary analysis evaluated the non-inferiority of bimatoprost/ timolol fixed combination to concurrent with respect to the primary variable using a confidence interval (CI) approach. Bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination was to be considered non-inferior to concurrent if the upper limit of the 95% CI for the between-treatment (bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination minus concurrent) difference was ≤ 1.5 mmHg. Adverse events were collected and slit-lamp examinations were performed to assess safety. Between-group comparisons of the incidence of adverse events were performed using the Pearson chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Of the enrolled 235 patients, 121 patients were randomized to receive bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination and, 114 patients were randomized to receive concurrent treatment. At baseline the mean value of mean diurnal IOP was (25.20 ± 3.06) mmHg in the bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination group and (24.87 ± 3.88) mmHg in the concurrent group. The difference between the treatment groups was not statistically significant. The mean change from baseline in mean diurnal IOP (± standard deviation) in the bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination group was (-9.38 ± 4.66) mmHg and it was (-8.93 ± 4.25) mmHg in the concurrent group (P < 0.01). The difference between the two treatment groups (bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination minus concurrent) in the change from baseline of mean diurnal IOP was -0.556 mmHg (95% CI: -1.68, 0.57, P = 0.330). The upper limit of the 95% CI was less than 1.5 mmHg, the predefined margin of non-inferiority. Adverse events occurred in 26.4% (32/121) of the bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination patients and 30.7% (35/114) of the concurrent patients. The most frequent adverse event was conjunctival hyperemia, which was reported as treatment related in 16.5% (20/121) in the bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination group and 18.4% (21/114) in the concurrent group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Bimatoprost/Timolol Fixed Combination administered in Chinese patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension was not inferior to concurrent dosing with the individual components. Safety profiles were similar between the treatment groups.

Intraocular pressure-lowering efficacy and safety of bimatoprost 0.03% therapy for primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients in China.

BACKGROUND: To report the clinical outcomes in Chinese patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension treated with bimatoprost 0.03% therapy. METHODS: Two hundred sixty-three Chinese patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension who needed initial or additional intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering were recruited in this prospective, open-label, multicenter clinical study and were treated with bimatoprost 0.03%. Patients received bimatoprost 0.03% as initial, replacement or adjunctive IOP-lowering therapy, and follow-up visits were performed at week 1, and month 1 and 3 of the bimatoprost treatment. The efficacy outcome measure was the post-treatment IOP level. The safety outcome measures included the rate of medication-related symptoms, physical signs, reported adverse events, and the level of conjunctival hyperemia. RESULTS: Among 240 patients who could be categorized by pre-existing therapies and the bimatoprost therapy regimen in the study, IOP values observed in all medication conditions showed significant IOP reduction at all study visits compared with baseline. At 3 months, 8.0 ± 3.7 mmHg (32.0%) reduction in IOP was observed in treatment-naive patients after bimatoprost monotherapy; in the patients previously on various therapy regimens, 1.9 ± 2.8 mmHg (9.5%) to 6.4 ± 6.1 mmHg (24.8%) additional IOP lowering was achieved after switching to bimatoprost monotherapy or bimatoprost combination therapy. The most common adverse event was conjunctival hyperemia, mainly of trace and mild intensity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that bimatoprost 0.03% was effective in lowering IOP with favorable safety in Chinese primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients.

Endoscopically controlled goniosynechialysis in managing synechial angle-closure glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To propose a new surgical technique for optimized visualization of the chamber angle using ophthalmic microendoscope in goniosynechialysis (GSL). METHODS: Patients who had acute angle-closure glaucoma with peripheral anterior synechiae or patients with flat anterior chamber after trabeculectomy underwent endoscopically controlled GSL. Ophthalmic endoscope was used before, during, and immediately after GSL to minimize the procedure of GSL and to ensure that the trabecular meshwork was exposed and the majority of the angle was opened after endoscopically controlled GSL. Intraoperative complications, postoperative visual acuity, intraocular pressures (IOPs), and complications were all evaluated. RESULTS: Twelve eyes of twelve patients underwent the operation and the mean follow-up was 7.4+/-1.4 months (range: 6 to 10 mo). The mean preoperative IOP was 42.89+/-15.81 mm Hg. The mean postoperative IOP at the most recent follow-up was 12.72+/-3.48 mm Hg. The absolute success rate (IOP <21 mm Hg without medication) was 8 of 10. Visual acuity improved in 11 of 12 patients (91.7%). No significant intraoperative complications, such as iridodialysis, occurred in any patient. Postoperative complications included hyphema and transient corneal decompensation. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscope conveniently provided the surgeon an optimized visualization of the anterior chamber angle. This enhanced visualization and convenience promises accuracy and safety when performing GSL.

Recovery of corneal hysteresis after reduction of intraocular pressure in chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To measure corneal hysteresis (CH) in unilateral chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma (CPACG) patients to determine if it was affected by high intraocular pressure (IOP). DESIGN: Prospective interventional case series. METHODS: CH and Goldmann-correlated IOP (IOPg) were obtained with the Ocular Response Analyzer (Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments, Dephew, New York, USA) and central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured by optical coherence tomography. Baseline CH, IOPg, and CCT were measured in 40 CPACG eyes and compared to the fellow eyes and 40 normal controls. Reduction of IOPg in CPACG eyes was achieved medically, followed by trabeculectomy and peripheral iridectomy. Measurements were repeated at 2 and 4 weeks posttherapy. RESULTS: IOPg decreased significantly from 31.55 +/- 10.48 mm Hg (mean +/- standard deviation) before therapy to 11.47 +/- 4.71 mm Hg, and CH increased significantly from 6.83 +/- 2.08 mm Hg to 9.22 +/- 1.80 mm Hg at 2 weeks, with no further changes after that. However, the CH in the treated eyes remained significantly lower compared with that of fellow and normal eyes. Before treatment, CH was negatively correlated with IOPg; however, there was no correlation after treatment. CCT was not affected by the reduced IOPg in the CPACG eyes. CONCLUSIONS: CH was significantly lower in CPACG patients, and partial recovery occurred after successful IOP-lowering therapy. Alternations affecting corneal biomechanical properties appear to occur during glaucoma development.

Measurement of retinal nerve fiber layer in primary acute angle closure glaucoma by optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To detect the objective structure changes of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in primary acute angle closure glaucoma (PAACG) and to evaluate the efficacy of quantitative assessment of RNFL thickness with optical coherence tomography (OCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients who had unilateral PAACG attack in the first 4 months after remission and 40 single eyes from 40 normal controls were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. For all cases, PAACG had resolved after treatment. Using the Stratus OCT, the RNFL was assessed in both eyes within 2 weeks after PAACG, and again after 4 months. The OCT parameters were compared among normal controls, the unaffected fellow eyes, and the attacked eyes within 2 weeks and at 4 months after remission. Of the 40 patients, 14 PAACG patients underwent 5 times measurements, respectively, within 2 weeks and at 1, 2, 3, and 4 months after intraocular pressure was controlled. Differences between affected eyes and fellow eyes for the mean RNFL thickness at various periods after remission were also compared. RESULTS: RNFL of the PAACG eyes became thicker (average: 142.6+/-22.9 microm) within 2 weeks and thinner (average: 83.6+/-19.8 microm) at 4 months after acute strike compared with the fellow unaffected and normal eyes. Significant differences were demonstrated comparing the average and 4-quadrant RNFL thicknesses for the attacked eyes with those of the normal controls (P<0.001 to 0.001) and fellow eyes (P<0.001 to 0.002) using 1-way analysis both within 2 weeks and at 4 months after remission. There was significant difference in the RNFL thickness among the 5 time points after intraocular pressure controlled in the acute strike group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Using OCT, RNFL thickness was found to increase in eyes immediately after an episode of PAACG followed by a decrease in RNFL thickness over time (up to 3 mo). This detection can aid in better understanding the pathologic retinal changes involved in PAACG, and help in the assessment and management of these patients.