Comparison of safety and effectiveness of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation and "slow cook" diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in patients with refractory open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the safety and effectiveness of intraocular pressure reduction between micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation and "slow cook" transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in patients with refractory primary open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: We included patients with primary open angle glaucoma with at least 12 months of follow-up. We collected and analyzed data on the preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes. The primary outcomes were a reduction of ≥20% of the baseline value (criterion A) and/or intraocular pressure between 6 and 21 mmHg (criterion B). RESULTS: We included 128 eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma. The preoperative mean intraocular pressure was 25.53 ± 6.40 and 35.02 ± 12.57 mmHg in the micropulse- and "slow cook" transscleral cyclophotocoagulation groups, respectively (p<0.001). The mean intraocular pressure was reduced significantly to 14.33 ± 3.40 and 15.37 ± 5.85 mmHg in the micropulse- and "slow cook" transscleral cyclophotocoagulation groups at the last follow-up, respectively (p=0.110). The mean intraocular pressure reduction at 12 months was 11.20 ± 11.46 and 19.65 ± 13.22 mmHg in the micropulse- and "slow cook" transscleral cyclophotocoagulation groups, respectively (p<0.001). The median preoperative logMAR visual acuity was 0.52 ± 0.69 and 1.75 ± 1.04 in the micropulse- and "slow cook" transscleral cyclophotocoagulation groups, respectively (p<0.001). The mean visual acuity variation was -0.10 ± 0.35 and -0.074 ± 0.16 in the micropulse- and "slow cook" transscleral cyclophotocoagulation, respectively (p=0.510). Preoperatively, the mean eye drops were 3.44 ± 1.38 and 2.89 ± 0.68 drugs in the micropulse- and "slow cook" transscleral cyclophotocoagulation groups, respectively (p=0.017), but those were 2.06 ± 1.42 and 1.02 ± 1.46 at the end of the study in the "slow cook" and micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation groups, respectively (p<0.001). The success of criterion A was not significant between both groups. Compared with 11 eyes (17.74%) in the "slow cook" transscleral cyclophotocoagulation group, 19 eyes (28.78%) in the micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation group showed complete success (p=0.171). For criterion B, 28 (42.42%) and 2 eyes (3.22%) showed complete success after micropulse- and "slow cook" transscleral cyclophotocoagulation, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Both techniques reduced intraocular pressure effectively.

Bent ab interno needle goniotomy versus gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy in primary open-angle glaucoma: study protocol of a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) is a new class of surgeries, which combines moderate to high success rates and a high safety profile. Bent Ab interno Needle Goniotomy (BANG) and Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy (GATT) are two low-cost MIGS procedures that communicate the anterior chamber to Schlemm's canal. Most of the available publications on MIGS are either case series or retrospective studies, with different study protocols. The aim of this manuscript is to describe a randomized clinical trial (RCT) protocol to compare the long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) control and the safety of both procedures in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: This is a parallel, double-arm, single-masked RCT that includes pseudophakic primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) eyes. After inclusion criteria, medications will be washed out to verify baseline IOP before surgery. Patients will be randomized to BANG or GATT using a sealed envelope. Follow-up visits will be 1, 7, 15, 30, 60, 90, 180, 330 and 360 days after surgery. On PO330, a new medication washout will be done. The main outcome is the IOP reduction following the procedures. Complimentary evaluation of functional and structural parameters, safety, and quality of life will be done after 30, 90, 180, and 360 days. DISCUSSION: Our study was designed to compare the long-term efficacy and safety of two low-cost MIGS. Most of the published studies on this subject are case series or retrospective cohorts, with different study protocols, which included different types and severities of glaucomas, combined with cataract extraction. Our study only included mild to moderate POAG eyes, with previous successful cataract extraction. Moreover, it provides a standardized protocol that could be replicated in future studies investigating various types of MIGS. This would allow comparison between different techniques in terms of efficacy, safety, and patients' quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered at the Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC) platform RBR-268ms5y . Registered on July 29, 2023. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Campinas, Brazil.

Saccadic movements during an exploratory visual search task in patients with glaucomatous visual field loss.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the saccadic movements of patients with visual field loss due to primary open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: Thirteen patients with good visual acuity (0.2 logMAR or better) (seven patients with primary open-angle glaucoma 65 ± 13 years) and six controls (51 ± 6 years) yielded a comprehensive ophthalmological examination, including Humphrey Visual Field tests (SITA-Standard 24-2), and performed a monocular, exploratory digital visual search task that quantifies the duration for finding the number "4" on a random array of digits distributed on the screen. After individual adjustments of the angle and distance positioning, the screen was spatially matched with the 24-2 visual field, and divided into five areas for analysis. During the task, saccades were simultaneously recorded in the same eye with a video-based eye tracker. RESULTS: The patients with primary open-angle glaucoma showed a significantly higher number of saccades/screen (median ± interquartile range, 59.00 ± 29.00 vs. 32.50 ± 19.75 saccades (p=0.027) and visual search time per screen (38.50 ± 60.14 vs. 23.75 ± 8.90 seconds (p=0.035) than the controls did. Although the univariate analysis indicated a significant correlation with visual field mean deviation (coefficient=26.19 (p=0.02), only the visual search time/screen was significantly associated with the number of saccades/screen in the multivariate regression model (coefficient=0.55 (p<0.001). Overall, no significant correlation was observed between the sectorial number of saccades and the sensitivity of the five visual field areas. CONCLUSIONS: The patients with primary open-angle glaucoma show impaired search performance and showed a higher number of saccades needed to find stimuli when performing the exploratory visual task.

How glaucoma patients balance between the advantages and disadvantages of acceptance to the recommended treatment regimen in real-life: Perspectives from a middle-income country.

PURPOSE: Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) are required to take long-term treatments with topical medications to halt disease progression. This cross-sectional survey aimed to describe the level of acceptance of Brazilian patients toward the long-term treatment with eyedrops and to find possible correlates of high acceptance. METHODS: POAG patients were recruited from the Glaucoma Service-Santa Casa of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Clinical and demographic data were retrieved from participants' electronic records. All patients answered the ACCEPT© questionnaire. This is a generic patient-reported outcome questionnaire specifically developed to assess patients' acceptance of long-term medications and not adherence. Summed scores and those for each domain were calculated to range from 0 to 100 with a higher score indicating greater acceptance. RESULTS: The sample comprised 96 patients with POAG. The mean age was 63.2 ± 8.9 years; 48 were male and 48 female; 55 (57.3%) were white, 36 (37.5%) African-Brazilian, and 5 (5.2%) were of mixed color; most patients (97.9%) had less than high school degree and all had a family income

Twelve-month outcomes of Kahook dual blade goniotomy combined with cataract surgery in Latino patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate 12 month surgical outcome of Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) goniotomy in combination with cataract surgery in Latino patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT). METHODS: This retrospective study included 45 eyes of 40 patients who underwent KDB goniotomy combined with cataract extraction from January 2016 to September 2020 at two centers in South America. Primary outcome was surgical success defined as ≥ 20% intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction or ≥ 1 medication reduction from preoperative without additional IOP-lowering procedures and an IOP ≥ 5 mmHg or ≤ 21 mmHg. Additionally, we used 2 cutoffs values for success of IOP ≤ 18 and ≤ 15 mmHg. Secondary outcomes included: IOP, medication use, best corrected visual acuity, complications and failure-associated factors. RESULTS: Success rates at 12 months with cutoff limits of 21, 18 and 15 mmHg were 84.3%, 75.6% and 58.7%, respectively. At 12 months, mean preoperative IOP significantly decreased from 19.23 ± 0.65 mmHg on 2.3 ± 1.0 medications to 14.33 ± 0.66 mmHg on 0.6 ± 0.9 medications (p < 0.001) , with 62% of eyes free of hypotensive medication. Eyes that developed postoperative IOP spikes showed a higher risk for failure using the cutoff limit of IOP ≤ 18 mmHg with a hazard ratio of 3.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.80-7.13; p < 0.001). There were no serious ocular adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: KDB combined with cataract extraction showed safety and efficacy for decreasing IOP in OAG and OHT Latino patients. Additionally, dependence on medications was reduced significantly after surgery.

The association between glaucoma treatment adherence with disease progression and loss to follow-up.

Prospective cohort study from Brazil to evaluate glaucoma treatment adherence using a medication event monitoring system (MEMS) device and correlate with glaucoma progression and loss to follow-up (LTF) after one year of follow up. We included primary open glaucoma (POAG) patients treated with at least one ocular hypotensive eye drop. MEMS devices was used to monitor adherence for 60 days and evaluate the percentage of doses prescribed taken within the 60-day period. We classified patients according to rates of adherence: low adherence (less than 75% from MEMS measurements) and high adherence (more than 75% from MEMS measurements). We applied a questionnaire to investigated self-reported behavior towards treatment behaviors (glaucoma treatment compliance assessment tool, GTCAT). We also correlated rates of treatment adherence with clinical, demographical variables and the occurrence of glaucoma progression or LTF after one year of observation. We included 110 POAG patients and found that 28.18% of them were considered low adherent. We identify several variables associated with poor adherence such as glaucoma progression, LTF, younger age, low educational and income levels, absence of health insurance, years of disease and peak intraocular pressure. Several constructs from the self-reported GTCAT were also correlated with the rates of treatment adherence. To date, this is the first study in Latin America to evaluate glaucoma treatment adherence with MEMS devices and correlate adherence rates with glaucoma progression and LTF. We found a low-adherence rate of 28.18% and several additional risk factors were statistically associated with poor adherence.

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty as a Substitute for Medications in Patients with Mild-to-moderate Glaucoma in the Brazilian Public Health System.

PRCIS: Selective laser trabeculoplasty can be used as a substitute for medications in patients with mild-to-moderate glaucoma, reducing the cost of eye drop distribution in the Brazilian public health system. PURPOSE: To observe the effectiveness of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) as a substitute for eye drops in patients with open angle glaucoma in the Brazilian Public Health System. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SLT was performed bilaterally after medication washout. This is a prospective interventional study comparing intraocular pressure (IOP) when using eye drops at baseline (post-washout), and at 12-month follow-up after SLT. Medication was added if the target IOP was not achieved, following the Brazilian Public Health System eye drops protocol, based on medication costs. Absolute (without eye drops) and qualified (with eye drops) success were measured with IOP ≤ 21, IOP ≤ 18, IOP ≤ 15 and IOP ≤ 12 mm Hg. Besides IOP evolution, the ability to reduce IOP (in %), and eye drops reduction were evaluated. RESULTS: Ninety-two eyes of 46 patients were included, 70 eyes with mild glaucoma and 22 with moderate glaucoma; the mean number of eye drops was 2.26±1.06 (82.6% were using a prostaglandin analogue), and post-washout IOP of 21.10±5.24 mm Hg. There was relative success at IOP ≤18 mm Hg, where the mild group had greater success than the moderate group (88.1% vs. 71.4%, P =0.824). The average IOP reductions were 23.04% and 25.74% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. The average number of eye drops was 1.02, with 1.1% using a prostaglandin analogue. Furthermore, 68.19% of the patients had a decrease in the quantity of eye drops used. CONCLUSION: SLT is effective in reducing IOP and replacing eye drops in patients in the Brazilian Public Health System. Moreover, there was a significant reduction in the use of prostaglandin analogues.

Anti-inflammatory treatment after selective laser trabeculoplasty: a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of randomized control trials.

We assessed the effects of anti-inflammatory treatment after selective laser trabeculoplasty through a systematic search of the MEDLINE, COCHRANE, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The outcome measures were intraocular pressure, anterior chamber inflammation, and discomfort. Evidence synthesis was performed using fixed effects or random-effects model according to the heterogeneity of the included studies. Heterogeneity was assessed using Q-statistic and I2. For an overall estimate of continuous outcomes, the mean differences and their 95% confidence intervals were applied, while odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were applied for dichotomous outcomes. Six studies were included in all. No significant difference was noted in the patients for intraocular pressure and discomfort when treated with anti-inflammatory drops. However, the patients showed benefit from reduced anterior chamber inflammation in the first postoperative week [FE OR=0.43, 95% CI=(0.19, 0.95), PQ=0.97, I2=0%], with no significant difference between the outcomes of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids [FE OR=0.75, 95% CI=(0.20, 2.82), PQ=0.37, I2=0%]. Anti-inflammatory drops reduce anterior chamber inflammation after selective laser trabeculoplasty but showed no effect on the intraocular pressure.

Optic nerve head vascular variations in pseudoexfoliative and primary open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the optic nerve head microvascular changes in pseudoexfoliative and primary open-angle glaucoma and define the relationship between vessel density and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study assessed 72 eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma, 41 eyes with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma, and 60 healthy eyes. On the basis of optic nerve head-centered, 4.5 mm × 4.5 mm scan size images, we evaluated the vessel density, as well as the peripapillary sector, inside disk, and all sectoral quadrants. RESULTS: Both glaucoma Groups had lower vessel density in all regions compared with the healthy Group (p<0.05 for all variables). Vessel densities of the nasal inferior, inferior nasal, and inferior temporal sectors in both glaucoma Groups showed similar results (p=0.157, p=0.128, p=0.143, respectively). Eyes with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma had significantly lower vessel densities than eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma in all other regions (p<0.05 for all variables). For both glaucoma Groups, the average retinal nerve fiber layer thickness positively correlated with vessel density in all peripapillary sectors (p<0.05 for all variables). CONCLUSIONS: Reduction in vessel density correlated with the thinning of retinal nerve fiber layer in both glaucoma Groups. Decreased vessel density in the optic nerve head can be used to demonstrate the microvascular pathologies and possible ischemic changes that lead to faster progression and worse prognosis in pseudoexfoliative glaucoma.

Características epidemiológicas y clínicas de pacientes con glaucoma crónico simple / Epidemiologic and clinic characteristics of patients with chronic simple glaucoma i: en

Introducción: El glaucoma es una de las enfermedades oculares de mayor prevalencia a escala mundial y se caracteriza por presión intraocular elevada, cambios en la papila y alteraciones en el campo visual. Objetivo: Caracterizar a pacientes con glaucoma crónico simple según variables epidemiológicas y clínicas. Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal de 96 pacientes con glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto, quienes fueron atendidos en la consulta de oftalmología del Policlínico Docente Alberto Fernández Montes de Oca del municipio de San Luis, en la provincia de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero hasta julio del 2019. Resultados: En la serie prevalecieron el sexo masculino, el grupo etario de 60 a 69 años y los pacientes de piel negra, además de la hipertensión arterial y ocular como factores de riesgo asociados. Por otra parte, la mayoría de los afectados presentaron agudeza visual entre 1,0-0,6, cifras de presión intraocular entre 16-21 mmHg y excavación papilar entre 0,6-0,7, con daños importantes en el campo visual. Conclusiones: Las características epidemiológicas y clínicas de los pacientes con glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto resultaron útiles para establecer el pronóstico y trazar pautas terapéuticas efectivas, a fin de evitar la fase avanzada de la enfermedad y los daños irreversibles que se producen en el nervio óptico.

Introduction: Glaucoma is one of the most prevalent eye diseases worldwide and is characterized by high intraocular pressure, changes in the papilla and visual field alterations. Objective: To characterize patients with chronic simple glaucoma according to epidemiologic and clinical variables. Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study of 96 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma was carried out, who were assisted in the Ophthalmology Service of Alberto Fernández Montes de Oca Teaching Polyclinic of San Luis municipality, in Santiago de Cuba province, from January to July, 2019. Results: In the series there was a prevalence of the male sex, the 60 to 69 age group, and dark-skinned patients, besides hypertension and ocular hypertension as associated risk factors. On the other hand, most of those affected presented visual acuteness between 1.0-0.6, intraocular pressure figures between 16-21 mmHg and papillary excavation between 0.6-0.7, with important damage in the visual field. Conclusions: The epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were useful to establish the prognosis and trace effective therapeutic guidelines, in order to avoid the advanced phase of the disease and the irreversible damage that occurs in the optic nerve.

Comparison between Surgical Techniques Used for Revision of the Filter Bleb: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare two surgical revision techniques in failed trabeculectomies after 6 months. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma who underwent trabeculectomy in at least one eye with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) after trabeculectomy performed at least 6 months before were enrolled in this prospective trial. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmological examination at baseline. Randomization was performed to one eye per patient to double-masked trabeculectomy revision or needling. Patients were examined on the first day, 7 days, 14 days, and then monthly until completing 1 year after surgical intervention. All follow-up visits included the following: patients reported ocular and systemic events, best-corrected visual acuity, IOP, slit-lamp examination, and optic disc evaluation for cup-to-disc ratio. Gonioscopy and stereoscopic optic disc photographs were taken at baseline and 12 months. After 1-year, the IOP and number of medications were compared between the groups. Absolute success criteria in the study were IOP <16 mm Hg, for 2 consecutive measurements without using a hypotensive medication. RESULTS: Forty patients were included in this study. Among them, 38 completed 1-year follow-up (18 in revision group and 20 in needling group). The age ranged from 21 to 86 years, with a mean of 66.82 ± 13.44. At baseline, the average IOP was 21.64 ± 5.12 mm Hg (range from 14 to 38 mm Hg) in the entire group. All patients were using at least two classes of hypotensive eye drops, and 3 patients were using oral acetazolamide. The mean use of hypotensive eye drop medications was 3.11 ± 0.67 at the baseline for the entire group. In the present study, 58% of the patients presented complete success, 18% qualified success, and 24% failed in both groups. After 1-year treatment, both techniques were similar for IOP parameters and also for number of medications (p = 0.834 and p = 0.433, respectively). Regarding intra- or postoperative complications, one patient in each group needed a new surgical intervention, one in the needling group due to shallow anterior chamber and one in the revision group due to spontaneous Seidel sign, and one patient in the needling group underwent posterior revision due to fail. CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques were safe and effective for IOP control after 1 year of follow-up in patients who underwent to trabeculectomy more than 6 months before.

Perspectives on Adherence to Glaucoma Medical Therapy in Brazilian Patients.

BACKGROUND: Poor adherence to glaucoma medication regimens may be associated with subsequent optic nerve damage and irreversible visual loss. Specific barriers to effective patient adherence in low-middle income countries are not fully recognized and new disease-specific instruments to assess adherence have been developed. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate adherence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients to treatment in a middle-income country. METHODS: POAG patients were recruited from the Glaucoma Service - Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericordia de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Clinical and demographic data were retrieved from participants' electronic records. All patients answered the Glaucoma Treatment Compliance Assessment Tool (GTCAT). This 27-item questionnaire was designed to evaluate multiple behavioral factors associated with glaucoma medication adherence. RESULTS: The sample comprised 96 patients with POAG. The mean age was 63.2 ± 8.9 years; 48 were male and 48 female; 55 (57.3%) were White, 36 (37.5%) African-Brazilian, and five (5.2 %) were of mixed color. Most patients (97.9%) had less than a high school degree and all had a family income < US$10,000. The GTCAT identified 69 (71.8%) patients who "sometimes forget to use drops," 68 (70.8%) patients who "sometimes fall asleep before dosing time," and 60 (62.5%) patients "whose drops aren't with them at the time to take them"; 82 (85.4%) patients admitted to using "reminders to take medications." Eighty-two (85.4%) patients agreed that "doctor answers my questions," and 77 (80.5%) said "they are happy with their eye doctor." CONCLUSIONS: The GTCAT identified a number of mostly unintentional factors associated with adherence in this cohort of Brazilian patients. The data may impact on how to understand and improve adherence to ocular hypotensive treatment in the Brazilian population.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty versus micropulse laser trabeculoplasty for intraocular pressure control in patients with primary open angle glaucoma: a 12-month retrospective comparative study.

This study was designed to compare the efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and micropulse laser trabeculoplasty (MLT) in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) requiring additional IOP control. In this retrospective, comparative study, we reviewed the charts of POAG patients requiring additional IOP lowering, who underwent either SLT or MLT and were followed for at least one year. We evaluated mean intraocular pressure (IOP), mean IOP reduction from baseline and mean number of glaucoma medications 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Success rates (success defined as IOP ≤ 21 mmHg and ≥ 20% reduction from baseline IOP without additional medications, new laser session, or glaucoma surgery) at one year were also compared. A total of 98 POAG patients were included, 52 individuals in the SLT group and 46 in the MLT group. Laser treatment resulted in significant mean IOP reductions from baseline in both groups (SLT = -6.0 ± 3.3 mmHg (24.9%) and MLT = -5.8 ± 2.6 mmHg (23.4%)) (p < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the mean IOP reductions in both groups (p = 0.74). At 12 months, the mean number of glaucoma medications was significantly smaller in the SLT group (1.17 + 0.4) when compared to the MLT group (2.21 + 0.2) (p = 0.001). Additionally, after 12 months, success was obtained in 32 (61.5%) SLT cases compared to 27 (58.7%) MLT-treated eyes (p = 1.0). MLT and SLT are both effective in controlling the IOP in POAG patients requiring additional IOP reduction. However, after 12 months, SLT demonstrated a greater efficacy in reducing medication burden when compared to MLT.Trial registration: CEP/CONEP/MS Brazil 40948620.9.0000.5600.

Vascular parameters and endothelin-1 measurements in glaucoma patients with low- and high-tension optic disc hemorrhages.

This prospective study aimed to compare vascular parameters (endothelin-1 [ET-1] blood levels, laser Doppler imaging [LDI] of distal phalanxes, and nailfold capillaroscopy) between open-angle glaucoma patients with low- and high-tension optic disc hemorrhages (LTDH and HTDH, respectively). The 33 enrolled patients (mean age, 62.3 ± 13 years) were classified as LTDH or HTDH if they presented at the time of DH detection an intraocular pressure (IOP) < 16 mmHg or ≥ 16 mmHg, respectively. Demographic and ophthalmological data, ET-1 concentrations, LDI (before and 1, 10, and 20 min after cold stimulation), and nailfold capillaroscopy findings were evaluated. The ET-1 blood level was 65% higher in the LTDH (2.27 ± 1.46 pg/ml) than in the HTDH (1.37 ± 0.57 pg/ml; p = 0.03) group. Moreover, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between ET-1 blood concentration and IOP at the time of DH detection (r = -0.45, p = 0.02). Blood flow measurements 10 and 20 min after cold stimulation were lower in the LTDH group than in the HTDH group (p < 0.01). Patients developing DH with lower IOPs have higher ET-1 blood levels and more peripheral vascular dysfunction as estimated by LDI than those with higher IOPs. These findings suggest that distinct underlying mechanisms may be involved in patients developing DH within different IOP ranges.

Association of variants in the ATXN2 (rs7137828), FOXC1 (rs2745572) and TXNRD2 (rs35934224) genes as risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma development in a Brazilian cohort.

BACKGROUND: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the world's main cause of irreversible blindness, is an asymptomatic and neurodegenerative disease of multifactorial etiology with ethnic and geographic disparities. Multiethnic genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in ATXN2, FOXC1, and TXNRD2 loci as risk factors for POAG pathophysiology and/or endophenotypes. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the association of the variants rs7137828 (ATXN2), rs2745572 (FOXC1), and rs35934224 (TXNRD2), as risk factors for POAG development, additionally to rs7137828 association with glaucoma clinical parameters in a Brazilian cohort from the Southeast and South regions. METHODS: This investigation comprised 506 cases and 501 controls. Variants rs2745572 and rs35934224 were genotyped through TaqMan® assays and validated by Sanger sequencing. Variant rs7137828 was genotyped exclusively by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The primary research outcome revealed that the variant rs7137828 (ATXN2) was associated with an increased risk for the development of POAG in the presence of the TT genotype compared to the CC genotype (p = 0.006; Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.717; Confidence Interval [CI] 95% = 1.169-2.535). There was no significant association of rs2745572 and rs35934224 genotypes with POAG. The CT genotype of the rs7137828 was associated with the vertical cup-to-disk ratio (VCDR) (p = .023) but not with the age at diagnosis or the mean deviation. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate the rs7137828 associated with increased risk for the development of POAG and VCDR in a Brazilian cohort. If validated in additional populations, these findings may enable the development of relevant strategies for early diagnosis of glaucoma in the future.

Outcomes of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty After Prior Incisional Surgery for Open Angle Glaucoma.

PRCIS: This retrospective case series of patients with open angle glaucoma and prior trabeculectomy or tube shunt surgery found that selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) resulted in significant intraocular pressure (IOP) reductions in the intermediate follow-up period in select cases. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the IOP-lowering effect and tolerability of SLT after prior trabeculectomy or tube shunt surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Open angle glaucoma patients at Wills Eye Hospital who previously underwent incisional glaucoma surgery and subsequently received SLT between 2013 and 2018 were included, along with an age-matched control group. Baseline characteristics, procedural data, and post-SLT data were recorded at 1, 3, 6, 12 months, and most recent visit. The primary success of SLT treatment was defined as IOP reduction of 20% or greater without the use of additional glaucoma medications compared to pre-SLT IOP. Secondary success was defined as IOP reduction ≥20% with the use of additional glaucoma medications compared to pre-SLT IOP. RESULTS: There were 45 eyes in the study group and 45 eyes in the control group. In the study group, IOP decreased from a baseline of 19.5±4.7 mm Hg on 2.2±1.2 medications to 16.7±5.2 mm Hg ( P =0.002) on 2.2±1.1 glaucoma medications ( P =0.57). In the control group, IOP decreased from 19.5±4.2 mm Hg on 2.4±1.0 medications to 16.4±5.2 mm Hg ( P =0.003) on 2.1±1.3 medications ( P =0.36). There was no difference in IOP reduction or change in number of glaucoma medications after SLT at any postoperative visit between the 2 groups ( P ≥0.12 for all). Primary success rates at 12 months were 24.4% for the control group and 26.7% for the prior incisional glaucoma surgery group with no significant difference between the groups ( P =0.92). There were no persistent complications after SLT treatment in either group. CONCLUSION: SLT may effectively lower IOP in patients with open angle glaucoma who have had previous incisional glaucoma surgery and should be considered in select cases.

Primary open-angle glaucoma in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea in a Colombian population: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the prevalence, functional and structural alterations of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Tertiary hospital associated with specialised center in ophthalmologic images in Bogota, Colombia. PARTICIPANTS: 150 patients, for a sample of 300 eyes, 64 women (42.7%) and 84 men (57.3%) between 40 and 91 years old with a mean age of 66.8 (±12.1) years. INTERVENTIONS: Visual acuity, biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure, indirect gonioscopy and direct ophthalmoscopy. Patients classified as glaucoma suspects underwent automated perimetry (AP) and optical coherence tomography of the optic nerve OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcomes are the determination of prevalence of glaucoma suspects and POAG in patients with OSA. Secondary outcomes are the description of functional and structural alterations in computerised exams of patients with OSA. RESULTS: The prevalence of glaucoma suspect was 12.6%, and for POAG was 17.3%. No alterations in the appearance of the optic nerve was seen in 74.6%, focal or diffuse thinning of the neuroretinal rim (16.6%) was the most frequently finding, followed by asymmetry of the disc>0.2 mm (8.6%) (p=0.005). In the AP, 41% showed arcuate, nasal step and paracentral focal defects. The mean retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) was normal (>80 µM) in 74% of the mild OSA group, 93.8% of the moderate group and 17.1% of the severe group. Similarly, normal (P5-90) ganglion cell complex (GCC) in 60%, 68% and 75%, respectively. Abnormal results in the mean RNFL was seen in 25.9%, 6.3% and 23.4% of the mild, moderate and severe groups, respectively. In the GCC, 39.7%, 33.3% and 25% of the patients in the aforementioned groups. CONCLUSION: It was possible to determine the relationship between structural changes in the optic nerve and the severity of OSA. No relationship with any of the other studied variables was identified.

Success rate in micropulse diode laser treatment with regard to lens status, refractive errors, and glaucoma subtypes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) considering different characteristics: glaucoma subtypes and lens status. METHODS: A retrospective case-series study was designed to evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP), and the number of IOP-lowering medications, used by glaucoma patients treated with MP-TSCPC between 2016 and 2019. Cases had a follow-up period of 12 months. Achieving an IOP reduction higher than 20%, or the decrease of at least one IOP-lowering medication, was considered a successful outcome. The same population was analyzed by classifying them in two groups as: glaucoma subtypes and lens status. The baseline spherical equivalent (SE) was also calculated for considering association with the achieved IOP. RESULTS: A total of 86 eyes were included. In most cases, IOP and IOP-lowering medications were decreased with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001), and all of them had a successful outcome. The percentage of IOP drop oscillated between 25.9% (open-angle glaucoma sub-group) and 37.5% (pseudoexfoliative glaucoma sub-group), 12 months after surgery. The difference between the groups was not statistically significant (p 0.20 and 0.32 for glaucoma subtypes and lens status, respectively). The Pearson's coefficient obtained was low for the SE and IOP association, at the 12 -month postoperative mark (- 0.009; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The MP-TSCPC treatment was successful in decreasing IOP and IOP-lowering medications, in different glaucoma subtypes. Differences between groups (glaucoma subtypes, phakic and pseudophakic eyes) were not statistically significant. No association was found between the SE and the IOP achieved value after MS-TSCPC treatment.

Peripheral Microvascular Abnormalities Associated with Open-Angle Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate peripheral microvascular abnormalities associated with patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG). DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with OAG and controls. METHODS: All subjects underwent detailed ophthalmic evaluation, including Humphrey visual field (HVF) tests and swept source OCT. To evaluate peripheral microvascular abnormalities, nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) and laser Doppler imaging (LDI) were performed. The presence of microhemorrhages, tortuous capillaries, dilated capillaries, avascular areas, and the capillary density, among other characteristics, were recorded using NFC; fingertip blood flow (FBF) was measured using LDI at different time points, before and 1, 10, and 20 minutes after exposure to a cold stimulus. In addition, venous blood samples were collected to measure serum endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations as well as serum autoantibodies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of microhemorrhages, tortuous capillaries, and dilated capillaries; FBF; ET-1; and autoantibodies. RESULTS: Sixty-eight subjects (43 patients with OAG and 25 controls) were enrolled in the study. Microhemorrhages were found in the nail bed of 65.1% of the patients with OAG compared with 25.0% of the controls (P = 0.003). There was a significant difference in the mean FBF at the baseline in patients with OAG versus controls (293.6 ± 100.2 vs 388.8 ± 52.0 perfusion units, respectively, P < 0.001), together with a significant decrease in the mean FBF 10 and 20 minutes after cold stimulus in patients with OAG in comparison to controls (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). There was a positive correlation between mean baseline FBF and HVF mean deviation (r = 0.27, P = 0.03) and between mean baseline FBF and average retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (r = 0.44, P = 0.001). Neither the analysis of ET-1 concentrations (P= 0.71) nor the autoantibodies measurements (P > 0.05, for all) showed any difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Significant peripheral microvascular abnormalities were found in patients with OAG compared to controls, suggesting that microvascular changes might play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. In addition, part of these peripheral microvascular abnormalities seems to be correlated with both functional and structural glaucomatous damage. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.