Cataract surgery in eyes with filtered primary angle closure glaucoma.

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of cataract surgery on intraocular pressure (IOP) in filtered eyes with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG).MethodsIn this prospective interventional case series, 37 previously filtered eyes from 37 PACG patients with mean age of 62.1±10.4 years were consecutively enrolled. All patients had visually significant cataracts and phacoemulsification was performed at least 12 months after trabeculectomy. Visual acuity, IOP and the number of glaucoma medications were recorded preoperatively, and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Anterior chamber (AC) depth was measured preoperatively and 3 months after cataract surgery with A-scan ultrasonography. The main outcome measure was IOP at 12 months.ResultsIOP was decreased significantly from 18.16±5.91 mmHg at baseline to 15.37±2.90 mmHg at final follow-up (P<0.01). The mean number of glaucoma medications was significantly decreased from 1.81±0.24 to 0.86±1.00 (P=0.001) at 1 year postoperatively. At final follow up, 36 (97.2%) eyes and 32 (86.4%) eyes had IOP≤21 and IOP≤18 mmHg, respectively; 14 (37.8%) eyes and 9 (24.3%) eyes had IOP≤21 and IOP≤18 mmHg without medications, respectively. The magnitude of IOP reduction was correlated with higher preoperative IOP (r=0.85, P<0.001), shallower preoperative AC depth (r=-0.38, P=0.01) and greater changes in AC depth (r=-0.39, P=0.01).ConclusionCataract surgery reduces IOP and the number of glaucoma medications in previously filtered PACG eyes. This reduction seems to be greater in patients with higher preoperative IOP and shallower anterior chambers

Outcomes of ab interno trabeculectomy with the trabectome by degree of angle opening.

AimTo analyse ab interno trabeculectomy (AIT) with the trabectome and combined phacoemulsification with AIT (phaco-AIT) by Shaffer angle grade (SG).MethodsProspective study of AIT and phaco-AIT with narrow angles of SG≤2 versus open angles ≥3. Outcomes included intraocular pressure (IOP), medications, complications, secondary surgery and success (IOP <21 mm Hg and >20% reduction without further surgery). Exclusion criteria were missing preoperative data and <1 year follow-up.ResultsOf 671 included cases, at 1 year AIT SG≤2 (n=43) had an IOP reduction of 42% from 27.3±7.4 to 15.7±3.0 mm Hg (p<0.01) versus AIT SG≥3 (n=271) with an IOP reduction of 37% from 26.1±7.8 to 16.4±3.9 mm Hg (p<0.01). In phaco-AIT with SG≤2 (n=48), IOP was reduced 24% from 20.7±7.0 to 15.7±3.6 mm Hg (p<0.01) versus phaco-AIT with SG≥3 (n=309) with an IOP reduction of 25% from 22.6±6.4 to 17.0±3.4 mm Hg (p<0.01). There was no difference between SG≤2 and SG≥3 in reduction of IOP or medications, complications, secondary surgery and success rates (p>0.05).ConclusionsSG≤2 is not associated with worse outcomes in AIT or phaco-AIT

Pediatric Glaucoma: a literature's review and analysis of surgical results

The purpose of this paper is to review the surgical options available for the management of pediatric glaucoma, to evaluate their advantages and disadvantages together with their long-term efficacy, all with the intent to give guidelines to physicians on which elements are to be considered when taking a surgical decision. Currently there is a range of surgical procedures that are being used for the management of pediatric glaucoma. Within these, some are completely new approaches, while others are improvements of the more traditional procedures. Throughout this vast range of surgical options, angle surgery remains the first choice in mild cases and both goniotomy and trabeculotomy have good success rates. Trabeculectomy with or without mitomycin C (MMC) is preferred in refractory cases, in aphakic eyes, and in older children. GDIs have a good success rate in aphakic eyes. Nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy is still rarely used; nevertheless the results of ongoing studies are encouraging. The different clinical situations should always be weighed against the risks associated with the procedures for the individual patients. Glaucomatous progression can occur many years after its stabilization and at any time during the follow-up period; for this reason life-long assessment is necessary

Intraluminal Deposits Found in Glaucoma Tube Shunts Via Anterior Segment Ocular Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: To describe and characterize a novel observation of intraluminal deposits of glaucoma tube shunts (TS) using spectral domain (SD) ocular coherence topography (OCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen TS in 11 patients diagnosed with primary open-angle, neovascular, aphakic, and uveitic glaucomas. Both Ahmed (n=11) and Baerveldt (n=4) TS were examined with 5-line raster anterior segment SD-OCT imaging. RESULTS: The exposed tubes of 2 patients had highly reflective intraluminal deposits in the corresponding exposed areas. Seven tubes without exposure had a thin rim of highly reflective material. Six tubes were clear of luminal deposits. The most common diagnosis in the study was uveitic glaucoma which occurred in 5 of the 15 eyes (33%). The next most common diagnosis was primary open-angle glaucoma which occurred in 4 of the 15 eyes (25%). There were 2 nonvalved Baerveldt tubes in each group. The mean duration of TS implantation was 15.0 months in the deposit group and 33.7 months in the group without luminal deposits. The majority of patients in each group were using eye drops at presentation (88.9% deposit, 83.3% clear), and the average intraocular pressure was 20.2 mm Hg in the deposit group and 19.0 mm Hg in the clear group. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior segment OCT imaging may be used to evaluate TS integrity. Intraluminal deposits in TS may occur as a natural response to implanted drainage device, possibly as an inflammatory response

The Only Eye Study (OnES): a qualitative study of surgeon experiences of only eye surgery and recommendations for patient safety

OBJECTIVE: Performing surgery on patients with only one seeing-eye, where complications may result in catastrophic vision loss, presents unique challenges for the ophthalmic care team. There is currently no evidence regarding how surgeons augment their care when treating only eye patients and no guidelines for how these patients should be managed in hospital eye services. This study aimed to explore ophthalmic surgeons' experiences of only eye surgery and perceptions of current practice. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Ten ophthalmic surgeons were asked to relate their experiences and views on performing only eye surgery in indepth, semistructured interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis to identify key themes. SETTING: Hospital eye service. RESULTS: Five key themes emerged relating to surgeons' experiences and perceptions of only eye surgery: (1) differences in approach to consent, (2) strategies for risk reduction, (3) unmet training needs, (4) value of surgical mentor and (5) emotional impact of unsuccessful outcomes. Recommendations for improving the surgical journey for both the patient and the surgeon related primarily to better recognition and understanding of the complexities inherent with only eye surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of only eye surgery may be improved through a number of methods, including development of purpose-designed training fellowships, adoption of stress-reducing strategies and enhancement of available support services. The findings identify emerging themes unique to only eye surgery and the need for guidelines on the provision of care for these high-stakes surgical patients

Canaloplasty: current value in the management of glaucoma

Canaloplasty is a nonpenetrating blebless surgical technique for open-angle glaucoma, in which a flexible microcatheter is inserted within Schlemm's canal for the entire 360 degrees. When the microcatheter exits the opposite end, a 10-0 prolene suture is tied and it is then withdrawn, by pulling microcatheter back through the canal in the opposite direction. Ligation of prolene suture provides tension on the canal and facilitates aqueous outflow. The main advantage of canaloplasty is that this technique avoids the major complications of fistulating surgery related to blebs and hypotony. Currently, canaloplasty is performed in glaucoma patients with early to moderate disease and combination with cataract surgery is a suitable option in patients with clinically significant lens opacities

Diagnosis and management of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome

The iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome is a rare ocular disorder that includes a group of conditions characterized by structural and proliferative abnormalities of the corneal endothelium, the anterior chamber angle, and the iris. Common clinical features include corneal edema, secondary glaucoma, iris atrophy, and pupillary anomalies, ranging from distortion to polycoria. The main subtypes of this syndrome are the progressive iris atrophy, the Cogan-Reese syndrome, and the Chandler syndrome. ICE syndrome is usually diagnosed in women in the adult age. Clinical history and complete eye examination including tonometry and gonioscopy are necessary to reach a diagnosis. Imaging techniques, such as in vivo confocal microscopy and ultrasound biomicroscopy, are used to confirm the diagnosis by revealing the presence of "ICE-cells" on the corneal endothelium and the structural changes of the anterior chamber angle. An early diagnosis is helpful to better manage the most challenging complications such as secondary glaucoma and corneal edema. Treatment of ICE-related glaucoma often requires glaucoma filtering surgery with antifibrotic agents and the use of glaucoma drainage implants should be considered early in the management of these patients. Visual impairment and pain associated with corneal edema can be successfully managed with endothelial keratoplasty

Ocular manifestations of Sturge–Weber syndrome: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management

Sturge-Weber syndrome has been included in the group of phakomatoses that is characterized by hamartomas involving the brain, skin, and eyes. The characteristic facial port-wine stain, involving the first branch of the trigeminal nerve and the embryonic vasculature distribution in this area, leads to several ocular complications of the anterior segment and can involve the eyelids and conjunctiva. The posterior segment of the eyes is also affected with diffuse choroidal hemangiomas. However, the most frequent ocular comorbidity is glaucoma with a prevalence rate ranging from 30%-70%. Glaucoma is related to anterior chamber malformations, high episcleral venous pressure (EVP), and changes in ocular hemodynamics. Glaucoma can be diagnosed at birth, but the disease can also develop during childhood and in adults. The management of glaucoma in Sturge-Weber syndrome patients is particularly challenging because of early onset, frequently associated severe visual field impairment at the time of diagnosis, and unresponsiveness to standard treatment. Several surgical approaches have been proposed, but long-term prognosis for both intraocular pressure control and visual function remains unsatisfactory in these patients. Choroidal hemangiomas may also lead to visual impairment thorough exudative retinal detachment and macular edema. Treatment of exudative hemangioma complications is aimed at destructing the tumor or decreasing tumor leakage

Success and complication rates of trabeculectomies augmented with MMC in the management of glaucoma

Glaucoma unresponsive to medical treatment is managed by surgery. Augmentation with mitomycin C (MMC) is considered in patients at high risk of surgery failure. Aim: In this paper we assess and compare the success and complications of this procedure performed in the local state hospital with those of larger international centres. Methods: A retrospective study of the surgery performed between 2003 and 2007 at St. Luke's Hospital by one surgeon (FM) was conducted. The total number of eyes considered in this analysis was 32. Intraocular pressures and complications up to one year post-operatively were recorded. Results: The mean intraocular pressure decreased from 30mmHg pre-operatively to 18mmHg post-operatively. The mean IOP drop registered was 42%. Of the 32 eyes that underwent trabeculectomy augmented by MMC, 23 were classified as a complete success with IOP remaining below 21mmHg at 1 year post-surgery. Six eyes were considered as a partial success since they had an IOP under 21mmHg but this had to be kept under control with the administration of medications. Failure of surgery was classified as uncontrollable UOP, although also on medications. This was seen in 3 eyes. Using the central limit theorem, the significance of the difference in means and difference in percentages of IOP drop and complication rates, between the local state hospital procedures and international centres were calculated. Conclusions: Incidences obtained from this analysis compare very favourably with results from international studies showing no significant differences.peer-reviewe