Modelling human choices: MADeM and decision‑making

Research supported by FAPESP 2015/50122-0 and DFG-GRTK 1740/2. RP and AR are also part of the Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center for Neuromathematics FAPESP grant (2013/07699-0). RP is supported by a FAPESP scholarship (2013/25667-8). ACR is partially supported by a CNPq fellowship (grant 306251/2014-0)

Delayed Nonexpulsive Suprachoroidal Hemorrhage

• Eight cases of delayed nonexpulsive suprachoroidal hemorrhage occurred after filtering operations in aphakic eyes. Sustained hypotonia resulting in serous choroidal detachments, scleral infolding, or both was observed prior to the hemorrhage in seven of the eight eyes. The prognosis was related to the extent of the hemorrhage and possibly to whether or not surgical drainage was performed. Only one of the five patients with massive hemorrhages recovered visual acuity better than hand motions; that patient had undergone prompt surgical drainage of the suprachoroidal blood

Trabeculectomy in Young Patients

The results of 117 trabeculectomies performed on 98 patients under the age of 50 years were reviewed. The success rate in primary glaucomas (29/39, 74%) was considerably higher than in secondary glaucomas (24/50, 48%) or in developmental glaucomas (6/17, 35%). Only one (9%) of 11 trabeculectomies performed for neovascular glaucoma was successful. Trabeculectomies for secondary glaucomas were significantly more often successful in eyes that had not undergone previous surgery. None of the six trabeculectomies performed on patients under the age of ten years controlled the intraocular pressure. Of the 45 trabeculectomies performed on patients aged 10 to 29 years, 17 (38%) were successful. Of the 66 trabeculectomies performed on patients aged 30 to 49 years, 43 (65%) were successful. The success rates among black, white, and hispanic patients were similar. The ability to identify patients at high risk for failure of trabeculectomy may be of value in guiding the surgical management of glaucoma

Update on aqueous shunts

Medicare claims data and surveys of the American Glaucoma Society membership show that aqueous shunts are being increasingly utilized in the surgical management of glaucoma. New clinical trials data have identified differences in the efficacy and safety of shunts in common use. Recent studies have reported comparable results with trabeculectomy and aqueous shunts in similar patient groups. Intraoperative and postoperative complications may develop with aqueous shunt surgery related to the implantation of a foreign material. Several modifications in surgical technique have been directed toward improving surgical success, reducing complications, and optimizing efficiency and cost. ► Surgical trends. ► Surgical results with different implants. ► Aqueous shunts versus trabeculectomy. ► Complications. ► Surgical technique

Prognosis and risk factors for early postoperative wound leaks after trabeculectomy with and without 5-Fluorouracil

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognosis of patients who develop early postoperative wound leaks after trabeculectomy, to determine risk factors for these leaks, and to document adverse outcomes. DESIGN: Multicenter randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Two-hundred thirteen patients with previous cataract surgery or failed filtering surgery were randomized to either trabeculectomy (standard group) or trabeculectomy with postoperative subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil injections (5-FU group). Masked measurements of intraocular pressure were performed throughout 5 years of follow-up. Failure was defined as a reoperation to control intraocular pressure or an intraocular pressure greater than 21 mm Hg with or without medication at or after the 1-year examination. An early postoperative wound leak was defined as one that developed within 2 weeks postoperatively, determined by daily topical fluorescein testing. RESULTS: At 1 year (5 years), the success rate for the 5-FU group was 80% (54%) in eyes without a leak, and 60% (28%) in those with a leak. The 1-year (5-year) success rate in the standard group was 50% (24%) in those without a leak and 44% (15%) with a leak. ( P = .018, log-rank test, adjusted for treatment). Leaks were more common in the 5-FU group, 34/105 (32%), than in the standard treatment group, 22/108 (20%), ( P = .066, χ 2). More eyes with one-layer conjunctiva-Tenon capsule closure developed leaks 40/115 (35%) than those with two-layer closure 16/95 (17%) ( P = .006, χ 2). More eyes with a trabeculectomy located inferiorly 29/76 (38%) developed leaks than those done superiorly 27/137 (20%) ( P = .006, χ 2). Patients with leaks were older (66 years) than those without leaks (60 years) ( P = .011, t test). CONCLUSION: An early postoperative wound leak was a risk factor for trabeculectomy failure. We recommend that trabeculectomy be performed in a superior location with a two-layer closure