Primary Phacoemulsification and Intraocular Lens Implantation for Acute Primary Angle-Closure

Background: To investigate the effect of primary phacoemulsification on intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with acute primary angle-closure (PAC) and coexisting cataract. Methodology: Sixteen eyes of 14 patients with acute PAC received phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation as initial management for medically uncontrolled IOP in a retrospective chart review. The effects on IOP, vision, anterior chamber depth (ACD), and number of antiglaucoma medications were evaluated. Principal Findings: The postoperative IOP was reduced in 16 eyes (100%). The mean 6 standard deviation preoperative IOP was 48.81616.83 mm Hg, which decreased postoperatively to 16.46610.67 mm Hg at 1 day, 9.4363.03 mm Hg at 1 week

Candidate high myopia loci on chromosomes 18p and 12q do not play a major role in susceptibility to common myopia

BACKGROUND: To determine whether previously reported loci predisposing to nonsyndromic high myopia show linkage to common myopia in pedigrees from two ethnic groups: Ashkenazi Jewish and Amish. We hypothesized that these high myopia loci might exhibit allelic heterogeneity and be responsible for moderate /mild or common myopia. METHODS: Cycloplegic and manifest refraction were performed on 38 Jewish and 40 Amish families. Individuals with at least -1.00 D in each meridian of both eyes were classified as myopic. Genomic DNA was genotyped with 12 markers on chromosomes 12q21-23 and 18p11.3. Parametric and nonparametric linkage analyses were conducted to determine whether susceptibility alleles at these loci are important in families with less severe, clinical forms of myopia. RESULTS: There was no strong evidence of linkage of common myopia to these candidate regions: all two-point and multipoint heterogeneity LOD scores were < 1.0 and non-parametric linkage p-values were > 0.01. However, one Amish family showed slight evidence of linkage (LOD>1.0) on 12q; another 3 Amish families each gave LOD >1.0 on 18p; and 3 Jewish families each gave LOD >1.0 on 12q. CONCLUSIONS: Significant evidence of linkage (LOD> 3) of myopia was not found on chromosome 18p or 12q loci in these families. These results suggest that these loci do not play a major role in the causation of common myopia in our families studied

Can we prevent angle-closure glaucoma?

PURPOSE: Glaucoma is the second cause, after cataract, of world blindness. Approximately half is thought to be primary angle-closure glaucoma (ACG). This review asks whether ACG can be prevented on a population basis. METHODS AND POPULATIONS: Review of published information from the Inuit of Greenland, Canada and Alaska, and descriptions of recent studies in Asian populations in Mongolia, China and South-East Asia. RESULTS: The Greenland Inuit have the shallowest anterior chamber depths (ACDs) so far recorded. The proportion of blindness due to ACG was reduced from 64% to 9% over 37 years by systematic optical measurement of central ACD and the van Herick test in the older Inuit, followed by gonioscopy and prophylactic iridectomy or laser iridotomy when indicated. In Mongolia, ultrasound measurement of central ACD had good sensitivity and specificity as a screening test. A randomized controlled trial of screening and prophylactic laser is being completed. In China and South-East Asia, the mechanism of angle closure appears to be more varied and complex and its detection may require more elaborate imaging. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanism of angle closure and potential for prevention by screening are likely to have to be determined specifically for each population at risk

Systemic autonomic function in subjects with primary angle-closure glaucoma: A comparative study of symptomatic and asymptomatic disease presentation

10.1111/j.1442-9071.2004.00791.xClinical and Experimental Ophthalmology322137-141CEOP