Clinical outcomes of viscocanalostomy and phacoviscoviscocanalostomy in primary open angle glaucoma: Two years follow-up

Purpose To compare the outcomes of phacoviscocanalostomy and viscocanalostomy in patients with primary open angle glaucoma. Methods This non randomized, prospective comparative study included 168 eyes of 168 patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Phacoviscocanalostomy was performed in 94 eyes with POAG and cataract and viscocanalostomy was performed in 74 eyes with POAG. Preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressures (IOP), number of antiglaucoma medication, intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded throughout the follow-up period. Results The mean follow-up after surgery was 20.13 ± 7.9 months. Mean IOP decreased significantly 1 month after surgery in both groups (p < 0.001) and remained significantly lower from its preoperative value at all follow-up visits. The postoperative mean IOP at the last follow up in phacoviscocanalostomy and viscocanalostomy was 14.98 ± 4.8 mmHg and 16.84 ± 5.0 mmHg, respectively (p = 0.001). Complete success rate in phacoviscocanalostomy and viscocanalostomy groups was 83.1% and 56.8%, respectively (p = 0.008). Qualified success rate was achieved in 89.4% eyes in the phacoviscocanalostomy group and 83.8% of viscocanalostomy group (p = 0.534). The Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in phacoviscocanalostomy group improved significantly post-operatively (p = 0.001). Postoperative antiglaucoma medication in both groups were significantly less than the preoperative values (p = 0.001). Conclusions Both Phacoviscocanalostomy and viscocanalostmy are effective procedures in the control of IOP in patients with POAG with and without cataract. Higher complete success rates and BCVA were achieved in phacoviscocanalostomy. Therefore, phacoviscocanalostomy and viscocanalostomy are recommended in eyes with medically uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma with and without coexisting cataract.

Intraocular Pressure Reduction and Complications Profile of Trabeculectomy with 5 Fluorouracil Versus Phaco-trabeculectomy with 5 Fluorouracil in Nigerian Glaucoma Patients

Aims: To evaluate the surgical outcome of combined phacoemulsification cataract surgery plus posterior chamber intraocular and trabeculectomy with adjunctive 5-Fluorouracil versus trabeculectomy with 5-Fluorouracil in the management of Primary open angle glaucoma. Study Design: it was retrospective comparative interventional study Place and Duration of Study: Glaucoma Unit, Eye foundation Hospital Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria between January 2015, and December 2017 Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of consecutive 29 eyes (29 patients) who had trabeculectomy with 5-Fluorouracil compared with 26 eyes (26 patients) who had combined phacotrabeculectomy with 5-Fluorouracil from 2015 to 2017. All patients had a minimum follow up of 3 months. Results: The mean age of 54.48±14.42 years in Trabeculectomy group was significantly (p>0.001) lower than 70.76±7.22 years for the Phacotrabeculectomy group. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of glaucoma medication were similar for the two groups (19.86±9.63mmHg versus 22.23±8.99mmHg; 2.66±1.20 versus 2.73±0.72 medication, trabeculectomy versus phacotrabeculectomy respectively). The postoperative IOP and glaucoma medication after a mean follow up period of 17.11±9.81 months was not significantly different between the two groups (11.55±2.71mmHg versus 12.31±4.33mmHg, p=0.436 for trabeculectomy versus phacotrabeculectomy respectively). Both groups significantly required fewer number of antiglaucoma medication at final follow-up (1.14±0.92 vs 1.46±1.10, trabeculectomy vs phacotrabeculectomy. In the trabeculectomy group, 25 (86.2%) had IOP of ≤15mmHg with or without topical antiglaucoma drops. In the phacotrabeculectomy, 21 (80.76%) had IOP of ≤15mmHg with or without topical antiglaucoma medication (Qualified success). On the other hand, 8 (27.58%) had IOP of ≤15mmHg without topical antiglaucoma medication at the end of the follow-up in the trabeculectomy (Complete success). In the phacotrabeculectomy group, 5 (19.23%) had final IOP of ≤15mmHg without topical antiglaucoma medication. Few complications occurred in both groups. Conclusion: Phacotrabeculectomy augmented with 5-Fluorouracil gave comparable surgical success to 5-Fluorouracil augmented trabeculectomy alone.

Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Canaloplasty and iStent Bypass Implantation in Patients with Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Review of the Literature

The aim of the paper was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive antiglaucoma procedures: Canaloplasty and iStent bypass implantation with and without phacoemulsification in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). A systematic review of the recent literature was performed based on the PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Scopus databases. The effectiveness of the procedures was evaluated based on the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) and the amount of antiglaucoma medication used before and after surgery. Safety of the treatments was evaluated based on the number of incidences of certain intraoperative and postoperative complications. Independent prospective randomized controlled trials (PRCTs) have demonstrated that both procedures, canaloplasty and iStent implantation, are effective in reducing IOP and the amount of antiglaucoma medication. Considering the safety profile of these procedures, both canaloplasty and iStent implantation are associated with low rates of postoperative complications and have similar safety profiles. Further studies are needed to confirm the results of our analysis, including a high-quality randomized controlled trial comparing canaloplasty and iStent bypass implantation

Prevalence of Ocular Surface Disorder and Dry Eye in Patients with Glaucoma using Topical Antiglaucoma Medications

Background: The main aim of the study is to establish the prevalence of ocular surface disorders in glaucoma patients treated with topical antiglaucoma medications. Methods: Investigation of 50 eyes of 25 patients has been performed using two or more antiglaucoma medications for six months, and compared with 50 eyes of 25 normal subjects without any ocular problem. After one year each patient was evaluated by Schirmer’s (SCH) test-I Tear break-up time (TBUT), Corneal staining score. Results: The mean values in the glaucoma cases and control groups respectively were as follows: Schirmer’s test-1 (7.63 ± 2.64mm / 12.86 ± 1.93mm; p= 0.001), Tear breakup time (9.44 2 ±.76 sec / 11.8 ± 1.88 sec; p=0.001), Corneal staining score (5.7 ± 2.33 /1.1 ± 0.58; p=0.001). Conclusion: Patients on antiglaucoma therapy have a greater prevalence of ocular surface disease and dry eye. The causative factors were medications with preservatives and longer treatment duration. Keywords: Antiglaucoma medication, dry eye, ocular surface diseases (OSD), Schirmer’s (SCH) test, Tear breakup time, Corneal staining score.

Treatment of cystoid macular edema in a patient with primary open angle glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy by withdrawal of travoprost

To study the association of cystoid macular edema (CME) and Travoprost eye drops in a patient with diabetic retinopathy (DR).The study was carried out on a 65yr old patient on a regular follow up from 2009-2018.A 65yr old patient of a DR of both eyes who had received 3 sittings of pan retinal photocoagulation (PRP) laser in both eyes and grid laser to his right eye. He was on regular follow up since 2009 with a stable proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Patient was also on topical antiglaucoma medication and had prophylactic YAG-PI done both eyes. He was on regular follow up since 2009 with a stable proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Right eye showed macular edema (ME) in 2014 and underwent OCT and FFA. Patient refused for intravitreal injection and preferred laser treatment, so patient underwent micropulse laser treatment in 2014. His edema persisted even after micropulse treatment. His systemic control was good and patient continued to use Travoprost eye drops. So in 2017 suspected CME secondary to topical prostaglandin (PG) analogue as he had strict glycemic control and was no fluctuation in ME. Hence topical PG analogue was withdrawn and stopped. On subsequent follow up after 2 months CME had completely disappeared and the foveal contour returned to normal on OCT. LE was status quo. Patient was followed up for more than 1 year and continuously followed up, 15 days back in June 2018 had no evidence of CME and vision was 6/9 in both eyes.: Differentiation of DME and CME secondary to PG analogue should be made at the earliest.

Clinical Characteristics of Virus-related Uveitic Secondary Glaucoma: Focus on Cytomegalovirus and Varicella Zoster Virus

Background: We aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of secondary glaucoma related to cytomegalovirus (CMV)- and varicella zoster virus (VZV)-positive uveitis. Methods: In this retrospective study, we enrolled 60 patients with secondary glaucoma. All the patients underwent aqueous and serum analyses for viral antibody through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Among the 60 included patients, 22 had CMV-negative Posner-Schlossman syndrome (CMV-negative PSS), 25 had CMV-positive PSS (CMV-PSS), and 13 had VZV-positive anterior uveitis secondary glaucoma (VZV-AUSG). We evaluated the following main indicators: age, disease duration, intraocular pressure (IOP), cup-to-disc ratio, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal endothelial cell (CEC) count, ocular morphological changes, and medical treatments.Results: We found that 25 of the 47 patients with PSS were CMV-positive. Patients with CMV-PSS had a larger cup-to-disc ratio (p = .043), lower CEC density (p = .017), and more severe CEC loss (p < .001). The CMV-positive PSS group had more patients with iris depigmentation (p = .006). Compared with patients with CMV-PSS, those with VZV-AUSG were older (p = .003), presented a higher IOP (p = .015), and had poorer BCVA (p < .001). Patients with CMV-PSS and VZV-AUSG all accepted ganciclovir treatment, and those with CMV-PSS used fewer antiglaucoma agents simultaneously compared with CMV-negative PSS (p = .005) and VZV-AUSG (p < .001). All three groups had a comparable proportion of patients requiring antiglaucoma surgery.Conclusions: We observed some distinctive clinical features in CMV-PSS that could help clinicians discriminate it from CMV-negative PSS. Further, we found that patients with VZV-AUSG presented a higher IOP and worse visual acuity, and required more antiglaucoma medication than those with CMV-PSS.

Unusual sequelae of staphyloma following Ahmed glaucoma valve explantation and its management

We report a case of a 7-year-old boy, who presented with plate exposure after Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation in the eye with secondary glaucoma following penetrating trauma. He underwent AGV explantation with scleral patch graft and conjunctival limbal autograft and started on topical and oral antiglaucoma medication (AGM) for intraocular pressure (IOP) control. Two months later, he presented to us with high intraocular pressure and uveal tissue prolapse at the site of previous tube entry displacing the scleral and conjunctival grafts posteriorly. The defect was closed with corneal patch graft. Patient underwent limited transscleral cyclophotocoagulation and was maintained on topical AGM for IOP control. Our case highlights that explantation is a definitive management in such cases of plate exposure. Tube entry site is a potential weak area and there is risk of uveal prolapse through this area with high IOP. Corneal patch graft helps in successfully managing such defects involving the sclero-limbal region.

Trabeculectomy in patients with diabetes: subconjunctival Mitomycin C with or without intravitreal bevacizumab

Background/aimsTo evaluate the success of Mitomycin C (MMC) augmented trabeculectomy with or without intravitreal bevacizumab in patients with diabetes without neovascular glaucoma.MethodsFifty-six patients with diabetes who needed trabeculectomy were randomised to either combination of 2.5 mg intravitreal bevacizumab and subconjunctival MMC (group A, 28 eyes) or subconjunctival MMC alone (group B, 28 eyes). The main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), number of antiglaucoma medications, bleb morphology and success probability. Surgical success was defined as complete according to two levels of IOP (≤18 and <15 mm Hg) and at least 20% reduction from preoperative IOP without antiglaucoma medications and qualified as complete success but with antiglaucoma medications. Total success was the sum of complete and qualified success.ResultsThe mean age was 65.2±12.9 and 67.4±10.2 years in groups A and B, respectively (p=0.50). All patients completed at least 1 year of follow-up. The mean 1-year IOP decreased from 25.2±12.0 mm Hg to 10.1±2.8 in group A and from 26.4±11.6 mm Hg to 15.2±6.9 in group B (all p<0.001). Overall, postoperative IOP measurement was statistically significantly lower in group A at month 12 (p=0.001). The number of medications in groups A and B at month 12 was 0.3±0.8 and 1.0±1.2, respectively (p=0.02). The cumulative probability of success at month 12 was not statistically significant (89.3% group A, 78.6% group B; p=0.27).ConclusionIn patients with diabetes with primary trabeculectomy, combined administration of intravitreal bevacizumab and subconjunctival MMC resulted in lower IOP and number of antiglaucoma medication compared with subconjunctival MMC alone.

A case of dense pigment deposition of the posterior lens capsule

Background Pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS) is a well-known entity which can lead to pigmentary glaucoma (PG). This case report presents a rare presentation of PG with bilateral dense pigment deposits of the posterior lens capsule. Case presentation A 72-year-old male came for his first appointment due to an asymmetric worsening of visual acuity. The examination showed unilaterally severely increased intraocular pressure, bilateral dense pigment deposition of the posterior lens capsule, and a shallow unilateral optic disk excavation. Gonioscopy revealed moderate pigmentation of the angle and a concave configuration of the peripheral iris in both eyes. The standard slit lamp examination showed no transillumination defects of either iris. Optical coherence tomography showed retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning in the peripapillary and macular regions. An antiglaucoma medication was prescribed with a good lowering effect. Conclusion Pigment deposition of the posterior lens capsule, which has been rarely reported, is a possible important sign of PDS or PG.

Microcatheter-Assisted Circumferential Trabeculotomy versus Conventional Trabeculotomy for the Treatment of Childhood Glaucoma: A Meta-analysis

Background. The aim of the current meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy of microcatheter-assisted circumferential trabeculotomy (Group 1) with that of conventional trabeculotomy (Group 2) for the treatment of childhood glaucoma. Methods. Published studies were systematically searched via the Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for dichotomous variables. Mean ± the standard deviation , mean difference, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for continuous variables. Heterogeneity was assessed. Random effects modeling and RevMan version 5.30 were used to analyze the data. Results. Five eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis. Mean postoperative intraocular pressures were significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 at 3 months ( P = 0.03 ), 6 months ( P = 0.03 ), and 12 months ( P = 0.007 ) postoperatively. The complete success rates were higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 at 3 months ( P = 0.008 ), 6 months ( P = 0.01 ), and 12 months ( P = 0.004 ) postoperatively, as were the respective qualified success rates ( P = 0.04 , P = 0.0007 , and P = 0.001 ). The pooled estimate indicated lower antiglaucoma medication use in Group 1, especially at 1 month postoperatively ( P = 0.003 ). Conclusions. Microcatheter-assisted circumferential trabeculotomy resulted in excellent intraocular pressure control, higher success rates, and the utilization of less medication than conventional trabeculotomy for childhood glaucoma. Therefore, microcatheter-assisted circumferential trabeculotomy may be recommended as the initial procedure for the treatment of childhood glaucoma.