Erik L. Greve

Lens extraction for uncontrolled angle-closure glaucoma: Long-term follow-up

Purpose: To evaluate the long‐term effects of extraction of incipient cataracts or clear lenses on glaucoma control in patients with subacute or chronic angle‐closure glaucoma. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Methods: This retrospective analysis comprised 22 extracapsular lens extractions with implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens in 18 patients with chronic or subacute angle‐closure glaucoma (Group 1). The effect of glaucoma control was evaluated using visual field examination, diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) curves, gonioscopic appearance, and number of antiglaucoma medications. The results were compared with those in 25 eyes of 19 patients with chronic angleclosure glaucoma in whom a filtering procedure was performed (Group 2). Results: Glaucoma control was achieved in 15 eyes (68%) in Group 1 and in 17 eyes (68%) in Group 2. Mean preoperative IOP was 27.9 mm Hg ± 8.1 (SD) and 29.0 ± 7.7 mm Hg, respectively. Mean postoperative IOP was 17.1 ± 2.9 mm Hg (Group 1) and 14.8 ± 6.6 mm Hg (Group 2) after a mean follow‐up of 52.6 and 58.9 months, respectively. Mean number of ocular hypotensive medications preoperatively was 2.3 ± 0.8 in Group 1 and 2.2 ± 0.8 in Group 2 and at last followup, 1.3 ± 0.7 and 0.52 ± 0.8, respectively. Twenty eyes (91%) in Group 1 had the same or better final visual acuity than before surgery. In Group 2, the final visual acuity was unchanged or better in 13 eyes (52%) and worse in 12 eyes (48%); subsequent cataract surgery was performed in 9 (75%) of these 12 eyes. Additional incisional surgery was done or recommended in 6 eyes (27%) in Group 1 and 20 eyes in Group 2 (80%). Conclusion: Drainage surgery in patients with angle‐closure glaucoma proved to be associated with multiple surgical interventions and deterioration in visual function. The choice of first a cataract procedure with the option of a future trabeculectomy may be a more attractive approach in patients with subacute or chronic angleclosure glaucoma than trabeculectomy followed by an optional cataract procedure.

Histopathologic Effects of Mitomycin C After Trabeculectomy in Human Glaucomatous Eyes With Persistent Hypotony

We evaluated the histopathologic findings in seven patients who underwent surgical revision of the filtration site after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C because of persistent hypotonous maculopathy. Light microscopic examination of subconjunctival tissue and sclera demonstrated hypocellularity of fibroblasts and disruption of the normal architecture. Tissue fragments at the margin of the bleb wall demonstrated scarring and contained multiple fibroblasts. Additionally, we investigated the histopathologic changes in an eye obtained from a patient who died one week after a trabeculectomy with mitomycin C. Transmission electron microscopy showed myelin figures, increased melanolipofuscin granules, vacuolated cytoplasm, and disrupted mitochondria of the ciliary body epithelium underlying the site of mitomycin C application. On the basis of these findings, both overfiltration because of tissue disorganization of the filtering bleb and aqueous hyposecretion because of ciliary body toxicity might be involved in the causes of persistent hypotony after mitomycin C trabeculectomy.

Additive effect of latanoprost, a prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue, and timolol in patients with elevated intraocular pressure.

A randomised observer masked clinical study was conducted to assess the additive effect of latanoprost (13,14-dihydro-17-phenyl-18,19,20-trinorprostaglandin F2 alpha-isopropylester) to timolol maleate in patients with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Patients were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. One group (n = 10) received timolol, the other group (n = 9) received latanoprost twice daily for 1 week. After 1 week all patients received both timolol and latanoprost. Eyes treated with timolol (mean diurnal IOP (SD) day 0, 24.2 (2.8) mm Hg) and latanoprost (mean diurnal IOP day 0, 28.5 (5.6) mm Hg) showed an IOP reduction of 5.9 (2.3) mm Hg (24%) and 8.9 (2.5) mm Hg (31%), respectively after the first week. Adding latanoprost to the eyes treated with timolol as well as timolol to the eyes receiving latanoprost gave a further reduction of 2.6 (1.1) mm Hg (13%) and 2.6 (2.2) mm Hg (14%), respectively. Only mild transient hyperaemia was observed in patients receiving latanoprost. The results indicate that latanoprost and timolol can be combined successfully and that complete or almost complete additivity is reached even at pressure levels below 20 mm Hg.

Reduction of Intraocular Pressure with Treatment of Latanoprost Once Daily in Patients with Normal-pressure Glaucoma

PURPOSE Currently available ocular hypotensive agents often fail to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with normal-pressure glaucoma (NPG). The authors evaluated the IOP-reducing potential and side effects of latanoprost, a newly developed ocular hypotensive agent, in this patient group. METHODS A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled cross-over study was performed in 30 patients with NPG, 29 of whom completed the study. During three periods of 3 weeks each, patients received, in a random order, 50 micrograms/ml latanoprost once daily, 15 micrograms/ml latanoprost twice daily, and placebo. Per dose, one drop of the study medication was applied topically in both eyes. At the end of each treatment period, diurnal IOP measurements were obtained. General and ocular symptoms were recorded, and a detailed ocular examination was performed on each visit to monitor side effects. RESULTS Average IOP reduction after 50 micrograms/ml latanoprost once daily, 15 micrograms/ml latanoprost twice daily, and placebo was 3.6 +/- 1.9 mmHg (21.3%, P < 0.001), 2.4 +/- 1.5 mmHg (14.2%, P < 0.001), and 0.4 +/- 1.8 mmHg (2.4%, not significant), respectively. The difference between the two latanoprost dose regimens was significant (P = 0.001). Efficacy of latanoprost correlated with initial IOP (r2 = 0.76, P < 0.001). A mild, but statistically significant, increase in conjunctival hyperemia was observed in both latanoprost treatment groups. CONCLUSION Both latanoprost regimens significantly reduce IOP in patients with NPG, but 50 micrograms/ml latanoprost once daily is more effective in reducing IOP than 15 micrograms/ml latanoprost twice daily. Lowering the concentration did not result in an improved side effects profile. Latanoprost is more effective at higher IOP levels.

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Assessment by Scanning Laser Polarimetry and Standardized Photography

PURPOSE To determine whether, in a clinical setting, scanning laser polarimetry and retinal nerve fiber layer photography provide equivalent information on the retinal nerve fiber layer. METHODS We prospectively studied 60 patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension and 24 healthy subjects. With scanning laser polarimetry, an estimate of the cross section of the retinal nerve fiber layer was obtained. By using a photographic reference set, we quantified photographs of the retinal nerve fiber layer. Visual fields were used to relate the results of both methods to functional damage. RESULTS The scanning laser polarimetry measurements yielded reproducible cross-section values (coefficient of variation, 6.6%). Comparison of cross-section values and photograph scores gave Pearson correlation coefficients smaller than r = .4 (P < .01), improving to a maximum of r = .53 after compensation for offset. When cross-section values were compared to the mean deviation of the visual field, the Spearman correlation coefficients varied from an r of -.34 to -.53 (P < .01). Correction for offset resulted in an r of -.54 to -.65. When photograph scores and mean deviation of the visual field were compared, the Spearman correlation coefficients varied from an r of -.65 to -.71 (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Because r was maximal at .53, the information on the retinal nerve fiber layer obtained with scanning laser polarimetry and photography seems not equivalent. This result could not have been because of lack of reproducibility. Although the results suggested possible offset in scanning laser polarimetry, other methodologic differences must be considered to explain the differences between the two techniques.

Primary angle closure glaucoma: extracapsular cataract extraction or filtering procedure?

SummaryAn extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with posterior-chamber-IOL was performed in 21 eyes of 20 patients with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG; 2 suspects, 5 acute PACG, 14 chronic PACG). The ECCE was performed to improve the IOP. In 14 cases the ECCE was done in lieu of a filtering procedure. After the ECCE the anterior chamber deepened. The mean IOP was reduced from 31 mmHg preoperative to 16mmHg postoperative. Only 5 eyes needed additional medication after the ECCE. The IOP was reduced even if extensive peripheral anterior synechiae were diagnosed or after failed filtering procedures. The only temporary complication was the IOP-peak in the immediate postoperative period. It is concluded that an ECCE with PC-IOL should be seriously considered as the procedure of choice in PACG instead of a filtering procedure (or instead of a combined procedure).

Use of the Megasoft Bandage Lens for Treatment of Complications After Trabeculectomy

Shallow anterior chambers and leaking filtration blebs are possible complications after trabeculectomy that can be treated with therapeutic contact lenses. In most cases, however, treatment fails because these lenses are not large enough to cover the filtering bleb. We evaluated the use of a newly developed large diameter (20.5 mm) therapeutic soft contact lens. Five patients with shallow anterior chambers and ten patients with leaking filtering blebs after trabeculectomy were fitted with this new extended-wear contact lens. All patients with shallow anterior chambers developed deep chambers after a mean treatment period of five days. Of the ten patients with leaking filtering blebs, in eight (80%) the leak closed after a mean treatment period of 2.2 months. The contact lens used was comfortable and complications occurred in only one eye. This new therapeutic device is an improvement in the treatment of complications after trabeculectomy.

Treatment of Hypotonous Maculopathy After Trabeculectomy With Mitomycin C

We treated 34 eyes of 32 patients who developed a hypotonous maculopathy after a trabeculectomy with mitomycin C with various treatment strategies. Placement of a Megasoft Bandage Contact Lens in 24 eyes did not result in a notable increase in intraocular pressure or visual acuity. Intrableb injection of autologous blood in 22 eyes resulted in a mean +/- standard deviation (S.D.) increase in intraocular pressure from 4.3 +/- 1.8 mm Hg before injection to 8.6 +/- 4.6 mm Hg after injection. Mean logMAR visual acuity improved from 0.71 +/- 0.40 to 0.32 +/- 0.25. After a surgical revision of 16 eyes, intraocular pressure increased from 4.1 +/- 1.9 mm Hg to 11.3 +/- 4.0 mm Hg, and logMAR visual acuity improved from 0.61 +/- 0.30 to 0.22 +/- 0.24. At the last follow-up examination (12.2 +/- 5.1 months after the trabeculectomy), 31 eyes (91.2%) had an intraocular pressure greater than 6 mm Hg. Hypotonous maculopathy after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C can be treated successfully by autologous blood injection and surgical revision of the filtration site.

The effects of 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C on the corneal endothelium

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and Mitomycin C (MMC) are used as adjunct chemotherapy during glaucoma filtering surgery to suppress conjunctival fibroblast proliferation. Since part of these agents may gain access to the anterior chamber and cause cytotoxicity to the corneal endothelium we set up an in vitro system to establish a dose-response effect. Cytotoxicity of MMC and 5-FU was quantified using Mosmanns colorimetric assay in a bovine endothelial cell culture system. In this assay the respiratory activity of the cells is used as a marker for cell viability. After incubation for 5 minutes the 3.0 mg/ml concentration of MMC showed endothelial cytotoxicity, whereas no endothelial toxicity of 5-FU was noted in concentrations up to 50 mg/ml. After incubation for 30 minutes endothelial cytotoxicity was demonstrated for 50 mg/ml of 5-FU and 1 mg/ml of MMC. After an exposure-time of 60 minutes the toxicity level remained 50 mg/ml for 5-FU but decreased to 0.5 mg/ml for MMC. We conclude that with respect to the clinically used concentrations and methods of application of 5-FU and MMC in vivo endothelial toxicity is not to be expected. However, in cases of accidental access of MMC to the anterior eye chamber and following a reduction of aqueous turnover rate the safety of MMC is unwarranted.

Myopia and glaucoma

2, 528 visual fields of patients with glaucoma were examined. All atypical nerve fibre bundle defects (NFBD) were selected and all myopes. Myopic defects are a) enlargement of the blind spot, occurring in 18% to 30% of the myopic eyes depending in the degree of myopia, b) supertemporal refraction defect (2–6%) and c) irregular defects due to myopic choroidal dystrophy. Atypical NFBD were found in only a few non-myopes but in a large number of myopes. Temporal NFBD occurred in 16% and cecocentral NFBD in 9 to 18% of myopic glaucoma (MG). It is difficult to predict the existence of an atypical defect from optic dise evaluation. 2528 Gesichtsfelder von Glaukompatienten wurden überprüft. Dabei wurden alle atypischen Nervenfaserbündel-Defekte (NFBD) und alle Fälle von Myopie ausgewählt. Myopische Defekte sind: a) Vergrößerung des blinden Flecks (mit einer Häufigkeit von 18–30%, vom Myopiegrad abhängig, b) superiotemporale Refraktionsskotome (2–6%) and c) irreguläre Ausfälle infolge myopischer chorioidaler Dystrophie. Atypische NFBD fanden sich nur bei wenigen Nicht-Kurzsichtigen, aber bei vielen Myopen. Temporale NFBD ergaben sich in 16% und zentrozoekale NFBD in 9 bis 18% bei Myopieglaukom. Es ist schwierig, allein aus der Papillenbewertung abzulesen, ob ein atypischer NFBD vorliegt.