Juliane Matlach

Comparison of phacotrabeculectomy versus phacocanaloplasty in the treatment of patients with concomitant cataract and glaucoma

BackgroundCataract and glaucoma are both common comorbidities among older patients. Combining glaucoma surgery with minimal invasive phacoemulsification (phaco) is a considerable option to treat both conditions at the same time, although the combination with filtration surgery can produce a strong inflammatory response. Combined non-penetrating procedures like canaloplasty have shown to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) comparable to trabeculectomy without the risk of serious bleb-related complications. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the outcomes of phacotrabeculectomy and phacocanaloplasty.MethodsThirty-nine eyes with concomitant cataract and glaucoma who underwent phacotrabeculectomy (n = 20; 51.3%) or phacocanaloplasty (n = 19; 48.7%) were included into this trial on reduction of IOP, use of medication, success rate, incidence of complications and postsurgical interventions. Complete success was defined as IOP reduction by 30% or more and to 21 mmHg or less (definition 1a) or IOP to less than 18 mmHg (definition 2a) without glaucoma medication.ResultsOver a 12-month follow-up, baseline IOP significantly decreased from 30.0 ± 5.3 mmHg with a mean of 2.5 ± 1.2 glaucoma medications to 11.7 ± 3.5 mmHg with a mean of 0.2 ± 0.4 medications in eyes with phacotrabeculectomy (P < .0001). Eyes with phacocanaloplasty had a preoperative IOP of 28.3 ± 4.1 mmHg and were on 2.8 ± 1.1 IOP-lowering drugs. At 12 months, IOP significantly decreased to 12.6 ± 2.1 mmHg and less glaucoma medications were necessary (mean 1.0 ± 1.5 topical medications; P < .05). 15 patients (78.9%) with phacotrabeculectomy and 9 patients (60.0%) in the phacocanaloplasty group showed complete success according to definition 1 and 2 after 1 year (P = .276). Postsurgical complications were seen in 7 patients (36.8%) of the phacocanaloplasty group which included intraoperative macroperforation of the trabeculo-Descemet membrane (5.3%), hyphema (21.1%) and bleb formation (10.5%). Although more complications were observed in the phacotrabeculectomy group, no statistically significant difference was found.ConclusionsPhacocanaloplasty offers a new alternative to phacotrabeculectomy for treatment of concomitant glaucoma and cataract, although phacotrabeculectomy yielded in better results in terms of IOP maintained without glaucoma medications.

Trabeculectomy versus canaloplasty (TVC study) in the treatment of patients with open-angle glaucoma: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

To compare the outcomes of canaloplasty and trabeculectomy in open‐angle glaucoma.

Repeatability of Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Inner Retinal Thickness Among Two Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Devices

PURPOSE To compare measurement of macular inner retina and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness using two spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) devices in glaucoma patients, patients with ocular hypertension, idiopathic and atypical Parkinson disease, and healthy controls. METHODS A total of 171 eyes of 146 participants underwent successful pRNFL and macular scanning and automated measurement of ganglion cell layer+inner plexiform layer (GCL-IPL) using Cirrus HD-OCT or retinal nerve fiber layer+GCL-IPL (RNFL-GCL-IPL) using RTVue-100. Macular RNFL was added to the GCL-IPL thickness measured by Cirrus and was compared to the RNFL-GCL-IPL thickness of the RTVue in the corresponding Cirrus sectors. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to determine repeatability of three consecutive measurements; ICC and Bland-Altman analysis to assess agreement between OCTs; Pearsons correlation coefficient to assess strength of linear correlation. RESULTS Repeatability of average macular RNFL-GCL-IPL thickness measurement was excellent with an ICC of 0.998 for Cirrus and 0.995 for RTVue. Repeatability was also good for average pRNFL thickness measurements. Both instruments demonstrated a good consistency in measurements with ICC values ranging from 0.844 to 0.862 for macular RNFL-GCL-IPL and 0.718 to 0.958 for pRNFL thickness. CONCLUSIONS Measurement of pRNFL and macular RNFL-GCL-IPL thickness has a high degree of repeatability for both OCT devices. Despite a high correlation between measurements of the two OCT devices and fair to excellent ICC values representing a high consistency in the measurements of the two devices, RTVue measured a thicker macular RNFL-GCL-IPL and pRNFL thickness.

Large-area versus small-area application of mitomycin C during trabeculectomy.

Purpose To compare 2 different application methods of mitomycin C (MMC) in patients undergoing trabeculectomy. Methods This retrospective trial compared outcomes of 191 eyes that underwent trabeculectomy with small-area (96 eyes; 50.3%) and large-area (95 eyes; 49.7%) MMC application. Main outcome measures were changes in intraocular pressure (IOP), required glaucoma medications, the frequency of complications, and postsurgical interventions. Results Within both treatment groups, a highly significant IOP reduction was seen during follow-up (p < 0.0001). Statistical analyses revealed a significant difference in IOP between both groups. Patients treated with a larger size of surface area had a higher IOP reduction within the first postoperative year. Choroidal detachment, shallow anterior chamber, and bleb leak were seen more often in the large-area group with more aggressive MMC use. In contrast, complications associated with bleb failure such as bleb scarring were higher in the small-area group. Success rate was higher in the large-area MMC application group after 12 months. Conclusions Large-area treatment seems to be a more efficient application method of MMC during trabeculectomy.

Postoperative subconjunctival bevacizumab injection as an adjunct to 5-fluorouracil in the management of scarring after trabeculectomy.

Purpose Scarring after glaucoma filtering surgery remains the most frequent cause for bleb failure. The aim of this study was to assess if the postoperative injection of bevacizumab reduces the number of postoperative subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) injections. Further, the effect of bevacizumab as an adjunct to 5-FU on the intraocular pressure (IOP) outcome, bleb morphology, postoperative medications, and complications was evaluated. Methods Glaucoma patients (N = 61) who underwent trabeculectomy with mitomycin C were analyzed retrospectively (follow-up period of 25 ± 19 months). Surgery was performed exclusively by one experienced glaucoma specialist using a standardized technique. Patients in group 1 received subconjunctival applications of 5-FU postoperatively. Patients in group 2 received 5-FU and subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab. Results Group 1 had 6.4 ± 3.3 (0–15) (mean ± standard deviation and range, respectively) 5-FU injections. Group 2 had 4.0 ± 2.8 (0–12) (mean ± standard deviation and range, respectively) 5-FU injections. The added injection of bevacizumab significantly reduced the mean number of 5-FU injections by 2.4 ± 3.08 (P ≤ 0.005). There was no significantly lower IOP in group 2 when compared to group 1. A significant reduction in vascularization and in cork screw vessels could be found in both groups (P < 0.0001, 7 days to last 5-FU), yet there was no difference between the two groups at the last follow-up. Postoperative complications were significantly higher for both groups when more 5-FU injections were applied. (P = 0.008). No significant difference in best corrected visual acuity (P = 0.852) and visual field testing (P = 0.610) between preoperative to last follow-up could be found between the two groups. Conclusion The postoperative injection of bevacizumab reduced the number of subconjunctival 5-FU injections significantly by 2.4 injections. A significant difference in postoperative IOP reduction, bleb morphology, and postoperative medication was not detected.

[Non-penetrating glaucoma surgery].

Patients at high risk of developing complications (e.g. high myopia, aphakia, advanced visual field defects) benefit from non-penetrating glaucoma surgery (NPGS). Neovascular glaucoma, traumatic glaucoma or patients with a narrow angle (a scleral spur must at least be visible) are not suitable for NPGS. The aim of deep sclerectomy (DS) is mainly external subconjunctival drainage. Modified with mitomycin C and intrascleral implants, intraocular pressure (IOP) and success of DS are comparable to trabeculectomy. Viscocanalostomy and the further development to canaloplasty aim for blebless IOP control. Viscocanalostomy has an extremely low complication profile but only a slight reduction in IOP. Canaloplasty creates much more favourable results. Combined with phacoemulsification canaloplasty appears to lower IOP comparable to phacotrabeculectomy and demonstrates a more sustainable success compared to canaloplasty alone.

Quality of life following glaucoma surgery: canaloplasty versus trabeculectomy.

Purpose To evaluate quality of life (QoL) with a new questionnaire after canaloplasty (CP) and trabeculectomy (TE). Patients and methods We assessed outcomes of surgery, rate of revision surgeries, patients’ mood, and influence of postoperative care on QoL, surgery interference with daily activities, and postsurgical complaints. Patients completed the QoL questionnaire 24 months after surgery. Results Patients who underwent CP (n=175) were compared to TE patients (n=152). In the CP group, 57% of patients expressed high satisfaction, while 41% of patients in the TE group said they were highly satisfied. The satisfaction difference was statistically significant (P=0.034). Significantly fewer second surgeries were needed after CP (8% CP versus 35% TE, P<0.001). Patients were more positive in the CP group (54% CP versus 37% TE, P<0.009). Stress related to postoperative care was lower in the CP group compared to the TE group (14% versus 46%). Difficulties with activities of daily living, such as reading, were much lower or even nonexistent after CP, and complaints like eye burning or stinging were significantly lower in the CP group. Conclusions Compared with TE, CP is associated with less QoL impairment and higher patient satisfaction after surgery. However, long-term data on intraocular pressure reduction after surgery are needed to confirm long-term patient satisfaction with this surgery.

Pars plana vitrectomy for malignant glaucoma in nonglaucomatous and in filtered glaucomatous eyes.

Purpose To assess the outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy for the treatment of malignant glaucoma in patients with and without previous filtration surgery. Patients and methods Data of 15 patients developing malignant glaucoma after trabeculectomy (60%) or following ophthalmic interventions other than filtration surgery (40%) were recorded retrospectively. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed in case of failed medical or laser treatment recreating the normal pathway of aqueous humor. The main outcome measures were the postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), the frequency of complications, and success rate based on the following criteria: IOP reduction by ≥20% and to ≤21 mmHg (definition one) or an IOP < 18 mmHg (definition two) with (qualified success) and without (complete success) glaucoma medication. Results Vitrectomy reduced IOP from baseline in eyes with and without previous trabeculectomy during a median follow-up of 16.4 months (range 7 days to 58 months); although the majority of patients required glaucoma medication to reach desired IOP. The complete success rates were 11% (both definitions) for patients with filtering blebs and none of the patients without previous trabeculectomy had complete success at the 12-month visit. Complications were few and included transient shallowing of the anterior chamber, choroidal detachment, corneal decompensation, filtering bleb failure, and need for further IOP-lowering procedures. Conclusion Pars plana vitrectomy is equally effective for malignant glaucoma caused by trabeculectomy or interventions other than filtration surgery, although IOP-lowering medication is necessary in nearly all cases to maintain target IOP.

A comparative study of a modified filtering trabeculotomy and conventional trabeculectomy

Purpose The objective of the study reported here was to evaluate the outcome of a modified filtering trabeculotomy (FTO) without iridectomy in open-angle glaucoma compared with that of conventional trabeculectomy (trab). Patients and methods Thirty eyes of 30 patients who underwent modified FTO were prospectively followed for 1 year and were compared with 87 conventional trab patients (87 eyes), matched for age and preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP). The FTO procedure consisted of a deep sclerectomy and trabeculotomy preserving the trabeculo-Descemet membrane, without iridectomy. Main outcome measures were complete success (IOP <18 mmHg and >/=30% IOP reduction, without medication), IOP, visual acuity, medication, complications, and subsequent surgeries. Results In the conventional trab group, the median preoperative IOP was 23.0 mmHg (interquartile range 20.0–27.0) with 3.0 (2.0–3.0) medications, compared with 23.0 mmHg (20.0–27.0) and 3.0 (2.8–4.0) in the modified FTO group. Median postoperative IOP at 12 months was 12.0 mmHg (10.0–13.0) in the conventional trab and 11.0 mmHg (8.0–14.0) in the modified FTO group (P=0.3). The complete success rate at 1 year was 83.1% and 79.3% in the conventional trab group and modified FTO group, respectively (P=0.8). The complications hypotony (20.7%, 24.1%), choroidal detachment (2.3%, 10.3%), and bleb scarring (17.2%, 13.8%), were present in the conventional trab group and modified FTO group, respectively. Conclusion The outcomes of reduced IOP and medications in the FTO group were not different to those in the conventional trab group over 1 year, but some complications were more often seen with the modified FTO technique. The new filtration trabeculotomy, however, has the advantage of avoiding iridectomy, thus reducing the risk of cataract formation, and may result in the development of more favorable blebs by controlling the flow over two resistance levels.

A Novel Technique for Choroidal Fluid Drainage in Uveal Effusion Syndrome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Uveal effusion syndrome (UES) is a rare disorder associated with thickening of the choroid and secondary retinal detachment as a possible serious complication. UES occurs in hypermetropic or nanophthalmic eyes or can be idiopathic and is a diagnosis of exclusion. Vortex vein decompression, sclerectomy or sclerotomy, and drainage of choroidal fluid are surgical treatment options. PATIENTS AND METHODS The authors describe a novel surgical technique for drainage of serous choroidal detachment using a penetrating diathermy probe in two patients with UES. The procedure involves drainage of choroidal fluid by using a penetrating diathermy probe (2 mm tip length) after placing a 20-gauge infusion line in the anterior chamber. RESULTS Choroidal fluid drainage was successful in both patients, with satisfactory outcome on follow-up. CONCLUSION The proposed simple and feasible surgical drainage technique may improve the management of patients with UES.