Karanjit S. Kooner

Safety and efficacy of timolol in pediatric glaucoma

We reviewed the effect of timolol in 89 eyes (50 patients) with various types of pediatric glaucoma. Systemic side effects were observed in two patients (4%). Intraocular pressure (IOP) effect of timolol could only be observed in 18 eyes of 11 patients. The average decrease of IOP was 30.7% at the last follow-up.

Risk factors for progression to blindness in high tension primary open angle glaucoma: Comparison of blind and nonblind subjects

Aims To determine which risk factors for blindness were most critical in patients diagnosed with high tension primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in a large ethnically diverse population managed with a uniform treatment strategy. Methods A longitudinal observational study was designed to follow 487 patients (974 eyes) with POAG for an average of 5.5 ± 3.6 years. Detailed ocular and systemic information was collected on each patient and updated every six months. For this study, blindness was defined as visual acuity of 20/200 or worse and/or visual field less than 20° in either eye. Known risk factors were compared between patients with blindness in at least one eye versus nonblind patients. Results The patients with blindness had on average: higher intraocular pressure (IOP, mmHg): (24.2 ± 11.2 vs. 22.1 ± 7.7, p = 0.03), wide variation of IOP in the follow-up period (5.9 vs. 4.1 mmHg, p = 0.031), late detection (p = 0.006), poor control of IOP (p < 0.0001), and noncompliance (p < 0.0003). Other known risk factors such as race, age, myopia, family history of glaucoma, history of ocular trauma, hypertension, diabetes, vascular disease, smoking, alcohol abuse, dysthyoidism, and steroid use were not significant. Conclusions The most critical factors associated with the development of blindness among our patients were: elevated initial IOP, wide variations and poor control of IOP, late detection of glaucoma, and noncompliance with therapy.

Intraocular Pressure Following Extracapsular Cataract Extraction and Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens Implantation

Knowledge of the incidence of both short- and long-term elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) after extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC-IOL) insertion is essential for the practicing ophthalmologist. We reviewed retrospectively the IOP data in 384 consecutive patients (506 eyes) that underwent the above procedure. A postoperative rise of 8 mm Hg above baseline or above 23 mm Hg was observed in 149 eyes (29%). Secondary glaucoma well controlled medically developed in 21 eyes (4%). Three eyes developed glaucoma after the first year postoperatively. Therefore, over the total follow-up period of 6 years, 24 eyes (4.7%) developed pseudophakic glaucoma. None, however, required laser or other surgical intervention. These results further support the prevailing view that ECCE with PC-IOL is the procedure of choice.

Intraocular Pressure Following ECCE, Phacoemulsification, and PC-IOL Implantation

Abnormal intraocular pressure (IOP), either transient or permanent, may follow extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with phacoemulsification (PE) and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC-IOL) implantation. We retrospectively studied IOP measurements at different intervals post ECCE and PE in 242 eyes of 211 patients: 105 males, 106 females, 198 Caucasians and 13 blacks. Elevated IOP (greater than 23 mm Hg) was observed in 20 eyes (8.2%). Only two patients (0.8%) had persistent (greater than 3 months) IOP elevation and needed antiglaucoma therapy. Six more eyes (2.5%), however, developed glaucoma after 1 year. Hence, the incidence of secondary pseudophakic glaucoma at the conclusion of this study was 3.3%. No patient required laser or other mechanical surgery for IOP control. ECCE and PE with PC-IOL does not appear to adversely affect IOP. Patients, however, must be followed closely, as some may develop glaucoma months after surgery.

Risk factors for intraocular pressure elevation after descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty.

Purpose: To identify the incidence of and risk factors for intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation after Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). Methods: Retrospective review was conducted of 68 consecutive DSAEK procedures alone, or in combination with phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation or exchange, performed by two surgeons at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center between 2005 and 2009. Eyes that developed IOP elevation above 21 mm Hg after DSAEK and requiring initiation or escalation of glaucoma therapy were evaluated. Results: Thirty-seven (54%) eyes showed IOP elevation responsive to medical treatment by a mean follow-up of 11.38 ± 7.81 months. Six (8.8%) eyes required glaucoma surgery. In the eyes, which developed elevated IOP, gonioscopy did not reveal any new peripheral anterior synechiae formation. Prolonged topical steroid usage, rebubbling, combined DSAEK/cataract surgery, or repeat DSAEK were not significant factors (P>0.05) for development of elevated IOP, but history of previous glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHTN) was significant (P=0.007). Conclusions: Intraocular pressure elevation is not uncommon in eyes after DSAEK, but most cases can be controlled with conservative management. Intraocular pressure elevation post-DSAEK occurred by mechanisms other than peripheral anterior synechial angle closure. The only significant risk factor for development of elevated IOP in our series was a previous history of glaucoma or OHTN.

Intraocular Pressure Following ECCE and IOL Implantation in Patients With Glaucoma

Patients with glaucoma may suffer optic nerve head damage due to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) after any intraocular procedure. We retrospectively reviewed the IOP data in 82 consecutive patients (103 eyes) with glaucoma after extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC-IOL) implantation. Nine eyes had previous trabeculectomy and three eyes required combined trabeculectomy with ECCE and PC-IOL. The average follow-up period is 1.5 years (range 0.5 to 6 years). The postoperative IOP rise of 8 mm Hg over baseline or above 23 mm Hg was observed in 45 eyes (49.5%). Two eyes needed argon laser trabeculoplasty and one required trabeculectomy to control postoperative IOP elevation. Most of the patients required the same or lesser number of medications for IOP control after surgery. Results suggest that ECCE with PC-IOL may be a relatively safe procedure in cataract patients with preexisting glaucoma.

Intraocular pressure reduction in the untreated fellow eye after selective laser trabeculoplasty.

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the effect of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) on the intraocular pressure (IOP) of untreated fellow eyes in patients with open-angle glaucoma. Study design: Retrospective chart review. Patients and methods: Charts of all patients who underwent SLT at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas between September 2003 and May 2006 were reviewed. Each patient had IOP measurements by Goldmann applanation tonometry in both eyes preoperatively, and at 1 hour, 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Patient age, gender, diagnosis, central corneal thickness (CCT), previous intraocular surgeries, and degrees of laser treatment were tabulated for each patient. Patients with a history of previous glaucoma surgery in either eye were excluded as were those who underwent any change in glaucoma medications or further laser or surgical intervention in either eye within 6 months of SLT. Data were analyzed using a paired two-tailed t-test, an unpaired two-tailed t-test, ANOVA, and linear regression. Results: A total of 43 patients were included through 6 months of follow-up. Mean reduction in IOP in the treated eye was 3.9 ± 0.6 mmHg or 18.8% (p < 0.001) at final exam. Mean IOP reduction in the fellow untreated eye was 2.1 ± 0.5 mmHg or 11.2% (p < 0.01). Patients with higher preoperative IOPs had a greater reduction in IOP in both eyes (p < 0.001 for treated eyes, and p = 0.02 for untreated eyes). Patients who were on a larger number of glaucoma medications preoperatively had a greater response in both eyes (treated eye p = 0.002, untreated eye p = 0.008). There was no significant difference in IOP response in either eye based on age, gender, CCT, degrees of treatment, or phakic status. Conclusions: SLT produces a sustained and statistically significant IOP reduction in the fellow untreated eyes of patients with open-angle glaucoma. The results of our study support a biological mechanism of action for SLT. Limitations of this study include its retrospective design, relatively small sample size, a possible effect of increased compliance with medical therapy following SLT, and an inherent bias of excluding patients who underwent a change in medications or further laser or surgical therapy during the period under review.

Epidemiology and characteristics of childhood glaucoma: results from the Dallas Glaucoma Registry

Purpose Few studies have provided epidemiological characteristics of childhood glaucoma in a large, multiethnic population. This information is important if we are to better screen for and characterize this specific type of glaucoma. In this study, we evaluate the characteristics of patients with childhood glaucoma, including glaucoma suspects, as identified through the Dallas Glaucoma Registry (DGR). Patients and methods The DGR catalogs the characteristics of glaucoma patients seen at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, an academic tertiary referral center for a large, multiethnic, urban population in the United States. We analyzed these patients with respect to race, medical and surgical treatment, cup-to-disc ratio, intraocular pressure, and visual outcomes. Results The study comprised 376 eyes of 239 childhood glaucoma patients, of whom 19% had primary congenital glaucoma, 4% had primary juvenile glaucoma, 45% had secondary glaucoma, and 31% were glaucoma suspects. Trauma and postsurgical aphakia were the most common causes for secondary glaucoma. Thirty-eight percent of patients were Hispanic, 30% were Caucasian, 21% were African American, 3% were Asian, and 9% were unknown or unreported. Male sex was more common at 56%. Of all eyes with glaucoma, 65% received surgical intervention while 70% required at least one medication for intraocular pressure control. Trabeculotomy and tube-shunt surgery were the most common surgeries performed. Of patients who could have Snellen visual acuity measured, glaucoma suspect eyes had the largest proportion of eyes (96%) with good visual acuity (better than 20/40) while primary congenital glaucoma eyes had the smallest proportion (41%) with good visual acuity. Secondary glaucoma eyes had the largest proportion of eyes (30%) with poor visual acuity (worse than count fingers). Conclusion The most common etiologies of childhood glaucoma were primary congenital glaucoma and secondary causes including trauma and postsurgical aphakia. A high proportion of glaucoma patients were of Hispanic background, reflecting the patient population studied. Trabeculotomy and tube-shunt surgery were the most common surgical interventions performed.

Dallas Glaucoma Registry: Preliminary Results.

BACKGROUND Although glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, yet there are no large databases where risk factors, current management options and outcomes may be evaluated. With this concept in mind, Dallas Glaucoma Registry was established to focus on an ethnically mixed North Texas population. METHODS This is a retrospective, chart review of 2,484 patients (4,839 eyes) with glaucoma from three clinics. Data collected included: age, race, gender, intraocular pressure, visual acuity, central corneal thickness, cup-to-disk ratio, extent of visual field damage, glaucoma diagnoses, medical and surgical therapies. RESULTS The most prevalent glaucoma was primary open angle glaucoma accounting for 44.4% of patients, followed by glaucoma suspect (39.5%), secondary glaucoma (7.2%), angle closure glaucoma (6.8%), normal tension glaucoma (1.7%), and childhood glaucoma (0.5%). The mean (SD) age was 68.7 (13.8) and 41.3% were non Hispanic white, 37.0% were black, 10.4% were Hispanic and 11.3% were of other ethnic origin. Hispanic representation in glaucoma did not match their numbers in general population of North Texas. CONCLUSION Large numbers of patients in the ongoing Dallas Glaucoma Registry do provide adequate data to better understand risk factors, early detection, improved screening targets, treatment options, outcomes and future studies.

Intraocular Pressure Following Secondary Anterior Chamber Lens Implantation

Secondary anterior chamber implantation has become relatively simple since the advent of viscoelastic materials. Still, glaucoma, cystoid macular edema, endophthalmitis, and astigmatism remain vision-threatening complications. We studied intraocular pressures (IOPs) following this surgery in 102 patients (124 eyes) over 6 years. Elevated IOP was noted in 32 eyes (25.8%), but only 14 (11.3%) needed long-term medical treatment. None, however, required laser iridectomy, trabeculoplasty, or trabeculectomy. Patients should be selected for secondary anterior chamber implantation only after more conservative measures have been exhausted.