Michael J. Pro

Non-steroidal drug-induced glaucoma.

Numerous systemically used drugs are involved in drug-induced glaucoma. Most reported cases of non-steroidal drug-induced glaucoma are closed-angle glaucoma (CAG). Indeed, many routinely used drugs that have sympathomimetic or parasympatholytic properties can cause pupillary block CAG in individuals with narrow iridocorneal angle. The resulting acute glaucoma occurs much more commonly unilaterally and only rarely bilaterally. CAG secondary to sulfa drugs is a bilateral non-pupillary block type and is due to forward movement of iris–lens diaphragm, which occurs in individuals with narrow or open iridocorneal angle. A few agents, including antineoplastics, may induce open-angle glaucoma. In conclusion, the majority of cases with glaucoma secondary to non-steroidal medications are of the pupillary block closed-angle type and preventable if the at-risk patients are recognized and treated prophylactically.

Unilateral Prostaglandin-Associated Periorbitopathy: A Syndrome Involving Upper Eyelid Retraction Distinguishable From the Aging Sunken Eyelid.

Purpose: To study the effects of prostaglandin analogue drops on the eyelids and adnexa in unilaterally treated subjects with the intention of qualifying, quantifying, and categorizing the characteristics of prostaglandin-associated periorbitopathy (PAP). Methods: Patients using prostaglandin analogue drops in only 1 eye for at least 1 year were evaluated by masked examiners. Orbital and eyelid measurements were obtained for each patient, and adnexal photographs were taken. PAP was divided into 3 grades based on the presence and severity of fat atrophy and the existence and depth of superior sulcus deformity. Statistical analysis was performed comparing data between treated and untreated eyes. Results: Thirty-three patients meeting eligibility criteria were enrolled, with equal numbers of subjects using latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost. Treated eyes had a statistically significant increase in lagophthalmos (0.62 mm, p < 0.001), superior sulcus deformity/PAP grade (0.72, p < 0.001), and eyelid redness (1.08, p < 0.001). Treated eyes had significantly greater marginal reflex distance 1 measurements (0.89 mm, p = 0.02), highest with bimatoprost and moderate PAP. Treated eyes had relatively greater enophthalmos than untreated eyes. Very few patients noticed or complained about eyelid changes. Conclusion: Prostaglandin analogue drops cause adnexal changes and orbital fat atrophy leading to eyelid redness, superior sulcus deformity, higher eyelid crease, and enophthalmos. In contrast to previous studies showing ptosis in PAP, relative upper eyelid retraction was seen in most of our treated eyes. Our novel PAP grading scale may help objectify and categorize this syndrome. Awareness of these signs is critical, as the eyelids and eyes may be affected even in the absence of patient recognition.

Ranibizumab Versus Mitomycin C in Primary Trabeculectomy – A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Purpose: The current standard adjunctive agent used in primary trabeculectomy is mitomycin C (MMC), but it is associated with well known complications. The objective of this study is to test the feasibility of the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agent ranibizumab for adjunctive use instead of MMC (0.4 mg/ml). Materials and methods: A prospective, randomized open label study of 24 consecutive patients undergoing primary trabeculectomy at the Wills Eye Institute Glaucoma Service from March 2008 through February 2010 was conducted. Twenty-four eyes were included in the study and clinical outcomes were examined. Results: There were no significant differences in baseline demographic or clinical characteristics between the ranibizumab and MMC groups. Nine of the 12 ranibizumab patients completed the 1 year study. Three subjects required tube shunt surgery and were removed from the study. Eleven of 12 MMC patients completed the study (one underwent hip surgery and was lost to follow-up). Mean intra-ocular pressure (IOP) was significantly higher in the ranibizumab arm at 1 month (p = 0.002). Bleb extent was significantly less in the ranibizumab arm at 6 months (p = 0.006). Patients in the ranibizumab arm required more hypotensive medication at month 3 (p = 0.011). Conclusions: Although there was no IOP difference or difference in medication use between the two treatment groups at one year, more patients in the ranibizumab group required additional glaucoma surgery during the study period.

Explantation of the novel Ahmed glaucoma valve M4 implant.

Purpose:To report a series of cases involving Ahmed Glaucoma Valve M4 (AGV) explantation and to discuss the surgical technique to remove the drainage device. Methods:Four cases were identified that presented with AGV M4 postoperative complications necessitating tube shunt removal. Three patients presented with conjunctival erosion and 1 patient with persistent diplopia. AGV M4 implants were removed successfully between 1.5 and 9 months after implantation. Results:Successful explantation of the AGV M4 novel implant was achieved in all cases without intraoperative or postoperative complications. Conclusions:If necessary, AGV M4 explantation can be successfully performed in the early postoperative period.

Intracameral Triamcinolone Acetonide in Glaucoma Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intracameral triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in glaucoma surgery. DESIGN Prospective randomized clinical trial. METHODS SETTING Institutional-Wills Eye Hospital. STUDY POPULATION Patients undergoing trabeculectomy (with or without cataract surgery) or tube shunt surgery. INTERVENTION Patients were randomized to receive intracameral TA or balanced salt solution at the end of surgery. Follow-up time was 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Intraocular pressure, visual acuity, inflammation measured by slit-lamp examination and laser flare meter, cataract grading, bleb appearance, dry eye scores, use of supplemental medical therapy, surgical success, and rate of complications. RESULTS Seventy-seven patients were enrolled in the study, including 37 in the TA group and 40 in the control group. There were no significant differences in success rates between the 2 groups (P=.60). Intraocular pressure and medication use were similar between the groups for each follow-up visit. Dry eye scores were lower in the TA group at month 1 (P=.042), while flare scores were higher in the TA group on day 1 (P=.015) but lower at month 1 (P=.044). The complication rates were higher in the TA group on day 1 (P=.04). All other outcome measures were similar for both groups. CONCLUSIONS Intracameral TA did not affect the success rates or change the complication rates of glaucoma surgery.

The effects of Mozart's music on the performance of glaucoma patients on automated perimetry.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the Mozart effect on the reliability of the Humphrey visual field (HVF; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) test in subjects with glaucoma. A previous study showed improved reliability in normal subjects undergoing HVF testing. METHODS One hundred sixty subjects with glaucoma were randomized to three groups: control, headphones, or music for 10 minutes before HVF testing. The headphone group was provided noise-cancellation headphones but no music. The music group listened to Mozarts Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major. After treatment, subjects took an HVF test in both eyes. The reliability of the test was then compared between the groups and also to prior HVF results with regard to fixation losses, false positives, and false negatives. RESULTS The rate of fixation losses did not differ significantly between the three groups (P = 0.30 right eye, P = 0.24 left eye). There were also no significant differences in the rate of false positives (P = 0.82 right eye, P = 0.18 left eye) or false negatives (P = 0.91 right eye, P = 0.97 left eye). The reliability of the subjects HVF result was also compared with past field results. No improvements were seen in fixation losses (P = 0.94 right eye, P = 0.17 left eye), false positives (P = 0.85 right eye, P = 0.38 left eye), and false negatives (P = 0.13 right eye, P = 0.50 left eye). CONCLUSIONS The rate of fixation losses, false positives, and false negatives did not improve in subjects with glaucoma after they listened to Mozarts music. The Mozart effect did not enhance the reliability of the visual field test to a statistically significant degree (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01027039).

Needle bleb revision with bevacizumab and mitomycin C compared with mitomycin C alone for failing filtration blebs.

Purpose:To report the 6-month comparative outcomes and bleb morphology for needle revision with bevacizumab and mitomycin C (MMC) versus MMC alone of failed trabeculectomy and ExPRESS shunt blebs. Methods:Patients undergoing bleb needle revision procedures were enrolled in this study. All patients received a subconjunctival injection of 0.1 mL MMC (0.4 mg/mL) mixed with 0.1 mL preservative-free lidocaine (1%) at the beginning of the procedure. The patients were randomized into 2 cohorts assigned to receive either 1.0 mg (0.04 mL of 25 mg/mL) subconjunctival bevacizumab (treatment group) or 0.04 mL of balanced salt solution (control group) injected in an identical manner posterior to the bleb after the bleb needling. Success was defined as ≥20% reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) without any IOP-lowering medications. Qualified success was defined as ≥20% reduction of IOP with IOP-lowering medications. Failure was defined as IOP>21 mm Hg, IOP reduction <20%, or need for additional surgery. Bleb morphology was classified using the Indiana Bleb Appearance Grading Scale. Results:Six months postoperatively, in treatment group (n=29), 57% of patients achieved complete success, and 43% failed. In control group (n=29), 41% of patients achieved complete success, 7% achieved qualified success, and 52% failed. The difference in success rates between the 2 groups was not statistically significant (P=0.35). At 6 months, the mean IOP was 11.52 in treatment group and 12.83 in control group (P=0.45); patients in treatment group were on a mean of 0.16 medications as compared with 0.58 medications in control group (P=0.058). For bleb morphology of treatment group compared with control group, the blebs had less vascularity (0.76 vs. 1.20, respectively, on a scale of 0 to 4, P<0.05) and greater extent (2.68 vs. 2.36, on a scale of 0 to 3, P=0.022) in treatment group. Conclusions:There was no significant difference between the success rates and IOPs at postoperative month 6 between treatment and control groups. Postoperative blebs in the treatment group were less vascular and had greater extent.

A comparison of methods used to evaluate mobility performance in the visually impaired

Purpose To compare three different approaches to measuring mobility performance when evaluating the visually impaired. Methods 488 participants, including 192 glaucoma, 112 age-related macular degeneration, 91 diabetic retinopathy and 93 healthy volunteers, completed the Assessment of Disability Related to Vision (ADREV) mobility course. The performance of participants on the mobility course was evaluated by noting errors made and time required for completion. Errors noted and time taken were compared using multivariate logistic regression to determine which measurement better differentiated patients with visual disease from healthy volunteers. Multivariate logistic regression was also used to evaluate the combined metric of ADREV errors divided by time to determine its ability to discriminate participants with visual disease from healthy volunteers. Results Errors noted and time taken while ambulating through the standardised mobility course shared a weak but statistically significant association (Pearsons r=0.36, p<0.05). After controlling for demographic and medical comorbidities, logistic regression analysis revealed that errors noted were better at discriminating individuals with visual disease from healthy volunteers (OR 2.8–4.9, 95% CI 1.5 to 10.3) compared with the time taken for mobility course completion (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.2). These findings were consistent across all comparisons between healthy volunteers and participants with each type of visual impairment. Finally, the combined metric of ADREV errors divided by time was far more predictive of visual disease compared with either time taken or errors noted during mobility testing (OR 11.0–17.7, 95% CI 3.6 to 77.1). Conclusions A validated scoring system based on errors is more effective when assessing visual disability during mobility testing than recording the time taken for course completion. The combined metric of ADREV errors noted divided by time taken was most predictive of all the methods used to evaluate visual disability during mobility testing.

Sequential versus concomitant surgery of glaucoma drainage implant and Boston keratoprosthesis type 1

Purpose To compare sequential versus concomitant surgery of glaucoma drainage implant (GDI) and Boston keratoprosthesis type 1 (KPro). Methods Patients who received GDI and KPro in the same eye were divided into 2 groups: GDI placement prior to KPro surgery (sequential group) or GDI placement concomitant with KPro surgery (concomitant group). Main outcome measures were GDI failure, defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) >21 mm Hg, less than a 20% IOP reduction from baseline, or IOP <5 mm Hg on 2 consecutive follow-up visits, any reoperation for glaucoma, or loss of light perception; best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA); and surgical complications. Results Thirty-five eyes were included in the study: 17 in the sequential group and 18 in the concomitant group. The cumulative incidence of failure after 5 years of follow-up was 23.5% in the sequential group and 27.8% in the concomitant group (p = 0.250). Mean BCVA was significantly better in the concomitant group after 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and at the last follow-up (p<0.05). Both groups had similar rates of complications (p = 1.000). The most frequent complication was GDI erosion, which occurred in 23.5% (n = 4/17) in the sequential group and in 27.8% (n = 5/18) in the concomitant group (p = 1.000). Conclusions Glaucoma drainage implant placement at the time of KPro surgery had similar cumulative incidence of failure, but significantly favorable visual outcomes, compared to sequential surgeries. The most frequent complication was GDI erosion, occurring in approximately one fourth of the patients.

Ahmed Versus Baerveldt Glaucoma Drainage Implantation in Patients With Markedly Elevated Intraocular Pressure (≥30 mm Hg).

Purpose:Glaucoma patients with markedly elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) are at risk for developing severe hypotony-related complications. The goal of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of the Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) and the Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant (BGI) in this patient population. Methods:Patients with preoperative IOP≥30 mm Hg were included. Outcome measures were: (1) surgical failure (IOP>21 mm Hg or <30% reduction from baseline or IOP⩽5 mm Hg on 2 consecutive follow-up visits after 3 mo, or additional glaucoma surgery, or loss of light perception) and (2) surgical complications. Results:A total of 75 patients were included: 37 in the AGV group and 38 in the BGI group. The mean±SD follow-up was 2.3±1.6 years for the AGV group and 2.4±1.7 years for the BGI group (P=0.643). Mean preoperative IOP was 38.7±6.5 mm Hg for the AGV group and 40.8±7.6 mm Hg for the BGI group. At the last follow-up, 10 (27.0%) patients failed in the AGV group compared with 6 (15.8%) patients in the BGI group (P=0.379). The BGI group had higher rate of flat or shallow anterior chamber (n=4, 10%) compared with the AGV group (n=0, 0%) (P=0.043). Conclusions:Failure rates of AGV and BGI in patients with IOP≥30 mm Hg were comparable. There were more early hypotony-related complications in the BGI group; however, none were vision threatening. Both glaucoma drainage implants were effective in treating patients with uncontrolled glaucoma in an emergency setting.