A new bleb-independent surgery namely penetrating canaloplasty for corticosteroid-induced glaucoma: a prospective case series.
To report the outcomes of penetrating canaloplasty for corticosteroid-induced glaucoma in a case series. Penetrating canaloplasty is a bleb-independent filtering surgery unifying canaloplasty and trabeculectomy. In this study, the surgery was performed to restore the natural outflow through surgically expanded Schlemm's canal and generated trabeculum ostium. A total of 10 eyes of 8 patients were treated with penetrating canaloplasty for corticosteroid-induced glaucoma. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of glaucoma medications at postoperative 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48mo were documented as primary endpoint. Complications after the surgery were recorded as secondary endpoint. Penetrating canaloplasty was accomplished successfully for all 10 eyes, with a mean follow-up of 20.4±13.0mo (range 6-48mo). The mean preoperative IOP and number of anti-glaucoma medications were 45.1±6.5 mm Hg and 3.3±0.5 respectively. The mean post-operative IOP at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48mo were 15.8±6.0, 14.7±3.3, 15.3±2.0, 15.6±2.6, 17.5±1.8, 16.5±4.9, and 14.0 mm Hg. The number of anti-glaucoma medications at these time points were all 0. This surgery failed to control the IOP in 1 eye at 1mo after surgery. Hyphaema occurred in 3 eyes on the first day after surgery. Postoperative transient IOP increasing was encountered with in two eyes from 1wk to 1mo after surgery. Choroidal detachment developed in one eye but responded well to conservative treatment. Penetrating canaloplasty is effective for corticosteroid-induced glaucoma without serious complications, making it a viable or preferred alternative option.
- Research Article
7
- 10.1097/iio.0000000000000229
- Jan 1, 2018
- International Ophthalmology Clinics
Update on Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery.
- Research Article
17
- 10.1097/ijg.0b013e318287ac8f
- Jan 1, 2015
- Journal of Glaucoma
To compare the safety and intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering efficacy of initial glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation performed at the superior versus inferior limbus. A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify patients with glaucoma who had undergone initial Baerveldt GDD surgery at the inferior limbus for uncontrolled IOP. All eyes of patients had a minimum of 6 months of postoperative follow-up. These eyes were frequency-matched to eyes with initial Baerveldt GDD implantation performed at the superior limbus, within 5 years of age and 6 months of follow-up. Baseline demographic and clinical information, as well as preoperative and postoperative IOP, visual acuity, and number of antiglaucoma medications were extracted. Failure was defined as IOP>21 mm Hg or not reduced by 20% below baseline on 2 consecutive follow-up visits after 3 months, IOP≤5 mm Hg on 2 consecutive follow-up visits after 3 months, reoperation for glaucoma, or loss of light perception vision. Statistical methods consisted of Student t tests, χ test, and Kaplan-Meier time to failure analysis. Fifty eyes (17 inferior, 33 superior) of 43 patients were enrolled. Mean postoperative follow-up in both groups were similar (mean 26.2±15.2 mo for inferior and 23.9±10.43 mo for superior, P=0.54). Trabeculectomy had been performed previously in 8/17 (47%) and 11/33 (33%) eyes (P=0.34) with inferior and superior implants, respectively. Mean preoperative IOP (mm Hg) in the superior group (26±11) was significantly higher (P=0.02) when compared with the inferior group (21±7). Success rates were similar (P>0.05) between the inferior and superior GDD groups during the study period, with 64.7% and 75.8% classified as successful at 1-year of follow-up and 43.1% and 65.7% at 2 years of follow-up, respectively. There was no difference in cumulative proportions of eyes failing between the groups (P=0.20, log-rank test). The mean postoperative IOP and number of antiglaucoma medications were similar (all P>0.05) in both groups during the first 2 years of postoperative follow-up. The frequency and types of postoperative complications in both the groups were similar. The 36-month cumulative reoperation rates for IOP control were 33.8% and 9.1%, respectively, in the inferior and superior GDD groups (P=0.04 log-rank test). No differences were observed in the overall success rates of initial GDD implantation performed at the superior and inferior limbus in this cohort. However, inferior GDD implantation was associated with a greater incidence of reoperation for IOP control.
- Research Article
16
- 10.1016/s0161-6420(97)30076-1
- Oct 1, 1997
- Ophthalmology
Comparative Study of Silicone versus Acrylic Foldable Lens Implantation in Primary Glaucoma Triple Procedure
- Research Article
51
- 10.1097/opx.0b013e31827ce224
- Feb 1, 2013
- Optometry and Vision Science
To identify preoperative factors associated with postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction after phacoemulsification cataract extraction in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) treated at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Examination records of 103 eyes of 75 patients with POAG who underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract extraction were reviewed. Preoperative data collected for analysis included IOP, number of glaucoma medications, spherical equivalent refractive errors, central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, and axial length. The IOPs measured 3 to 6 months after surgery were used to calculate the change in IOP after cataract extraction. Statistical analysis was performed to identify preoperative factors associated with postoperative IOP reduction. The mean postoperative IOP reduction was 1.8 ± 3.5 mm Hg (p < 0.001). Seventy-four percent of eyes (76 of 103) had decreased IOP after cataract surgery. Eight percent of eyes (8 of 103) had no change in IOP. Eighteen percent of eyes (19 of 103) had increased IOP after cataract surgery. The mean preoperative IOPs for eyes with increased, same, and decreased postoperative IOPs were 12 ± 2.2 mm Hg, 14.0 ± 2.3 mm Hg, and 16.4 ± 3.1 mm Hg, respectively. The mean postoperative IOPs change for eyes with increased and decreased postoperative IOPs were +2.7 ± 2.1 mm Hg and -3.7 ± 2.5 mm Hg, respectively. Preoperative IOP was the only preoperative factor significantly associated with postoperative IOP reduction (p < 0.001). Preoperative IOP was the only factor significantly associated with postoperative IOP reduction after cataract surgery in POAG patients. A higher preoperative IOP was strongly associated with a greater postoperative IOP reduction. Patients with low preoperative IOPs tended to have minimal reduction or even a mild increase in postoperative IOPs. These findings have important implications when considering combined cataract extraction and filtration surgery for POAG patients.
- Research Article
1
- 10.5348/100008o02oo2023ra
- Apr 26, 2023
- Edorium Journal of Ophthalmology
Aims: To report the efficacy of transscleral diode laser photocoagulation and compare outcomes between the continuous wave (CW) and micropulse wave (MP) protocols for refractory glaucoma in African eyes. Methods: A non-randomized prospective comparative study of patients who had transscleral diode laser photocoagulation for refractory glaucoma between January 2021 and December 2021in Eye Foundation Hospital Lagos, Nigeria was done. Results: A total of 52 eyes of 52 patients were analyzed. Mean age of patients was 66 ± 12.5 years. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 31.2 ± 11.9 mmHg. Overall post-operative mean IOP was 17.9 ± 8.6 mmHg at 4 weeks, 21.0 ± 9.9 mmHg at 8 weeks and 20.6 ± 11.4 mmHg at 12 weeks. The difference between mean preoperative and postoperative IOP measured at week 12 was statistically significant (p<0.001). Both continuous wave and micropulse wave protocols were effective at reducing intraocular pressures, the micropulse group had a mean difference between preoperative IOP and postoperative IOP at week 12 of 7.5 ± 6.7 mmHg (p=0.001), while the continuous wave laser group had a mean difference of 11.7 ± 13.7 mmHg (p<0.001). The micropulse group achieved a higher percentage of success in 11 eyes (78.6%) compared with 24 eyes (63.2%) in the continuous wave group. This difference was not statistically significant (p=0.341). Conclusion: Both the continuous wave (CW) and micropulse wave (MP) protocols of transscleral diode laser photocoagulation were found effective at significantly reducing IOP in our study of African eyes with refractory glaucoma. Although the MP group achieved a higher percentage of absolute success, this was not statistically significant.
- Research Article
- 10.1097/scs.0000000000010852
- Nov 11, 2024
- The Journal of craniofacial surgery
To evaluate the change in the intraocular pressure (IOP) in subjects with Graves orbitopathy (GO) after orbital decompression (OD) with glucocorticoids (GCs). Ninety-nine orbits of 76 patients with GO were retrospectively reviewed, with either OD (Group A), OD with intravenous glucocorticoids (i.v.GC) (Group B) or parabulbar GC (Group C) administration. The main outcome measures included pre-and post-operative IOP in the primary and upward gazes. Mean postoperative IOPs in the primary gaze were lower than the preoperative values for groups A and C ( P < 0.05). The IOPs during the upward gaze were higher than those in the primary gaze before and after OD (all groups, P < 0.05). The mean postoperative and preoperative IOPs during upward gaze were similar in all groups except group C ( P = 0.001). The mean decrease in IOP in the primary gaze was 1.57 ± 6.00mm Hg and 2.22 ± 2.62mm Hg in groups A and C, respectively ( P < 0.05). Only in group C, the mean IOPs during upward gaze decrease by 5.29 ± 4.89mm Hg (active GO before OD), and the mean gaze-related IOP decreased from 7.75 ± 6.02 to 2.57 ± 4.21mm Hg ( P < 0.05). A pbGC treatment before OD can effectively reduce the primary and upward gaze IOPs and lead to a greater postoperative reduction in the upward gaze IOP to approximate that in the primary gaze. A pbGC treatment may be preferred for patients with GO in the active or congestive phase before OD considering the IOP.
- Research Article
6
- 10.1055/s-0036-1579663
- Feb 26, 2016
- International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology
Introduction Due to the close anatomical relationship between the paranasal sinuses and the orbit, involvement or injury of the orbit from paranasal sinuses procedures may occur.Objectives We aimed to study the early and delayed effect of endoscopic sinus surgery on intraocular pressure (IOP).Methods We included in the study 38 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), undergoing FESS. We performed FESS with the standard anterior to posterior approach. We measured IOP at the same time one day before surgery as well as day 1 and 6 weeks after surgery.Results One day after surgery, mean IOP in the right eye was 14.176 ± 1.91 mm Hg and in the left eye was 13.79 ± 2.42 mm Hg with statistically non-significant difference from preoperative values. Six weeks postoperative, the mean IOP in the right eye was 15.14 ± 2.28 mm Hg. The difference between the mean preoperative and postoperative IOP values was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.0012). While in the left eye, mean postoperative IOP was 15.14 + 2.23mm Hg. The difference between the mean preoperative and postoperative IOP values was also found to be highly statistically significant (p = 0.0005).Conclusion Delayed significant increase in IOP can occur after FESS, Thus, special measures must be taken to reduce IOP to protect the patient́s eye from the risk of increased IOP, especially in patients with glaucoma.
- Research Article
98
- 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2009.01753.x
- Jan 28, 2010
- Acta Ophthalmologica
To present the preliminary results of our study comparing the outcomes of trabeculectomy with or without OloGen implant in patients requiring glaucoma surgery for uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP). Forty eyes of 40 patients were assigned randomly to undergo trabeculectomy either with OloGen implant (study group) or without implant (control group). Preoperative data included age, gender, type of glaucoma, IOP and number of preoperative glaucoma medications. Postoperative IOP, number of postoperative glaucoma medications and postoperative complications were recorded. Each patient was followed up for at least 6 months. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age, gender, type of glaucoma, preoperative IOP and number of antiglaucoma medications. Mean IOPs for both groups were significantly lower than preoperative levels at all intervals (P < 0.05) The number of glaucoma medications used dropped from a preoperative mean of 3.5 +/- 0.7 to a 6-month postoperative mean of 0.3 +/- 0.7 (P < 0.001) in the study group and from 3.7 +/- 0.4 to 0.5 +/- 1.1 (P < 0.001) in the control group. No statistically significant differences between the two groups were observed in terms of postoperative complications. In this pilot study it appears that trabeculectomy with OloGen does not seem to offer any significant advantages compared with trabeculectomy alone. Additionally, even though there were no statistical differences between the two groups as far as complications were concerned, one eye from the study group developed endophthalmitis 10 days after surgery and two eyes presented with positive Seidel test and flat anterior chamber and required additional suturing. Studies with larger numbers of patients and longer follow-ups are required to confirm these findings and to examine the safety and long-term outcomes of trabeculectomy with OloGen.
- Research Article
62
- 10.1001/archopht.1997.01100150320002
- Mar 1, 1997
- Archives of Ophthalmology
To determine the results of temporal corneal phacoemulsification combined with separate-incision superior trabeculectomy plus low-dose 5-fluorouracil compared with trabeculectomy plus low-dose 5-fluorouracil. Retrospective case-control study. Forty consecutive case patients who underwent temporal corneal phacoemulsification combined with superior trabeculectomy plus low-dose 5-fluorouracil (case [combined surgery] group) and 40 control patients, matched for age race, preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), number of preoperative antiglaucoma medications, and number of 5-fluorouracil injections, who underwent trabeculectomy alone plus low-dose 5-fluorouracil (control [trabeculectomy] group). Survival analyses for IOP control compared between the 2 groups. The medical records of 40 consecutive case patients were reviewed to determine the effect of their treatment on IOP, visual acuity, and requirement for glaucoma medications. In the control group, 40 eyes (1 eye per patient) were randomly selected for comparison with the case group. In both groups, the trabeculectomy was located superiorly and performed with the same technique and using a limbus-based conjunctival flap. In the case group, temporal corneal phacoemulsification immediately preceded trabeculectomy and used a 3.2-mm incision and a 1-piece silicone intraocular lens. All patients received 3 or 4 subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil injections of 5 mg each within the first 11 postoperative days. Patients were followed up for at least 1 year. Success of surgery was defined as an IOP of less than 22 mm Hg and a 20% or more reduction from the preoperative level on 2 consecutive follow-up visits, regardless of the use of antiglaucoma medications. The mean (+/-SD) postoperative IOP was statistically higher in the case group than in the control group at each follow-up interval (P < .05). The mean (+/-SD) IOP reductions at 1 year were 6.8 +/- 5.5 mm Hg and 10.3 +/- 7.6 mm Hg (39.2% +/- 18.8%) in the case and control groups, respectively (P = .04). The reductions in the mean (+/-SD) number of antiglaucoma medications at 1 year were 1.6 +/- 0.9 and 2.0 +/- 1.0 in the case and control groups, respectively (P = .06). In the case group, the mean visual acuity beyond the first postoperative month was significantly better than at baseline (P < .001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the cumulative success rates at 2 years were 62.1% and 85.8% in the case and control groups, respectively. The survival time to failure was significantly shorter (P = .04) in the case group by the log-rank test. Combined surgery for cataract and glaucoma is associated with less long-term IOP reduction compared with trabeculectomy alone despite identical trabeculectomy techniques used in both groups. Nevertheless, combined surgery lowers IOP and reduces the long-term requirement for antiglaucoma medications. This technique is appropriate in selected patients with coexisting cataract and glaucoma.
- Research Article
39
- 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2009.01759.x
- Jan 28, 2010
- Acta Ophthalmologica
To evaluate the efficacy of Molteno aqueous shunt as a primary surgical treatment in uveitic glaucoma. Nonrandomized, interventional, retrospective clinical study. The intraocular pressure (IOP), survival rate and complications were analyzed in 30 patients with uveitic glaucoma treated with Molteno implant. The mean follow-up time was 59.3 +/- 18.4 months. Preoperatively, the mean +/- SD IOP was 32.8 +/- 7.5 mmHg (range 20-48), and the mean number of medications was 3.1 +/- 0.6. The mean IOP decreased significantly (p < 0.001) to 17.7 and 15 mmHg at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The mean number of medications decreased statistically significantly (p < 0.001) from the preoperative number 3.1 to 1.9 three months postoperatively. The number of medications continued to decrease significantly up to 3 years postoperatively. The qualified success rate (Kaplan-Meier estimate) was 97%, 93%, 90% and 85% at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years, respectively. Two patients failed because of hypotony, two patients developed conjunctival erosion and one patient had corneal decompensation. Molteno aqueous shunt as the first glaucoma procedure decreased IOP effectively in uveitic glaucoma. Even after 4 years, the survival estimate was quite high. The IOP decreased continuously during the first year after the surgery, and the medication was slowly tapered even up to 3 years postoperatively. It is suggested that it may be possible to postpone further surgical intervention during the first postoperative year after Molteno implantation even if the IOP is not quite optimal.
- Research Article
62
- 10.1007/s10384-017-0531-z
- Sep 19, 2017
- Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology
To report the early postoperative results and safety profile of ab interno microhook trabeculotomy (μLOT) combined with cataract surgery. This retrospective observational case series included 68 consecutive glaucomatous eyes of 23 Japanese men and 25 Japanese women [mean (SD) age, 76.0±8.5years] who underwent μLOT for intraocular pressure (IOP) and visually relevant cataracts. The LOT site/extent, perioperative complications, and complication treatments were collected from the medical and surgical records. The preoperative and postoperative IOP, numbers of antiglaucoma medications, logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity (VA), anterior chamber (AC) flare, and corneal endothelial cell density (CECD) were compared. After small incisional cataract surgery, the trabecular meshwork was incised in the nasal (6 eyes, 3.6±0.5 clock hours), temporal (6 eyes, 3.8±0.8 clock hours), or both nasal and temporal (56 eyes, 6.5±0.6 clock hours) angles. The mean preoperative IOP (16.4±2.9mmHg) and number of antiglaucoma medications (2.4±1.2) decreased significantly (P<0.0001 and P=0.0039, respectively) to 11.8±4.5 and 2.1±1.0mmHg at 9.5months postoperatively. Compared with the preoperative conditions, the final VA improved (P=0.0002), the AC flare increased by 6.3 pc/ms (P=0.0157), and the CECD decreased by 6% (P=0.0005). Hyphema with niveau formation (28 eyes, 41%) and hyphema washout (6 eyes, 9%) were the most common postoperative complication and intervention, respectively. At the final visit, 54 eyes (79%) had achieved successful IOP control of 15mmHg or less and IOP reduction of 15% or greater. Combined μLOT and cataract surgery improves IOP and VA during the early postoperative period in patients with glaucoma and cataract.
- Supplementary Content
9
- 10.5005/jp-journals-10008-1156
- Jan 1, 2014
- Journal of Current Glaucoma Practice
ABSTRACTPurpose: The purpose of this case series is to describe the efficacy of the EX-PRESS shunt in uveitic glaucoma.Methods: This prospective case series sequentially recruited uveitic glaucoma subjects with intraocular pressure (IOP) > 21 mm Hg despite maximal topical antiglaucoma medications from July 2012 to July 2013 in Hong Kong. All subjects received a trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC) and EX-PRESS shunt implantation. The primary outcome measures included preope-rative IOP and postoperative IOP on day 1, 1 week, 1 month, and every 3 months thereafter. The secondary outcome measures included postoperative complications and follow-up procedures, pre- and postoperative Snellen best corrected visual acuity and cup-disc ratio, as well as the number of antiglaucoma medication required.Results: In a case series of five subjects with uncontrolled uveitic glaucoma, two had inactive anterior uveitis, and three had active panuveitis. The mean preoperative IOP was 35.4 ± 12.6 mm Hg on 3.8 ± 0.5 antiglaucoma eye drops. The mean day 1, 1 week and 1 month IOP's were 6.6 ± 3.7 mm Hg, 7.2 ± 3.2 mm Hg, and 12.6 ± 8.2 mm Hg, respectively. One case required subconjunctival MMC injections postoperatively; two required conjunctival resuture for leakage; and two had early postoperative hypotony that resolved after oral prednisolone. At 6 months, the mean IOP was 13.2 ± 4.6 mm Hg. Four out of five subjects had IOP < 21 mm Hg without medication, and all had IOP < 21 mm Hg with antiglaucoma medication.Conclusion: The EX-PRESS shunt demonstrates good IOP control with a propensity for hypotony in the early postoperative period in this small uveitic glaucoma series.How to cite this article: Lee JWY, Chan JCH, Qing L, Lai JSM. Early Postoperative Results and Complications of using the EXPRESS Shunt in uncontrolled Uveitic Glaucoma: A Case Series of Preliminary Results. J Current Glau Prac 2014;8(1):20-24.
- Research Article
66
- 10.3390/jcm10040814
- Feb 17, 2021
- Journal of Clinical Medicine
All the 560 glaucomatous eyes of 375 Japanese subjects (181 men, 194 women; mean age ± standard deviation, 76.0 ± 13.2 years) who underwent microhook ab interno trabeculotomy (µLOT) alone (159 eyes, 28%) or combined µLOT and cataract surgery (401 eyes, 72%) performed by one surgeon at Matsue Red Cross Hospital between May 2015 and March 2018 to control intraocular pressure (IOP) were retrospectively assessed. Preoperative and postoperative IOPs, numbers of antiglaucoma medications, the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity (logMAR VA), anterior chamber (AC) flare, visual field mean deviation (MD), and corneal endothelial cell density (CECD) were compared up to 36 months. Surgical complications and required interventions were described. The duration of the follow-up was 405 ± 327 (range, 2–1326) days. The mean preoperative IOP (20.2 ± 7.0 mmHg) and number of antiglaucoma medications (2.8 ± 1.1) decreased to 13.9 ± 4.5 mmHg (31% reduction, p < 0.0001) and 2.5 ± 1.0 (11% reduction, p < 0.0001), respectively, at the final visit. After combined surgery, compared with preoperatively, the final VA improved 0.11 logMAR (p < 0.0001), AC flare increased 4.5 photon counts/msec (p = 0.0011), MD improved 0.6 decibel (p < 0.0001), and the CECD decreased 6% (p < 0.0001). Layered hyphema (172 eyes, 31%) and hyphema washout (26 eyes, 5%) were the most common postoperative complication and intervention, respectively. At the final visit, 379 (69%) eyes achieved successful IOP control of ≤18 mmHg and ≥20% IOP reduction, and 349 (64%) eyes achieved successful IOP control of ≤15 mmHg and ≥20% IOP reduction. Older age, steroid-induced glaucoma, developmental glaucoma, and the absence of postoperative complications were associated with lower final IOP; exfoliation glaucoma, other types of glaucoma, and higher preoperative IOP were associated with higher final IOP. µLOT has a significant IOP-lowering potential in patients with glaucoma, and improves visual function when combined with cataract surgery.
- Research Article
40
- 10.1097/ijg.0b013e31829d9be2
- Feb 1, 2015
- Journal of Glaucoma
To evaluate outcomes of pars plana (PP) versus anterior chamber (AC) placement of Baerveldt glaucoma drainage device (GDD). This study is a nonrandomized, retrospective case series evaluating 63 eyes that underwent GDD insertion with Baerveldt 350 device under the supervision of 2 surgeons at 5 centers. The drainage tube was either inserted into the AC or through the PP into the vitreous cavity where eyes had been vitrectomized. Surgery was conducted between 2003 and 2010 with minimum patient follow-up of 6 months. Data on postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, number of hypotensive medications, and surgical complications were recorded. Of the 63 drainage device surgeries, 34 tubes were placed in the AC and 29 were placed into the posterior segment through the PP. Preoperative mean IOP was 32.3±20.3 mm Hg in the AC group and 32.8±18.4 mm Hg in the PP group. Postoperative mean IOP was reduced at all follow-up time points in both the groups. Postoperative mean IOP in the anterior tube group was 14.0, 12.9, and 14.0 mm Hg and in the PP group was 14.2, 14.2, and 14.0 mm Hg, at the 1-, 2-, and 3-year follow-up, respectively. The qualified success rate at 2 years was 94% for the PP group and 91% for the AC group, whereas absolute success was 35% for the PP group and 27% for the AC group at 2-year follow-up. Insertion of the tube of the Baerveldt GDD into the PP is a safe and effective method for IOP control in aphakic, pseudophakic, and vitrectomized eyes where there is a need to avoid anterior tube placement such as coexisting corneal pathology. IOP control results appear comparable to conventional AC placement.
- Research Article
20
- 10.1111/j.1600-0420.2007.01066.x
- Jun 1, 2008
- Acta Ophthalmologica
Using 8 year nationwide administrative data, this study sets out to investigate the relationship between the total number of cataract operations undertaken in Taiwan and admissions for acute primary angle closure (APAC). Monthly cataract surgery and APAC admission rates, per 100,000 of the population, were provided by 1997-2004 inpatient and outpatient data obtained from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database. The 3814 cases of APAC and 503 687 patients who had undergone cataract operations were categorized by age groups (40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and > or =70 years) and by gender. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were used to examine the direction and strength of the relationships. Throughout the study period, the admissions for APAC showed a steady decline from 630 cases in 1997 to 351 cases in 2004, while the number of cataract operations revealed a gradual increase from 26 600 in 1997 to 77 924 in 2004. The Spearman rank correlation coefficients showed significant inverse relationships between monthly APAC admission rates and monthly cataract operation rates for the total group (r = -0.407, P < 0.001), males (r = -0.330, P < 0.001), females (r = -0.444, P < 0.001), 40-49 year olds (r = -0.335, P < 0.001), 50-59 year olds (r = -0.497, P < 0.001) and 60-69 year olds (r = -0.417, P < 0.001). No significant inverse relationship was observed for the > or =70 age group. Significant inverse relationships were noted between the monthly APAC admission rates and the monthly cataract operation rates. We recommend that data should be collected from other regions and ethnic groups to determine the inter-relationships.