Late-onset Glaucoma Research Articles

Increased late-onset glaucoma risk following vitrectomy for macular pucker or hole.

The long-term risk of developing glaucoma after vitrectomy remains uncertain. This retrospective population-based cohort study aimed to explore this risk following vitrectomy for macular pucker or hole. Utilizing Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), we included patients who were older than 18 years and had undergone vitrectomy surgery between 2011 and 2019. Exclusions were made for patients with prior diagnoses of glaucoma, congenital or secondary glaucoma, as well as those who had received previous vitreoretinal treatments or had undergone multiple vitrectomies. After an average follow-up period of 51 and 53 months respectively for the vitrectomized and non-vitrectomized group, our results showed a relative risk of 1.71 for glaucoma development in the vitrectomized group. Higher adjusted hazard ratios were also observed for open-angle glaucoma and normal tension glaucoma. Increased risks were associated with male sex, obstructive sleep apnoea, and migraine. In the subgroup analysis, phakic eyes at baseline and those who had undergone cataract surgery post-vitrectomy were associated with a lower risk of glaucoma development during follow-up. Among all glaucoma events, pseudophakic status at baseline had the shortest interval to glaucoma development following vitrectomy. These findings underscore the potential relationship between vitrectomy and glaucoma onset, emphasizing the need for vigilant monitoring and early detection of glaucoma in post-vitrectomy patients.

Surgical Outcomes of Early Versus Late Onset Glaucoma Associated With Sturge-Weber Syndrome.

Long-term intraocular pressure control can be difficult to achieve in eyes with Sturge-Weber syndrome glaucoma. The most commonly performed primary surgery was trabeculotomyin early onset disease and tube shunt implantation in late onset disease. To compare long-term surgical outcomes of glaucoma associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) in eyes with early and late-onset disease. Medical records of children with glaucoma associated with SWS who underwent surgical treatment between January 1990 and December 2018 were reviewed. Those diagnosed ≤2 years of age were categorized as early onset while those who were diagnosed >2 years of age were late onset. Failure was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) >21mm Hg or reduced <20% below baseline on 2 consecutive follow-up visits after 3 months, IOP ≤5mm Hg on 2 consecutive follow-up visits, reoperation for glaucoma or a complication, or loss of light perception. Forty-three eyes of 36 children were studied, including 26 eyes in the early-onset group and 17 eyes in the late-onset group. The early-onset group more frequently presented with buphthalmos, corneal edema, and Haab striae, while late-onset group had higher baseline IOP, larger cup-to-disc ratio, and longer axial length. The most commonly performed primary surgery was trabeculotomy (50%) in early-onset group and tube shunt implantation (71%) in late-onset group. The cumulative probability of failure after 5 years follow-up was 50.6% in early-onset group and 50.9% in the late-onset group ( P =0.56). Postoperative complications occurred in 3 eyes (12%) in early-onset group and 11 eyes (65%) in late-onset group ( P <0.001). Early and late-onset SWS glaucoma may represent 2 entities with different pathogenetic mechanisms, clinical presentations, primary surgical choices, and outcomes, though this needs corroboration in future studies.

Long-term risk of glaucoma after cataract surgery in childhood.

To examine the long-term risk of glaucoma after cataract surgery in childhood. This study took place from January 2022 until December 2022 and included patients from a large family with hereditary childhood cataract who had cataract surgery before 18 years of age. Patients underwent an ophthalmologic examination to determine the presence of glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT). Patients who did not want to participate in the examination could contribute with a medical journal from their treating ophthalmologist. The risk of long-term glaucoma was determined using survival analysis, and risk factors were assessed using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. We included 68 patients (133 eyes) with a median age at cataract surgery of 7 years (IQR: 5-10). The median follow-up time after cataract surgery to glaucoma/OHT or the latest ophthalmologic examination was 35 years (IQR: 15-48). Twelve patients (18 eyes) had glaucoma, and five patients (eight eyes) had OHT, resulting in 15 patients with glaucoma/OHT. The long-term risk of glaucoma/OHT diagnosed in adulthood was 47.7% (CI: 21.8-70.9) at the age of 70 years of patients who were free of glaucoma before their 18th year. We could not confirm or dismiss an association between glaucoma/OHT and sex, age at surgery, number of ocular interventions before 18 years of age or glaucoma after cataract surgery in a first-degree relative. Cataract surgery in childhood is associated with a high risk of late-onset glaucoma. Regular lifelong follow-up is important to ensure early diagnosis and prevent extensive vision loss.

Could Mid- to Late-Onset Glaucoma Be Associated with an Increased Risk of Incident Dementia? A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study

This study aimed to investigate the possible link between glaucoma and dementia using a nationwide cohort sample of data. The glaucoma group (n = 875) included patients diagnosed between 2003 and 2005, aged over 55 years; the comparison group was selected using propensity score matching (n = 3500). The incidence of all-cause dementia was 18.67 (7014.7 person-years) among those with glaucoma aged over 55 years. The glaucoma group developed all-cause dementia more frequently than those in the comparison group (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.17-1.74). In a subgroup analysis, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) showed a significantly increased adjusted HR for all-cause dementia events (1.52, 95% CI: 1.23-1.89), whereas we could not find any significant association in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). Additionally, POAG patients showed an increased risk of the development of Alzheimer's disease (adjusted HR = 1.57, 95% CI, 1.21-2.04) and Parkinson's disease (adjusted HR = 2.29, 95% CI, 1.46-3.61), but there was no significant difference in PACG patients. Moreover, the risk of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease was higher within 2 years of POAG diagnosis. Although our findings have some limitations, such as confounding factor bias, we suggest that clinicians should pay attention to the early detection of dementia in patients with POAG.

Combined Trabeculotomy-Non-Penetrating Deep Sclerectomy for Glaucoma in Sturge-Weber Syndrome

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined trabeculotomy-non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (CTNS) in the treatment of Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) secondary glaucoma. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed cases that underwent CTNS as initial surgery for SWS secondary glaucoma at our Ophthalmology Department center from April 2019 to August 2020. Surgical success was defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤ 21 mm Hg with (qualified success) or without (complete success) the use of anti-glaucoma medications. IOP >21 mm Hg or <5 mm Hg despite 3 or more applications of anti-glaucoma medications on 2 consecutive follow-up visits or at the last follow-up, performance of additional glaucoma (IOP-lowering) surgery, or with vision-threatening complications were classified as failure. Results: A total of 22 eyes of 21 patients were included. Twenty-one eyes were of early-onset type and 1 eye was of adulthood onset. For Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the overall success rates at 1st and 2nd years were 95.2% and 84.9%, while the complete success rates at 1st and 2nd years were 42.9% and 36.7%. At the last follow-up (22.3 ± 4.0 months, range: 11.2∼31.2), overall success was achieved in 19 (85.7%) eyes and complete success in 12 (52.4%) eyes. Postoperative complications included transient hyphema (11/22, 50.0%) and transient Ⅰ degree shallow anterior chamber (1/22, 4.5%), and retinal detachment (1/22, 4.5%). No other severe com plications were detected during the follow-up. Conclusion: CTNS significantly reduces IOP in SWS secondary glaucoma patients who have serious episcleral vascular malformation. CTNS in SWS secondary glaucoma patients is safe and effective for short and medium periods. A randomized controlled study comparing the long-term prognosis of SWS early-onset and late-onset glaucoma underwent CTNS is worth conducting.

Late-onset glaucoma following congenital cataract surgery: Occurrence, visual acuity and risk factors: A 37-year longitudinal follow-up.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of late-onset glaucoma after surgery for congenital cataract in a cohort with long-term follow-up and to evaluate visual development following the diagnosis of postoperative glaucoma in comparison with no glaucoma development. All children born between 1980 and 1997 in the western counties of Sweden who had undergone congenital cataract surgery were included (patients n=77, eyes n=122). Cataract was considered congenital if there was no proof of clear lens at birth. Medical records were reviewed with regard to onset of glaucoma, age at surgery, surgical technique, coexisting eye anomalies and changes in visual acuity. Glaucoma was considered late onset if occurring after 1year following surgery. Total glaucoma prevalence was 14.8%, including late (10.7%) and early onset (4.1%), with a mean follow-up of 23.2 ± 6.6 years. Microphthalmos was a significant risk factor for developing glaucoma (RR 7.75, p < 0.001). Bilaterally treated eyes had a mean visual acuity of 0.43 ± 0.33 (decimal value) at the last follow-up. With glaucoma, mean visual acuity was 0.19 ± 0.17 (decimal value). Treated eyes of patients with unilateral cataract surgery had a lower visual acuity. Life-long follow-up of all patients who have undergone surgery for congenital cataract in childhood is recommended. Annual check-ups of adults, including measurements of IOP and visual acuity, are recommended for patients with microphthalmos and/or who had surgery <3months of age.

Glaucoma management in congenital ectropion uveae: Surgical outcomes from a large tertiary referral center in South India.

To evaluate the long-term outcomes of glaucoma management in patients with congenital ectropion uveae (CEU) over a period of three decades at a single large referral tertiary eye care center. Retrospective chart review of all patients with CEU treated surgically from 1990 to 2019 was performed. Primary combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy (CTT), trabeculectomy with and without mitomycin-C (MMC) (0.2 mg/mL for 1 min) and transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TSCPC) were performed. Intraocular pressure (IOP) ≥6 and ≤16 mmHg without medications was considered as complete success and IOP≤ 16 mmHg with the use of upto 2 medications as qualified success. A total of 26 eyes of 21 patients were identified with a median age of 7 years (range, 6 days to 19 years) at the time of glaucoma surgery. Median follow-up was 51.1 months (range, 7-244.6 months). Primary CTT was performed in 17 eyes (65%), trabeculectomy in 5 eyes (19%) with application of MMC in 2 eyes, and 3 eyes (12%) underwent TSCPC. One painful blind eye (4%) underwent evisceration. Mean IOP reduced from 30.8 ± 7.6 mmHg on a mean of 1.3 ± 0.8 glaucoma medications preoperatively to a mean IOP of 15.2 ± 5.9 mmHg (P < 0.0001) on a mean of 0.2 ± 0.5 medications postoperatively at final follow-up (P = 0.0009). Complete success was achieved in 20 eyes, and qualified success in 2 eyes. CTT is a safe and efficacious primary procedure for management of early-onset glaucoma in CEU. Trabeculectomy with or without adjuvant MMC is a viable second line of treatment in late-onset glaucoma with CEU for IOP control.

Ocular Manifestations of the Sturge-Weber Syndrome.

Sturge–Weber syndrome (SWS) or encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis is a non-inherited congenital disorder characterized by neurologic, skin, and ocular abnormalities. A somatic activating mutation (R183Q) in the GNAQ gene during early embryogenesis has been recently recognized as the etiology of vascular abnormalities in SWS. Approximately, half of the patients with SWS manifest ocular involvement including glaucoma as the most common ocular abnormality followed by choroidal hemangioma (CH). The underlying pathophysiology of glaucoma in SWS has not been completely understood yet. Early onset glaucoma comprising 60% of SWS glaucoma have lower success rates after medical and surgical treatments compared with primary congenital glaucoma. Primary angle surgery is associated with modest success in the early onset SWS glaucoma while the success rate significantly decreases in late onset glaucoma. Filtration surgery is associated with a higher risk of intraoperative and postoperative choroidal effusion and suprachoroidal hemorrhage. CH is reported in 40–50% of SWS patients. The goal of treatment in patients with CH is to induce involution of the hemangioma, with reduction of subretinal and intraretinal fluid and minimal damage to the neurosensory retina. The decision for treating diffuse CHs highly depends on the patient's visual acuity, the need for glaucoma surgery, the presence of subretinal fluid (SRF), its chronicity, and the potential for visual recovery.

The Swedish National Pediatric Cataract Register (PECARE): incidence and onset of postoperative glaucoma.

The aim was to report cumulative incidence and time of onset of postoperative glaucoma in a paediatric early cataract surgery cohort. Data were retrieved from the Pediatric Cataract Register (PECARE), a prospective register of Swedish cataract operations before 8years of age. All eyes with surgery between January 2007 and December 2014 and a registered follow-up were included. Cataracts caused by uveitis, trauma or coexisting congenital glaucoma were excluded. Glaucoma was defined as early onset if diagnosed within a year after surgery and late onset if diagnosed later. The study included 288 eyes in 207 children (106 girls), 81 with bilateral and 126 with unilateral cataracts, with a mean follow-up of 3.31±1.77years. Of the 288,168 (58.3%) had surgery before 3months of age; most of these 92.3% (155/168) were defined as dense, 208 (72.2%) were below 1year of age. Cumulative incidence of surgically treated glaucoma among individuals was 23.7% (49/207). Median time to glaucoma onset was 0.91years (range: 0.05-4.97years) for eyes. Early-onset glaucoma was found in 98 % (63/64), and late onset in 2% (1/64). In this paediatric cataract cohort, a majority of eyes had surgery before 3months of age (58.3%). Secondary glaucoma-onset peaked within the first postoperative year, with a cumulative incidence of 23.7%. Surgery performed after the first month of life, resulted in a lower glaucoma rate. Long-term follow-up will reveal whether the low rate of late-onset glaucoma with early surgery will last, and if so, the consequences.

Ocular Hypertension after Pediatric Cataract Surgery: Baseline Characteristics and First-Year Report

Monitoring intraocular pressure (IOP) is essential for pediatric cataract treatment but always difficult due to lack of cooperation in young children. We present the baseline characteristics and the first-year results of a long-term prospective cohort study, which are aimed to determine the relationship of the incidence of ocular hypertension (OH) in children after cataract surgery during the first-year period and the risk of developing late-onset glaucoma. Children were included with the following criteria: they were≤10 years old and scheduled to undergo cataract surgery with/without intraocular lens implantation; they were compliant with our follow-up protocol, which included monitoring IOP using a Tono-Pen under sedation or anesthesia. Incidence of OH, peak OH value, OH onset time and OH duration within a 12-month period following surgery were measured. In brief, 206 patients (379 eyes) were included and OH developed in 66 of 379 (17.4%) eyes. The mean follow-up period was 14.0±3.2 months (median, 12 months; range, 10–16 months). Moreover, 33 of 196 (16.8%) aphakic eyes and 33 of 183 (18.0%) IOL eyes were diagnosed with OH. The peak OH onset times were at 1-week (34/66, 51.5%) and 1-month (14/66, 21.2%) appointments postsurgery. The peak IOP value in the OH eyes was 29.9±7.5 mmHg (median, 29 mmHg; range, 21–48 mmHg). The duration of OH was 30.9±31.2 days (median, 30 days; range, 3–150 days). OH recurred in 13 eyes with a history of OH diagnosed within 1 month postsurgery (13/54, 24.1%), which needed temporary or long term use of antiglaucoma medications. In conclusion, the incidence of OH in children after cataract surgery was 17.4% during the first-year period. Children who have suffered elevated IOP in the first year after cataract surgery should be followed closely to determine if there is an increased risk of developing late-onset glaucoma.

Clinical analysis of the occurrence of secondary glaucoma after pediatric congenital cataract surgery in the first 36 months of life

To observe the rate of secondary glaucoma after pediatric congenital cataract surgery in the first 36 months of life. Retrospective case series. The records of children who underwent surgery for congenital cataract within the first 36 months of life between July 1995 and July 2005 at Qingdao Eye Hospital were reviewed. Children with preoperative conditions associated with glaucoma were excluded. Age at surgery, unilateral or bilateral cataract, type of congenital cataract, primary intraocular lens (IOL) insertion, duration of follow-up, postoperative best corrected visual acuity, development of aphakic glaucoma, and development of glaucoma after secondary IOL implantation were evaluated. A total of 115 patients (204 eyes) with an average surgery age of (12.5 ± 9.2) months were included; the mean follow-up time was (83.7 ± 43.8) months. 15 eyes (11 patients) (7.4%) had subsequent development of glaucoma, 7 of which (4 patients) developed late-onset open-angle glaucoma. Of the 15 eyes, 13 eyes had surgery within 9 months, and 12 eyes developed nuclear or total cataract. None of the primarily pseudophakia eyes developed glaucoma in our study. Of 86 eyes that received implantation of secondary intraocular lens in the ciliary sulcus, 13 eyes (15.1%) developed pseudophakia glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma occurred after pediatric bilateral cataract surgery. As late-onset glaucoma usually occurred several years after primary surgery, long-time follow-up after pediatric cataract surgery needs to be emphasized.

Risk Factors for Complications After Congenital Cataract Surgery without Intraocular Lens Implantation in the First 18 Months of Life

To determine individual risk factors for the development of postoperative complications after pediatric cataract surgery in the first 18 months of life. Interventional, consecutive case series. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 71 eyes of 46 children who underwent surgery for congenital cataract within the first 18 months of life. A limbal approach bimanual lens aspiration, posterior capsulorrhexis, and anterior vitrectomy without intraocular lens implantation was performed in all children. We examined the interrelationships of operative and postoperative complications with other variables such as patient age, family history, or ocular abnormalities. The mean follow-up period was 39 months. The most frequent postoperative complications were late-onset open-angle glaucoma (10.8%) and vitreous hemorrhage (10.8%), whereas early-onset glaucoma (4.6%) was less common. Secondary cataract was observed in seven eyes (9.2%). We determined a family history of aphakic glaucoma in first-degree relatives (P = .007) as well as cataract surgery in the first three months of life (P = .039) and nuclear cataracts (P = .0009) to be strong predictors of late-onset glaucoma. Secondary cataract formation was associated strongly with lensectomy in the first five months of life. The diagnosis of postoperative hemorrhages was associated significantly with the presence of persistent fetal vasculature (P < .0001). Patients with preoperative predictors at presentation such as young age at the time of surgery, a family history of aphakic glaucoma, nuclear cataract, or persistent fetal vasculature syndrome offer a clear target for extensive postoperative care after congenital cataract surgery.

Long-term Outcomes of Amniotic Membrane Transplantation for Repair of Leaking Glaucoma Filtering Blebs

To report long-term results of human preserved amniotic membrane transplant (AMT) vs conjunctival advancement for repair of late-onset glaucoma filtering bleb leakage. Randomized, controlled trial (n = 30). Rates of bleb failure (reoperation for glaucoma or recurrent bleb leak) were compared. Median follow-up was 80 months. Final intraocular pressure (IOP) was 10.9 +/- 0.9 mm Hg with AMT and 12.7 +/- 1.3 mm Hg with conjunctival advancement (P = .28). The number of glaucoma medications and final visual acuities were similar between groups. Bleb vascularity was significantly less with AMT (P = .02). Seven failures occurred with AMT, four requiring reoperation for bleb leakage and three requiring reoperation for glaucoma. Four failures occurred with conjunctival advancement, one requiring reoperation for leakage and three requiring reoperation for glaucoma. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were statistically similar between groups, with a trend favoring conjunctival advancement (P = .44). Although prone to early releakage, AMT may be a suitable alternative to conjunctival advancement in the long-term.

The Natural History of Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension After Pediatric Cataract Surgery

We sought to define the prevalence and natural history of ocular hypertension and glaucoma for at least a 10-year period after pediatric cataract surgery. We conducted a prospective observational study of patients who received pediatric cataract surgery. Inclusion criteria included 2 directed ophthalmologic examinations performed at a minimum of 5 and 10 years after surgery. A total of 63 patients (22 with bilateral cataracts and 41 with unilateral cataracts) were examined at a median of 15.1 year (range, 10.3-21.3 years) after surgery. A majority of the subjects had glaucoma or ocular hypertension (ie, 59%; 37/63). Nineteen percent (12/63) had glaucoma (5/22 with bilateral cataracts and 7/41 with unilateral cataracts). Approximately half (7/12) had developed glaucoma during the first 5-year observational period and the remainder (5/12) developed it during the following observational period. Forty percent (25/63) of the patients had ocular hypertension in at least one aphakic eye (9/23 with bilateral cataracts and 16/40 with unilateral cataracts). The rate of progression from ocular hypertension to glaucoma over a mean observational period of 7.2 years (range, 6.2-8.1 years) was 23% (5/22). Patients who receive surgery for pediatric cataracts are at very high risk of developing ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Patients can develop late-onset glaucoma and ocular hypertension more than 10 years after surgery. Years of ocular hypertension may precede the diagnosis of late-onset glaucoma.

Conjunctival advancement versus nonincisional treatment for late-onset glaucoma filtering bleb leaks

Objective To compare the outcomes of conjunctival advancement and nonincisional management of late-onset glaucoma filtering bleb leak. Design Retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative interventional trial. Participants Fifty-one eyes of 48 persons who underwent management of late-onset glaucoma filtering bleb leak from December 1986 through December 1999 were included. Thirty-seven eyes were included in the nonincisional treatment group (aqueous suppression with lubrication or patching, bandage contact lenses, cyanoacrylate glue, autologous blood injection, or a combination thereof) and 34 eyes were included in the surgical revision group (conjunctival advancement with preservation of the preexisting bleb). Twenty eyes underwent nonincisional treatment before surgical revision and were included in each treatment group. Methods Retrospective chart review of bleb leaks occurring at least 2 months after trabeculectomy. Successful treatment was defined as the resolution of the bleb leak, a final intraocular pressure (IOP) of 21 mmHg or less, and no significant complications such as blebitis, endophthalmitis, or bleb dysesthesia requiring a bleb revision. Main outcome measures Cumulative success of closure of the filtering bleb leak, complications resulting from the intervention, IOP before and after treatment, and number of glaucoma medications before and after treatment. Results The Kaplan-Meier cumulative probability of success at 12 and 24 months were 0.45 and 0.42, respectively, for the nonincisional treatment group and 0.80 and 0.80, respectively, for the surgical revision group. The overall difference between the cumulative success of surgical and nonincisional treatment was statistically significant ( P = 0.0001, log-rank test). In the nonincisional treatment group, only 20 of 37 eyes (54%) achieved initial sealing of the bleb leak after the treatment, and of those, almost half (8/20) eventually failed. Reasons for failure included persistent or recurrent leak (n = 21), blebitis or endophthalmitis (n = 6, including 4 with persistent leak), and bleb dysesthesia (n = 2). All eyes in the surgical group achieved closure of the leak, however 7 eventually failed because of leak recurrence (n = 2), elevated IOP (n = 3), or bleb dysesthesia (n = 2), and 11 required additional glaucoma medications. Conclusions Patients with late bleb leaks managed with conjunctival advancement were more likely to have successful outcomes and less likely to have serious intraocular infections than those managed more conservatively.

Tear in the trabecular meshwork caused by an airsoft gun

PURPOSE: To report a case of a tear in the trabecular meshwork caused by an airsoft gun, a toy that propels a plastic bullet. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 7-year-old Japanese boy sustained an ocular injury to the right eye from an airsoft gun. Ophthalmic examination 1 hour after the injury showed a best-corrected visual acuity in the injured eye of hand motion, corneal abrasion and edema, hyphema, and commotio retinae. Gonioscopy 6 days after the injury revealed a tear in the trabecular meshwork as well as an angle recession. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) strongly suggested that the tear extended into Schlemm’s canal. Corneal abrasion and edema, hyphema, and commotio retinae resolved over 10 days, and best-corrected visual acuity improved to 20/15. Two months after the injury, the trabecular meshwork had not healed. CONCLUSION: Airsoft guns can cause a full-thickness tear in the trabecular meshwork, which may contribute to development of late-onset glaucoma. UBM is useful to evaluate the tomographic features of the disrupted trabecular meshwork. The potential force of airsoft guns to cause substantial ocular injuries should be recognized. Wearing ocular protection should be mandatory while playing with airsoft guns.

Amniotic membrane transplantation for repair of leaking glaucoma filtering blebs

PURPOSE: To compare the safety and efficacy of human preserved amniotic membrane transplant with conjunctival advancement for repair of late-onset glaucoma filtering bleb leaks. METHOD: A prospective, randomized clinical trial compared amniotic membrane transplant with conjunctival advancement in patients with leaking glaucoma filtering blebs. Intraocular pressure, number of glaucoma medications, and reoperation for glaucoma or persistent or recurrent bleb–leak were compared in the two groups. Patients were followed for a minimum of 1 year. RESULTS: Mean intraocular pressure was the same at 6 (amniotic membrane transplant, 15.4 ± 4.4, conjunctival advancement 14.1 ± 6.4, P = 0.6), 12 (amniotic membrane transplant, 15.0 ± 6.3, conjunctival advancement, 13.2 ± 6.6, P = 0.5), and 24 (amniotic membrane transplant, 17.2 ± 7.1, conjunctival advancement, 15.0 ± 6.3, P = 0.6) months. The mean number of glaucoma medications in use was the same in the two groups at all time intervals. After an average follow-up of 19 months, there were seven failures in the amniotic membrane transplant group (two with persistent leaks that were unresponsive to further suturing, two with late-onset leaks, and three who required repeat glaucoma surgery) and none in the conjunctival advancement group. The cumulative survival rate for amniotic membrane transplant was 81% at 6 months, 74% at 1 year, and 46% at 2 years. The cumulative survival rate was 100% for conjunctival advancement throughout follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic membrane transplantation does not offer an effective alternative to conjunctival advancement for repair of leaking glaucoma filtering blebs.

Immunohistochemical localization of MYOC/TIGR protein in the trabecular tissue of normal and glaucomatous eyes

Purpose. To examine immunohistochemically the localization of myocilin/trabecular meshwork inducible glucocorticoid response (MYOC/TIGR) protein in the glaucomatous and normal trabecular meshworks. Methods. Trabecular tissues were used from one eye with late-onset goniodysgenetic glaucoma, three with primary open angle glaucoma (one of which had the MYOC/TIGR gene mutation), two with exfoliation glaucoma and one without glaucoma. For light microscopic immunohistochemistry, frozen sections were stained by the avidin-biotin complex method using anti-MYOC/TIGR polyclonal antibody. For electron microscopic immunohistochemistry, the pre-embedding method using the same antibody was performed. Double immunostaining using both anti-MYOC/TIGR and anti-type VI collagen antibodies was done by the immunofluorescence method. Results. With light microscopy, immunoreactivity was seen in the whole trabecular meshwork of each of the specimens. No notable differences were detected in staining among the types of glaucoma, or between the eyes with and those without the gene mutation. Under electron microscopy, immunoreaction products were observed not only in the cytoplasm of the trabecular cells but also in the extracellular matrix, where staining was associated with the long-spacing collagen, fine granular materials and possibly microfibrils. With double immunohistochemistry, MYOC/TIGR was colocalized with type VI collagen in the trabecular meshwork. Conclusions. In glaucomatous and normal trabecular meshworks, the MYOC/TIGR protein is distributed in the extracellular matrix colocalizing with type VI collagen.

Conjunctival advancement for late-onset filtering bleb leaks: indications and outcomes.

To determine the indications and outcome of conjunctival advancement surgery for late-onset filtering bleb leaks. Retrospective medical record review of a consecutive case series of all patients who underwent conjunctival advancement surgery for persistent late-onset glaucoma filtering bleb leaks at a tertiary referral center between December 1, 1985, and April 30, 1997. Indications for surgery, preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, status of bleb leak, and need for reinstitution of medical therapy or reoperation for glaucoma. Twenty-six eyes of 26 patients were analyzed. Complications from bleb leaks that necessitated surgical intervention included chronic ocular hypotony (n = 21), decreased visual acuity (n = 9), bleb-related infection (n = 11), hypotony maculopathy (n = 4), corneal edema with folds (n = 7), choroidal effusion (n = 3), and persistent shallow anterior chamber (n = 3). The mean +/- SD preoperative IOP was 5.7 +/- 4.9 mm Hg (range, 0-16 mm Hg). After a follow-up of 19.6 +/- 22.6 months, the IOP was 14.2 +/- 4.1 mm Hg for patients taking 1.1 +/- 1.3 glaucoma medications (all data given as mean +/- SD). Twelve patients (46%) had early-onset bleb leaks after revision, of which 7 (27%) closed spontaneously and 5 (19%) required resuturing. Two patients (8%) had a persistent bleb leak throughout the follow-up period. Thirteen patients (50%) required reinstitution of medical therapy during the follow-up period, and 2 (8%) required a reoperation for glaucoma for uncontrolled IOP. Conjunctival advancement is a successful procedure for closing late-onset filtering bleb leaks. Some patients require suturing in the early postoperative period, but most patients eventually obtain permanent closure of the leak. Patients should be counseled of the possibility of requiring medical or surgical intervention for IOP control after revision.

Late onset glaucoma in association with facial angioma

Late onset glaucoma in association with facial angioma