Management Of Acute Primary Angle Closure Research Articles

Long-term prognosis of acute primary angle closure in an east asian cohort

PurposeTo provide an updated analysis of the long-term outcomes of patients with acute primary angle closure (APAC) and to investigate the risk factors for visual field (VF) loss progression.Study DesignRetrospective, clinical cohort studyMethodsOne hundred and forty-six APAC patients with a minimum of 1-year follow-up were included. The presenting features and the treatment utilized were recorded. The visual and intraocular pressure (IOP) outcomes were analyzed. The main outcome measures were the proportion of blindness and IOP at the final visit. A subset of patients with sufficient VF results was divided into a stable and progressive group based on mean deviation (MD) loss rate. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of progression.ResultsNine patients (6.2%) were blind, and 76.0% (111/146) had final decimal visual acuity greater than or equal to 0.5. All patients had normal final IOP, and 65.1% (95/146) were medication-free. 64.4% (94/146) underwent cataract surgery at a median 4 months after their APAC attack. The use of topical hypotensive medications (OR = 8.029, P = 0.012) was the only significant predictor of fast MD loss in the multivariate regression.ConclusionsThe long-term outcomes of APAC in recent years have been more promising. All patients maintained normal IOP several years following their APAC attack, and fewer than half required hypotensive agents. The incidence of blindness was low. These findings suggest that current practice patterns in the management of APAC are beneficial.

Paracentesis as an initial intervention in Malay Indonesian eyes with acute primary angle closure

Background: Acute primary angle closure (APAC) is one of the causes of blindness in Department of Ophthalmology Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital. Management of APAC is still controversial. Laser peripheral iridotomy is difficult to be done due to corneal edema as a result of persistent high intraocular pressure (IOP). It is believe that paracentesis will lower IOP immediately. The objective of the study was to assess outcome of paracentesis as the initial management in Malay Indonesian eyes with APAC. Methods: This intervention study was conducted at the Eye Clinic of Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital and Jakarta Eye Center commencing in January 2005 until December 2007. Malay Indonesian eyes with APAC were included in this study in accordance with the new Asia Pacific consensus. All APAC eyes underwent paracentesis to lower IOP. The presenting and post-paracentesis IOP and peripheral anterior synechiae were noted. The outcome was termed as good when IOP was ≤ 21 mmHg and poor when IOP was > 21 mmHg. Results: A total of 45 APAC eyes were recruited. Thirty-eight of these belonged to women; mean age was 54.6 ± 1.56 years. Meanwhile, average duration of symptoms was 13.15 ± 7.4 days and mean of extent of peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) was 7.7 ± 3.1 hours. There was a strong correlation regarding duration of symptoms to the formation of PAS (r = 0.672; p < 0.001). The mean presenting IOP was 55 ± 13.37 mmHg and mean post-paracentesis IOP was 27 ± 12.78 mmHg. A decrease of 49% in IOP ( p < 0.001) was observed after paracentesis with good outcome in 19 eyes and poor outcome in 26 eyes. Conclusion: Paracentesis as an initial intervention in APAC eyes reduces the IOP immediately, but only as a temporary response. (Med J Indones. 2012;21:113-7) Keywords: Acute primary angle closure (APAC), intraocular pressure (IOP), paracentesis, peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS)