Narrow-angle Glaucoma Research Articles

Short-term report of early glaucoma surgery with a clear lens extraction and an intraocular lens, OMNI canaloplasty, and a HYDRUS microstent: a case series in younger patients.

The purpose of this case series is to report the surgical outcomes from the combination of a clear lensectomy, OMNI® canaloplasty, and a HYDRUS® microstent with an adjacent goniotomy. This is a retrospective non-comparative single-center case series of four black patients of African descent with glaucoma who were treated with a clear lensectomy, OMNI canaloplasty, and a HYDRUS microstent with an adjacent goniotomy. The surgeries were performed by an experienced cataract and glaucoma surgeon, Daniel Laroche, MD. The parameters investigated in this study were postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and the mean number of preoperative and postoperative medications needed. The mean age of the four patients was 44.5 years. All patients had a mean postoperative reduction in IOP of 17 mmHg to 12.7 mmHg. The mean number of preoperative medications was 2.2, while the mean number of postoperative medications was 0.3. Potential complications such as hyphema, IOP spikes, or corneal edema were not seen in this series. All patients achieved a lower IOP and stable vision with less refractive error. Patients also experienced improved visual fields, clearer vision, and more open angles. Clear lensectomy and combined microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and narrow-angle glaucoma (NAG) results in the safe lowering of IOP. The limitations of this study include the small series size and the retrospective potential for bias. Further research with a larger series and a prospective trial with follow-up should be performed.

Clinical spectrum and management of pseudoexfoliation syndrome: A cross-sectional study

Background: Pseudoexfoliation is one of the most common causes of secondary open-angle glaucoma worldwide. The current investigation is being carried out to investigate the clinical characteristics associated with pseudoexfoliation syndrome. Aims and Objectives: The current study was conducted with the goal of documenting the prevalence of the ocular clinical profile of patterns in patients with pseudo-exfoliative material attending a tertiarycare hospital’s general ophthalmology outpatient department. Materials and Methods: In the current study, 100 individuals were explored who were diagnosed with pseudoexfoliation and attended the outpatient department of ophthalmology, medical college, and hospital. The Snellen chart for visual acuity was used to test visual acuity. Pseudoexfoliation glaucomawas identified based on slit lamp examination of pseudoexfoliative material, intraocular pressure (IOP) >21 mmHg, glaucomatous cupping on fundus examination, pigmentation of trabecular meshwork on gonioscopy, and glaucomatous field abnormalities on perimetry. Results: The age range of 61–70 years had the most cases of pseudoexfoliation, accounting for 23, followed by 51–60 years with 17 occurrences. The current study comprised 48 patients, 20 of whom had bilateral pseudoexfoliation and 28 of whom had unilateral pseudoexfoliation. Our findings revealed that 17 patients had high IOP. We discovered 15 cases of open-angle glaucoma and 2 cases of narrow-angle glaucoma after analyzing 48 patients. The sample of 15 individuals with open-angle glaucoma included 11 men and 4 women. Conclusion: Pseudoexfoliation becomes more common as people age, and it is often unilateral at first but progressively progresses to bilateral pseudoexfoliation, necessitating frequent follow-up in unilateral cases. Pseudoexfoliation is associated with an increased risk of glaucoma, and the majority of cases have open angles.

Glaucoma in Adults-diagnosis, Management, and Prediagnosis to End-stage, Categorizing Glaucoma's Stages: A Review.

Most frequent worldwide cause of permanent blindness is glaucoma. Early in the course of the disease, glaucoma affects many patients without any symptoms. In order to examine for indications of glaucoma and to ascertain whether systemic illnesses or drugs can raise a patient's risk of developing glaucoma, primary care practitioners should be aware of which patients to send to an eye care specialist. A review of the pathogenesis, risk factors, screening, disease monitoring, and treatment options for open-angle and narrow-angle glaucoma are included. The optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer (rNFL) are damaged in glaucoma, a chronic, progressive optic neuropathy that can result in a permanent loss of peripheral or central vision. The only risk factor that is known to be controllable is intraocular pressure (IOP). A family history of glaucoma, older age, and non-white race are additional significant risk factors. Numerous systemic diseases and drugs, such as corticosteroids, anticholinergics, certain antidepressants, and topiramate, can put people at risk of developing glaucoma. Open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma are the two main types of disease. Measurement of IOP, perimetry, and optical coherence tomography are diagnostic procedures to evaluate glaucoma and track the course of the condition. In order to treat glaucoma, IOP must be decreased. This is possible with a variety of glaucoma medication classes, laser surgery, and incisional surgery. By identifying systemic illnesses and drugs that raise a patient's chance of developing glaucoma and referring high-risk individuals for a thorough ophthalmologic examination, vision loss from glaucoma can be reduced. Clinicians should make sure that patients continue taking their glaucoma drugs as prescribed and should keep an eye out for any negative side effects from any medical or surgical procedures used to treat glaucoma. Joshi P, Dangwal A, Guleria I, et al. Glaucoma in Adults-diagnosis, Management, and Prediagnosis to End-stage, categorizing Glaucoma's Stages: A Review. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2022;16(3):170-178.

Clinical profile and surgical outcome of patients with pseudo-exfoliation syndrome undergoing cataract surgery - A retrospective study

Pseudoexfoliation (PXF) syndrome is an age-related process of unknown etiology characterized by the deposition of distinctive fibrillar material in the anterior segment of the eye. The material is commonly deposited in the anterior chamber, angle of the eye, iris, trabecular meshwork, anterior capsule of the lens, and also the cornea. It is associated with open and narrow angle glaucoma, the formation of cataracts and the corneal endothelial decompensation.PXF deposition in the lens zonules leads to disintegration of the lens zonules resulting in lens subluxation and dislocation. PXF deposition on the iris causes poor pupillary dilatation. Both zonular dehiscence and poor pupillary dilatation pose a great challenge to the cataract surgeon during surgery. Intra operatively, the chances of lens subluxation / dislocation, posterior capsular rupture, vitreous loss is high in the presence of pseudoexfoliation. In the immediate post-operative period, intra ocular pressure spikes, increased and prolonged iritis and corneal decompensation can affect the visual outcome of the surgery. This study will retrospectively analyze the clinical profile of the patients with pseudoexfoliation and to evaluate the occurrence of intra and immediate post-op complications of cataract surgery. In this way, the surgeon can plan his/her surgical technique to help avoid complications during cataract surgery and be prepared to manage the potential intraoperative and postoperative complications that can occur in pseudoexfoliation eyes.

To study the clinical efficacy of Nd Yag peripheral iridotomy in narrow angle glaucoma

: To examine the clinical efficacy of laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) in subjects with primary angle closure (PAC).134 patients with angle closure glaucoma were included in this retrospective study which was carried out at the glaucoma clinic, department of ophthalmology at DR B.R Ambedkar medical college and hospital over a period of 2 years. A total of 134 patients, 268 eyes were participated in this study. All were treated with LPI. The 268 eyes with Successful opening of angle more than 2 for at least 24 weeks. Follow-up ranged from 4 to 24 weeks. Gonioscopy was performed in each visit to confirm the angle status and patency of iridotomy. Success is defined as opening of more than 2 angles ITC for at least 24 weeks, with no need for further medication or laser treatment.The percentage of open angle at 4 weeks was more 2 angles in 72 eyes(26.9%), ITC>3 angles in 56eyes, (20.9%) and ITC>4 angles in 140 eyes are (52.2%), at 12weeks more 2 angles 48 eyes (17.9%), ITC> 3angles in ,60 eyes (20.9%) ITC>4 angles in 160 eyes (59.7%) and 24 weeks was more 2 angles eyes 28 (10.4%), ITC> 3,60 eyes (22.4%) ITC>4 angle in180 (67.2%). The success rate at 24 weeks ITC more than2 angle was 10.4%, ITC>3angles 22.4% and ITC> 4angles in 67.2% respectively.In all cases, IOP was measured within 1 hour and IOP elevation of greater than 8 mm Hg was observed in eyes (15.7%). Mild-to-moderate anterior chamber reaction is seen in 128 eyes, hyphema in 12 eyes, ghost images seen in 4 eyes, 4cases of macular edema, cataract progression seen in 32 eyes, and iridotomy in 52 eyes were noted.Post laser procedure combination of steroid and antibiotic medication was prescribed for 5 days and IOP pressure more 8 mmHg seen in 42 eyes(15.7%), antiglaucoma medications started and oral T. Diamox 250mg 2 tablets were prescribed followed up after 5 days to reassurance. LPI is an effective treatment option for all patients with in Primary Angle Closure suspect to prevent the acute angle closure glaucoma. LPI is a effective, compliance free, repeatable, most PACS eyes don’t receive further treatment and safe therapeutic modality having only minor, transient, self-limiting or easily controlled side effects with no sequelae. Progression to PACG is uncommon in PACS and PAC. Despite our methodology, the inherent limitations of studies should be considered, and conclusion drawn from our pooled results should be interpreted with caution. Future large-volume, well-designed with extensive follow-up are awaited to confirm and update the findings of this analysis.

Trabeculectomy Efficacy in a Latin American Ophthalmology Training Institution.

AimTo report trabeculectomy efficacy in a Latin American Ophthalmology Training Institution.Materials and methodsRetrospective study between March 2015 and March 2019, Medical records of 77 patients (96 eyes) that underwent trabeculectomy were reviewed. Collected data included glaucoma type, pre- and post-trabeculectomy intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma therapy and assigned surgeon. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Paired T student double tailed, and Welch-Satterthwaite test.ResultsNinety-six eyes (77 patients) that underwent trabeculectomy were included in the analysis. 44.79% were male and 55.20% female. Median age was 54.04 ± 18.92 years. Median IOP pretrabeculectomy was 27.86 ± 10 mm Hg. More commonly found diagnoses were narrow angle glaucoma (36.46%), primary open-angle glaucoma (18.75%), and secondary to chronic steroid use glaucoma (14.58%). Median IOP reduction from basal IOP at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after trabeculectomy was 15.87 mm Hg, 14.42 mm Hg and 14.55 mm Hg, respectively, p < 0.05. Cumulative success was 66.66% at 12 months follow-up. General decrease of antiglaucomatous topical therapy was 1.9 ± 1.09 (p > 0.05) eye drops. Trabeculectomy success rate was 69.23% for attendants and 65.71% for residents (p = 0.85).ConclusionTrabeculectomy continues to be a successful and effective therapy to obtain significant and stable IOP decrease. Success trabeculectomy rates are comparable between residents and attendants.How to cite this articleLópez RAG, Castillo NLO. Trabeculectomy Efficacy in a Latin American Ophthalmology Training Institution. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2022;16(1):17-19.

The effect of atropine used in dobutamine stress echocardiography on pupil diameter.

The use of atropine during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is contraindicated in persons with narrow angle glaucoma though there is limited evidence that low doses of intravenous atropine do not cause pupillary dilation. The aim of this study is to investigate whether atropine when administered in persons without glaucoma during dobutamine stress echocardiography causes pupillary dilation. Out of 144 patients without a history of glaucoma referred for DSE for clinical indications, 105 patients received intravenous atropine doses ranging from 0.1 mg to 1.25 mg (most patients received 0.25-0.75 mg). Pupil diameter of both eyes was measured under the same light conditions before and after the DSE using a CP-30 Optical Digital PD Ruler. For the total of 210 examined eyes pupil diameter remained unaltered after each DSE test (3.65 ± 0.799 mm before vs 3.63 ± 0.766 mm after, p = .737). Similarly, pupil diameter remained unchanged when left and right eyes were assessed separately (right eye: 3.770 ± 0.812 before vs 3.752 ± 0.745 mm after, p = .821 and left eye: 3.521 ± 0.770 before vs 3.499 ± 0.770 mm after, p = .806). Diameter of right and left pupil were also unaltered after grouping patients by sex and iris pigmentation. Age, weight, atropine dose and propranolol dose were not correlated with changes in pupil diameter. Intravenous atropine in usual doses administered in DSE does not cause mydriasis in adults without glaucoma. Future studies need to confirm our findings and expand the investigation regarding safety of atropine use during DSE in patients with narrow angle glaucoma.

Delayed follow‐up of glaucoma patients due to COVID‐19 pandemic – impact on disease progression

AbstractPurposeTo determine the impact of delayed follow‐up on the disease course in patients with glaucoma.MethodsA retrospective case series of 224 glaucoma patients. Data analysis from the hospital electronic medical record was performed on patients attending the glaucoma clinic between April and May 2021 at Charing Cross Hospital, London, United Kingdom, after easing of the national lockdown due to COVID‐19 pandemic. The main outcome measures included increased intraocular pressure (IOP), worsening of visual field (VF) defect, thinning of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and the posterior pole using spectral domain Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).ResultsNotes from 224 patients were analysed. Among them, 24 patients were identified to develop a progression of glaucoma. Majority of patients (10, 42%) had open angle glaucoma, 6 (25%) had normal tension glaucoma, 5 (21%) were glaucoma suspects, 2 (8%) had narrow angle glaucoma and 1 (4%) had angle closure glaucoma. The mean IOP (±SD) pre‐lockdown was 15.4 ± 3.8 mmHg and post‐lockdown was 16.7 ± 5.4 mmHg (p &lt; 0.05). The average RNFL thickness pre‐lockdown was 79.7 ± 15.7 µm and post‐lockdown was 78.8 ± 15.6 µm (p &gt; 0.05). Of the 24 patients who developed progression, 16 had an increase in IOP (mean ∆ IOP was 3.8 ± 1.8 mmHg; p &lt; 0.05), 19 patients had a clinically significant RNFL thinning (mean ∆ was 3.3 ± 1.4 µm; p &lt; 0.05) and 9 patients had worsening of VF. The average timing between pre‐ and post‐lockdown visit was 15.1 months (SD ± 7.6).ConclusionsThese results confirm that a proportion of patients developed glaucoma progression during the COVID Lockdown which could be attributed to delayed follow‐up. Further analyses of these data will be needed to confirm how the results of this study could help to guide future decisions making and guidance on prioritising and managing glaucoma patients if disruption to standard of care occurs.

Vision “wipe-out” phenomena following a nonincisional laser procedure in the management of narrow-angle glaucoma

The “Wipe-out” or “Snuff-out” phenomenon refers to a permanent and severe loss of vision without an identifiable cause and is considered a rare but dreaded consequence of incisional ocular surgery. It is believed to occur in patients with advanced glaucoma who demonstrate a residual central island of vision. A 42-year-old female patient presented to the general ophthalmology clinic with complaints of painless blurring of vision of the left eye for 8 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/30 and 20/40 and intraocular pressure (IOP) was 26 mmHg and 28 mmHg in the right and left eyes, respectively. Relative afferent pupillary defect was noted in the left eye. Anterior segment examination showed peripherally shallow anterior chamber and gonioscopy revealed appositionally closed angles (Shaffer-<20 Deg) in both eyes. Fundus examination showed advanced glaucomatous optic neuropathy of the left eye. Generalized depression in the right eye and inferior arcuate scotoma with a superior nasal step, and split fixation in the left eye was seen on Humphreys 30-2 visual fields. A diagnosis of chronic primary angle closure glaucoma was made and the patient was offered Nd: Yag Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI). LPI was completed for the right eye and Argon Laser Iridoplasty was performed in the left eye as Iridotomy was not possible due to the proximity of the iris to the cornea as the pupil was mid-dilated. After the procedure, the patient was prescribed topical antiglaucoma medications with topical steroids at 1 week follow-up, the patient had BCVA of 20/30 in the right eye and hand motion in the left eye, IOPs were well controlled on topical anti-glaucoma medication. A thorough examination including a dilated fundus examination, B-Scan ultrasound, and fundus fluorescein angiography were unremarkable. Magnetic resonance imaging scan of the brain and orbits was normal. “Wipeout” phenomenon is a rare but notorious complication associated with incisional surgeries in patients with advanced glaucoma. It is also reported to occur following cataract and retinal incisional surgeries. There are no reports of a wipe-out after a commonly performed laser procedure.

A Clinical Case of Fitting Scleral Lens for Correction of Pellucid Marginal Degeneration

Background. Pellucid Marginal Degeneration (PMD) is a rare bilateral degenerative corneal disease. It causes corneal ectasia with bilateral, clear, inferior (typically 4 o’clock to 8 o’clock), peripheral corneal thinning. It usually affects about 80% of corneal stroma, which leads to the corneal ectasia above the thinning area as well as provokes the irregular astigmatism and visual impairment that are difficult to correct. Purpose. To study the possibilities of correction and social rehabilitation in a patient with PMD wearing scleral lenses. Materials and methods. The study included a patient with PMD, signs of corneal dysfunction and narrow-angle subcompensated glaucoma in the right eye, and PMD of the cornea resulted in a corneal leukoma – terminal glaucoma in the left eye. In addition to standard ophthalmic methods, we performed corneal topography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). For intraocular pressure measurement, ICARE IOP tonometer was used in several areas of the intact peripheral cornea. Results. Prior to lens fitting, UCVA in the right eye amounted to 0.06. Scleral lens helped achieve a high visual acuity of 0.9–1.0. The lens was well-tolerated by the patient. Conclusion. Scleral lenses may be a good choice for patients with irregular cornea caused by corneal dystrophy. Not only they are easy to use and have a good visual effect, but they also help patients with social rehabilitation.

Long-term outcomes of viscocanalostomy and phaco-viscocanalostomy in patients with narrow angle glaucoma.

PurposeTo assess the outcomes of viscocanalostomy and phaco-viscocanalostomy in patients with narrow angle glaucoma at a single tertiary eye centre.MethodAll patients undergoing viscocanalostomy for narrow angle glaucoma between June 2010 and June 2017 with a minimum follow-up of 12 months were included. Data was analysed from a prospectively maintained surgical outcome database. Primary outcome was a change in intraocular pressure (IOP). Secondary outcomes were changes in LogMAR visual acuity, number of eye drops, post-operative complications and further surgical interventions. Success was defined at two IOP cut-off points: IOP ≤ 21 mmHg and IOP ≤ 15 mmHg with (qualified success) or without (complete success) drops. Failure was any repeat glaucoma surgery or loss of light perception.ResultsSeventy eyes of 46 patients with a mean follow-up of 41.31 months (range 12–60 months) were included. Mean IOP changed from 25.7 ± 9.6 to 15.2, 15.6, 14.6, 13.8 and 14.0 mmHg at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years post-operatively. Drops reduced from 3.2 ± 1.1 pre-operatively to 0.5 at 1 year and 1.1 at all time points thereafter. Qualified success for an IOP ≤ 21 mmHg was achieved in 94.2%, 88.1%, 92.5%, 91.1% and 92.0% and complete success in 63.8%, 37.3%, 30.2%, 22.2% and 24.0% in years 1 to 5, respectively. Qualified success for an IOP ≤ 15 mmHg was achieved in 53.6%, 60.9%, 69.8%, 68.9% and 64.0% and complete success in 39.1%, 26.9%, 22.6%, 20.0% and 8.0% in years 1 to 5, respectively.IOP was significantly lower at all examined post-operative time points (41.1%, 39.3%, 43.3%, 46.4% and 45.3% at years 1 to 5, respectively, p < 0.001 at all time points).Four eyes (5.7%) failed to meet any of the success criteria. Of these, 3 eyes (4.3%) required further glaucoma surgery and one eye (1.4%) progressed to no perception of light at 48 months. No patients had an IOP ≤ 5 mmHg on two consecutive occasions after 3 months.ConclusionViscocanalostomy and phaco-viscocanalostomy are a safe and effective surgical option in the management of chronic narrow angle glaucoma.

Intraocular pressure decreases in eyes with glaucoma-related diagnoses after conversion to aflibercept for treatment-resistant age-related macular degeneration.

To understand intraocular pressure (IOP) response after switching from intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) and/or ranibizumab (IVR) to intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) for treatment-resistant neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in patients with and without coexisting glaucoma-related diagnoses. Retrospective, cross-sectional comparative case series of 62 eyes of 58 patients treated with intravitreal injection for nAMD from March 2010 to April 2018. Patients with glaucoma-related diagnoses, defined here as open-angle glaucoma or suspicion of open-angle glaucoma, ocular hypertension, and/or narrow-angle glaucoma, were compared to those without glaucoma. IOP data were collected at baseline, at the three visits where patients received loading doses of IVB/IVR, and at all of the visits following the switch to IVA through the end of follow-up. 19 eyes with pre-existing glaucoma-related diagnoses were compared to 43 eyes without such diagnoses. Baseline IOP was similar for glaucoma and non-glaucoma patients. The loading doses of IVB/IVR did not impact IOP; however, a small, sustained rise in IOP was noted among patients with glaucoma-related diagnoses by the final IVB/IVR injections before the switch to IVA (∆IOP 1.61 ± 0.52 mmHg, P < 0.002). After conversion to IVA, pre-injection IOP declined in eyes both with (-1.59 ± 0.54 mmHg, P < 0.001) and without (-0.99 ± 0.28 mmHg, P < 0.001) glaucoma-related diagnoses. IOP in patients with glaucoma-related diagnoses appears to be more sensitive to intravitreal injections than it is in patients without glaucoma-related diagnoses. It rises with IVB/IVR and declines after the switch to IVA. Switching patients with nAMD to IVA may present an opportunity to lower IOP in patients with glaucoma.

The prevalence and break down of narrow anterior chamber angle pathology presenting to a general ophthalmology clinic.

To approximate the breakdown of narrow anterior chamber angle conditions, on general ophthalmology clinics, in the predominantly white population of the South East Kent region in the United Kingdom.A review was done of all patients attending a secondary care ophthalmology general clinic over a 3-year period. Patients were assessed with: slitlamp biomicroscopy with indentation gonioscopy; SD optical coherence tomography, Humphrey visual field analyzer, and high frequency ultrasound and categorized into various narrow angle conditions. These were: narrow Van Herrick but open angle; primary narrow angle but nonoccludable; primary angle closure suspect; primary angle closure; chronic narrow angle glaucoma; plateau iris configuration; plateau iris syndrome, and phacomorphic narrow angle.A total of 14,520 patients were referred to the clinic, of those 10,491 attended and were analyzed. Six hundred seventy four (6.4%) of the patients had some form of narrow angle condition in at least 1 eye. The majority of these patients were at relative low risk of pathology such as nonoccludable narrow angles (359/53.3%) and narrow Van Herrick but open angles (93/13.8%). 8.8% of all the narrow angle patients had primary angle closure suspect or primary angle closure. Plateau iris pathology was seen in 68 (10.1%) of patients with 18 (26%) having confirmed plateau iris syndrome after peripheral iridotomy. Phacomorphic pathology was confirmed in 75 (11.1%) patients.Narrow angle patients form a significant proportion (6.4%) of those attending general ophthalmology clinic in the predominantly white population in the South East Kent Region of the United Kingdom. The majority of these (67.1%) are at a relatively low risk of developing acute or chronic angle closure glaucoma. Of the remaining patients 8.8% have primary angle closure suspect or primary angle closure and 2.9% have already progressed to chronic narrow angle closure glaucoma. Plateau iris pathology and phacomorphic glaucoma account for the remainder of the presentations.

Antimuscarinic use among older adults with dementia and overactive bladder: a Medicare beneficiaries study

Objectives This study examined the incidence and predictors of antimuscarinic medication use including non-selective antimuscarinics among older adults with dementia and overactive bladder (OAB). Methods The study used a new-user cohort design involving older adults (≥65 years) with dementia and OAB based on 2013–2015 Medicare data. Antimuscarinics included non-selective (oxybutynin, tolterodine, trospium, fesoterodine) and selective (solifenacin, darifenacin) medications. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the incidence and predictors of new antimuscarinic use including non-selective antimuscarinics, respectively. Results Of the 3.38 million Medicare beneficiaries with dementia, over one million (1.05) had OAB (31.03%). Of those, 287,612 (27.39%) were reported as prevalent antimuscarinics users. After applying continuous eligibility criteria, 21,848 (10.34%) incident antimuscarinic users were identified (77.6% non-selective; 22.4% selective). Most frequently reported antimuscarinics were oxybutynin (56.3%) and solifenacin (21.4%). Multivariable analysis revealed that patients ≥75 years, of black race, and those with schizophrenia, epilepsy, delirium, and Elixhauser’s score were less likely to initiate antimuscarinics. Women, those with abnormal involuntary movements, bipolar disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, muscle spasm/low back pain, neuropathic pain, benign prostatic hyperplasia, falls/fractures, myasthenia gravis, narrow-angle glaucoma, Parkinson's disease, syncope, urinary tract infection and vulvovaginitis were more likely to initiate antimuscarinics. Further, patients with muscle spasms/low back pain, benign prostatic hyperplasia and those taking higher level anticholinergics had lower odds of receiving non-selective antimuscarinics, whereas white patients, black patients and those with schizophrenia and delirium were more likely to receive them. Conclusions Nearly one-third of dementia patients had OAB and over one-fourth of them used antimuscarinics. Majority of the incident users were prescribed non-selective antimuscarinics with several demographic and clinical factors contributing to their use. Given the high prevalence of OAB among dementia patients, there is a need to optimize their antimuscarinic use, considering their vulnerability for anticholinergic adverse effects.

False positives in the ultrasound diagnosis of giant cell arteritis: some diseases can also show the halo sign.

To describe the frequency and causes for the presence of a halo sign on the ultrasound of patients without a diagnosis of GCA. In total, 305 patients with temporal artery colour Doppler ultrasound showing the presence of halo sign (intima-media thickness ≥0.34 mm for temporal arteries [TAs] and ≥1 mm for axillary arteries) were included, and their medical records were reviewed. The clinical diagnosis based on the evolution of the patient over at least one year was established as the definitive diagnosis. Fourteen of the 305 (4.6%) patients included showed presence of the halo sign without final diagnosis of GCA: 12 patients in the TAs (86%), and two patients with isolated AAs involvement (14%). Their diagnoses were PMR (n = 4, 29%); atherosclerosis (n = 3, 21%); and non-Hodgkin lymphoma type T, osteomyelitis of the skull base, primary amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, neurosyphilis, urinary sepsis and narrow-angle glaucoma (n = 1 each, 7%). The percentage of halo signs on the ultrasound of patients without GCA is low, but it does exist. There are conditions that may also show the halo sign (true positive halo sign), and we must know these and always correlate the ultrasound findings with the patient's clinic records.

Сочетание лазерной иридэктомии и селективной лазерной трабекулопластики в лечении первичной узкоугольной (смешанной) глаукомы

Сочетание лазерной иридэктомии и селективной лазерной трабекулопластики в лечении первичной узкоугольной (смешанной) глаукомы

Second-Generation Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stents as Standalone Treatment for Glaucoma: A 36-Month Prospective Study.

IntroductionTo evaluate long-term outcomes following stand-alone implantation of two second-generation trabecular micro-bypass stents (iStent inject®, Glaukos Corp., San Clemente, CA, USA) in eyes with predominantly primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and considerable preoperative disease burden.MethodsEyes with POAG, pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXG), appositional narrow-angle glaucoma (NAG, with open-angle configuration in the area of implantation), or secondary glaucoma were included in this prospective, non-randomized, consecutive case series. All eyes underwent ab interno iStent inject implantation as a sole procedure. Assessments through 36 months included IOP, medications, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), secondary glaucoma surgeries, and complications and adverse events.ResultsTwo iStent inject stents were implanted in 44 consecutive eyes (POAG = 38, PXG = 4, appositional NAG = 1, secondary neovascular glaucoma = 1) of 31 patients, and 33 eyes had 36-month follow-up data. Preoperative mean IOP was 25.3 ± 6.0 mmHg on a mean of 2.98 ± 0.88 medications, with 75% of eyes on 3–5 medications, no eyes medication-free, and 50% of eyes with history of prior glaucoma surgery. At 36 months postoperatively, mean IOP reduced by 42% to 14.6 ± 2.0 mmHg (p < 0.0001) and 87.9% of eyes achieved an IOP reduction of ≥ 20% versus preoperatively. In addition, 97% of eyes reached IOP ≤ 18 mmHg (vs. 9.1% preoperatively; p < 0.0001) and 70.0% of eyes reached IOP ≤ 15 mmHg (vs. 2.3% preoperatively; p < 0.0001). Mean medication burden decreased by 82% to 0.55 ± 0.79 (p < 0.0001), and 61% of eyes became medication-free. All eyes maintained or decreased their 36-month medication burden versus preoperatively. Safety was favorable, including minimal adverse events and stable CDVA through 36 months postoperatively.ConclusionThis real-world cohort of glaucomatous eyes with substantial preoperative disease burden experienced significant, sustained, safe IOP and medication reductions through 36 months following stand-alone iStent inject implantation.FundingArticle processing charges and writing assistance were provided by Glaukos Corp. (San Clemente, CA, USA).

Changes in Intraocular Pressure and Anterior Chamber Depth after Phacoemulsification in Non-Glaucomatous Patients

Aims: To evaluate changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) after uneventful phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.&#x0D; Study Design: Prospective interventional comparative study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Department of Ophthalmology, Assuit University Hospital, Assuit, Egypt between September 2016 and October 2017.&#x0D; Methodology: 100 Patients with visually significant cataract (39 males (39%) and 61 females (61%). All patients underwent uneventful phacoemulsification. Intraocular pressure and ACD were measured preoperatively by using Goldmann applanation tonometer and Ultrasonography respectively, and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively.&#x0D; Results: The postoperative ACD was higher than the preoperative value by 0.26± 0.06 mm at 1 week, 0.45±0.06 mm at 1 month, and 0.59±0.08 mm at 3 months postoperatively (P=.000). P &lt; 0.05 was considered to indicate a statistically significant difference. The IOP at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively was lower than the preoperative value by 1.03±0.3 mmHg, 1.52±0.46 mmHg, and 2.14±0.62 mmHg, respectively (P=.001).&#x0D; Conclusion: This study revealed that there was a decrease in IOP and increase in ACD after cataract extraction by phacoemulsification. Patients with ocular hypertension, open-angle glaucoma, and narrow-angle glaucoma may benefit from cataract extraction.

Acute narrow-angle glaucoma induced by topiramate with acute myopia and macular striae: A case report

We report the case of a 29-year-old epileptic woman who had been on treatment with topiramate 25mg/day for 9 days. She was referred to the Emergency Department due to reduction in far visual acuity (VA) after increasing the dose to 50mg/day two days before. The ocular examination showed bilateral acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG) and macular striae in both eyes (AO) observed by Retinography and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). The AACG is a well-known side effect of topiramate, but the macular striae rarely accompanies it. Although macular striae have been previously described in other cases, very few document those using retinography and OCT images. Therefore, it is important to differentiate a case of AACG induced by topiramate from a case of primary AACG, since they differ in their clinical presentation, mechanism of action, and treatment. Mismanagement can have potentially serious consequences.

Clinical profile and burden of primary glaucoma in rural camp patients attending a tertiary care center in India

Purpose: To study clinical profile and burden of primary glaucoma in rural camp patients attending a tertiary care center. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of a single academic institute after ethical approval. Primary glaucoma patients aged ≥40 years, referred from the outreach camps, were included for a period of 12 months (2016–2017). A detailed history was recorded. Ocular examination included visual acuity, slit-lamp examination, disc evaluation, gonioscopy, intraocular pressure (IOP), and visual fields. Glaucoma was defined according to the International Society Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology. Results: Out of 4204 referred cases from community program, 115 cases had primary glaucoma. Open-angle group had 63 (54.78%) cases whereas narrow-angle group had 52 (45.22%). The hospital-based prevalence for open-angle glaucoma was 1.11% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.8, 1.44) and for narrow-angle glaucoma was 1.07% (95% CI: 0.76, 1.38). The mean IOP was higher in narrow-angle group (P