Need For Further Glaucoma Surgery Research Articles

Modified ex-PRESS technique versus Ahmed glaucoma valve as primary glaucoma surgery for hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis glaucoma

Background To compare the efficacy of modified Ex-PRESS technique (ExP) versus Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) as primary surgery in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) secondary glaucoma. Methods Retrospective study at the national amyloidosis centre. Success was defined as an IOP ≥ 6 mmHg and ≤ 21 mmHg with no need for further glaucoma surgery or laser trabeculoplasty and without loss of light perception at the time of the last follow-up. Secondary outcomes included surgical complications, need for hypotensive drugs, and endothelial cell loss. Patients submitted to previous glaucoma surgery were excluded. Results We included 180 eyes of 150 patients, 121 in AGV and 59 in ExP group. No significant baseline differences were found between groups. At the time of last follow-up, both groups exhibited significant intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction (p < .001) and number of glaucoma medications (p < .001). Kaplan-Meyer analysis showed higher cumulative probability of success for AGV group (80.1% vs. 41.1%, p < .001) and higher mean time to failure (54.5 vs. 36.9 months, respectively, p < 0.001) at 60 months follow-up. AGV showed lower hazard (HR 0.21, 95% CI [0.111–0.407], p < .001) for failure. Conclusion AGV and ExP are safe and effective techniques in the treatment of ATTRv secondary glaucoma. However, AGV’s efficacy seems to be more durable.

Long-term efficacy and safety of XEN-45 gel stent implantation in patients with normal-tension glaucoma

BackgroundMinimally invasive bleb surgery using the XEN-45 gel stent has not been established for the treatment of normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term treatment efficacy and safety of XEN-45 in eyes with uncontrolled NTG.MethodsA retrospective analysis of patients with NTG who underwent XEN-45 gel stent implantation at university hospital Tuebingen between 2016 and 2021. The primary outcome measure was surgical success after three years defined as lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) of ≥ 20%, with target IOP between 6 and 15 mmHg. Success was complete without and qualified irrespective of topical antiglaucoma medication use. The need for further glaucoma surgery, except for needling, was regarded as a failure. The secondary outcome measures included changes in mean IOP, number of antiglaucoma medications, and needling and complication rates.ResultsTwenty-eight eyes from 23 patients were included in the final analysis. Complete and qualified success rates were 56.5% and 75% after three years, respectively. Mean postoperative IOP ± standard deviation decreased significantly after three years from 19.3 ± 2.0 mmHg at baseline to 13.7 ± 4.2 mmHg (n = 22; p < 0.0001). The median number of antiglaucoma medications decreased from 2 (range 0–4) to 0 after three years (range 0–3; p < 0.0001). Sixteen eyes (57%) required a median of 1 (range 1–3) needling procedures. One eye required further glaucoma surgery. No sight-threatening complications were observed.ConclusionThe XEN-45 stent is effective and safe for the long-term treatment of NTG. However, needling was frequently required to improve outcomes.

The Effect of Trabecular Aspiration on Intraocular Pressure, Medication and the Need for Further Glaucoma Surgery in Eyes with Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma.

To investigate whether trabecular aspiration (TA) has an effective medium-term intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering and medication-saving effect in patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEG). In addition, a subgroup analysis of patients with or without a previous trabeculectomy was performed. Records of 290 consecutive eyes with PEG that underwent TA between 2006 and 2012 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Mainz, Germany, were retrospectively analyzed with a follow-up period of 3 years. The main outcomes were IOP and the need for further medical treatment. Of the 290 eyes with PEG that received TA, 167 eyes from 127 patients met the inclusion criteria. Among these eyes, 128 received TA and cataract surgery (Phaco-TA) without having had a trabeculectomy (group I) before, 29 had Phaco-TA after a previous trabeculectomy (group II) and 10 underwent stand-alone TA after a previous trabeculectomy (group III). In the whole cohort, the median IOP decreased immediately after TA and remained significantly lower compared to the baseline throughout the period of 36 months. Likewise, the median number of antiglaucoma drugs was reduced over the whole period. At the same time, in group I, the median IOP and the number of antiglaucoma drugs were reduced over 36 months. In contrast, in the post-trabeculectomy groups (group II and III), the median IOP and the number of antiglaucoma drugs could not be reduced. While most of the patients that received Phaco-TA with or without a previous trabeculectomy (group I and II) did not require further surgical intervention during the follow-up period, almost all patients receiving stand-alone TA after a previous trabeculectomy (group III) needed surgical therapy, most of them between the second and the third year following TA. Phaco-TA has an effective medium-term pressure-lowering and medication-saving effect, especially in patients without a previous trabeculectomy. In trabeculectomized eyes, the effect of TA is limited but still large enough to delay more invasive surgical interventions in some patients.

SURGERY OUTCOMES OF GLAUCOMA DRAINAGE DEVICE IMPLANTATION IN REFRACTORY GLAUCOMA PATIENTS AT SARDJITO GENERAL HOSPITAL

Introduction: Glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation was an effective surgical procedure in treating uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) of glaucoma patients in certain complicated conditions. GDD implants were classified into valved and non-valved in which its surgical outcomes in different types of device and various etiologies were not similar. This study aimed to evaluate the surgery outcomes of GDD implantation in patients with refractory glaucoma at Sardjito General Hospital. Methods: All 12 eyes of 11 patient’s medical records who underwent GDD implantation during 2022 at Sardjito General Hospital was reviewed. Baseline data include age, gender, eye laterality, type of glaucoma, IOP and visual acuity. The IOP and visual acuity (LogMAR) were measured at week 1, month 1, 2 and 3. Type of GDD implants, postoperative glaucoma medications, complications and need for further glaucoma surgery were documented. Results: The mean IOP at baseline was 44 ± 14.2 mmHg with 3.4 ± 0.6 glaucoma medications. It decreased after surgery into 19.1 ± 11.2 mmHg (p=0.003) at 3 months follow up with 0.7 ± 1.7 (p=0.002) glaucoma medications. The mean initial visual acuity was 1.9 ± 0.6 and changed insignificantly to 1.7 ± 0.8 (p=0.624) at last follow up. Six eyes (50%) were implanted with valved implant. The most common early postoperative complications were recurrent high IOP (4 eyes, 33.3%) associated to ripcord of non-valved implant (p=0.025). Five eyes (41.7%) needed additional surgery related to non-valved implant type (p=0.003). Conclusion: GDD implantation especially valved type appears to be safe and effective surgical option in treating refractory glaucoma patients Keywords: Glaucoma drainage device, refractory glaucoma, glaucoma surgery, intraocular pressure

Long-Term Results of Transscleral Diode Laser Cyclophotocoagulation in Glaucoma: A Real-Life Study.

Transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (TDLC) is effective and safe in a large population and different types of glaucoma but is least effective in the neovascular glaucoma (NVG) group. We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of TDLC in a large cohort of patients with different types of refractory glaucoma. Using patient charts, we retrospectively analyzed the success and complications of TDLC performed on eyes categorized into 6 groups: primary glaucoma (116 eyes), trauma (41 eyes), NVG (84 eyes), post-vitreoretinal surgery (post-VRS, 79 eyes), penetrating keratoplasty (47 eyes), and miscellaneous (40 eyes). Failure was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) >22 mm Hg or <5 mm Hg, the need for further glaucoma surgery, and the loss of light perception during follow-up. Overall, the mean follow-up time was 33.4 ± 17.4 months, the mean total energy delivered was 109.2 ± 56.5 J, and the mean IOP reduction rate was 41.8%. Total energy delivered and IOP reduction rates were similar between the groups (all P > 0.05). The probability of success at 36 months was 71.5%, 70.7%, 55.9%, 77.2%, 72.3%, and 72.5% in primary glaucoma, trauma, NVG, post-VRS, penetrating keratoplasty, and miscellaneous groups, respectively. The NVG group showed a significantly lower success rate ( P = 0.009) than the other groups. Significant complications consisted of phthisis bulbi in 1 eye (0.2%) in the NVG group and chronic hypotony in 7 eyes (1.7%) in the NVG (3 eyes), trauma (2 eyes), post-VRS (1 eye), and primary glaucoma (1 eye) groups. Although TDLC was found to be a safe, effective method in the long term, it was least effective in eyes with NVG.

Four-year Surgical Outcomes of Gonioscopy-assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy in Patients with Open-Angle Glaucoma

To provide 4-year data on the efficacy and safety of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in patients with open-angle glaucoma. Retrospective case series. Eyes of patients > 18 years of age who underwent GATT by a single surgeon at Wills Eye Hospital with at least 36 months follow-up. Postoperative changes in outcome measures including intraocular pressure (IOP), medication use and visual acuity were recorded. Failure was defined as IOP > 21 mmHg or less than 20% reduction below baseline at any postoperative visit after 3 months or need for further glaucoma surgery. Main outcome measures were failure rate, IOP, number of glaucoma medications, and visual acuity at 4 years. Fifty-nine patients (74 eyes), age 57.1±18.5 years (37.8% female) underwent the GATT procedure. Average follow-up was 47.0±6.7 months (range 35.6-76.5 months). Mean IOP was 27.0±10.0 mmHg preoperatively and 14.8±6.5 mmHg at 4 years (45% IOP decrease; P<0.01). Mean number of medications decreased from 3.2±1.0 preoperatively to 2.3±1.0 at 4 years (P<0.01). The cumulative failure rate at 4 years was 53.9%, and the cumulative reoperation rate was 42.0%. No significant differences between patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and other types of glaucoma were found. Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy can be a safe and effective conjunctival-sparing surgery for treating various forms of open-angle glaucoma at 4 years. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Outcomes of Deep Sclerectomy for Glaucoma Secondary to Sturge-Weber Syndrome.

To report the outcomes and complications of deep sclerectomy in glaucoma secondary to Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS). The retrospective case series included patients with SWS and secondary glaucoma who underwent deep sclerectomy at King Abdul Aziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between 2000 and 2021. The main outcome measures included intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of antiglaucoma medications, the presence of vision-threatening complications, and the need for further glaucoma surgery to control the IOP. The surgical outcome of each eye was based on the main outcome measures. Twelve eyes of eleven patients were included in the study. The mean follow-up period was 83.00 months (±74.2) (range 1 to 251 months). The IOP and number of antiglaucoma medications decreased significantly from a mean of 28.75 mm Hg (±7.4) and 3.17 (±0.8) to 15.30 mm Hg (±3.5) and 0.3 (±0.7), and 18.83 (±9.3) and 1.67 (±1.7) on the 24th month and the last follow-up visit postoperatively, respectively (p &lt; 0.01 for both). The success rate was 66.6% (8/12), while the failure rate was 33.3% (4/12) because of the uncontrolled IOP where a single repeat glaucoma surgery achieved controlled IOP. One procedure was complicated by choroidal detachment and one by choroidal effusion; both complications were resolved by medical treatments. Deep sclerectomy seems to be an effective treatment modality for controlling IOP and for decreasing the burden of antiglaucoma medications in patients with SWS and secondary glaucoma. Further studies are needed to confirm such a conclusion on larger number of patients with longer follow-up periods.

Risk Factors for Trabeculotomy Failure in Primary Congenital Glaucoma.

This study demonstrates that a baseline corneal diameter >12.25, initial age <4 months at diagnosis, higher baseline IOP than 24mmHg, bilaterality, or inability to perform circumferential trabeculotomy, increases the risk of surgical failure of trabeculotomy in patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). The aim of this study was to identify clinical predictive factors for surgical failure and to evaluate potential prognostic factors affecting surgical success in patients with PCG who underwent trabeculotomy. The medical charts of 123 eyes of 75 patients who underwent trabeculotomy surgery for the treatment of PCG were retrospectively reviewed. At baseline and each visit, intraocular pressure (IOP), corneal diameter, cup to disc ratio, axial length, number of medications, and need for further glaucoma surgery were noted. Surgical success was defined as an IOP ≤18mmHg and 20% IOP reduction from baseline with (qualified) or without (complete) medication and without any further IOP-lowering surgery. The mean age at surgery was 4.2±6.6 months and the mean follow-up time was 60.0±37.6 months. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed 4 following best cutoff values to predict surgical failure: the first for age at surgery was 4.5 months; the second baseline IOP was 24.0mmHg; the third for baseline cup to disc ratio was 0.4; and the fourth for baseline corneal diameter was 12.25mm. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that baseline IOP more than 24mmHg increased the risk of surgical failure by 2 times, baseline mean corneal diameter >12.25mm did by 4.2 times, younger age than 4 months did by 2.5 times, bilaterality did by 1.5 times. A higher baseline IOP, younger age, larger corneal diameter, and bilaterality were identified as risk factors for trabeculotomy failure in congenital glaucoma. The presence of one or more of these should be considered in the decision-making process when considering surgical options to manage glaucoma in these patients.

Effect of Prior Phacoemulsification Surgery in Trabeculectomy Surgery Outcomes.

PurposeTo evaluate whether previous clear-cornea phacoemulsification surgery affects the surgical outcomes of trabeculectomy in open-angle glaucoma (OAG).MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study, which included 82 patients with OAG that underwent trabeculectomy between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2017. The primary outcome was the probability of surgical failure. Failure was defined as IOP >21 mmHg or reduced <20% from baseline, IOP ≤5 mmHg in three consecutive visits, need for further glaucoma surgery, phthisis or loss of light perception vision due to glaucoma.ResultsEighty-two eyes (58 phakic and 24 pseudophakic) were included. Phakic group patients were younger than those in the pseudophakic group, 65.8 ± 11.7 vs 76.2 ± 7.9 years (p < 0.001). The most common type of glaucoma was primary OAG [59% (n = 34) phakic vs 63% (n = 15) pseudophakic], followed by exfoliative and pigmentary glaucomas. The mean preoperative IOP was not significantly different between groups nor was the number of preoperative hypotensive medications. The rate of surgical failure was not significantly different between groups at year 1 [17% (n = 10) phakic vs 29% (n = 7) pseudophakic; p = 0.361] nor at year 2 [28% (n = 16) phakic vs 46% (n = 11) pseudophakic; p = 0.110]. No significant differences were observed regarding the postoperative IOP or any secondary outcome measures at year 1 or 2.ConclusionPrevious clear-cornea phacoemulsification surgery does not lead to statistically significant differences in the rate of trabeculectomy failure. Despite not being significant, clinically relevant differences were observed between groups. Future studies with a larger sample and/or randomized are needed to clarify this association.

Efficacy comparison of combined trabeculectomy with MMC and gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy.

To compare the efficacy of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy combined with cataract surgery (PGATT) and trabeculectomy combined with cataract surgery (PTRAB) in open-angle glaucoma patients. A multi-centered, retrospective, non-randomized study included 67 PGATT patients and 70 PTRAB patients. We compared preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) compared with early and final IOP, medication numbers, and BCVA levels. Success was determined as IOP reduction > 20% from baseline, IOP between 5 and 21mmHg, preoperative IOP of higher than 21mmHg with medication and postoperative IOP of less than 21mmHg without medication for surgeries performed for intolerance to medication, postoperative IOP < 21mmHg as well as < 18mmHg separately without medications, and no need for further glaucoma surgery. Preoperative IOP values were 28.61 ± 6.02mmHg in PTRAB group and 23.99 ± 8.00mmHg in PGATT group (P < 0.0001). Early postoperative IOP values were found lower in PTRAB group as 12.19 ± 3.41mmHg and as 15.69 ± 4.67mmHg in PGATT group (P < 0.0001). Last follow-up IOP reading were lower in PGATT group (P = 0.009). IOP difference values were found higher both in early and last postoperative periods in PTRAB group (respectively, P < 0.0001, P = 0.018). Success rates were found higher in both at lower than 21 and 18mmHg levels in PGATT group (respectively, P = 0.014, P = 0.010). We found the PGATT combined procedure to be a well-tolerated, effective procedure that can lower IOP both early and late in the postoperative period with different rates of IOP success compared with the combined PTRAB procedure.

Trabeculotomy Versus Combined Trabeculotomy-Trabeculectomy for Management of Primary Congenital Glaucoma.

Trabeculotomy (T) alone is as safe and effective as combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy (TT) in patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and requires significantly fewer examinations under anesthesia in the postoperative period. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of T and combined TT as the initial surgical procedure for patients with PCG. In this retrospective study, medical records of patients who had undergone T or TT as the initial procedure for PCG were reviewed. The primary outcome measure was a surgical success, defined as 5≤ intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤21 mm Hg, IOP reduction of at least 20% with no need for further glaucoma surgery. Secondary outcome measures were the number of glaucoma medications and complications. A total of 134 eyes from 134 patients with a mean follow-up of 8±6.6 years were included consisting of 106 and 28 eyes, which had undergone T and TT, respectively. Success rates were comparable with both surgical procedures at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years with no statistically significant difference. IOP was significantly decreased from 27.5±4.2 mm Hg preoperatively to 15.62±3.4 mm Hg at the 5-year follow-up visit in the T group and from 25.3±6.5 to 17.1±3.2 mm Hg in the TT group (P=0.1) there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the number of glaucoma medications (P=0.2). Patients in the T group required significantly fewer examinations under anesthesia than the TT group (7.3±4.4 vs. 10.1±3.9, P=0.04). Trabeculotomy alone seems as effective as combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy and may significantly reduce exposure to anesthesia in primary congenital glaucoma patients.

Ahmed valve for secondary glaucoma in patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis.

To evaluate the surgical outcomes of patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (TTR-FAP) who underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation. A retrospective cohort study was performed on patients with a diagnosis of TTR-FAP secondary glaucoma, who underwent AGV implantation in our department, between November 2010 and July 2019. The cumulative probability of treatment success was measured with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The primary outcome was success, defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) ≥ 6 mmHg and ≤21 mmHg with or without medication, with no need for further glaucoma surgery and without loss of light perception at last follow-up. Secondary outcomes were postoperative IOP, number of IOP-lowering medications, and rates of complications. The study included 114 eyes of 87 patients. The mean follow-up duration was 3.81 ± 2.11 years (y) [range, 1.00-8.28 y]. Compared to the preoperative values, the mean IOP was reduced from 28.20 ± 7.01 to 12.87 ± 3.76 mmHg at the final visit (p < 0.001), with a reduction in the number of medications from 3.89 ± 0.66 to 1.86 ± 1.43 (p < 0.001). Early and late postoperative complications occurred in 20 (17.09%) and 9 (7.89%) eyes, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated probabilities of success of 0.98 at 1 y, 0.97 at 2 y, 0.95 at 3 y, 0.89 at 4 y, 0.77 at 5 y and 0.72 at 6 y. The linear correlation analysis showed a correlation between some characteristics of the natural history of TTR-FAP patients and AGV implantation success. Although glaucoma in TTR-FAP patients is very difficult to manage, AGV implantation is an effective and relatively safe procedure.

Is post-trabeculectomy serous choroidal detachment a risk factor for failure in the long term.

To investigate the long-term effect of serous choroidal detachment on the success of trabeculectomy in glaucoma patients. In this case-control study, 17 patients who underwent trabeculectomy and developed choroidal detachment, and completed at least 3 years of follow-up were included. The controls were matched based on age, sex, preoperative intraocular pressure, and glaucoma type, and lack of choroidal detachment. Surgical success was defined based on two definitions of 5 < IOP < 16 and 20% reduction from the baseline and no need for further glaucoma surgery and all the same but 5 < IOP < 22. The mean estimated duration of survival ±SD was 2.73 ± 0.35 years (CI 95% 2.1, 3.4), which was significantly shorter than 3.98 ± 0.38 years (CI 95% 3.3, 4.7) in the control group. (LogRank = 5.03 p = 0.02). Cumulative probability of success was 76.5%, 52.9%, 29.4%, 17.6%, and 11.8% in year 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in the case group, respectively. Corresponding values were 88.2%, 82.4%, 68.6%, 58.8%, and 47.1%. In the control group, respectively. At baseline, average IOP was 22.3 ± 2.7 and 23.8 ± 8.3 mmHg in the case and control groups, respectively (p = 0.17). Mean IOP was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group in years 2, 3, 4, and 5. Serous choroidal detachment affects the long-term surgical success of trabeculectomy, especially in patients with advanced glaucoma when lower target pressure is required.

Ten-Year Outcome of Glaucoma Drainage Device Surgery After Penetrating Keratoplasty.

In eyes with intractable glaucoma, drainage devices provide long-term control of intraocular pressure also after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). There is a high incidence of corneal graft failure. To compare very long-term results of eyes with glaucoma drainage device (GDD) after PK. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all patients who underwent GDD placement after PK at our institution between 2001 and 2017. Forty eyes of 40 patients were studied. Glaucoma outcome was assessed by postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), number of medications, and need for further glaucoma surgery. Corneal outcome was assessed by graft rejection, failure, and visual acuity. Surgical procedures before and during the study period, and their complications were evaluated. The mean follow-up was 125.0±52.3 (median, 116.5) months. Twenty of 40 eyes had a follow-up of at least 10 years. The mean preoperative IOP was 34.0±8.3 (median, 32.0) mm Hg with 3.2±1.3 (median, 3.5) glaucoma medications. At last postoperative follow-up, the mean IOP decreased to 12.7±4.9 (median, 14.0) mm Hg with 1.0±1.2 (median, 0.0) glaucoma medications. GDD implantation successfully controlled glaucoma in 88%, 88%, 85%, 80%, 78%, 75%, and 70% of eyes, at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10 years, respectively. At last follow-up 68% showed glaucoma success. The corneal grafts remained clear in 74%, 63%, 45%, 45%, 37%, 32%, and 26% of eyes at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10 years, respectively. Only 7 corneal grafts (17.5%) remained clear at last follow-up. A GDD can successfully control intractable glaucoma even after a very long period of time also after PK. However, the survival of the corneal grafts is low.

The efficacy of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification.

To investigate the efficacy and safety of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) with or without cataract extraction (CE) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEX) patients. A retrospective, non-randomized study included 108 eyes of 108 patients, with a mean age of 65.96 ± 14.84years, who underwent GATT to treat open-angle glaucoma. We have compared two groups, GATT alone or GATT combined with CE and followed-up minimum for 12months. Preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) compared with final IOP, medication numbers, and BCVA levels. Surgical success was determined as IOP reduction > 20% from baseline, IOP between 5-21mmHg, if surgery was done for intolerance to medications, preoperative < 21mmHg with medications, postoperatively < 21mmHg without medications, and no need for further glaucoma surgery. Also, we defined success with medications and success without medications. High success is defined as IOP < 16mmHg without medications. Success percentiles were found 87.5% for GATT and 83.8% for GATT with CE group (P = 0.811). IOP percentile changes were - 44.25 ± 21.32 in GATT group, - 32.29 ± 23.41 in GATT with CE group, statistically higher change observed in GATT group (P = 0.009). Final IOP levels were found statistically indifferent for comparing GATT and GATT with CE groups and between PEX and POAG groups (respectively, P = 0.412, P = 0.335). We observed GATT alone has a superior lowering effect on IOP than combined surgery. Final IOP values and success percentiles show us combined surgery is also effective.

Long-term surgical outcomes of ab externo trabeculotomy in the management of primary congenital glaucoma

To analyze the long-term results of ab externo trabeculotomy with a Harms trabeculotome at a single, tertiary care pediatric hospital. The medical records of pediatric patients operated on between September 2006 and June 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed, with success defined as postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) of ≤21mm Hg, >20% reduction from preoperative IOP, and no need for further glaucoma surgery. Risk factors for failure were identified using Cox proportional hazards ratio. A total of 63 eyes of 40 patients were included. The cumulative probability of success rate was 83% at 3months, 76% at 6, 73% at 12, 72% at 18, and 65% at final visit. Presentation within 3months of life was associated with a less favorable outcome. Thirty-five eyes (56%) underwent repeat trabeculotomy to treat a different area of the trabecular meshwork because of inadequately controlled IOP after the first session. Of those who needed another session of trabeculotomy, the final success rate was 60.2%. IOP significantly decreased from 29.79±7.67mm Hg at baseline to 16.13±3.41mm Hg by final follow-up (P=0.001). Patients were followed for an average of 85.74±32.95months. IOP and success rates remained stable18months after surgery. In our patient cohort, ab externo trabeculotomy was associated with good long-term results. More extensive trabeculotomy (ie, more than one procedure) was associated with better long-term success rates.

Comparison of Short-term Outcomes of Aurolab Aqueous Drainage Implant with Ahmed Glaucoma Valve in Post–Penetrating Keratoplasty Glaucoma: A Retrospective Follow-up Study at a Tertiary Care Center

Comparison of short-term outcomes of the Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) with the Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) in post-penetrating keratoplasty glaucoma (PPKG). Retrospective study design. We analyzed the data of patients who underwent glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation for PPKG between the time period of 2008 to 2017. A total of 57 eyes of 55 patients were included. Parameters including age, sex, corneal graft clarity, duration between the keratoplasty and glaucoma surgery, visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of antiglaucoma drugs (topical and oral) before surgery, and type of GDD were studied. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group I, patients undergoing AADI implantation; and group II, patients undergoing AGV implantation. Patients with at least 6 months follow-up were included. The postoperative VA and IOP were analyzed on day 1 and at 1 week, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. The success of GDD was defined as complete success (IOP > 5 mmHg or <21 mmHg without topical antiglaucoma drug) or qualified success (IOP > 5 mmHg or <21 mmHg with up to 2 topical antiglaucoma drugs). Failure was defined as IOP < 5 mmHg or >21 mmHg with or without antiglaucoma medication; IOP < 21 mmHg with 3or more topical medications or use of systemic medications irrespective of the IOP; loss of perception of light; and/or need for further glaucoma surgery. Nineteen eyes in group I (mean age= 40.16±16.36 years) and 38 eyes in group II (mean age= 56.61±19.35 years) were studied. The mean baseline IOP in group I and group II was not significantly different (28.63±11.21 vs. 30±14.61 mmHg, P= 0.72). Mean postoperative IOP at 6 months was not significantly different in the 2 groups (12.11±4.86 mmHg vs. 14.95±6.35 mmHg, P= 0.2). There was statistically significant fall in IOP at each visit compared to preoperative IOP in both the groups (P= 0.001), but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups at any time point (P > 0.05). At 6 months overall success rate was 84.21% in both groups (P= 1.00), though the complete success was slightly higher in group II, which was nonsignificant (31.58% vs. 39.47%, P= 0.56). There was no significant difference between baseline and final VA in either group. Both AADI and AGV are equally effective in controlling IOP in post-penetrating glaucoma. The AADI, being a cost-effective implant, may be more suitable for developing countries.

Long-term results of glaucoma drainage device surgery

BackgroundTo evaluate long-term results of eyes with glaucoma drainage device (GDD).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed medical records of all patients who underwent GDD placement at our institution between 2001 and 2014. A total of 110 eyes of 90 patients were studied. Glaucoma outcome was assessed by postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), number of medications, and need for further glaucoma surgery. Surgical procedures before and during the study period, and their complications were evaluated.ResultsThe mean follow-up was 78.3 ± 44.0 months. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure was 30.8 ± 6.9 mmHg with 3.5 ± 1.1 glaucoma medications. At last postoperative follow-up, the mean IOP decreased to 14.3 ± 5.4 mmHg with 1.6 ± 1.5 glaucoma medications. GDD implantation successfully controlled glaucoma in 86, 85, 81, 78, 79, 76 and 73% of eyes at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 10 years, respectively. At last follow-up IOP was successfully controlled in 67% of eyes. Clinical complications occurred in 56.4% of eyes during the follow-up period.ConclusionsA glaucoma drainage device can successfully control intractable glaucoma even after a very long period of time.

Five-year clinical outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and trabectome surgery at a single glaucoma center.

To analyze the 5-year results of trabectome ab interno trabeculectomy of a single glaucoma center. In this retrospective interventional single-center case series, data of 93 patients undergoing ab interno trabeculotomy between September 2010, and December 2012 were included. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed using success criteria defined as postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤ 21mmHg, and > 20% reduction from preoperative IOP, and no need for further glaucoma surgery. Risk factors for failure were identified using Cox proportional hazards ratio (HR). The retention rate for 5-year follow-up was 66%. The cumulative probability of success at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5years was 82.6%, 76.7%, 73.9%, 72.3%, and 67.5%. Risk factors for failure were lower baseline IOP (HR = 0.27, P = 0.001), younger age (HR = 0.25, P = 0.02), and higher central corneal thickness (HR = 0.18, P = 0.01). Exfoliative glaucoma was associated with a higher success rate (HR = 0.39, P = 0.02). IOP was decreased significantly from 20.0 ± 5.6mmHg at baseline to 15.6 ± 4.6mmHg at 5-year follow-up (P = 0.001). The baseline number of glaucoma medications was 1.8 ± 1.2, which decreased to 1.0 ± 1.2 medications at 5years. Trabectome surgery was associated with a good long-term efficacy and safety profile in this single-center case series with a high retention rate.

Surgical Outcomes of Gonioscopy-assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy (GATT) in Patients With Open-angle Glaucoma.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in patients with open-angle glaucoma. A retrospective chart review of adult patients who underwent GATT due to inadequately controlled intraocular pressure (IOP) or intolerance to medication. Main outcome measures were success rate, IOP, and number of glaucoma medications. Success was defined as IOP reduction >20% from baseline or IOP between 5 to 21 mm Hg, and no need for further glaucoma surgery. When success criteria were not met for any postoperative visit >3 months after surgery, failure was determined. In total, 66 patients, average age 62.9±14.9 years (50.8% female) were included in the analysis. Average follow-up was 11.9 months (range, 3 to 30 mo) and overall success rate was 63.0%. Mean IOP was 26.1±9.9 mm Hg preoperatively and 14.6±4.7 mm Hg at 12 months (44% IOP decrease; P<0.001). Mean number of medications decreased from 3.1±1.1 preoperatively to 1.2±0.9 at 12 months (P<0.001). No significant differences between patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and other types of glaucoma were found.The rate of hyphema at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively was 38% and 6%, respectively. Overall GATT success rate among white and black patients was 69% and 42%, respectively, which was statistically significant (P<0.05). The future of GATT as a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery in adults seems promising. This position is supported by its low rate of long-term complications and the conjunctiva-sparing nature of the surgery.