Preoperative Intraocular Pressure Levels Research Articles

Complications after Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy in glaucoma treatment - literature review.

Glaucoma is a disease that leads to optic nerve damage and irreversible loss of the visual field. Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) is a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery technique, where the surgeon opens the trabecular network and Schlemm's canal to improve the outflow of the aqueous humor. This method has shown efficacy in reducing intraocular pressure in patients with primary and secondary glaucoma. GATT has gained popularity due to its minimally invasive nature, compatibility with cataract surgery and relatively low cost. Despite its advantages, the procedure can be associated with many complications such as hyphema, intraocular pressure spikes and corneal edema. In rare cases, it can lead to Descemet's membrane detachment or cystoid macular edema. The success of GATT procedure mostly depends on the surgeon's skill and experience, but also on the patient's risk factors, including age and preoperative intraocular pressure levels. Further studies are required to understand long outcomes and identify the patients, who may be at higher risk of complications.

Factors affecting the hypotensive effect of selective laser trabeculoplasty in primary open-angle glaucoma

This study analyzes the influence of various factors on the hypotensive effect of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). A retrospective study of the SLT effect was performed in 582 patients (756 eyes; mean age - 71.9±9.5 years) with POAG stages I-III. The level of intraocular pressure (IOP) decrease was assessed at 1 day, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after SLT. The relationship between the hypotensive effect and age, gender, glaucoma stage, initial IOP level, number and type of instilled drugs, presence of intraocular lenses, and the surgeon performing the intervention were analyzed. In the entire sample, the hypotensive effect of SLT after 1 day was 4.1±3.4 mm Hg, after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months - 3.7±4.8; 3.5±3.8; 3.1±3.4 and 2.3±3.8 mm Hg, respectively. The hypotensive effect of SLT was most dependent on the preoperative IOP level (R>0.64, p<0.05). No significant correlation was found between the hypotensive effect and the stage of POAG, gender, age, number of hypotensive drugs, phakia/aphakia, and the surgeon. A weaker hypotensive effect of SLT was found in eyes receiving monotherapy with α2-adrenoceptor agonists (p<0.03) and a combination of four drugs (p<0.02). SLT is an effective method of additional IOP reduction in POAG at any stage and with any hypotensive regimen. At the same time, the results of its use in real clinical practice indicate the need for more careful IOP control after the procedure, especially in eyes with POAG stage III, as well as in eyes without hypotensive therapy and on the maximum drop regimen.

Clinical effectiveness of combined cataract surgery with iStent inject implantation in the surgical treatment of open‐angle glaucoma

Aims/Purpose: This study aims to evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) change and reduction of topical IOP‐lowering medications after combined cataract surgery with iStentinject® implantation in the surgical treatment of open‐angle glaucoma.Methods: Retrospective chart review of 100 patients (100eyes) with different types of open‐angle glaucoma (84% ‐ primary open angle; 16% ‐ pseudoexfoliation glaucoma), who were naïve to any previous ocular procedure and underwent combined cataract surgery with iStent®implantation, was performed. Study outcomes were median IOP change in the operated eye and the mean number of topical IOP‐lowering medications at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery.Results: The mean age of patients was 74 ± 7.5 years, 44% men and 56% women. The median pre‐ and postoperative IOP in the operated eye at 3, 6 and 12 months were 18.5(16–20) mmHg, 14.0 (12–16.75) mmHg, 14.5 (12–16) mmHg and 14.5 (12–16) mmHg, respectively. The median IOP change in the operated eyes at 3, 6 and 12 months follow up was −4 (−6 to −2) mmHg (p &lt; 0.001), −4 (−6 to −1) mmHg (p &lt; 0.001), and − 4 (−6.75 to −2) mmHg (p &lt; 0.001), respectively. The higher the preoperative IOP level, the larger was the IOP‐lowering effect at different follow‐ups after surgery (−0.57, p &lt; 0.001; −0.58, p &lt; 0.001; −0.6, p &lt; 0.001; at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively). We found a statistically significant difference between the mean number of topical IOP‐lowering medications before and at 12 months after surgery (1.23 ± 0.8 vs. 1.08 ± 0.8; −3.42, p &lt; 0.001).Conclusions: This study shows a statistically significant IOP reduction at 3, 6 and 12 months after combined cataract surgery with iStent® implantation in glaucoma patients. The higher the preoperative IOP in the operated eye, the larger the IOP‐lowering effect after surgery at all follow‐ups. iStent inject, a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery approach is associated with the reduction of topical IOP‐lowering medications at 12 months follow‐up.References (if any): Shalaby WS, Jia J, Katz LJ, Lee D. iStent inject: comprehensive review. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2021 Mar 1;47(3):385–399. doi: 10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000000325.

Factors defining the intraocular pressure-lowering effect of phacoemulsification and laser peripheral iridotomy in patients with primary angle closure : Factors defining IOP lowering effect of PE and LPI in PAC.

To identify whether gonioscopic ciliary body visibility and factors including anterior chamber depth (ACD), axial length (AL), acute attack history, and preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) had any effect on IOP decrease in primary angle closure (PAC) and primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) after phacoemulsification (PE) and/or laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI). This retrospective-design study was conducted with 81 eyes with PAC and PACG; 33 eyes whose IOP was controlled with LPI and PE constituted group 1, and 48 eyes whose IOP was controlled using LPI alone comprised group 2. The effects on preoperative and last-visit IOP levels, ciliary body visibility, ACD, AL, and acute attacks were analyzed. Eyes within the groups were similar in AL, ACD, and preoperative IOP except for acute attack history, which was found to be higher in group 1. For group 1, none of the factors was found to have a differentiative effect on IOP decrease after PE, except eyes with preoperative IOP > 21mm Hg, which had significantly more IOP reduction. For group 2, no difference was found in ciliary body visibility, and higher or lower ACD. However, eyes with AL ≥ 22mm, positive acute attack history, and higher preoperative IOP were associated with significantly better IOP reduction. We found no relationship between ciliary body visibility and an IOP-reducing effect of PE and LPI. Although we found PE effective in IOP reduction in all eyes, we determined LPI to have a lesser IOP-reducing effect in eyes with IOP ≤ 21mm Hg and AL < 22mm.

Эффективность синустрабекулэктомии в современной клинической практике

Aim: to assess the hypotensive effect of sinustrabeculectomy (STE) carried out within the "cascade" treatment algorithm for glaucoma. Patients and Methods: this open prospective interventional single-center cohort study was performed in 443 consequently included patients who underwent surgery for primary open-angle non-compensated glaucoma (POAG) and then were under follow-up for 6–24 months. The STE outcomes were evaluated using commonly accepted criteria of "complete success" and "qualified success", as well as "qualified failure" and "complete failure". The analysis of postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) changes over time was performed using statistical methods. Results: the "complete success" of surgical operation achieved in 305 (68.9%) cases was associated with a significant and long-lasting decrease (at least for two years) in IOP values. The "qualified success", assuming that the renewal of medication therapy was an essential condition for maintaining a steady IOP was reported in 118 (26.6%) cases. Thus, the surgical treatment in combination with the postoperative hypotensive therapy helped to normalize IOP for at least two years in 423 (95.5%) patients of the study group. The "complete" STE failure due to the loss of filtration and the onset of indications for repeat surgery was reported in 20 (4.5%) cases. The triple combination treatment of glaucoma does not preclude from initiating further surgical IOP normalization and can be used safely prior to planned STE. A statistically significant IOP decrease from the baseline was achieved in all patients (even in the "complete failure" cases) at all 3 endpoints of the study (at 6, 12 and 24 months). The most pronounced and stable decrease in IOP during a two-year follow-up was associated with the "complete success" STE. Conclusion: a statistically significant IOP decrease from the baseline was achieved in all patients even after the "complete failure" of the surgical treatment at all endpoints of the study. The most pronounced and stable decrease in IOP during a two-year follow-up was associated with the "complete success" STE. The preoperative IOP level did not correlate with the results of STE and cannot be considered as a factor predicting its success or failure. Keywords: glaucoma, sinustrabeculectomy , intraocular pressure, glaucoma surgery, cascade algorithm, complete success, qualified success, complete failure. For citation: Antonova A.V., Nikolaenko V.P., Brzhesky V.V., Vuks A.Ya. The efficacy of sinustrabeculectomy in the modern clinical practice. Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2023;23(1):21–26 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729-2023-23-1-21-26.

Pars Plana Ahmed Valve Implantation for Vitrectomized Eyes With Refractory Glaucoma.

This study aimed to analyze the surgical outcomes of pars plana Ahmed valve implantation in vitrectomized eyes with refractory glaucoma. We performed a retrospective case review of consecutive patients with refractory glaucoma after undergoing pars plana vitrectomy who underwent pars plana Ahmed valve implantation between July 2019 and December 2020 at the glaucoma unit of the Affiliated Changshu Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University (Changshu, China). All the patients were followed up for ≥12 months postoperatively. We recorded pre- to postoperative changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), number of anti-glaucoma medication, corneal endothelial count, and surgical complications, if any. There was a significant improvement in the median BCVA from 2.30 (0.87, 2.30) logMAR preoperatively to 1.70 (0.70, 2.30) logMAR at discharge and 1.0 (0.52, 1.85) at final examination (p = 0.011, p = 0.001). Compared with the preoperative IOP level, there was a significant decrease in the postoperative IOP at each postoperative time point (p < 0.001). There was a significant reduction in the median number of anti-glaucoma drugs (including postoperative ocular massage), from 3.00 (2.00, 3.00) preoperatively to 0.00 (0.00, 1.00) at the last follow-up postoperative examination (p < 0.001). A 29-year-old woman with proliferative diabetic retinopathy who underwent surgical treatment at 5 months postoperatively for fibrous wrapping formed around the plate of the Ahmed valve showed an IOP of 14 mmHg at the last follow-up. Our findings indicated that pars plana Ahmed valve implantation can be safely performed for managing vitrectomized eyes with refractory glaucoma.

Short-term Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Cataract-combined Surgery with iStent versus iStent Inject

Purpose: To analyze the therapeutic effects, prognostic factors, and complications that occurred after iStent&lt;sup&gt;®&lt;/sup&gt; or iStent inject&lt;sup&gt;®&lt;/sup&gt; implantation in South Korean glaucoma patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 42 eyes of South Korean glaucoma patients, who were followed-up for more than 6 months after iStent&lt;sup&gt;®&lt;/sup&gt; or iStent inject&lt;sup&gt;®&lt;/sup&gt; implantation alone or combined with cataract surgery. Surgical success was defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤21 mmHg and an IOP reduction ≥20% from preoperative IOP levels. Results: The cumulative success rate at 6 months after surgery was 45.3 ± 8.1% for iStent inject&lt;sup&gt;®&lt;/sup&gt; alone (group A), 28.6 ± 13.1% for iStent&lt;sup&gt;®&lt;/sup&gt; alone (group B), 81.2 ± 6.8% for iStent inject&lt;sup&gt;®&lt;/sup&gt; combined with cataract surgery (group A-1), and 27.3 ± 21.8% for iStent&lt;sup&gt;®&lt;/sup&gt; combined with cataract surgery (group B-1). Group A-1 showed a higher success rate than group B-1 (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.007); the difference in success rates between groups A and B was not statistically significant (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.579). When the success prognostic factors were analyzed by Cox regression analysis, the results showed that a higher preoperative IOP was associated with a higher surgical success rate (hazard ratio 0.80, &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.02). Conclusions: In our patient group, iStent inject&lt;sup&gt;®&lt;/sup&gt; was more effective than iStent&lt;sup&gt;®&lt;/sup&gt; in combination with cataract surgery. The higher the preoperative IOP, the higher the surgical success rate; the results were significant.

Calculation of intraocular lens power after trabeculectomy

To assess biometric changes in eyes after trabeculectomy (TE) and its impact on refractive outcomes of phacoemulsification (PE) in order to determine the corrections for calculation of intraocular lens (IOL) power. The study included two groups of patients: the 1st group consisted of 116 patients who were assessed by optical biometry (IOL-Master 500) for mean biometric values before and after TE; the 2nd group included 31 patients with history of TE (study subgroup) and 47 individuals without glaucoma (control subgroup) who underwent PE with subsequent comparison of IOL calculation accuracy. There was significant axial length (AL) shortening in the 1st group from 23.28±0.97 to 23.19±0.97 mm (p<0.001) 6 months after TE, which positively correlated (r=0.296, p=0.001) with intraocular pressure (IOP) decrease (from 25.4±5.34 to 17.2±4.42 mm Hg, p<0.001). Mean keratometry and anterior chamber depth values did not significantly change after TE. Mean IOL power calculation error after PE in the 2nd group was -0.05±0.47 D and 0.003±0.62 D for the control and study subgroups, respectively (p=0.697). However, significant impact of preoperative IOP on IOL power calculation error was discovered in the study subgroup (R2=0.526, p<0.001), but not in the control subgroup (R2=0.061, p=0.052). Based on linear regression, the expected IOL power calculation errors depending on the preoperative IOP were determined for patients with history of TE. AL shortening due to decrease in IOP in patients with history of TE leads to IOL power calculation errors. Expected IOL calculation error related to preoperative IOP level was determined, which could help improve refractive outcomes of PE in patients with history of TE.

Preoperative intraocular pressure as a strong predictive factor for intraocular pressure rise during vacuum application in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery.

To evaluate the effect of preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and the vacuum level on IOP during femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. Intraocular pressure was measured in 40 enucleated porcine eyes by intracameral manometry prior, during and after vacuum application using the VICTUS femtosecond laser platform (Bausch&Lomb, Technolas Perfect Vision GmbH, Germany). Twenty combinations of different preoperative IOP levels (12, 16, 20 and 24mmHg) and different vacuum levels (350-550mbar) were investigated. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that both the vacuum level (beta=0.138; p<0.001) but much stronger the preoperative IOP (beta=0.861; p<0.001) were predictive factors for IOP rise during vacuum application. Mean IOP was 28.23±3.86, 34.23±3.92, 40.35±4.41 and 46.82±4.11mmHg in groups with baseline IOP of 12, 16, 20 and 24mmHg, respectively. In the 350, 450 and 550mbar group, and mean IOP was 35.85±7.85, 37.33±7.90 and 39.00±8.04mmHg, respectively. Lowering the preoperative IOP by 2mmHg and reducing the vacuum from maximum to minimum resulted in a similar reduction in IOP during vacuum application (-3.10±0.79mmHg versus -3.15±0.88mmHg; p=0.015). Furthermore, decreasing the baseline IOP from 20 to 12mmHg resulted in a 30.0% reduction in intraoperative IOP. Preoperative IOP was a stronger predictive factor for intraoperative IOP rise than the applied vacuum level. Measurements and critical interpretation of preoperative IOP in a preliminary examination could help estimating the individual risk of significant IOP rise during femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and could help taking early countermeasures in selected cases. Due to the porcine ex vivo model, further studies are needed to verify these findings.

Glaucoma surgery preferences when the surgeon adopts the role of the patient.

To survey the members of the American Glaucoma Society (AGS) to determine which glaucoma procedures they would prefer to have performed on themselves. We distributed an anonymous, electronic survey via the AGS listserv. The participants were asked to adopt the role of a patient with primary open angle glaucoma with progressive visual field loss in need of glaucoma surgery. Three preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) levels were provided (>26 mmHg, 21-26 mmHg, and <21 mmHg), and the participants were asked to choose a glaucoma procedure they would prefer performed on themselves under each preoperative IOP levels from a list of fifteen procedures. Out of 289 responses (representing 27.4% of active and provisional AGS members), the most preferred procedures were ab interno trabeculotomy (20.3%), Xen gel stent (18.6%), iStent with two devices (14.3%) and traditional trabeculectomy augmented with mitomycin C (14.1%). 17.6% and 6.9% of participants preferred a trabeculectomy performed or a glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implanted on themselves, which is a lower than what would be offered to a hypothetical patient. Significant proportions of participants prefer non-bleb forming or conjunctiva-sparing procedures, even with low preoperative IOP levels. Older participants were more likely to prefer traditional trabeculectomy and having a single procedure across all levels of preoperative IOP. The majority of AGS participants in the survey would prefer micro-invasive glaucoma surgery over traditional trabeculectomy or a GDD performed on themselves as a primary glaucoma procedure, and most would prefer non-bleb forming and conjunctiva-sparing procedures.

Combined phacocanaloplasty for open-angle glaucoma and cataract: 12 months results.

Purpose of the studyTo evaluate efficacy, safety, and success rates of canaloplasty combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and visually significant cataract.Patients and methodsA prospective interventional noncomparative case series carried out in Minia University Hospital from April 2015 to October 2016 on 20 eyes of 18 patients who had visually significant cataract and primary OAG. All the cases had combined phacocanaloplasty. Preoperative best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and number of antiglaucoma medications were collected and compared to postoperative levels, and complications rates were recorded.Results20 eyes of 18 patients (5 males and 15 females), with a mean age 57.6 years (range 48–69 years), underwent phacocanaloplasty. Preoperative mean IOP was 25.20 ±1.009 mmHg. Postoperative IOP decreased to a mean of 14.20±0.9, 14.85±0.8, and 15.85±0.7 mmHG at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively, with 37% reduction from preoperative IOP level at one year follow-up visit (P=0.0005). The number of antiglaucoma medications dropped from mean of 1.55 preoperatively to 0.35 postoperatively. LogMAR of best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.6950±0.07 preoperatively to 0.3670±0.056, 0.3460±0.056, and 0.03370±0.052 at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively (P=0.0005). Complications were limited to mild hyphemia (one case), mild corneal edema (one case), and mild inflammatory membrane (one case) that resolved in the first week after surgery.ConclusionCanaloplasty combined with clear corneal phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation may be a safe and effective procedure to lower IOP in adult patients with OAG and visually significant cataract.

Suture Trabeculotomy Ab Interno for Secondary Glaucoma Combined With Scleromalacia

To report 2 cases of secondary glaucoma combined with scleromalacia that were successfully treated with trabeculotomy ab interno. Retrospective case report : Trabeculotomy ab interno was used to treat secondary glaucoma combined with scleromalacia, which occurred due to refractory scleritis, in 2 cases. In case 2, goniosynechialysis was performed before the trabeculotomy to identify the trabecular meshwork. The sclera and conjunctiva were not incised in either case. The patients' postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) levels (which were achieved without medication) were lower than their preoperative IOP levels (which were recorded during the administration of the maximum tolerable medication dosage); that is, they had dropped from 24 to 12 mm Hg in case 1 and from 33 to 11 mm Hg in case 2 by 12 postoperative months. No recurrent scleritis or postoperative worsening of the patient's scleromalacia was seen in either case. Trabeculotomy ab interno is a very valuable treatment for secondary glaucoma combined with scleromalacia.

Dynamics of outflow easiness coefficient after angular-suprachoroidal drainage in patients with primary glaucoma

Dynamics of outflow easiness coefficient after angular-suprachoroidal drainage in patients with primary glaucoma

Cataract Surgery combined with excimer laser trabeculotomy to lower intraocular pressure: effectiveness dependent on preoperative IOP

BackgroundCataract surgery combined with excimer laser trabeculotomy (phaco-ELT) can reduce intraocular pressure (IOP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of phaco-ELT on IOP in patients as a function of preoperative IOP.MethodsPatients with open-angle glacuoma or ocular hypertension who received phaco-ELT between 01/2008 and 10/2009 were included. Patients were assigned based on preoperative IOP either to the study group (≤21 mmHg) or control group (>21 mmHg) in this IRB-approved, prospective, consecutive case series. Visual Acuity, IOP, and number of anti-glaucoma drugs (AGD) were recorded at baseline and 12 months after phaco-ELT. Any postoperative complications were also recorded.Results64 eyes of 64 patients (76.5 ± 9.4 years) were included. Baseline IOP was 19.8 ± 5.3 mmHg (AGD 2.4 ± 1.1) for all eyes, 16.5 ± 2.9 mmHg (AGD 2.5 ± 1.0) for the study group, and 25.8 ± 2.9 mmHg (AGD 2.2 ± 1.4) for the control group. Across the two groups, IOP was reduced by 4.5 ± 5.9 mmHg (-23.0%, p < 0.001) and AGD by 0.9 ± 1.5 (-38.9%, p < 0.001). For the study group IOP was reduced by 1.9 ± 4.4 mmHg (-11. 5 %, p = 0.012) and AGD by 1.1 ± 1.4 (-42.9%, p < 0.001), and for the control group by 9.5 ± 5.4 mmHg (-36.6%, p < 0.001) and AGD by 0.7 ± 1.6 (-29.5%, p = 0.085). There were no serious postoperative complications such as endophthalmitis, significant hyphema, or a severe fibrinous reaction of the anterior chamber.ConclusionsIOP remained significantly reduced from baseline 12 months after phaco-ELT regardless of preoperative IOP levels, with no major complications. The IOP reduction remained constant over the entire follow-up. Hence, phaco-ELT can be considered in glaucoma and ocular hypertensive patients whenever cataract surgery is performed, in order to further reduce IOP or to reduce the requirement for IOP-reducing medications.

Different modes of intraocular pressure reduction after three different nonfiltering surgeries and trabeculectomy

To study the mode of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction based on correlation with the preoperative IOP after filtering and nonfiltering surgeries. Pre- and postsurgical IOPs at 6 months were compared in one eye of each of 789 subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, or ocular hypertension who underwent trabeculectomy with adjunctive mitomycin C alone (Lectomy-MMC) (n = 145), phaco-viscocanalostomy (Phaco-VCS) (n = 320), phaco-trabeculotomy ab externo (Phaco-lotomy) (n = 116), or phacoemulsification aspiration and intraocular lens implantation alone (PEA+IOL) (n = 208). The correlation between the preoperative and 6-month postoperative IOP was not significant in eyes that underwent Lectomy MMC (r = -0.026, P = 0.7552, IOP reduction 51.9%), but was significant in eyes treated by Phaco-VCS (r = 0.409; IOP reduction, 24.8%) or PEA+IOL alone (r = 0.294; IOP reduction, 9.9%), and was marginal in eyes treated by Phaco-lotomy (P = 0.062; r = 0.174; IOP reduction, 24.1%). Among the four cohorts studied, the variation in the 6-month postoperative IOP was the largest after Lectomy-MMC. After glaucoma surgery, there are two modes of IOP reduction. The postoperative IOP after Lectomy MMC did not correlate with the preoperative IOP, whereas the postoperative IOP levels after Phaco-VCS, Phaco-Lotomy, and PEA+IOL correlated with preoperative IOP levels. We may be able to predict postsurgical IOP after nonfiltering surgery.

A four-year prospective study on intraocular pressure in relation to phacoemulsification cataract surgery

To follow up prospectively the intraocular pressure (IOP) of healthy eyes with senile cataract undergoing phacoemulsification surgery over a duration of 4 years. Thirty-five patients entering first eye cataract surgery had IOP measured by applanation tonometry pre-operatively and on day 1, at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 4 years after surgery at 9 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. in the Department of Ophthalmology, Oulu University Hospital. Thirty-four patients attended the 1-year checkup, and the 2- and 4-year results are available for 31. The pre-operative IOP was 16.0 (SD 4.3, range 6-25) mmHg in the morning and 16.4 (SD 4.0, range 8-25.5) mmHg in the afternoon. On the first postoperative day, the IOP was 2.1 ± 5.6 mmHg higher than before surgery (p = 0.029). At 1 month, the IOP morning measurement had decreased 2.8 ± 3.6 mmHg, and in the afternoon, the decrease was 3.0 ± 2.7 mmHg from the pre-operative level. At 6 months, the decrease was 3.3 ± 2.7 mmHg in the morning and 3.6 ± 2.7 mmHg in the afternoon, at 1 year, 3.2 ± 3.0 mmHg and 3.5 ± 3.2 mmHg, at 2 years, 3.2 ± 2.4 mmHg and 3.1 ± 2.8 mmHg, and at the 4-year postoperative checkup, 3.6 ± 3.4 mmHg and 3.6 ± 2.7 mmHg, respectively (p = 0.000 for all time-points). IOP decreases by about 3 mmHg (16-23% from the pre-operative IOP level) after phacoemulsification and remains at this reduced level with no trend towards an increase during 4 years.

Risk Factors for Uncontrolled Intraocular Pressure After Phacoviscocanalostomy

To determine factors affecting the outcome of phacoviscocanalostomy in patients with cataract and primary open-angle glaucoma. Factors for controlling intraocular pressure (IOP) were investigated in 180 patients using Cox multivariate proportional hazards survival regression. The mean preoperative IOP of 20.2+/-3.8 mm Hg decreased significantly (P<0.0001) to 15.3+/-2.6 mm Hg for 5 years postoperatively. The success probabilities defined as an IOP of 17 mm Hg or less or a 20% or greater reduction were 47.2% with or without medications and 31.4% without medications at 5 years. Preoperative IOP level [P=0.0013; odds ratio (OR), 1.14] and age (P=0.037; OR, 0.97) were risk factors in the success probability with or without medications. In the analysis without medications, the preoperative IOP (P<0.001; OR, 1.12), the preoperative number of antiglaucoma medications (P=0.033; OR, 1.27), age (P=0.003; OR, 0.96), and IOP spikes (P=0.028; OR, 1.22) were associated with failure. Sex, peeling of juxtacanalicular tissue, ruptured Descemet membrane, fibrin formation, and hyphema did not affect surgical outcomes. High preoperative IOP, the number of preoperative medications, postoperative IOP spikes (>30 mm Hg) increased the risk of failed IOP control after phacoviscocanalostomy. Increasing patient age decreased the risk of failure.

Seven-year follow-up of combined cataract extraction and viscocanalostomy

To investigate the long-term success and complications of phacoemulsification combined with viscocanalostomy (phacoviscocanalostomy) in eyes with coexisting cataract and medically uncontrolled glaucoma. Department of Ophthalmology, Warrington Hospital, Warrington, United Kingdom. A prospective nonrandomized study evaluated 165 consecutive eyes (114 patients) that had phacoviscocanalostomy. The main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, requirement for topical antiglaucoma medication, and the presence or absence of drainage blebs or bleb complications. The mean follow-up was 38.7 months +/- 19.3 (SD) (range 12 to 90 months). There was a statistically significant decrease in IOP, from 24.1 +/- 5.1 mm Hg preoperatively to 13.8 +/- 8.1 mm Hg 1 day after surgery (P<.001), 16.0 +/- 4.1 mm Hg at 5 years (P<.001), and at all evaluations to the last follow-up. The mean number of medications per eye decreased significantly from 2.5 +/- 0.9 before surgery to 0.1 +/- 0.5 at last follow-up (P<.001). At the final follow-up, IOP was reduced by 33.2% (16.2 mm Hg versus 24.1 mm Hg). Complete success, defined as an IOP reduction of more than 30% from preoperative level without medications, was achieved in 48.5% of eyes, with 42% of eyes having an IOP of less than 16 mm Hg. The percentage fall in IOP was linearly related to the preoperative IOP level (P<.001). No eye developed a trabeculectomy-type bleb, and there were no bleb-related complications. Phacoviscocanalostomy was safe and effective for the management of eyes with coexisting cataract and medically uncontrolled glaucoma. It provided a stable and sustained reduction in IOP with a minimum requirement for topical medication.

Encapsulated blebs following primary standard trabeculectomy: course and treatment.

To investigate the incidence and course of encapsulated filtering blebs (EB) following primary standard trabeculectomy in eyes with non-complicated glaucoma. Records of patients who were being followed-up in Ankara Numune Hospital, 1st Eye Clinic Glaucoma Department were analyzed and 183 eyes of 183 consecutive patients who underwent primary trabeculectomy without antimetabolites were enrolled in the study. Encapsulation developed in 14 (7.6%) of 183 eyes and identification of bleb encapsulation occurred at a mean follow-up time of 5.1 +/- 5.0 weeks (median = 4 weeks). Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) levels before, during, and after the encapsulated bleb phase were 14.1 +/- 3.6, 23.4 +/- 6.9, and 14.4 +/- 3.9 mm Hg respectively. All eyes responded to conservative medical treatment consisting of aqueous suppressants without digital massage, and encapsulation resolved after a mean duration of 8.3 +/- 4.6 weeks (median = 8 weeks). Patient age, gender, glaucoma diagnosis, and preoperative IOP levels were not significantly related with the occurrence of EB formation. There was no significant difference in the use of topical beta-blockers and miotics in patients that developed EB versus those who did not; however, EB developed only in eyes with prior beta-blocker therapy and no encapsulation occurred in the 16 eyes that had not received topical beta-blockers. Mean duration of follow-up was 45.3 +/- 30.7 months (12 to 127 months) in the group without encapsulation and 44.6 +/- 22.7 months (18 to 84 months) in the EB group. Overall success rates of trabeculectomies in eyes with and without EB were not significantly different (100% and 91.7%, respectively). Complete surgical success, however, without antiglaucomatous medications at the last visit was significantly lower in eyes with prior encapsulation (35.7% with EB, 63.9% without EB) (P = 0.014). Filtering bleb encapsulation following primary trabeculectomy responds well to conservative medical IOP-lowering therapy in eyes with glaucoma associated with elevated IOP.

The effect of trabeculectomy on the intraocular pressure of the unoperated fellow eye.

To investigate the intraocular pressure (IOP) changes in the unoperated fellow eye in patients who underwent trabeculectomy. IOP changes in the unoperated fellow eyes of 107 patients who underwent trabeculectomy in 1 eye for high-tension glaucoma (48 primary open-angle glaucoma, 43 pseudoexfoliative glaucoma, and 16 narrow-angle glaucoma) were evaluated during the early postoperative period. All IOP measurements were recorded during the postoperative first 3 months and compared with preoperative values. Mean preoperative IOP levels were 37.0 +/- 10.0 mm Hg in the operated eyes and 15.1 +/- 3.1 mm Hg in the fellow eyes. Mean IOPs in the unoperated eyes on the postoperative first-day, first- and second-week, and first- and third-month visits (17.1 +/- 5.7, 17.5 +/- 5.1, 18.5 +/- 5.4, 18.6 +/- 5.1, and 19.0 +/- 5.9 mm Hg, respectively) were significantly different compared with the preoperative levels for each period of time (P < 0.01). Eight fellow eyes underwent operations for uncontrolled glaucoma before month 3. Among the remaining 99 eyes, higher postoperative IOP values were measured in 33 (33%) eyes at all postoperative visits compared with the preoperative IOP levels. A consistent IOP rise equal to or higher than 5 mm Hg was detected in 12 eyes (12%) and a consistent IOP elevation of 30% or more was found in 14 eyes (14%) during the postoperative first 3 months. Contralateral IOP elevation was not correlated with patient age, type of glaucoma, or preoperative antiglaucomatous medications prescribed to the operated or fellow eyes. After filtration surgery, IOP of the unoperated fellow eye should also be monitored closely in order not to overlook a possible insidious rise, especially in glaucomatous eyes that were previously under good medical control.