Primary Open-angle Glaucoma Group Research Articles

A comparison of the circadian rhythm of intraocular pressure in patients with primary glaucoma and normal individuals

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the 24-h intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations in patients with glaucoma and to compare them with normal persons.Patients and methods This is a cross-sectional comparative study of the circadian rhythm of IOP that was conducted on 30 patients diagnosed with primary glaucoma on medical or surgical treatment and 30 normal individuals with no signs of glaucoma. There were three cases of primary angle closure glaucoma, and so they were excluded from the analysis.Results The mean age of all participants was 60.25±12.15 years. The mean age of the normal individuals was 58.60±12.33 years compared with 62.22±11.66 years in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), with no statistically significant difference (P=0.486). A higher proportion of females (63%) were found in the glaucoma group, though not statistically significant (P=0.138). The mean IOP was higher among the glaucoma group (19.92±6.18 mmHg) than in the normal individuals (14.83±1.75 mmHg), with a statistically significant difference (P=0.001). The mean diurnal variation of IOP in the right eye among the normal individuals (3.6±1.1 mmHg) was significantly lower than in the POAG group (7.11±4.8 mmHg) (P=0.001). Similarly, in the left eye, the mean diurnal variation was significantly higher in the POAG group (6.07±2.25 mmHg) compared with the normal individuals (3.52±1.25 mmHg) (P=0.00). The average peak of IOP among normal individuals and patients with POAG was 19.75±2.0 and 37.56.9 mmHg, respectively, in the right eye (P=0.01) and 20.00 ± 1.6 mmHg and 26.25 ± 2.2 in normal individuals and patients with POAG, respectively, in the left eye (P=0.001). The peak IOP among the POAG group was seen at 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., mostly outside office hours.Conclusion The diurnal variation of IOP was more among patients with glaucoma than normal individuals. The average peak of the IOP was seen only after office hours (9 a.m.–5 p.m.), thus emphasizing the need for 24-h monitoring of IOP. The 24-h measurement would help recognize the IOP spikes and help decide the time of instillation of antiglaucoma medication to avoid further glaucoma progression.

Retrobulbar Short Posterior Ciliary Artery Hemodynamics in Patients with Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.

Purpose:To investigate retrobulbar blood flow changes in the short posterior ciliary arteries (SPCAs) in patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Methods:In this prospective study, there were 22 eyes in the PEG group, 28 eyes in the POAG group, and 28 eyes with senile cataract in the control group. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), mean velocity (Vm), and resistivity index (RI) parameters of the temporal and nasal SPCAs were compared between the study groups.Results:Mean temporal PSV, EDV, and Vm value were significantly lower in both the POAG group and the PEG group (P = 0.049, P = 0.004, P = 0.020), respectively. Temporal SPCA RI values were not significantly different between the groups (P = 0.115).Conclusion:There are retrobulbar blood flow changes in glaucomatous compared to nonglaucomatous eyes. However, SPCAs blood flow characteristics are similar between PEG and POAG subtypes.

Corneal Biomechanics for Ocular Hypertension, Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma, and Amyloidotic Glaucoma: A Comparative Study by Corvis ST.

BackgroundTo evaluate biomechanical parameters of the cornea provided by Corvis ST in patients with ocular hypertension, primary open-angle glaucoma, and amyloidotic glaucoma and to compare with healthy controls.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of patients with ocular hypertension, primary open-angle glaucoma, and amyloidotic glaucoma that underwent Corvis ST imaging. Primary outcome was the comparison of corneal biomechanical parameters between study groups after adjusting for age, gender, Goldmann intraocular pressure (GAT-IOP), and prostaglandin analogues medication. Secondary outcome was the comparison of different IOP measurements in each group.ResultsOne hundred and eighty-three eyes from 115 patients were included: 61 with primary open-angle glaucoma, 32 with amyloidotic glaucoma, 37 with ocular hypertension and 53 were healthy controls. Amyloidotic glaucoma group had smaller radius (p=0.025), lower deflection amplitude at highest concavity (p=0.019), and higher integrated radius (p=0.014) than controls. Ocular hypertension group had higher stiffness parameter at first applanation (p=0.043) than those with primary open-angle glaucoma, and higher stress–strain index (p=0.049) than those with amyloidotic glaucoma. Biomechanically corrected intraocular pressure was significantly lower than Goldmann intraocular pressure in group with primary open-angle glaucoma (p=0.005) and control group (p=0.013), and Goldmann intraocular pressure adjusted for pachymetry in group with primary open-angle glaucoma (p=0.01).ConclusionEyes with amyloidotic glaucoma have more deformable corneas, while eyes with ocular hypertension have less deformable corneas. These findings may be linked to the susceptibility to glaucomatous damage and progression. There were significant differences between Goldmann applanation tonometry and biomechanically corrected intraocular ocular pressure provided by Corvis ST.

Association Between Sex Hormones and Visual Field Progression in Women With Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: A Cross-Sectional and Prospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: We evaluated the level of sex hormones in female patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) to determine whether they are associated with the onset and/or progression of POAG.Methods: The cross-sectional study enrolled 63 women with POAG and 56 healthy women as normal control subjects. Furthermore, 57 women with POAG were included and followed-up for at least 2 years in the cohort study. All subjects were evaluated for serum concentration of sex hormones [prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (TESTO), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone (PROG), and estrogen (E2)] and underwent visual field (VF) examination. In the cross-sectional study, Spearman analysis, linear regression analysis, and logistic regression analysis were performed to assess risk factors for POAG in women. In the cohort study, Cox regression analyses and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis were performed to identify factors associated with VF progression in women with POAG.Results: In the cross-sectional study, the level of E2 was significantly lower in the POAG group than in the normal group (p < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression showed that the decreased level of E2 was a risk factor of POAG (OR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.09–0.78, p < 0.05), especially in premenopausal subjects. In the cohort study, there were 29 non-progression subjects and 28 progression subjects. Patients in the progression group had significantly lower levels of E2 than those in the no progression group (p < 0.01). The decreased level of E2 at baseline was associated with POAG progression (HR = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.02–0.46, p < 0.05), especially in premenopausal subjects. Patients with POAG and with lower baseline E2 levels had significantly lower VF non-progression rates than patients with higher E2 levels (log-rank test p < 0.001), especially premenopausal subjects (log-rank test p < 0.05). Additionally, logistic regression analyses, Cox regression analyses, and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that PROG, LH, FSH, and TESTO were risk factors of POAG and/or significantly associated with POAG progression.Conclusion: A decreased E2 level is a POAG risk factor and is associated with VF progression in women with POAG, especially in premenopausal subjects. Additionally, other sex hormones (PROG, LH, FSH, and TESTO) might also play a role in POAG pathogenesis.

Choroidal Thickness in Advanced Glaucoma Patients

Purpose: We investigated choroidal thickness according to the classification of glaucoma and related factors in patients with advanced glaucoma.Methods: The present study included 133 eyes of 133 advanced glaucoma patients with a mean deviation of &lt;-12 dB. Patients were classified into primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) groups. Factors related to the subfoveal and peripapillary choroidal thickness were analyzed using linear regression analysis.Results: The mean peripapillary choroid thickness was 99.20 ± 46.85 µm in the NTG group, which was significantly thinner than in the POAG group (121.85 ± 45.39 µm, p = 0.006). Additionally, in the sectoral comparison, the NTG group had thinner choroids than the POAG group in all areas (p &lt; 0.05 for all). In the linear regression analysis, glaucoma class (p = 0.007), age (p = 0.005), and intraocular pressure (IOP) (p = 0.024) significantly affected the peripapillary choroid thickness. Moreover, age (p = 0.029) and macular thickness (p = 0.002) were significantly associated with subfoveal choroid thickness.Conclusions: In advanced glaucoma, low baseline IOP, NTG, and old age were significantly associated with a thin peripapillary choroid, suggesting an association between thin peripapillary choroid and the etiology of NTG. Further studies are needed to clarify the significance of a thin choroid in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.

Macular and submacular choroidal microvasculature in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and high myopia

AimsTo characterise the influence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and high myopia (HM) on the macular and choroidal capillary density (CD).MethodsTwo hundred and seven eyes were enrolled, including 80 POAG...

Evaluation of depth perception and association of severity in Glaucoma patients and suspects

BackgroundTo evaluate depth perception in Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), glaucoma suspects compared to controls and to determine the association between depth perception and severity of glaucoma.MethodsThis was a hospital based, comparative, cross-sectional study. The ethical clearance was taken from institutional review committee of Institute of Medicine [Reference no.399 (6–11) E2 077-078]. Agematched, equal number of participants in each group (N=20) were evaluated with both Titmus and Frisby stereoacuity tests to measure depth perception as stereopsis threshold in seconds of arc. The participants were selected using the purposive sampling technique.ResultsThere was no differences in age, sex, or best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness (CCT), found among the three groups (POAG, Glaucoma Suspects and Control) respectively. However, there was significant difference in cup disc ratio (CDR) between the groups. Equal number of male and female were there in each group, while in POAG group male to female ratio was 3:2. The mean stereoacuity threshold in control group was 53.5±23.23 seconds of arc with Titmus test and 38.75±18.83 seconds of arc with Frisby stereoacuity test. The difference in threshold was significant between control and glaucoma suspect with Titmus (t=1.991, p=0.05) and with Frisby (t=2.114, p=0.04). The difference was also significant in POAG group by Titmus (t=3.135, p=0.0033) and by Frisby (t=3.014, p=0.004). More so, with increasing severity of glaucoma, the mean threshold of stereopsis increased as seen with both Titmus and Frisby Tests (ANOVA, p < 0.001)ConclusionPrimary open angle glaucoma patients and glaucoma suspects, showed significant reduction in depth perception. Decreased stereoacuity was associated with greater glaucomatous visual field loss.

Clinical Analysis of Macular Choroidal Thickness in Pseudoexfoliative Glaucoma and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.

Purpose To evaluate the differences in macular choroidal thickness and volume among patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXG), patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and controls. Methods A total of 50 PXG patients (50 eyes) and 56 POAG patients (56 eyes) were selected as the PXG group and the POAG group, respectively, in this case-control study. A total of 54 age-, gender-, IOP-, and axial length-matched healthy individuals (54 eyes) were selected as the control group. Enhanced-depth imaging-optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) was used to measure and analyze the choroidal thicknesses and volumes in 9 macular regions of all subjects. Results The choroidal thicknesses in the central subfield (CSM), temporal inner macula (TIM), inferior inner macula (IIM), and temporal outer macula (TOM) and the mean macular choroidal thickness were significantly thinner in the PXG group than in the control group (all P < 0.05). The choroidal volumes in the TIM, IIM, and TOM and the mean macular choroidal volume were significantly smaller in the PXG group than in the control group (all P < 0.05). The choroidal thicknesses in the CSM and IIM and the mean macular choroidal thickness were significantly thinner in the PXG group than in the POAG group (all P < 0.05). The choroidal volumes in the IIM and TOM and the mean macular choroidal volume were significantly smaller in the PXG group than in the POAG group (all P < 0.05). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that the mean macular choroidal thickness was significantly thinner in association with older subjects and longer axial length eyes. There was no association between the macular choroidal thickness of various macular regions and visual field mean defect (MD) in groups PXG and POAG (all P > 0.05). Conclusions The macular choroidal thicknesses and volumes (inferior and temporal) in PXG patients were thinner and smaller than those in POAG patients and healthy individuals. The role of choroidal thickness changes in the course of PXG remains unclear. A future prospective study is needed to better define these changes in PXG patients.

Epidemiological Characteristics of Inpatients Undergoing Surgery for Glaucoma at Tianjin Eye Hospital from 2013 to 2017.

Purpose To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of inpatients who underwent surgery for glaucoma at Tianjin Eye Hospital from 2013 to 2017. Methods All glaucoma inpatients who underwent surgery at Tianjin Eye Hospital from 2013 to 2017 were evaluated. The relationships of age and sex with different types of glaucoma were analyzed. The differences in the prevalence and family history of glaucoma among patients with different systemic diseases were compared. Additionally, the effects of different surgical methods for primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) were compared. Results A total of 4539 patients with glaucoma were retrospectively analyzed. The most prevalent type was PACG (60.15%), followed by secondary glaucoma (SG, 25.53%), POAG (7.6%), uncontrollable intraocular pressure (IOP) after antiglaucoma surgery (4.71%), mixed glaucoma (MG, 10%), and congenital glaucoma (CG, 0.9%). The main surgical methods were phacoemulsification (phaco), phacotrabeculectomy (phaco-trab), and trabeculectomy (trab). The rate of phaco-trab increased, while that of trab decreased. The proportion of women in the PACG group was higher than those in the POAG and SG groups, and there was a pronounced tendency for family clustering (P < 0.001), while in the POAG and SG groups, the proportions of men and those with diabetes were higher (P < 0.05). Conclusions In Tianjin Eye Hospital from 2013 to 2017, the main type of glaucoma was PACG. Female sex and a family history of glaucoma were risk factors for PACG, while male sex and hyperglycemia were risk factors for POAG and SG. Among the antiglaucoma surgery methods, the proportion of phaco-trab increased, while the proportion of trab decreased.

Comparison of Medical Comorbidity between Patients with Normal-Tension Glaucoma and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Population-Based Study in Taiwan.

The objective was to investigate different comorbidities developed in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. This was a case-control study, with 1489 people in the NTG group and 5120 people in the POAG group. Patient data were obtained from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2010 (LHID2010) of Taiwan for the 2008–2013 period. The chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables, such as gender, income and urbanisation level, between NTG and POAG patients, and the two-tailed t test was used to compare continuity between the two groups. We use a multivariate logic regression model to assess the risk of each participant. The results are expressed in terms of odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Patients with NTG had significantly higher proportions of hypotension (adjusted OR, 1.984; 95% CI, 1.128–3.490), sleep disturbances (adjusted OR, 1.323; 95% CI, 1.146–1.528), peptic ulcers (adjusted OR, 1.383; 95% CI, 1.188–1.609) and allergic rhinitis (adjusted OR, 1.484; 95% CI, 1.290–1.707) than those with POAG. Conversely, arterial hypertension (adjusted OR, 0.767; 95% CI, 0.660–0.893), diabetes (adjusted OR, 0.850; 95% CI, 0.728–0.993) and atopic dermatitis (adjusted OR, 0.869; 95% CI, 0.763–0.990) had a lower risk in the NTG group than in the POAG group. We found that comorbidities such a hypotension, sleep disturbances and peptic ulcer and allergic rhinitis are more highly associated to NTG than POAG.

Outcomes of Phaco-viscocanalostomy in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma versus Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma.

PurposeViscocanalostomy represents an alternative to standard penetrating glaucoma surgery. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and viscocanalostomy in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) versus eyes with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG).Methods In this prospective non-randomized comparative study, eyes with cataract and POAG or PEXG were enrolled. Pre- and postoperative data including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and the number of antiglaucoma medications administered were recorded at each visit. All patients underwent phacoviscocanalostomy. Complete success was defined as the IOP of 21 mmHg or less without the administration of medication while a qualified success reported the same IOP parameters either with or without the administration of medication.ResultsFifty-four eyes with POAG and fifty-four with PEXG underwent phacoviscocanalostomy. The mean follow-up time was 23.36 8.8 months (range, 6–40 months). The mean postoperative IOP reduced significantly in both groups, although the mean IOP reduction was significantly greater in PEXG eyes (14.7 8.9 vs 10.1 7.7 mmHg) (P = 0.05). At the final follow-up visit, the mean postoperative IOP was 14.1 2.1 and 16.6 3.5 mmHg in the PEXG and POAG eyes, respectively (P = 0.001). A complete success rate of 88.9% and 75.9% was achieved in PEXG and POAG eyes, respectively (P = 0.07). The qualified success rate was 100% in the PEXG and 85.2% in POAG groups (P = 0.03).ConclusionPhacoviscocanalostomy achieved significant IOP reduction and visual improvement in both POAG and PEXG patients. Our results indicated that in terms of IOP reduction, this procedure was more effective in treating PEXG.

Correlation between the optic nerve pial diameter and radial peripapillary vascular changes in primary open-angle glaucoma

PurposeTo assess the optic nerve pial diameter (ONPD) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) using standardized A-scan ultrasound and to evaluate the correlation between the ONPD and structural, vascular optic nerve head features and visual field parameters in glaucomatous eyes.MethodsIn this prospective study, we enrolled 126 eyes of 63 POAG patients and 124 eyes of 62 healthy controls. In all subjects, the ONPD was evaluated by means of A-scan ultrasound. Spectral domain (SD)-OCT was used to assess ganglion cell complex (GCC), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), thicknesses, and the optic nerve head (ONH) morphology. OCTA measured the vessel density (VD) of radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) plexus.ResultsThe ONPD showed a statistically significant reduction in POAG group with respect to controls (p < 0.001). SD-OCT and OCTA parameters showed a significant impairment in patient group with respect to controls (p < 0.001). The ONH analysis revealed significantly lower values in rim area (p = 0.009) and an increased cup-to-disc area ratio (p = 0.013) and cup volume (p < 0.001) in patients with respect to controls. Significant correlations were shown in POAG group between ONPD and RPC plexus (p = 0.006). Moreover, significant correlation was also found between ONPD and structural SD-OCT parameters (p = 0.001) and between ONPD and visual field parameters (p = 0.001).ConclusionsThe standardized A-scan ultrasound measurements of the ONPD showed a significant correlation with structural and vascular glaucomatous changes measured by means of SD-OCT and OCTA. These results confirm the diagnostic reliability of the ultrasound evaluation in glaucoma optic neuropathy.

Investigation of progression pattern and associated risk factors in glaucoma patients with initial paracentral scotomas using Humphrey 10-2

Central visual field (VF) progression could directly threaten patientss visual function compared to glaucomatous damage. This study was designed to investigate visual field (VF) progression pattern and associated risk factors including optical coherence topography angiographic (OCT-A) findings in glaucoma patients with initial paracentral scotoma. This prospective, observational study included 122 eyes presenting as initial paracentral scotomas with serial 24-2 and 10-2 VF tests at the glaucoma clinic of Seoul St Mary's Hospital between November 2017 and August 2020. The participants underwent at least 5 serial VF exams and OCT-A at baseline. Numerical values of the initial and final 10-2 VF tests were averaged for each VF test point using the total deviation map. Innermost 10-2 VF progression was defined as three or more new contiguous points at the central 12 points on 10-2 VF. Other clinical characteristics were collected including history of disc hemorrhage and vessel density (VD) was measured from OCT-A images. Linear regression analysis was performed to obtain the change of mean deviation and a cut-off for progression was defined for both 24-2 and 10-2 VFs. The average total deviation maps of the initial 10-2 VF tests shows initial paracentral scotoma located in the superior region in an arcuate pattern that was deep in the 4°–6° region above fixation. This arcuate pattern was more broadly located in the 4°–10° region in the primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) group, while it was closer to fixation in 0°–4° region in the normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) group. The final average map shows deepening of scotomas in the 4°–10° region in POAG, which deepened closer to the region of fixation in NTG. The diagnosis of NTG (β 1.892; 95% CI 1.225–2.516; P = 0.035) and lower choroidal VD in the peripapillary atrophy (PPA) region (β 0.985; 95% CI 0.975 to 0.995; P = 0.022) were significantly related to innermost 10-2 VF progression. Initial paracentral scotomas in NTG tended to progress closer to the region of fixation, which should be monitored closely. Important progression risk factors related to paracentral scotoma near the fixation were the diagnosis of NTG and reduced choroidal VD in the β-zone PPA region using OCT-A. We should consider vascular risk factors in NTG patients presenting with initial paracentral scotoma to avoid vision threatening progression of glaucoma.

Viscoelastic properties of the iris in different types of glaucoma

Introduction. The iris is involved in maintaining the ocular hydrodynamic homeostasis as one of the elements of the anterior chamber angle of the eye. From there, the iris is one of the parts of its drainage area. The anterior chamber angle’s structure can predispose to an increase in intraocular pressure and thereby provoke the development of primary angle-closure glaucoma, a disease accompanied by clogging of the drainage area of the eye and, accordingly, an increase in intraocular pressure.Objective. To analyse the viscoelastic properties of the iris in primary angle-closure glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma.Materials and methods. The study material was a fragment of the iris obtained through iridectomy in the course of sinus trabeculectomy, which is considered the treatment for glaucoma surgery. A total of 43 samples (43 patients) were obtained and analysed, with 20 samples obtained from patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma (group 1), and 23 samples from patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (group 2). A standard ophthalmological examination, which included visometry, autorefractometry, tonometry, biomicroscopy, and indirect ophthalmoscopy, was carried out. The special examination included static perimetry, gonioscopy, ultrasound biomicroscopy or optical coherence tomography of the anterior chamber angle, optical coherence tomography of the disk of optic nerve.Results and discussion. The avascular part of the stroma (designated by us as S) is the most rigid part of the iris, according to the study. It is characterized by the greatest efforts of the viscous dynamic resistance to the indenter (0.4–2.0 gf/мм2 × S), as well as the maximum integral tensile strength (up to 4.9 × 10-2 N). The inner (vascular) part of the stroma has the lowest dynamic viscosity, according to this study.Conclusion. The samples vary enormously both in the biomechanical characteristics and relative thickness of this layer. It was observed that this biomechanically incompetent structure completely collapses and ceases to exist in partial dehydration of the sample.

Serum and aqueous humor levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma.

This study was designed to compare the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the serum and aqueous humor (AH) of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). This prospective, observational study consists of 30 patients with POAG, 30 patients with NTG, and 30 healthy controls. The serum and AH BDNF levels were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. BDNF levels in serum and AH were markedly lower in the glaucoma groups (POAG and NTG) than in the control group (p <0.05). When comparing the NTG and POAG groups, the average serum BDNF level was significantly lower in the NTG group than in the POAG group (p <0.05). The difference in the mean BDNF levels in AH between the POAG and NTG groups was not statistically significant. (p = 0.538). We confirmed that serum BDNF levels were lower in patients with NTG than in those with POAG. BDNF could be a causative systemic biomarker in NTG.

The changes of functional, structural and hemodynamic parameters of the optic disc in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and diabetes mellitus in long-term follow-up

Purpose: to study the long-term changes of functional, structural, and hemodynamic parameters of the optic nerve in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) accompanied by diabetes mellitus (DM).Material and methods. The study involved 258 patients (258 eyes), which were divided into five groups: 1st group — 58 patients with stage I POAG and DM; 2nd group — 50 patients (50 eyes) with stage I POAG; 3rd — 50 patients with stage III POAG and DM; 4th — 50 patients with stage III POAG; 5th — 50 patients with DM. In addition to a complete ophthalmological examination, the patients underwent spectral optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography of the optic nerve head and macula. The observation period was 24 months.Results. The worst decrease in maximally corrected visual acuity was noted in patients with DM + POAG (groups 1 and 3): in 1 year of observation — stage I — 10.29%, stage III — 7.32 %, in control groups with isolated POAG stages I and III, 1.15 and 2.04%, respectively, in patients with DM, 1.39%; in 2nd year — 14.71 and 14.63% with a comorbid course of the disease and 1.15 and 4.08% in the absence of DM, respectively. The MD index in the group DM + POAG stage I after 12 months was significantly lower compared to patients with stage I POAG (by 5.05%), after 24 months by 12.12, 0.34 and 1.69%, respectively (p £ 0.05). The groups of comorbid patients showed lower average thickness levels of the retinal nerve fibers layer than in the control groups: 78.81 ± 11.39 μm at stage I and 63.08 ± 10.32 μm at stage III. A similar pattern was noted for the thickness of the neuroretinal rim and its areas as well indicators of the optic disc excavation (volume and c/d ratio).No significant difference was noted in the density of the optic nerve disc perfusion in stages I and III POAG with DM against the respective control groups during the first visit, but we noted a significantly lower vascular density in patients with the initial stage of POAG and DM (0.39 ± 0.04 / mm) than in patients with isolated glaucoma (0.42 ± 0.03 / mm). As the disease progressed, there was a further significant decrease in the average indicators of optic nerve disc perfusion and vascular density (group 3: 39.17 ± 3.43% and 0.33 ± 0.03 / mm).Conclusion. The study of the changes of visual, functional, structural and hemodynamic parameters of the optic nerve showed a faster rate of progression of glaucomatous optic neuropathy if accompanied with DM.

Sleep-disordered breathing a neglected risk factor in primary open-angle glaucoma

Background: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is accompanied by large swings in blood pressureand the repetitive hypoxic period during sleep, which may accelerate anoxic optic nerve damageseen in glaucoma. There are many associated risk factors in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG),but recently, SDB, though a neglected one, is coming up as a risk factor. However, various studieshave reported controversial findings. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between SDB andPOAG. Design: A hospital-based case-control study. Methods: A total of 400 patients between 30–70 years were recruited from eye OPD between 2008- 2010. They were divided into two groups, 200cases with established POAG and 200 age and sex-matched healthy subjects with normal IOP in thecontrol group. Detailed history, complete ophthalmic and ENT examination was made along withBMI, blood pressure and neck girth measurement. Both groups were interviewed with aquestionnaire regarding SDB and were recorded on the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS). Results:The mean age being 55.02 ± 8.66 in the POAG group and male predominance noted both in POAGand SDB patients with ESS&gt; 10 was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05). Also, patients in the POAGgroup with ESS &gt; 10 had more IOP and BMI, greater neck girth, high BP and more ENT problemswith p-value &lt; 0,001, which is highly significant, thus showing the relationship between SDB andPOAG. Conclusions: Increased community awareness and earlier detection of glaucoma and itscorrelation with SDB results in decreased morbidity.

One-year outcomes of microshunt implantation in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.

PurposeTo compare the safety and efficacy of microshunt implantation augmented with Mitomycin C in patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).MethodsIn this retrospective, single centre, interventional study, 46 eyes of 41 patients with PEXG (20 eyes) and POAG (26 eyes) underwent microshunt implantation. Definition of failure was an intraocular pressure (IOP) lower than 5 or higher than 17mmHg on two consecutive visits, an IOP reduction lower than 20% on two consecutive visits, the need of surgical revisions or reoperations or loss of light perception. Outcome was rated as complete success if achieved without medication, otherwise as qualified success. Furthermore, postoperative complications and interventions were compared between the two groups.ResultsPatient demographics were similar, except for older age in the PEXG group (70.9±8.6 versus 77.6±8; p = 0.02). Mean IOP dropped from 21.5±5.8mmHg (PEXG) and 18.2±4.5mmHg (POAG) at baseline to 12.8±3.0mmHg (p<0.0001) and 12.9±4.2mmHg (p<0.0001), respectively, at one year. Mean number of medications were reduced from 2.8±1.3 to 0.3±0.8 for PEXG patients (p<0.0001) and from 2.7±1.3 to 0.3±0.8 for POAG patients (p<0.0001). At one year of follow-up 75.0% of PEXG patients achieved complete success and 80.0% qualified success. In the POAG group rates were 73.1% and 76.9%, respectively. Postoperative complications were comparable between both groups, except for higher rates of hypotony (p = 0.04) and choroidal detachment (p = 0.03) in the PEXG group.ConclusionMicroshunt implantation demonstrated similar efficacy results in PEXG and POAG eyes at a follow-up of 12 months. Higher rates of transient hypotony and choroidal detachment were observed in PEXG eyes.

Decreased iris thickness on swept-source optical coherence tomography in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

To investigate the iris thickness (IT) of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and older adults using anterior segment swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). In this comparative cross-sectional study, 154 participants were enrolled, including 40 patients with POAG and 114 healthy individuals. Nasal-angle SS-OCT images were analysed using callipers to measure the thickness of the iris, including the anterior border layer, stromal, and pigmented epithelial layer, at 1 and 2 mm from the pupil edge. The relationship between IT and glaucoma severity was analysed, and receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to assess the ability of each IT parameter to distinguish patients with glaucoma from healthy controls. The IT parameters and iris area were lower in the POAG group than in the age-matched control group (p< 0.05). In the POAG group, the thickness of the pigmented epithelial layer at 1 and 2 mm was significantly correlated with the severity of glaucoma (p< 0.05). Iris area, with a cut-off of 1.43 mm2, exhibited the highest sensitivity (85%) and specificity (64.81%; area under the curve=0.783) for distinguishing patients with POAG from healthy controls. Older adults tended to have the thinnest IT, children had the smallest iris area (p< 0.05). In patients with POAG, the severity of iris atrophy was associated with glaucoma severity. The results of IT measurements by SS-OCT may help in the clinical evaluation of POAG.

The Prevalence of Autoimmune Diseases in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Undergoing Ophthalmic Surgeries

To assess the prevalence of autoimmune disease (AiD) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) undergoing ophthalmic surgery. Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Patients with POAG undergoing any ophthalmic surgery and control subjects undergoing cataract surgery at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear from March 2019 to April2020. All available medical records with patient demographics, ocular, and medical conditions were reviewed. Differences in AiD prevalence were assessed and adjusted for covariates using multiple logistic regression. Additionally, a subgroup analysis comparing the POAG patients with and without AiD was performed. To assess the prevalence of AiD based on the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association list. A total of 172 patients with POAG and 179 controls were included. The overall prevalence of AiD was 17.4% in the POAG group and 10.1% in the controls (P= 0.044); 6.4% of POAG patients and 3.4% of controls had more than 1 AiD (P= 0.18). The most prevalent AiDs in POAG group were rheumatoid arthritis (4.6%) and psoriasis (4.1%), which were also the most common in controls (2.8% each). In a fully adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis accounting for steroid use, having an AiD was associated with 2.62-fold increased odds of POAG relative to controls (95% confidence interval, 1.27-5.36, P= 0.009); other risk factors for POAG derived from the analysis included age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04, P= 0.006), diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.31, P= 0.008), and non-White ethnicity (OR, 4.75, P < 0.001). In a case-only analysis involving the eye with worse glaucoma, there was no statistical difference in visual field mean deviation or retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in POAG patients with AiD (n= 30) and without AiD (n= 142, P > 0.13, for both). A higher prevalence of AiD was found in POAG patients compared with control patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery. The presence of AiD was associated with increased risk for POAG after adjusting for covariates. Additional factors may have prevented a difference in RNFL thickness in POAG patients with and without AiD. Autoimmunity should be explored further in the pathogenesis of POAG.