Chronic hypotony management using endoscopy-assisted vitrectomy after severe ocular trauma or vitrectomy

·AIM: To report outcomes of endoscopy-assisted vitrectomy(EAV) in patients with chronic hypotony following severe ocular trauma or vitrectomy.·METHODS: This was a retrospective, noncomparative case series. Ciliary bodies were evaluated using ultrasound biomicroscopy pre-operatively and direct visualisation intraoperatively. All selected individuals(seven patients/seven eyes) underwent EAV. Removal of ciliary membrane and traction, gas/silicone oil tamponade(GT/SOT), and scleral buckling(SB) were performed in selected eyes. Outcome measurements mainly included intraocular pressure(IOP) and best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA).·RESULTS: Seven eyes from 7 male aphakic patients with a mean age of 45(range, 20-68)y were included in this study;the average follow-up time was 12(9-15)mo. GT was performed in 2 eyes;membrane peeling(MP) and SOT in 2 eyes;and MP, SOT, and SB in 3 eyes. The mean preand post-operative IOP were 4.5(range, 4.0±0.11 to 4.8±0.2) mm Hg and 9.9(range, 5.6±0.17 to 12.1±0.2) mm Hg at 52wk(12mo), respectively. BCVA improved in six eyes;one eye still showed light perception, and no bulbi phthisis was observed.·CONCLUSION: Endoscopy offers improved judgment and recognition and has an improved prognosis for chronic hypotony. Therefore, endoscopy can be an effective and promising operative technique for chronic traumatic hypotony management.

Conjunctival flap advancement with or without scleral graft for hypotony maculopathy after trabeculectomy

AIM: To investigate the outcomes of adaptive conjunctival flap advancement surgical techniques with or without scleral graft for patients undergoing revision surgery after trabeculectomy.METHODS: This retrospective study included 28 eyes of 28 subjects from December 2015 to April 2018. A group of 15 eyes underwent conjunctival advancement only while the other 13 eyes did conjunctival advancement with partial thickness scleral graft. In both study groups, we considered the intraocular pressure(IOP) as our primary outcome and visual acuity(VA) as our secondary outcome. Both were assessed pre-and post-operatively till the last followup possible point. Additionally, we classified the patients according to complete and qualified success criteria.RESULTS: The mean age of the conjunctival advancement group was 36.87±19.25 y, while it was 44.08±18.04 in the other group. In both study groups, the mean IOP significantly increased after revision surgery at 1, 2, 3 mo and the last follow-up visit when compared to prior the surgery(P<0.001). Moreover, VA was significantly improved(P=0.03) in the final follow-up for both surgical techniques. When we compared the change from baseline in both groups, there was no significant difference between IOP improvement in 1 mo(P=0.263), while the difference was significant in 2 mo(P=0.03), 3 mo(P=0.02) and in the final follow-up visit postoperatively. However, this difference was not significant regarding VA(P=0.5).CONCLUSION: The both adaptive techniques of conjunctival advancement and conjunctival advancement with scleral graft are effective for treating patients with lateonset hypotony. Yet, more prospective studies are needed to assert upon these results.

Clinical study on Hypotony following blunt ocular trauma

AIM: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of hypotony in patients with blunt ocular trauma. METHODS: The medical records of 145 patients with blunt ocular trauma were reviewed. Hypotony was defined as an average intraocular pressure (IOP) of 5mmHg or less for three times. RESULTS: Among these 145 patients, hypotony was noted in 10 (6.9%) patients. The rate of hypotony in patients with ciliochoroidal detachment was 66.7% (2 out of 3 eyes), and 5.6% (8 out of 142 eyes) in patients without ciliochoroidal detachment,the difference was statistically significant(P = 0.003). The rate of hypotony in patients with traumatic retinal detachment was 18.5% (5 out of 27 eyes), and 4.2% (5 out of 118 eyes) in patients without traumatic retinal detachment, the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.026). The rate of hypotony in the patients with anterior proliferative vitreoretinopathy was 42.9% (3 out of 7 eyes) and 5.1% (7 out of 138 eyes) in the patients without anterior proliferative vitreoretinopathy, the difference was statistically significant(P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Ocular hypotension is a complication of blunt ocular trauma. The risk factors include ciliochoroidal detachment, traumatic retinal detachment, and anterior proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Intraluminal stenting versus external ligation of Ahmed glaucoma valve in prevention of postoperative hypotony

AIM:To compare intraluminal stenting and external ligation of Ahmed glaucoma valves(AGV)for refractory glaucoma management and postoperative hypotony prevention.METHODS:This randomized prospective blind study included 30 eyes of 25 patients(age range:44-56y)with refractory glaucoma.This study was conducted from September 2018 to January 2020.The study included two groups,AGV with intraluminal stenting group(n=15 eyes)and AGV with external ligation group(n=15 eyes).Follow-up period was one year postoperatively.The primary outcome was intraocular pressure(IOP)and its association with the number of postoperative glaucoma medications.IOP≤21 mm Hg without medications indicated complete success while IOP≤21 mm Hg with medications indicated qualified success;and IOP<6 mm Hg was defined as hypotony.RESULTS:After a year of follow-up,IOP was significantly reduced in the intraluminal stenting group than in the external ligation group(11.67±0.89 vs 14.2±4.0 mm Hg,respectively,P=0.024).Postoperative hypotony was more common in the external ligation group(2 cases,13.33%)than in the intraluminal stenting group(1 case,6.67%).CONCLUSION:Application of intraluminal stenting or external ligation during AGV surgery usually prevents postoperative hypotony(transient and persistent)that occurs in conventional AGV surgery.

Management of hypotony and flat anterior chamber associated with glaucoma filtration surgery

AIM: To determine the effectiveness of pharmacological and interventional treatment of hypotony and flat anterior chamber(FAC) resulting from glaucoma filtration surgery.·METHODS: We retrospectively examined the medical records of fifty-two trabeculectomy patients(52 eyes)who developed postoperative hypotony and FAC. The management and associated complications of hypotony,changing intraocular pressure(IOP) and best corrected visual acuity(BCVA) were evaluated.·RESULTS: Of the 52 patients with hypotony, 29(56%)had a grade 1 FAC, 21(40%) had a grade 2 FAC, and only 2 had a grade 3 FAC. There was no significant difference between the mean preoperative IOP and the mean IOP at three and six months after surgery. Thirteen eyes(25%) required antiglaucomatous medication three months after surgery. The mean BCVA at 6mo after surgery was significantly reduced as compared with the mean preoperative BCVA.·CONCLUSION: Hypotonia and FAC following trabeculectomy are associated with troublesome complications that require pharmacological and/or surgical treatment. Thus, close follow-up is essential for affected patients.

AB028.Corneal endothelium decompensation in patients with chronic hypotony after glaucoma surgery

Background:To describe and discuss four cases of corneal endothelial decompensation secondary to chronic hypotony after glaucoma surgery.Methods:A retrospective case review was undertaken for four4 patients over a 20-year period from a single glaucoma surgeon.These data were collected from the clinical records of each subject included in the study:(I)patient demographic characteristics;(II)past ocular history and indication for surgery;(III)ocular vitals;(IV)complications from glaucoma surgery;(V)corneal exam and pathology and the indication for corneal transplant;(VI)surgical interventions during the period of follow-up.Results:Four patients sustained chronic hypotony(range,3-18 years)after glaucoma surgery.In most of these eyes during relative hypotony,long thin vertical folds were often noted in the superficial cornea(possibly involving Bowman’s layer and the epithelium),leading to fluorescein pooling.They subsequently developed marked corneal pathologies including stromal edema,diminished endothelial density,microcyst formation,corneal erosion,Descemet folds,superficial punctate keratitis and bullous keratopathy.Three of them received Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty(DSAEK)and regained functional vision.Conclusions:This case series demonstrates a unique clinical entity in which corneal endothelial demise developed in the context of chronic hypotony.The mechanism underlying this entity,which we term“chronic hypotony corneal endotheliopathy(CHCE)”,remains unclear.We hypothesize that it can be due to a combination of tectonic instability and energy disturbance of the cornea.In clinical practice,it is important to monitor endothelial cell count in patients with persistent hypotony,especially those who had procedures such as glaucoma surgery that can precipitate endothelial injury.

Cyclopexy versus vitrectomy combined with intraocular tamponade for treatment of cyclodialysis

AIM:Tocomparetheeffectsandcomplicationsof direc cyclopexy (DC) versus vitrectomy, endophotocoagulation, and gas/silicone oil endotamponade (VEE) treatment in patients with cyclodialysis and persistent hypotony.METHODS: This is a prospective, comparative, non-randomized clinical trial which includes 52 patients with cyclodialysis and persisting hypotony. Fifty-two patients suffering from cyclodialysis and persistent hypotony in one eye were divided into 2 groups (groups DC and VEE) and treated, respectively, with direct cyclopexy or vitrectomy, endophotocoagulation, and gas/silicone oil endotamponade. The patients were followed up for 12 months. Assessments included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber volume (ACV) and subjective rating of the pain caused by the treatments.RESULTS: After a follow-up of 12 months, significan improvement was seen in postoperative mean BCVA, IOP, ACD and ACV in both treatment groups (which were not significantly different from each other). The success rates for the treatments were not significantly different (DC: 50.0% vs VEE: 62.5% , P =0.383). Postoperative morbidity of cataract and subjective pain rating were significantly higher in the VEE group vs the DC group (P =0.003 and P <0.001 respectively).CONCLUSION: DC and VEE were effective surgica procedures in treating patients with cyclodialysis and persistent hypotony. Patients had better tolerance to DC treatment and VEE was more likely lead to cataract complications. Taking into consideration the ease of the operation, success rate, and patient comfort, DC treatment seems preferable to VEE treatment in patients with simple cyclodialysis. While VEE has the advantage of treating patients with cyclodialysis combined with vitreous hemorrhage.

Clinical presentation of a mixed 23-gauge infusion and 20-gauge pars plana technique for active silicone oil removal

AIM: To present with a clinical case series of a mixed 23-gauge infusion and 20-gauge pars plana technique for 5,700-centipoise silicone oil removal (SOR), and to discuss its efficacy and safety.METHODS: This is a retrospective, non-randomized controlled study. We performed SOR with 23-gauge infusion and 20-gauge active suction technique on 29 patients 29 eyes from April to October, 2011 (mixed group). During the surgeries, a 23-gauge sclerotomy was made for infusion and a 20-gauge sclerotomy was used for active silicone oil suction. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) was applied for 23-gauge sclerotomy analysis 1 day post-operation. Traditional 20-gauge SOR was performed on another consecutive 29 patients 29 eyes, the control group (20G group).RESULTS: There were 2 eyes (6.9%) in mixed group and 5 eyes (17.2%) in 20G group which had recurrent retinal detachment after surgery. Hopytony (IOP≤6mmHg) occurred in 8 eyes (27.6%) of mixed group and in 10 eyes (34.5%) of 20G group post-operation, but all of them recovered to the normal level finally. There were no statistical significant differences. Final visual acuity was significantly increased after surgery in both groups. Anterior segment OCT images were acquired from 13 eyes of mixed group, and all of them had a proper wound apposition. But local ciliary detachment was found in 9 eyes (69%). It was hard to define the OCT image of the sclerotomies and ciliary body because of the serious conjunctival hemorrhages and chemosis in 20G group. CONCLUSION: This mixed technique is a convenient and effective way to remove high viscosity silicone oil. Compared with traditional 20-gauge SOR, it does not increase the risk of post-operative complications and has less conjunctival reactions.. Transient postoperative hypotony is common for this procedure and subclinical ciliochoroidal detachment is a probable cause.

Comparison of encirclage and cryotherapy with argon laser in the management of traumatic cyclodialysis cleft

The study compared anatomical and functional outcome of a novel technique of encirclage and cryotherapy with the conventional argon laser in the management of traumatic cyclodialysis cleft in 19 patients(10: encirclage and 9: argon laser). The postoperative anatomical success was taken as rise in intraocular pressure(IOP) more than 6 mm Hg or the closure of cleft on gonioscopy or ultrasound biomicroscopy(UBM). Visual outcome was measured as change in logMAR visual acuity. Traumatic cataract and hypotony were present in majority. IOP>6 mm Hg was noted in 90% of encirclage group and in 77.70% of argon laser group. Two cases had non-closure of cleft. Encirclage is comparable to argon laser in terms of anatomical and functional success with possible advantage of single procedure and use in cases with failed laser.