Selective laser trabeculoplasty in patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma vs primary open angle glaucoma： a one-year comparative study

AIM：To compare the efficacy of single-session 360-degree selective laser trabeculoplasty（SLT） for reduction of intraocular pressure（IOP） in patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma（PXFG） and primary open angle glaucoma（POAG）.· METHODS：This is a single-center,prospective,nonrandomized comparative study.Patients older than 18 years of age with uncontrolled PXFG or POAG eyes requiring additional therapy while on maximally tolerated IOP-lowering medications were included.The primary outcome measure changed in IOP from baseline.Success was defined as IOP reduction ≥20%from baseline without any additional IOP-lowering medication.All patients were examined at 1d,1wk,1,3,6,9,12 mo after SLT.· RESULTS：Nineteen patients（20 eyes） with PXFG and27 patients（28 eyes） with POAG were included in the study.In the visual fields mean deviation was-2.88（±1.67）in the POAG and-3.1（±1.69） in the PXFG groups（P=0.3）.The mean（±SD） IOP was 22.9（±3.7） mm Hg in the POAG group and 25.7（±4.4） mm Hg in the PXFG group at baseline and decreased to 18.4（±3.2） and 18.0（±3.9） mm Hg in the POAG group（P〈0.001 and P=0.02）,and to 17.9（±4.0） and 21.0（±6.6） mm Hg in the PXFG group（P〈0.001 and P=0.47） at 6 and 12 mo,respectively.The number of medications was 2.6（±0.8） in the POAG group and 2.5（±0.8） in the PXFG group at baseline,and did not change at all follow-up visits in both groups（P =0.16 in POAG and 0.57 in PXFG）.Based on Kaplan-Meier survival analysis,the success rate was 75%in the POAG group compared to 94.1%in the PXFG group（P=0.08;Log-rank test） at 6mo,and 29.1%and 25.0%at 12 mo,respectively（P=0.9;Log-rank）.· CONCLUSION：The 360-degree SLT is an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic modality in patients with POAG and PXFG by reducing IOP without any change in number of medications.The response was more pronounced early in the postoperative period in patients with PXFG whereas there was no statistically significant difference at 12-month follow-up. 〈/tr〉

Comparison of long-term results of trabeculectomy to treat pseudoexfoliative glaucoma and primary open angle glaucoma

AIM： To compare the long term outcome of trabeculectomy in patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma（PEG） and primary open angle glaucoma（POAG） in terms of surgical success. METHODS： The success of the trabeculectomy was evaluated by three criteria. Criterion A： intraocular pressure（IOP） ≤21 mm Hg and decrease in IOP ≥20%; Criterion B： IOP ≤18 mm Hg and decrease in IOP ≥30%; Criterion C： IOP ≤15 mm Hg and decrease in IOP ≥50%. Patients that met these criteria without medical treatment were considered to be completely successful, while those that met these criteria with medical treatment were considered partially successful. Significance levels of differences between the POAG and PEG groups in the Kaplan-Meier survival curves were calculated with the log-rank test. RESULTS： Sixty-four eyes from 64 patients with PEG and 51 eyes from 51 patients with POAG were evaluated. No significant differences were detected between the PEG and POAG groups according to full or partial success relative to each of the three criteria（A： P=0.73, 0.32; B： P=0.73, 0.31; C：P=0.90, 0.27）. CONCLUSION： There is no difference in the long-term success of trabeculectomy between PEG and POAG patients whose clinical characteristics are otherwise the same.

XEN® Gel Implant for Glaucoma;Prospective Cohort Study in a High-Volume Department

Purpose: To evaluate the 3-year efficiency and safety of XEN® 45 gel stent implantation in a heterogenous group of open angle glaucoma patients. Methods: In this prospective, non-randomized observational study we identified patients who had undergone either stand-alone XEN® implantation (XEN solo) or XEN® implantation in combination with phacoemulsification (XEN combi). All patients who had undergone an implantation during the period 01.04.17-31.10.19 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Drammen Hospital, Norway, were asked to participate. Success was defined as IOP between 5 - 18 mmHg and 20% pressure reduction without medications. Qualified success required the same pressure interval and reduction but allowed medications. The procedure was deemed as failure if pressure requirements were not met, vision was reduced to light perception or worse, or if there was a converion to secondary glaucoma surgery. Results: Out of 115 patients and 133 eyes identified, 87 patients and 99 eyes consented to participate. All patients were Caucasians with a mean age of 73.6 years. The study had a mean (range) follow-up of 38.9 (28 - 54) months. The mean medicated baseline (SD) was reduced from 22.6 (7.9) mmHg on 3.2 (1.1) medications to 14.2 (5.6) mmHg on 1.4 (1.6) medications. Success and qualified success were achieved in 22.2% and 21.2%, respectively. Needling was performed in 34 eyes. Conclusion: XEN® 45 gel stent implantation is a safe procedure, offering a significantly lower IOP and number of medications in a subset of patients with open angle glaucoma.

Effect of phacoemulsification on intraocular pressure in patients with primary open angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma

AIM：To compare the effect of phacoemulsification on intraocular pressure（IOP）in patients with primary open angle glaucoma（POAG）and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma（PXG）.METHODS：A retrospective comparative case series conducted at the Glaucoma Department at the Association to Prevent Blindness in Mexico.The study enrolled consecutive patients having phacoemulsification with intraocular lens（IOL）implantation and a diagnosis of POAG or PXG.Data about IOP values and number of glaucoma medications used was collected at baseline,1,3,6 and12mo postoperatively.RESULTS：The study enrolled 88 patients（88 eyes）.After phacoemulsification,there was a statistically significant reduction in IOP values and glaucoma medications use compared to baseline in both POAG and PXG patients（P〈0.001）.In the POAG group,a 20%decrease in IOP values was evidenced,and a 56.5%reduction in the number of medications used at the one-year follow-up.The PXG group showed a 20.39%,and a 34.46%decrease in IOP and number of medications used,respectively.A significant difference in the meanΔIOP（postoperative changes in IOP）was evidenced between groups（P=0.005）.The reduction of the postsurgical IOP mean values in both groups,the POAG group showed a greater reduction in IOP values compared to the PXG group.CONCLUSION：In both types of glaucoma,phacoemulsification cataract surgery can result in a significant IOP reduction（20%）over a 12mo follow-up period.The number of medications used is also significantly reduced up to 12mo after surgery,especially in the PXG group.

Optical coherence tomography angiography of the peripapillary region and macula in normal,primary open angle glaucoma,pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and ocular hypertension eyes

AIM:To evaluate and compare the peripapillary and retinal vasculature changes in primary open angle glaucoma(POAG),pseudoexfoliation glaucoma(PXG),ocular hypertension(OHT)and normal eyes using optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA).METHODS:A total of 114 POAG,PXG and OHT eyes of 60 patients and 46 eyes of 23 healthy control participants with good quality OCTA images were included.The PXG,POAG,OHT,and control groups(aged 68.17±6.30 y,61.11±10.26 y,58.1±8.9 y,and 56.9±4.6 y,respectively)contained of 46,36,32,and 46 eyes,respectively.Measurements of vessel density(VD)in the peripapillary region and macula,average retinal inner thickness,and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness(RNFLT)were compared among groups.In order to test the accuracy of differentiation between eyes with and without glaucoma,the area was calculated under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.RESULTS:The VD in glaucomatous eyes was significantly lower than the control group in all peripapillary sectors(44.35%±6.78%vs 50.47%±1.83%,P<0.001),the superficial(44.08%±5.46%vs 51.28%±2.85%,P<0.001)and the deep(45.13%±8.55%vs 54.20%±5.44%,P<0.001)vascular plexus.There was a significant difference in peripapillary VD between glaucomatous and OHT eyes(44.35%±6.78%vs 49.86%±2.45%,P<0.001).The OHT group featured a lower superficial(48.06%±4.32%vs 51.28%±2.85%,P=0.027)and deep plexus(48.70%±5.99%vs 54.20%±5.44%,P=0.013)whole image vessel density(wiVD)than did the control group.The average macular superficial plexus wiVD was significantly lower in eyes with PXG than in eyes with POAG(42.22%±5.36%vs 46.54%±5.56%,P=0.046).CONCLUSION:OCTA can measure reduced peripapillary and macular VD in eyes with glaucoma and OHT,and these results are correlated to functional and structural glaucomatous alterations.Peripapillary and macular superficial plexus VD is lower in eyes with PXG than in eyes with POAG.Furthermore,the OHT eyes demonstrate impaired macular vasculature in both superficial and deep plexus.

Comparison of total/active ghrelin levels in primary open angle glaucoma,pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation syndrome

AIM：To investigate the levels of ghrelin（Gh）,acylated ghrelin（AGh） and AGh/Gh ratio in the humor aqueous（HA） of cases with pseudoexfoliation syndrome（PXS）,pseudoexfoliation glaucoma（PXG）,primary open angle glaucoma（POAG） and to compare these with control subjects.METHODS：A prospective examination was made of the total Gh,and AGh levels in HA of 67 patients undergoing cataract surgery.Patients were divided into 4 groups.HA samples were aspirated at the beginning of the surgery,stored at -70℃.Gh and AGh quantification was performed with ELISA kits and the AGh/total-Gh ratios were calculated.ANOVA,Kruskal-Wallis,Chi-square and post-hoc tests were used for statistical analysis.RESULTS：Total Gh levels in HA were 189.2±45.6 pg/mL in the control group,199.2±32.9 pg/mL in PXS,180.6±20.9 pg/mL in PXG and 176.8±21.4 pg/mL in POAG groups（P〉0.05）.AGh levels in HA were 23.09±5.01 pg/mL in the control group,24.13±5.22 pg/mL in PXS,22.29±1.55 pg/m L in PXG and 19.69±2.93 pg/mL in POAG groups（P〉0.05）.The ratio of AGh/Gh was 10.3%±2.34% in the control group,13.03%±2.58% in PXS,12.3%±1.54% in PXG and 11.79%±1.41% in POAG groups（P=0.044）.The difference between the PXS and control groups was significant（P=0.03）.CONCLUSION：In spite of statistically insignificant results,the HA total Gh levels were lower than those of the control subjects but not parallel with the AGh levels in glaucoma patients.The relative increase in the AGh/Gh ratio in glaucoma cases supports the view that proportional increases of AGh might play a role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.

Oxidant/antioxidant balance in the aqueous humor of patients with glaucoma

AIM： To evaluate total antioxidant status （TAS）, total oxidant status （TOS）, and the oxidative stress index （OSI） of the aqueous humor （AH） in patients with glaucoma. METHODS： The prospective study was composed of a study group （n-31） and a control group （n=31）. Fifteen patients in the study group were diagnosed with primary open angle glaucoma （POAG）, and 16 patients were diagnosed with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma （PEG）. The control group was composed of non-glaucomatous patients with cataracts. AH samples were collected and analyzed for TAS, TOS, and OSI levels. RESULTS： Mean AH TAS level was significantly higher in patients with glaucoma than that in the control group （P〈0.01）. Mean TOS and OSI levels tended to increase in patients with glaucoma. No significant differences in TAS, TOS, or OSI levels were observed between patients with POAG and PEG. CONCLUSION： High levels of TAS were observed in patients with glaucoma, which was likely a response to the increased oxidative stress observed in these patients.

Optic disc area in different types of glaucoma

AIMTo evaluate the possible relationship of optic disc area with retina nerve fiber layer in different glaucoma subtypes.METHODSOne eye each was chosen from 45 patients with ocular hypertension, 45 patients with primary open angle glaucoma, 45 patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and 45 healthy controls followed in our hospital. The records of the patients were reviewed retrospectively. Optic disc area and circumpapillary retina nerve fiber layer measurements were obtained using optical coherence tomography. Central corneal thickness was measured by ultrasound pachymetry.RESULTSThe median disc area in the patients with primary open angle glaucoma was significantly higher than the patients with ocular hypertension (2.19 vs 1.90 mm2, P=0.030). The median retina nerve fiber layer was thinner in the patients with primary open angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma than the patients with ocular hypertension for superior, inferior and temporal quadrants. After adjustment for age, no difference in central corneal thickness was found between the groups. Greater disc area was associated with thicker retinal nerve fiber layer for superior, inferior and nasal quadrants in the patients with primary open angle glaucoma. There was no correlation between disc area and central corneal thickness measurements of the groups.CONCLUSIONDisc size affects the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in eyes with primary open angle glaucoma and is a possible risk factor for glaucomatous optic nerve damage.

Prevalence and Associations of Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma in a Group of Tertiary Eye Care Facilities in Southwest Nigeria

Background: Globally, glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma is the most common form of secondary open angle glaucoma. Purpose: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG) among newly diagnosed glaucoma patients in Eye Foundation Hospital Ikeja, Guinness Eye Center, Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Deseret Community Vision Institute, Ijebu Imushin. Methods: This hospital-based, descriptive cross-sectional study included newly diagnosed adult glaucoma patients at the glaucoma clinics of three tertiary eye care centers. A study proforma was used to obtain socio-demographic information, medical history, ocular history and relevant findings on ocular and systemic examination. Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses were performed. Values were considered statistically significant where P Results: One hundred and forty adult glaucoma patients aged 60.5 ± 11.9 SD years and male to female ratio of 2:1 were examined. The prevalence of PXG among the glaucoma patients was 16.9%. The pseudoexfoliative material (PXM) was most commonly found on the pupil (39%). Common ocular features seen among PXG patients were poor pupillary dilation with mydriatic agents (44%) and Sampaolesi’s line in the anterior chamber angle (41%). A higher proportion of PXG patients than primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients showed signs of severe glaucoma, including severe optic disc cupping (P = 0.019) and visual field defects (P = 0.014). Hearing defects were the only significantly associated non-ocular feature (P = 0.0005). Conclusion: The prevalence of PXG was 16.9%. This implies that it is relatively common in Nigeria. Hearing loss is an important non-ocular association. Careful ocular examination of glaucoma patients is recommended to identify PXG, which runs a more severe clinical course than POAG.

Prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome and its association with ocular and systemic diseases in Eskisehir,Turkey

AIM： To investigate the prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome （PEX） and its associations with ocular and systemic diseases in a population sample aged over 40y. METHODS： A total of 2356 subjects were randomly chosen for the sample population based on the database of the Turkish Statistical Agency in Eskisehir. Of the invited 2356 subjects, 2017 subjects participated, out of which 2009 were eligible for the study. Systemic diseases, drug use, smoking and body mass index were assessed using questionnaires. Measurements of central corneal thickness （CCT）, anterior chamber depth （ACD） and intraocular pressure （IOP） were performed during June to December, 2015. After pupillary dilation, the anterior segment and lenses were evaluated using a slit lamp.RESULTS： Prevalence of PEX in this sample was 5.0% （n=100）. Of patients with PEX, 26% also had glaucoma. Incidence of cataracts, and using drugs for hypertension, cardiac and psychiatric conditions was higher in patients with PEX compared to normal cases （P〈0.05）. Hearing loss was more common in PEX cases （34.0% vs 5.4%; P〈0.001）. The mean CCT, ACD and IOP were not significantly different between PEX and non-PEX cases.CONCLUSION： This study is the first population-based, randomized trial in Turkey. Prevalence of PEX in patients over 40 years old was found to be 5.0%. Besides glaucoma and cataract, hypertension, hearing loss, using drugs for cardiac and psychiatric diseases were associated with PEX.