Search

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms, complications, and final outcome in the management of uveitic patients at a tertiary academic referral center., Design: Observational study., Methods: Analysis of the archives of 6191 uveitic patients at the Ocular Inflammation Service of the Department of Ophthalmology of the University Hospital of Ioannina in Greece from 1991 to 2020., Results: During the 30 years of the study, the diagnostic ability climbed from 45.43% (1991-1995) to 73.4% (2016-2020). This improvement was linked to several factors including the increase in the number of diagnostic paracenteses for the analysis of intraocular fluids, the range and quality of laboratory blood tests, the multimodal ophthalmic imaging, the proper use of nonophthalmic imaging, and the multidisciplinary approach. The degree of uveitis-related complications was related to the severity and cause of inflammation, the recurrence rate, inappropriate treatment, and the prolonged or initially inactive inflammation. The 3 most common complications included cataract, macular edema, and glaucoma. Apart from the modern treatments and surgical techniques, the 3-month preoperative control of inflammation played a critical role in the surgical outcomes. The percentage of patients with a successful outcome increased from 72% (2001-2005) to 90.50% (2016-2020). The center's experience, prompt referral, patient's compliance, and regular follow-ups are associated with a better outcome. The analysis of the results allowed the development of diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms., Conclusions: Developing diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms allows for the efficient management of uveitis, leading to better visual outcome and therefore a better quality of life., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2022 Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology.)

Purpose: To compare the hypotensive effect of travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5% fixed combination (TTFC) to the concomitant use of travoprost and timolol 0.1% gel formulation (Trav + Geltim). Materials and methods: Thirty-three patients (62 eyes) were enrolled and divided into two groups. Patients in group 1 (31 eyes) received the TTFC and patients in group 2 (31 eyes) received the concomitant treatment with Trav + Geltim. Patients on previous antiglaucoma treatment discontinued their drops for 2–4 weeks before starting their new treatment (TTFC or Trav + Geltim). The drops were instilled in the evening in group 1 and in group 2, the prostaglandin was installed in the evening, and timolol in the morning. IOP was measured at 1 and 3 months after the initiation of treatment at four time points during the day (09:00, 12:00, 15:00, and 18:00). Results: Both groups showed significant IOP reduction from baseline at all time points at 1 and 3 months. When the two groups were compared, group 2 showed slightly better hypotensive effect that reached statistical significance only at the 18:00 time point at both 1 and 3 months. Conclusion: Both the TTFC and the concomitant use of the travoprost/timolol gel showed similar hypotensive effect with the latter being slightly more potent in reducing the IOP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To quantify the levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 4 (TIMP4) and its ratios with free metalloproteinases (MMP) in the aqueous humor of patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXG) and to evaluate a possible imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs in these samples. Methods Free MMP2, MMP3, MMP9, TIMP1, TIMP2, TIMP4 concentrations and active levels of MMP2 and MMP3 were determined with immunoassay ELISA and activity assay kits in 168 aqueous samples. Results TIMP4 was elevated in glaucoma patients(POAG: 0.95 ± 0.49 PXG: 1.28 ± 1.38 pg/ml. p <0.001). POAG, PXS and PXG samples demonstrated higher MMP2, TIMP1 and TIMP2 concentrations (p < 0.001). Samples from the PXS and PXG groups had a lower total/active MMP2 ratio (p < 0.004 and p < 0.008 respectively). Stoichiometric analysis showed an overbalance of TIMPsover MMPs in both POAG & PXG groups,especially of TIMP4. Conclusion TIMP4 elevation is a novel finding in glaucomatous eyes. A disregulation of extracellular matrix homeostasis is suggested in POAG, PXS and PXG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of tafluprost on the central corneal thickness (CCT) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: This was a prospective study and included 100 eyes of 54 patients with POAG. All patients received tafluprost 0.0015% (Saflutan®) once daily in one or both eyes. CCT was measured by using noncontact pachymetry prior to the treatment and after 6 and 12 months. Results: Mean CCT of all treated eyes ( n = 100) was 547.79 ± 29.48 μm at baseline, 535.61 ± 26.54 μm after 6 months and 533.55 ± 26.45 μm after 12 months (Student's t test, p < 0.0001). Ninety-three percent of all treated eyes showed a decrease of CCT. CCT reduction was more significant within the first six months of the treatment period (Student's t test, p < 0.0001). After 12 months, a CCT reduction >25 μm occurred in 5% of all treated eyes. There was a significant positive correlation between the magnitude of corneal thinning and the initial CCT (Pearson, r = 0.49, p < 0.0001) but not between the magnitude of corneal thinning and intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction (Pearson, r = 0.145, p = 0.15). Discussion: Long-term use of tafluprost may decrease the CCT in patients with POAG. Consequently, clinicians must be aware of prolongated CCT variations that may arise throughout the follow-up period for proper IOP targeting and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate 24-hour intraocular pressure (IOP) efficacy of latanoprost versus travoprost, each given every evening, in exfoliative glaucoma patients. Design: Prospective, observer-masked, crossover comparison. Participants: Forty patients with exfoliation glaucoma. Methods: Patients with a pressure of >24 mmHg were randomized to latanoprost or travoprost for an 8-week treatment period after a 6-week medicine-free period. Patients were then switched to the opposite treatment for the second period. At untreated baseline and at the end of each treatment period the IOP was measured at 6 am, 10 am, 2 pm, 6 pm, 10 pm, and 2 am. Main Outcome Measure: Diurnal IOP. Results: The mean 24-hour IOP was 25.1±2.5 mmHg at baseline, 17.8±2.1 mmHg on latanoprost, and 17.3±2.2 mmHg on travoprost (P = 0.001). Individual time points were similar between treatments, except at 6 pm when travoprost provided lower IOP (16.7±2.6 vs 17.9±2.5 mmHg, P<0.001). Adverse events showed more conjunctival hyperemia with travoprost (n = 15) than latanoprost (n = 6; P = 0.03). Conclusions: Latanoprost and travoprost both significantly reduce the 24-hour IOP from baseline in exfoliative glaucoma, but travoprost may demonstrate a greater hypotensive efficacy in the late afternoon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

: PurposeTo prospectively compare the influence of fornix-based and limbus-based conjunctival flaps on the final outcome and complications of 2-site phacotrabeculectomy with mitomycin-C in fellow eyes of patients with bilateral open-angle glaucoma (OAG).: SettingGlaucoma Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Crete, Crete, Greece.: MethodsTwenty-two patients with bilateral primary OAG and 8 patients with bilateral exfoliative glaucoma had 2-site phacotrabeculectomy in both eyes. Eyes were randomly assigned to the fornix-based flap or limbus-based flap group by the use of random tables.: ResultsThe intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased significantly in both groups (P < .01); however, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the amount of IOP decrease or the number of postoperative antiglaucoma medications after a 1-year follow-up. Faster improvement in visual acuity was observed in the fornix-based group during the first week. The mean time of surgery was 3.5 minutes less in the fornix-based group. An increased incidence of fibrin exudation, pupillary membrane formation, and capsule opacification was found in eyes with exfoliative glaucoma. The early bleb leakage was 3 times more frequent in the fornix-based group.: ConclusionThe type of conjunctival flap in a 2-site phacotrabeculectomy did not seem to influence the final outcome. The main advantage of the fornix-based conjunctival flap is the shorter surgical time and the relatively faster improvement in vision postoperatively. The main disadvantage is more frequent early bleb leakage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose of the study was to develop and assess a novel controlled drug delivery system of latanoprost acid (LA). Poly(lactide)/Monomethoxy-poly(ethyleneglycol) (PLA-PEG) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using an emulsification-solvent evaporation technique. NPs were characterized in vitro according to their size, ζ-potential, drug entrapment efficiency and LA release. LA-loaded NPs (equivalent to 8.5 μg LA) were administered into the subconjunctival space of normotensive rabbits (group A). A free LA solution of the same drug content was subconjunctivally injected in a second rabbit group (group B), while blank NPs were administered in a third group (group C). A group of untreated animals (group D) served as the control. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was monitored for 8 consecutive days, using the Tono-pen XL. Aqueous humor (AH) levels of LA were evaluated for 6 days post-administration, by means of HPLC. Mean nanoparticle size was 80 nm. The drug entrapment efficiency was 18.3%. NPs sustained the release of LA over several days in vitro. Non-significant differences in baseline IOP were found between groups (p = 0.22). LA-loaded NPs exerted a significant hypotensive effect on group A, while IOP values remained significantly lower compared to the rest groups, throughout the study (p = 0.04). LA AH concentrations in group B continuously decreased with time, while LA levels in group A steadily increased. On day 6, LA levels were higher in group A compared to group B (344 ± 73.5 ng/ml and 228 ± 41.01 ng/ml, respectively). No adverse effects were observed. In conclusion, after subconjunctival administration, the LA-loaded NPs provided sustained LA delivery in vivo. They appear to be a promising system for the controlled subconjunctival delivery of LA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]