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To compare three-year surgical outcomes of trabeculectomy versus Ahmed valves in patients with prior failed trabeculectomy.This is a longitudinal retrospective comparative study of one-hundred twenty adult patients with prior failed trabeculectomy who underwent a repeat trabeculectomy or Ahmed valve implant. Demographic and clinical data were collected up to 3 years on all study participants at the Kresge Eye Institute from 2004 to 2016. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure, number of intraocular pressure reducing medications, and success rates at various time points up to 3 years after repeat surgery were the main outcome variables.Sixty-five and sixty eyes were included in the trabeculectomy and the Ahmed valve groups, respectively. Baseline intraocular pressure significantly decreased in both groups at 3 years (p 0.01). The number of medications was relatively similar to baseline in both study groups at 3 years (p 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in visual acuity, percentage of intraocular pressure reduction, number of medications, or success rates at any follow-up time points (p 0.05 for all).After 3 years, both trabeculectomy and Ahmed valves significantly reduced intraocular pressure from baseline, but with relatively similar number of medications compared to baseline. There was no significant difference in any outcome measure between trabeculectomy and Ahmed valves at any follow-up time points. These results may suggest neither trabeculectomy or Ahmed valves are superior in patients with previously failed trabeculectomies.

To evaluate outcomes of repeat pars plana vitrectomy for proliferative vitreoretinopathy after previous failed pars plana vitrectomy.This is a retrospective case series including 51 eyes of 50 patients who underwent repeat surgery after failed previous pars plana vitrectomy for proliferative vitreoretinopathy from 2000 to 2015 at the Kresge Eye Institute, Detroit, MI. Patients were classified into successful and unsuccessful groups. Success was defined as retinal reattachment, silicone oil removed, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥5/200 at the final follow-up visit.Forty-three eyes (84.3%) were successfully reattached at the last follow-up. Seventeen (33.3%) eyes were deemed successful and 34 (66.7%) eyes unsuccessful according to our criteria. Compared with the successful group, eyes in the unsuccessful group had more eyes with preoperative BCVA5/200 (P0.001), preoperative BCVA of hand motion or worse (P = 0.002), preoperative flare ≥Grade 2+ (P = 0.03), preoperative posterior breaks (P = 0.02), previous retinectomy (P = 0.04), and final postoperative hypotony (intraocular pressure ≤ 5 mmHg) (P = 0.005). Eyes with silicone oil removed were more likely to have BCVA ≥5/200 (P0.001) at the final follow-up visit. Location of patients100 miles (P = 0.04) from Detroit and preoperative BCVA of hand motion or worse (P = 0.01) were significantly associated with failure in the logistic regression analysis.Success after repeat surgery for proliferative vitreoretinopathy should include ambulatory vision, retinal reattachment, and silicone oil removal. We identified several preoperative and perioperative factors that were associated with success in the bivariate and logistic analyses. The decision to perform surgical reoperation in these patients should be based on multiple factors, most importantly preoperative BCVA.

Patients treated with allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) often develop ocular complications. To investigate the ocular findings in young long-term survivors after allo-SCT without TBI, we examined 96 patients more than 5 years after transplantation. All patients were under 30 years of age at transplantation. The mean follow-up time was 16.8 years (range 6.0–26.1 years). The study was a part of the Norwegian Allo Survivorship Study investigating health impairments in young survivors after allo-SCT. Ophthalmological examination included visual acuity, tear break-up time, corneal fluorescein staining, Schirmer I test, tear film osmolarity, biomicroscopy and dilated ophthalmoscopy. In patients with known systemic chronic GVHD (cGVHD), ocular GVHD (oGVHD) diagnosed by clinical examination was compared with diagnosis using National Institutes of Health (NIH) or International Chronic Ocular Graft-vs-Host-Disease (ICCGVHD) Consensus Group criteria. We diagnosed dry eye disease (DED) in 52 patients (54%), cataract in 3 patients (3%) and retinopathy in 1 patient (1%). Systemic cGVHD was a risk factor for DED (OR 4.40, CI 1.33–14.56, p = 0.02). Comparison of diagnostic criteria suggests that the more stringent ICCGVHD criteria can better differentiate DED from oGVHD after allo-SCT as compared with the NIH criteria.

Determining risk factors for posterior capsule opacification will allow for further interventions to reduce the risk of development and thus additional procedures.The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors associated with development of clinically significant posterior capsule opacification requiring yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) capsulotomy.Medical records of patients (≥18 years) who underwent cataract surgery between January 1, 2011, and March 31, 2014, at Kresge Eye Institute were reviewed. Three hundred eyes requiring YAG capsulotomy up to 3 years after cataract surgery were included in the YAG capsulotomy group. Three hundred eyes not requiring YAG capsulotomy up to 3 years after cataract surgery were selected via age-matched simple randomization (control group).The YAG capsulotomy group included patients with younger age (65.8 ± 11.3 vs. 70.1 ± 10.6 years, P.001), more men (42.67 vs. 34.67%, P = .04), fewer patients with hypertension (73.00 vs. 83.00%, P.001), and more patients with hydrophilic intraocular lenses (74.67 vs. 47.00%, P.001). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a negative association between YAG capsulotomy and age (coefficient, -0.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95 to 0.98; P.001) and hydrophobic intraocular lenses (coefficient, -1.50; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.33; P.001), and a positive association with presence of glaucoma (coefficient, 0.88; 95% CI, 1.39 to 4.17; P = .002). Elapsed time to YAG capsulotomy was sooner in patients with a history of uveitis (95% CI, 5.10 to 9.70 months; P = .02) and insertion of hydrophilic intraocular lenses (95% CI, 18.67 to 21.57 months; P.001).Results of this study suggest that development of visually significant posterior capsule opacification is associated with younger age, glaucoma, and hydrophilic intraocular lenses, and it occurs earlier among those with hydrophilic intraocular lenses and a history of uveitis.

Purpose: To study angular and temporal vein engorgement following periorbital hyaluronic acid gel (HAG) injection. Methods: In this retrospective study, the authors reviewed the photographs of 805 patients who had periorbital HAG injection at Jules Stein Eye Institute Oculoplastic Clinic between January 2004 and January 2014. HAG injections were used to fill the orbital hollow, zygomatic hollow, septal confluence hollow, and cheek. The inclusion criteria were patients who had at least 1 pre-, immediate post-, and late postinjection photographs. Immediate postinjection photographs were taken right after HAG injection, and late postinjection photographs were taken at the following visit before any injection. The exclusion criteria were patients with any previous ocular surgery 6 months before filler injection, patients with orbital diseases, and patients who had HAG injections for functional purposes. The photographs were evaluated for the presence of angular and temporal vein engorgement at any of the injections during the follow-up visits. The photographs of eyes with vein engorgement were graded on a scale of 0 (no engorgement), 1 (mild engorgement), 2 (moderate engorgement), and 3 (severe engorgement). Results: There were 78 eligible patients (156 orbits; 68 females and 10 males) with average age of 59.4 ± 13.4 years. The authors found 18 orbits of 12 patients (15.4%; 6 unilateral and 6 bilateral) with angular vein engorgement at least 1 time after HAG injection during the follow-up visits. The frequency of temporal vein engorgement was 9.1%. The mean ± SD of angular vein grading for engorgement increased from 0.72 ± 0.51 on preinjection photographs to 1.45 ± 0.88 on immediate postinjection photographs (p = 0.0001) and 0.89 ± 0.50 on late postinjection photographs (p = 0.04). The mean ± SD of angular vein grading for engorgement was 0.67 ± 0.55 on the first preinjection photographs, which increased to 1.10 ± 0.50 on the last late postinjection photographs. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Angular and temporal vein engorgement occurred following HAG injection in the periorbital region. The engorgement occurred immediately after injections and decreased considerably but not completely in the following visit.

PURPOSE: To compare refractive outcomes, contrast sensitivity, higher-order aberrations (HOAs), and patient satisfaction after photorefractive keratectomy for correction of moderate myopia with two methods: tissue saving versus wavefront optimized. METHODS: In this prospective, comparative study, 152 eyes (80 patients) with moderate myopia with and without astigmatism were randomly divided into two groups: the tissue-saving group (Technolas 217z Zyoptix laser; Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY) (76 eyes of 39 patients) or the wavefront-optimized group (WaveLight Allegretto Wave Eye-Q laser; Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX) (76 eyes of 41 patients). Preoperative and 3-month postoperative refractive outcomes, contrast sensitivity, HOAs, and patient satisfaction were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean spherical equivalent was −4.50 ± 1.02 diopters. No statistically significant differences were detected between the groups in terms of uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity and spherical equivalent preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. No statistically significant differences were seen in the amount of preoperative to postoperative contrast sensitivity changes between the two groups in photopic and mesopic conditions. HOAs and Q factor increased in both groups postoperatively ( P = .001), with the tissue-saving method causing more increases in HOAs ( P = .007) and Q factor ( P = .039). Patient satisfaction was comparable between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both platforms were effective in correcting moderate myopia with or without astigmatism. No difference in refractive outcome, contrast sensitivity changes, and patient satisfaction between the groups was observed. Postoperatively, the tissue-saving method caused a higher increase in HOAs and Q factor compared to the wavefront-optimized method, which could be due to larger optical zone sizes in the tissue-saving group. [ J Refract Surg. 2015;31(10):683–688.]

Orbital lymphaticovenous malformations consist of abnormal vascular channels lined by endothelial cells with a spectrum from venous to lymphatic characteristics. They may be venous-dominant or lymphatic-dominant. These lesions continue to present management challenges. Total excision or obliteration is not always achievable, recrudescence is common, and interventions carry a risk of damaging normal structures. Patients likely benefit most from a multidisciplinary approach, including both surgical and nonsurgical (e.g., sclerosants and liquid polymers) therapeutic modalities. Targeted biologic therapy would be ideal; nevertheless, this goal is complicated by the heterogeneous venous-lymphatic and stromal characteristics of these lesions. Ideally, antiangiogenic agents targeting both lymphatic and blood vascular endothelial cells will be developed to treat these lesions and reduce their regrowth. Further studies are warranted to enhance our understanding of these orbital lesions with regard to their angiogenic (proliferative) activities and profiles of marker expression, with a goal to produce effective medical therapies.

Purpose To determine the causes of lacrimal gland inflammation based on histopathology and systemic evaluation. Methods This is a retrospective case series study. From the University of British Columbia Orbit Clinic between January 1976 and December 2008, we reviewed the medical records of 60 patients who presented with inflammatory features of the lacrimal gland (i.e., erythema, edema, or tenderness) in which the diagnoses were not possible clinically and on imaging alone. As was our routine practice, all these patients underwent lacrimal gland biopsy before starting any treatment. Results The histopathologic findings of the 60 patients showed that 37 (61.7%) had identifiable types of lacrimal inflammation including 10 with Sjogren's syndrome, seven with sarcoidal reaction, six with feature of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis), five with lymphoma, two with sclerosing inflammation, two with IgG4-related dacryoadenitis, and one patient each with infectious dacryoadenitis, myoepithelial carcinoma, xanthogranuloma, eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis, and eosinophilic allergic granulomatous nodule. The histopathologic findings of the remaining 23 (38.3%) patients showed nonspecific inflammation of the lacrimal gland. 23 patients (38.3%) had associated systemic diseases. 48 patients (80%) were treated successfully and 10 (16.7%) had recurrence of inflammation. Conclusions We recommend that in patients presenting with lacrimal gland inflammation (i.e., erythema, edema, tenderness) in which the specific diagnosis cannot be made clinically and on imaging, biopsy is warranted for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. We found that the majority of these patients (61.7%) had specific histopathology, and 38% had systemic diseases.

Purpose To report a patient with retinal and choroidal vascular occlusion as a presenting sign of sickle cell trait following the development of aqueous misdirection syndrome. Methods Retrospective chart review. Results A patient treated for bilateral chronic angle-closure glaucoma with sequential EX-PRESS glaucoma filtration device surgery developed sequential bilateral aqueous misdirection syndrome. The left eye developed retinal arterial and localized choroidal vascular occlusions subsequent to an acute elevation in intraocular pressure and possibly the use of oral acetazolamide. The patient was subsequently found to have sickle cell trait. The right eye developed aqueous misdirection with acute elevation of intraocular pressure as well, but the patient was not treated with oral acetazolamide and did not develop vascular occlusion. Conclusion Retinal and choroidal vascular occlusions can be the presenting sign of a patient with sickle cell trait. Sickle cell screening may be beneficial in African American or Middle Eastern patients after an acute rise in intraocular pressure, particularly before initiation of treatment with oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

We evaluated the effect of AAV2- and 17-AAG (17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin)-mediated upregulation of Hsp70 expression on the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) injured by optic nerve crush (ONC). AAV2-Hsp70 expression in the retina was primarily observed in the ganglion cell layer. Approximately 75% of all transfected cells were RGCs. RGC survival in AAV2-Hsp70-injected animals was increased by an average of 110% 2 weeks after the axonal injury compared with the control. The increase in cell numbers was not even across the retinas with a maximum effect of approximately 306% observed in the inferior quadrant. 17-AAG-mediated induction of Hsp70 expression has been associated with cell protection in various models of neurodegenerative diseases. We show here that a single intravitreal injection of 17-AAG (0.2 ug ul(-1)) results in an increased survival of ONC-injured RGCs by approximately 49% compared with the vehicle-treated animals. Expression of Hsp70 in retinas of 17-AAG-treated animals was upregulated approximately by twofold compared with control animals. Our data support the idea that the upregulation of Hsp70 has a beneficial effect on the survival of injured RGCs, and the induction of this protein could be viewed as a potential neuroprotective strategy for optic neuropathies.

To describe the association of lacrimal gland inflammation with alopecia areata.We reviewed the medical records of 4 patients diagnosed with lacrimal gland inflammation who had an antecedent or subsequent episode of alopecia. Data was collected on the presentation age, gender, medical history, disease onset, symptoms and signs, imaging, histopathology, systemic evaluation, management and outcome. Pathology and imaging results were correlated with clinical findings.Three patients were Asian and one Caucasian. Two developed alopecia after presentation for lacrimal inflammation. The remaining two had a history of alopecia totalis (2 years and 10 years). Three of the 4 patients presented or developed other systemic disorders, including seizures, thrombocytopenia, optic neuritis, ulcerative colitis, allergic rhinitis, lymphadenopathy, vasculitic rash and positive p-ANCA values. All received oral corticosteroids, with the addition of methotrexate therapy in one for relapsing inflammation.Lacrimal gland inflammation and alopecia areata are autoimmune processes that can be seen in association with each other.

To review indications and clinical outcomes in a series of orbitocranial tumors treated surgically through a transorbital extradural approach without craniotomy.In this retrospective case series, all patients who underwent surgery through a transorbital extradural approach without craniotomy for benign orbitocranial tumors involving the dura or extending into the anterior or middle cranial fossae were analyzed.Twenty-seven patients (20 females and 7 males) were included. Median age was 47.0 years (range: 6-74 years) and median follow-up time was 43.5 months (range: 3-148 months). The median preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR) was improved from 0.35 (range: 0-2.6) to 0.1 (range: 0-2.6) at the last follow-up (p 0.03). The mean ± SD preoperative exophthalmos significantly decreased from 20.4 ± 3.4 mm to 13.1 ± 3.5 mm at the last follow-up visit (p 0.01). Four postoperative complications were noted and included one case each of ptosis, numbness, diplopia (transient for 6 months), and cranial nerve VI palsy (transient for 4 months).The transorbital extradural approach provides access to the deep orbit and adjacent extradural cranial spaces. Benign orbital tumors that have eroded through the orbital roof, are located in the orbital apex abutting the anterior cavernous sinus and tumors requiring debulking are all processes that can be potentially approached through the transorbital extradural route. Compared to open craniotomy, the incision is smaller, the access more direct and specific risks of open craniotomy are reduced.

OBJECTIVE To describe the surgical technique and outcomes of implantation of a glaucoma drainage device (GDD) at the time of Boston type I keratoprosthesis (KPro) procedure. METHODS Consecutive cases of combined GDD and KPro surgery performed between January 2005 and January 2011 with at least 6 months of follow-up were reviewed. Outcome measures included visual acuity, number of glaucoma medications, and complications. RESULTS Twenty-nine eyes (29 patients) underwent combined GDD and KPro surgery. 82.8% of KPro were retained at a mean follow-up of 34.4±17.7 months. Major complications included corneal necrosis (3 eyes, 10.3%), retinal detachment (3 eyes, 10.3%), endophthalmitis (1 eye, 3.4%), sterile vitritis (1 eye, 3.4%), and loss of light perception (2 eyes, 6.9%). Final corrected distance visual acuity improved in 17 (58.6%), remained unchanged in 7 (24.1%), and worsened in 5 eyes (17.2%). Mean numbers of glaucoma medications required postoperatively from 3 to 36 months were lower than the preoperative number, but the differences were not statistically significant. The tube of the GDD was able to be inserted into the anterior chamber or the ciliary sulcus in 27 eyes (91.3%). In 14 eyes with anterior segment ocular coherence tomographic evaluation, blockage of the ostium of the tube was noted in 2 eyes (14.3%). CONCLUSIONS Combined GDD and KPro surgery provides the opportunity of additional IOP management and restoring vision in the same setting, saving the patient from additional glaucoma surgery, and is not associated with an increased KPro retention failure rate or other secondary complications.

Purpose: To compare the intraocular pressures (IOP) and ocular pulse amplitudes (OPAs) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG), and to evaluate ocular and systemic factors associated with the OPA. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, on 28 POAG and 30 PXG patients, IOP was measured with the Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and the Pascal dynamic contour tonometry (DCT). Other measurements included central corneal thickness (CCT), vertical cup-to-disc ratio (CDR), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05. Results: In each of the POAG and PXG groups, GAT IOP was correlated with CCT (r = 0.40, P = 0.03 and r = 0.35, P = 0.05, respectively), whereas DCT IOP and CCT were not correlated. In all patients and in the POAG group, OPA was positively correlated with DCT IOP (r = 0.39, P = 0.002). OPA was not correlated with CCT in the POAG ( P = 0.80), nor in the PXG ( P = 0.20) group, after adjusting for DCT IOP. When corrected for DCT IOP and CCT, there was a significant negative correlation between OPA and vertical CDR in all patients (r = −0.41, P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in OPA between groups ( P = 0.55), even when OPA was adjusted for IOP and systolic and diastolic pressure ( P = 0.40), in a linear regression model. Conclusion: DCT IOP and OPA are not correlated with CCT. There is no significant difference between the OPA of PXG and POAG eyes. OPA is correlated with DCT IOP, and is lower in eyes with more advanced glaucomatous cupping.

To investigate the prevalence of glaucoma, visual field abnormalities, as well as changes in retinal nerve fiber layer in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).In this cross-sectional study, 51 patients with OSAS were included. Based on apnea hypopnea index (AHI), there were 26, 6 and 19 cases of severe (AHI⩾30), moderate (15⩽AHI30), and mild (5⩽AHI15) OSAS, respectively. The control group was matched for age, sex and body mass index. Prevalence of glaucoma and ocular hypertension as well as the following values were assessed and compared between two groups: best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness (CCT), cup:disk ratio, mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) parameters using glaucoma diagnosis measurement (GDx).Seven eyes (6.7%) had intraocular pressure (IOP)21mmHg; of these, four eyes (3.9%) had glaucoma. No significant difference was detected in CCT between the two groups. IOP was significantly higher in the OSAS group before (p0.001) and after (p0.001) correcting for CCT. There was a significant difference between groups in MD and most GDx parameters including DISK (temporal-superior-nasal-inferior-temporal) average (p=0.002), superior average (p=0.05) and nerve fiber indicator (NFI) (p=0.03), where those in the patient group showed lower values. There was a significant positive correlation between AHI and both IOP and NFI.OSAS patients had a higher prevalence of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. OSAS patients also had higher IOP, worse visual field indices, and lower RNFL parameters compared with the control group.

Purpose To analyze the impact of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) on the field of ophthalmology. Design A perspective on the effects of MACRA's Quality Payment Program after analysis of the proposed rule, final rule, and commentary submitted by relevant stakeholders. Results Physicians will need to use 1 of 2 payment structures: Merit-Based Incentive Payment Systems (MIPS) or Alternative Payment Models (APMs). APMs and MIPS will focus on bundling payments and reimbursing based on "fee-for-service-plus" models, which take into account clinical outcomes, coordination of care, clinical improvement, and electronic information exchange and security. APMs have substantial advantages, with eligible participants receiving a bonus and a higher rate of annual adjustment over the program's life. For most ophthalmology practices, MIPS may be more appropriate owing to its broader applicability and the current paucity of APMs for ophthalmologists. Conclusion The Quality Payment Program is a substantial improvement over the negative adjustments under the repealed Substantial Growth Rate model. Ophthalmologists will likely use the MIPS system; however, its comparatively lower reimbursements, as well as its cost, quality, and other reporting measures, may prove problematic.

To determine the effect of intravitreal administration of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) on retrobulbar circulation of the injected and the fellow (uninjected) eyes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.In this prospective study, the retrobulbar hemodynamics of 43 patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration was examined by color Doppler ultrasonography. Peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, and resistive index values in the central retinal artery and short posterior ciliary artery in both injected and uninjected fellow eyes were measured at baseline and 7 days after a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab.At baseline, the peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, and the resistive index in the central retinal artery and short posterior ciliary artery of the injected eye were not significantly different compared with the fellow uninjected eye (P0.05 for all). However, intravitreal bevacizumab induced a significant reduction in the peak systolic velocity and end-diastolic velocity and a significant rise in the resistive index of the central retinal artery and short posterior ciliary artery of the injected eye (P ≤ 0.006 for all). Peak systolic velocity and end-diastolic velocity decreased in the central retinal artery (P = 0.023 and P = 0.030) and the short posterior ciliary artery (P = 0.001 and P0.000) in the uninjected eye while the resistive index did not significantly change in central retinal artery (P = 0.114) and short posterior ciliary artery (P = 0.082) of the fellow eyes.Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab significantly affects ocular hemodynamic parameters of both the injected and the uninjected fellow eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of blunt foreign body impact on a human cornea after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and LASIK using a simulation model. METHODS: Computational simulations were performed using a finite element analysis program (LS-Dyna, Livermore Software Technology Corp). The blunt foreign body was set to impact at the center of the corneal surface models (after PRK and LASIK) with thicknesses of 500, 450, 400, 350, and 300 μm. Corneal rupture was assumed to occur at a peak stress of 9.45 MPa and at a strain of 18%. The foreign body projectile was blunt in shape, made from aluminum, contained plastic-kinematic properties, and had a density of 2700 kg/m 3 . RESULTS: The projectile was launched at the center of the cornea with velocities ranging from 20 to 60 m/s. The threshold of impact velocities creating rupture in corneal thicknesses of 500, 450, 400, 350, and 300 μm were 33, 32.8, 30.7, 27.9, and 22.8 m/s, respectively, in the PRK model. In the LASIK model, the thresholds creating rupture in the stromal bed of the corneas with thicknesses of 500, 450, 400, 350, and 300 μm were 40, 38.1, 35.6, 31.5, and 26.7 m/s, respectively. The 110-μm corneal flap in the LASIK model ruptured at all velocities. CONCLUSIONS: Ruptures occurred at lower velocities in the PRK cornea model than in the corneal stromal bed of the LASIK model following blunt foreign body impact.

Purpose To compare visual outcomes and contrast sensitivity after wavefront-optimized or conventional photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in myopic patients with or without astigmatism. Setting Vanak Eye Surgery Center, Tehran, Iran. Design Comparative case series. Methods Patients with low to moderate myopia with or without astigmatism were allocated into 2 groups. The study group was treated with wavefront-optimized PRK (Allegretto Wave Eye-Q software version 2.020 default treatment) and the control group, with conventional PRK (Technolas 217z). In all cases, treatments were bilateral and performed with the same device. Baseline and 3-month postoperative measures were uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuities, manifest refraction, and contrast sensitivity. Results Each group comprised 66 eyes. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction improved from −2.99 diopters (D) ± 1.02 (SD) preoperatively to −0.08 ± 0.26 D 3 months postoperatively in the study group and from −2.66 ± 0.95 D to 0.01 ± 0.30 D, respectively, in the control group. In both groups, the postoperative mesopic and photopic contrast sensitivity decreased significantly at most spatial frequencies. The postoperative decrease in contrast sensitivity in both groups was comparable except at spatial frequencies of 3 cycles per degree (cpd) under mesopic conditions and 12 cpd under photopic conditions, frequencies at which the control group had a greater reduction. Conclusions Visual acuity and refractive error outcomes were similar in both treatment groups. After 3 months, mesopic and photopic contrast sensitivity were significantly decreased in both groups; the reduction in the 2 groups was almost comparable. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Detection of visual field progression remains a challenging task despite the recent advances for better handling of longitudinal visual field data, some of which are incorporated in currently available perimeters. Standard achromatic perimetry remains the gold standard for detection of visual field progression. The authors present a practical and clinically relevant review of the main issues involved in detection of early glaucoma as well as detection of visual field progression in eyes with pre-existing glaucomatous damage. After discussing some basic concepts in perimetry, the authors present evidence-based recommendations for criteria to detect earliest evidence of glaucomatous damage with perimetry. The authors will review different event- and trend-based criteria and present data with regard to comparative performance of such criteria. Relevance of using absolute versus corrected threshold data with regard to different criteria is also addressed. At the end, the authors provide practical guidelines for detection of visual field progression in a clinical setting and review issues related to clinical trials.

To compare 1-site and 2-site phacotrabeculectomies with regard to visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP) control, antiglaucoma medication requirements, and postoperative complications.In a randomized controlled trial, 169 eyes with coexisting visually significant cataract and glaucoma were randomly allocated into 2 groups: eyes that had a trabeculectomy in a superior quadrant combined with phacoemulsification through the same incision (1-site group; n=85) or those with a separate, temporal, clear corneal incision for phacoemulsification (2-site group; n=84). Postoperative evaluation, including visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), glaucoma medication requirements, and surgical complications, was for up to 18 months.After 18 months, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups with respect to visual acuity and antiglaucoma medication requirements. There was a 0.6 to 1.4 mmHg difference in mean IOP, with the 2-site technique demonstrating statistically significant advantage over the 1-site technique in some follow-up visits with nonparametric analysis; however, the difference cannot be clinically significant. Success rates (IOP21 mmHg with the maximum use of medication) of 1-site and 2-site groups were 85.9% and 92.8%, respectively, which was not statistically significant (p=0.153). Nevertheless, the incidence of failure in the 1-site group was almost twice that of the 2-site group (12 vs 6). Postoperative complications were comparable in both groups.Results for 18-month follow-ups of 1-site and 2-site phacotrabeculectomies were comparable in terms of visual acuity, antiglaucoma medication requirements, and postoperative complications. While lowering of IOP was more pronounced in the 2-site group, this was not clinically significant.

PURPOSE To compare the corneal endothelial cell (CEC) changes that occurred after phacotrabeculectomy performed at 1 or 2 sites. DESIGN A historical cohort study. METHODS The records of patients who had 1-site (n = 61) or 2-site (n = 52) limbus-based phacotrabeculectomy over a 4-year period (2002-2005) at 1 eye surgery center (Vanak Eye Surgery Center, Tehran, Iran) by a single surgeon were reviewed, and postoperative CEC indices were measured. Preoperative CEC indices, performed for a then-ongoing trial, were compared with postoperative measurements of the last follow-ups. The main outcome measure was endothelial cell count. RESULTS The median follow-up time was 12 months (range 9-24 months). There was no difference between the operations in improving visual acuity, lowering intraocular pressure, and decreasing the number of antiglaucoma medications required. However, 2-site surgery was associated with significantly more expansion in the CEC area (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, longer follow-up, 2-site surgery, and grade 4 cataract density were independently associated with more CEC loss, and longer follow-up, 2-site surgery, and steroid-induced glaucoma were associated with CEC area expansion. Postoperative complications were not markedly different between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS In both groups, the longer the follow-up time was, the higher the CEC loss and the CEC area expansion were. One-site surgery seems to cause less CEC damage than the 2-site operation during the median follow-up time of 1 year.

Purpose To evaluate the effect of intraoperative use of mitomycin-C (MMC) on the corneal endothelium during excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Setting Vanak Eye Surgery Center, Tehran, Iran. Methods This nonrandomized trial comprised 81 patients (162 eyes) with bilateral low to moderate myopia and adequate corneal thickness to allow PRK (estimated postoperative residual stromal thickness >350 μm without considering epithelial thickness). The indication for intraoperative application of MMC 0.02% (0.2 mg/mL) was an ablation depth of 75 μm or more. Patients were divided into 3 groups: bilateral (both eyes treated with MMC), unilateral (only 1 eye treated with MMC), and untreated (no eye treated with MMC). Visual acuity, refraction, endothelial cell density (ECD), and corneal thickness were measured preoperatively as well as 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Results Overall, 76 eyes were treated with MMC. Eyes treated with MMC and untreated eyes were comparable in postoperative visual acuity and refraction. Preoperative to postoperative changes in ECD were statistically significantly greater in the treated eyes (−14.8%) than in untreated eyes (−5.1%) 6 months after PRK ( P .001). Longer MMC contact time ( P P = .04) were the only factors independently associated with greater endothelial cell loss. Conclusions The prophylactic use of diluted intraoperative MMC 0.02% solution caused corneal endothelial cell loss. The rate of cell loss was correlated with the duration of MMC exposure.

PURPOSE To investigate the effect of prostaglandin analog eyedrops on the periorbital soft tissue using high-resolution ultrasonography. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, the authors included patients with bilateral glaucoma on unilateral prostaglandin therapy for the past 12 or more contiguous months. High-resolution ultrasonography was performed bilaterally on the upper and lower eyelids of each subject to measure thicknesses of dermis, orbicularis oculi muscle, and skin to arcus marginalis distance. Comparisons were made between eyes on prostaglandin eyedrops versus those not on prostaglandin analogs. RESULTS Twenty patients (16 females, 4 males) with a mean age of 67.2 ± 6.4 years were recruited. The mean duration of prostaglandin analog therapy was 5.4 ± 3.9 years. The authors found that eyes on prostaglandin analog therapy had statistically significantly reduced thicknesses of dermis, orbicularis oculi muscle, and skin to arcus marginalis distance in the upper and lower eyelids compared with the fellow eyes (p < 0.05 for all). In univariate regression analysis, the amount of changes in thicknesses of dermis, orbicularis oculi muscle, and skin to arcus marginalis distance among eyes on prostaglandin analog therapy and the fellow eyes was not statistically significantly associated with different variables including age, gender, years of being on prostaglandin analog therapy, type of prostaglandin analog, history of glaucoma and/or cataract surgeries, intraocular pressure, and number of glaucoma medications. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that eyes on prostaglandin analog therapy have reduced thicknesses of dermis, orbicularis oculi muscle, and skin to arcus marginalis distance compared with the fellow eyes.

Background The objective of this study was to determine the role of postoperative antibiotics in reducing complications in patients undergoing appendectomy for complicated appendicitis. Methods We performed a 5-year retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis. Patients with complicated appendicitis (perforated or gangrenous) were analyzed on the basis of whether they received postoperative antibiotics. Main outcome measures were wound complications, length of stay (LOS), and readmission to hospital. Results Of 410 patients with complicated appendicitis, postoperative antibiotics were administered to 274 patients (66.8%). On univariate and multivariate analyses, postoperative antibiotics were not associated with decreased wound complications or readmission, but independently predicted an increased LOS ( P = .01). Conclusions Among patients with complicated appendicitis, postoperative antibiotics were not associated with a decrease in wound complications but did result in an increased hospital LOS.

PURPOSE To compare corneal stromal and endothelial cells after photorefractive keratectomy with intraoperative mitomycin C in alcohol-assisted versus mechanical epithelial debridement using confocal microscopy. METHODS This prospective randomized comparative study was performed on 88 eyes (44 patients) with myopia up to -6.00 diopters. The right eye of each patient was randomly assigned to either mechanical or alcohol-assisted groups, and the left eye was assigned to the alternate group. Confocal microscopy was performed preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. The main outcome measures were epithelial thickness; number of keratocytes in the anterior, mid-, and posterior stroma; and characteristics of the central corneal endothelial cells in terms of density, mean cell area, and polymegathism and hexagonality. RESULTS Three months after surgery, no statistically significant difference was noted between the study groups in terms of epithelial thickness. We also found no statistically significant difference in central corneal endothelial cells regarding cell density, mean cell area, hexagonality, or polymegathism. Compared with baseline values, the density of mid- and posterior stromal keratocytes showed no significant change in either group, whereas it decreased significantly in the anterior stroma in both groups 3 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS We found that the adverse effects of photorefractive keratectomy with mitomycin C on central corneal endothelial cells were comparable between the mechanical and alcohol-assisted epithelial debridement groups and the significant decrease in postoperative keratocyte density in anterior stroma was comparable between the two groups. The choice of their application could be left to the discretion of the ophthalmologist.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to quantify anterior chamber (AC) parameters and to determine the proportion of eyes with exaggerated lens vault (LV) in different subtypes of angle closure disease using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).Patients and methodsIn this prospective study, 115 eyes of 115 Iranian patients with angle closure disease were included and categorized into three groups: (1) fellow eyes of acute angle closure (AAC; 40 eyes); (2) primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG; 39 eyes); and (3) primary angle closure suspect (PACS; 36 eyes). Complete ophthalmic examination including gonioscopy, A-scan biometry, and AS-OCT were performed. Angle parameters, LV, and iris thickness (IT) were measured using AS-OCT. An exaggerated LV was defined as LV more than one-third the distance between the corneal endothelium and a line drawn to connect the nasal and temporal scleral spurs.ResultsFellow eyes of AAC had the shallower AC (P=0.01), greater iris curvature (I-curve; P=0.01), and higher LV (P=0.02) as compared with PACS and PACG eyes. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean IT at 750 μm from scleral spur among the three groups (P=0.45). Exaggerated LV was found in 67.5, 35.9, and 40% of fellow eyes of AAC, PACG, and PACS, respectively, (P=0.008) with an odds ratio of 1.92 (P=0.005) for fellow vs PACG and 1.68 (P=0.01) for fellow vs PACS.ConclusionsExaggerated LV is highly prevalent in fellow eyes of AAC. These eyes have shallower AC depth, greater I-curve, and higher LV when compared with PACG and PACS.

PurposeTo evaluate the performance of ganglion cell layer/inner plexiform layer (GCL/IPL) measurements with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Cirrus HD-OCT) for detection of early glaucoma and to compare results to retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) measurements.DesignCross-sectional prospective diagnostic study.MethodsWe enrolled 99 subjects, including 59 eyes with glaucoma (47 subjects) (mean deviation >-6.0 dB) and 91 normal eyes (52 subjects). Patients underwent biometry and peripapillary and macular OCT imaging. Performance of the GCL/IPL and RNFL algorithms was evaluated with area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC), likelihood ratios, and sensitivities/specificities adjusting for covariates. Combination of best parameters was explored.ResultsAverage (SD) mean deviation in the glaucoma group was-2.5 (1.9) dB. On multivariate analyses, age (P < 0.001) and axial length (P= 0.03) predicted GC/IPL measurements in normal subjects. No significant correlation was found between average or regional GC/IPL thickness and respective outer retina (OR) thickness measurements (P > 0.05). Average RNFL thickness performed better than average GCL/IPL measurements for detection of glaucoma (AUC= 0.964 vs 0.937; P= 0.04). The best regional measures from each algorithm (inferior quadrant RNFL vs minimum GCL/IPL) had comparable performances (P= 0.78). Entering the GC/IPL to OR ratio into prediction models did not enhance the performance of the GCL/IPL measures. Combining the best parameters from each algorithm improved detection of glaucoma (P= 0.04).ConclusionsRegional GCL/IPL measures derived from Cirrus HD-OCT performed as well as regional RNFL outcomes for detection of early glaucoma. Using the GC/IPL to OR ratio did not enhance the performance of GCL/IPL parameters. Combining the best measures from the 2 algorithms improved detection of glaucoma.

The National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 25 (NEI-VFQ-25) is the most commonly used patient-reported outcome measure to assess vision-related quality of life in patients with glaucoma. Glaucoma negatively affects the composite and several NEI-VFQ subscale scores; this effect is correlated with the severity of glaucomatous visual field loss. Contrast sensitivity, glare, and dark adaptation are potential items that could be added to the NEI-VFQ to make it more responsive to changes in vision-related quality of life in patients with glaucoma.

To report a novel method for measuring the vertical tilt angle of the optic nerve (ON) head and to investigate the associated factors.Cross-sectional diagnostic study.One hundred and twelve normal, glaucomatous, and glaucoma suspect eyes (99 patients) were enrolled in this study. Subjects underwent a full eye examination, biometry, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT). The vertical tilt angle was measured on high-resolution cross-sectional SDOCT images passing through the ON head and foveal centers using the inner edges of the Bruch membrane opening as the reference plane. The correlation between the vertical tilt angle with the ovality index and the potential associated factors was estimated with univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses.The median (interquartile range, [IQR]) axial length and visual field mean deviation were 24.5 (23.8-25.3) mm and -0.9 (-2.76 to 0.26) dB. The median (IQR) tilt angle was 3.5 (1.2-11.2) degrees. There was a moderate correlation between the ovality index and tilt angle (Spearman ρ = 0.351; P.001). In univariate analyses, axial length, spherical equivalent, and mean deviation were correlated with the tilt angle (P = .002, P = .011, and P = .013, respectively). Axial length, mean deviation, and their interaction showed a statistically significant correlation with the tilt angle in multivariate analyses (P = .044 for axial length, P = .039 for mean deviation, and P = .028 for their interaction).We describe a new method for measuring the ON head vertical tilt angle with high-resolution SDOCT imaging. The ovality index demonstrated only a moderate correlation with the tilt angle measurements and hence is not a good proxy measure for the vertical ON head tilt angle. Axial length and visual field mean deviation are the main factors associated with the ON head vertical tilt angle. The underlying basis for the relationship of vertical tilt angle and glaucoma severity should be further explored.

To evaluate primary trabeculectomy with adjunctive mitomycin-C (MMC) in diabetic patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) without retinopathy who had ≥6 months of postoperative follow-up were retrospectively compared with a control group selected from the pool of patients without DM matched case-by-case to the diabetic group by age, gender, race, preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and lens status. Surgical success was defined as IOP ≤15 and5 mm Hg (± glaucoma medications) without complications or additional glaucoma surgery.41 eyes (29 patients) with DM and 81 eyes (64 patients) without DM were compared. Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival rates at 60 months were 57.8±9.3% (DM group) and 68.6±5.3% (control group), and the mean trabeculectomy survival times were 63 months (DM group, 95% CI 50.3 to 75.7) and 74.6 months (control group, 95% CI 67.1 to 82.1; p=0.095). Mean postoperative IOP of control group was statistically significant lower at 2-, 3-, 6- and 7-year follow-up visits (p0.05). Rates of postoperative complications and additional glaucoma surgeries required were not different between the two groups.POAG patients with DM without retinopathy undergoing primary trabeculectomy with MMC do not achieve the same long-term IOP control and may have a lower long-term surgical survival rate compared with patients without DM.

PURPOSE To estimate rates of change in glaucoma eyes deteriorating according to pointwise event analysis (Guided Progression Analysis, GPA). METHODS A total of 274 eyes with six or more reliable visual fields (vf) 5 years were enrolled (baseline mean deviation [MD]: -4.2 ± 4.5 dB). Pointwise and global rates of decay from linear regression analyses were estimated up to the time of VF deterioration according to GPA or until the last follow-up visit in stable eyes. Relationship of rates of decay with time to worsening and eccentricity and agreement of global and pointwise trend analyses with GPA were explored. RESULTS Seventy eyes (25.5%) worsened according to GPA. A statistically significant global rate of decay (P < 0.05) was observed in 54% (MD) and 62% (visual field index) of deteriorating eyes compared to 22% and 22% in stable eyes (κ = 0.32 vs. 0.37 for agreement with GPA). Rates of decay diminished with longer time to initial worsening and were faster in points within the central 10° of fixation compared to 20° and 30° regions (P = 0.025 and 0.279, respectively). Established criteria for pointwise linear regression (PLR) detected only 31% of locations deteriorating by GPA. Less stringent PLR criteria led to improved agreement with GPA at the expense of higher false detection rate. CONCLUSIONS Global and pointwise rates of decay decreased with longer time to VF deterioration. The agreement between pointwise event analysis and global trend analyses was fair. Less stringent criteria for PLR led to improved agreement with GPA at the expense of higher false detection rate.

PURPOSE To explore structure-function relationships in early glaucoma with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and standard achromatic perimetry. METHODS One hundred thirty-six eyes of 97 patients with suspected or early glaucoma were enrolled from the clinical database at UCLA's Glaucoma Division. All patients had good-quality peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL)/optic disc measurements and a reliable 24-2 SITA-Standard Humphrey visual field (VF) within a 6-month period. Correlations of global and sectoral RNFL thickness and rim area (RA) measurements, with corresponding global and regional VF sensitivities (both in logarithmic [dB] and 1/Lambert scales [1/L]), were investigated with components of variance models. RESULTS The average RNFL thickness, RA, and mean deviation (MD) were 85.6 ± 5.7 μ, 1.0 ± 0.3 mm(2), and -1.3 ± 1.9 dB, respectively. Global RA demonstrated a stronger correlation with MD compared to average RNFL thickness (P = 0.002). The highest correlations were observed between superonasal VF cluster (in dB scale) and inferotemporal RA (R(2) = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.15-0.40) or inferotemporal RNFL thickness (R(2) = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.13-0.37). In glaucoma suspects, the highest correlations were seen between superonasal VF cluster and inferotemporal RA (R(2) = 0.16) in dB scale or RNFL thickness (R(2) = 0.10) in 1/L scale. Correlations were slightly greater with dB scale than 1/L scale and tended to be linear with both scales. CONCLUSIONS Structure-function relationships can be detected in early glaucoma with SD-OCT. Correlations of RA with VF thresholds tended to be higher compared to those of RNFL. Structure-function relationships were well described with a linear model.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Conjunctival limbal autograft is the surgical treatment of choice for visually significant unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency. The use of fibrin glue, which has been reported extensively in pterygium and other conjunctival surgeries, has not been fully described in limbal stem cell transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed 3 cases of conjunctival limbal autograft and 1 of living related conjunctival limbal allograft using only fibrin glue to secure the graft. Main outcome measures included ocular surface stability, visual acuity, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: At most recent follow-up, all 4 patients (100%) maintained a stable ocular surface. Mean epithelial healing time was 10 days. Mean visual acuity improved from 20/400 to 20/53. All grafts were successful with no postoperative dislocations or displacements. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that fibrin glue can be used safely and effectively to secure conjunctival limbal grafts in limbal stem cell deficiency. This novel approach has the potential to decrease operative time, increase ease of technique, and improve patient comfort postoperatively.

To compare the outcome of trabeculectomy with subconjunctival bevacizumab with that of trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC).Prospective, randomized, comparative study.Thirty-six eyes from 34 patients with uncontrolled glaucoma were enrolled. Eighteen eyes underwent trabeculectomy with subconjunctival bevacizumab injection (2.5 mg/0.1 mL), and 18 eyes underwent trabeculectomy with MMC (0.02% for 3 minutes). The outcome measures were the best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), number of IOP-lowering medications, complications, and bleb morphologic features (based on the Indiana Bleb Appearance Grading Scale).The mean follow-up times for the MMC and bevacizumab groups were 7.8 ± 2.2 months and 7.4 ± 24 months, respectively (P = .62). The mean preoperative IOP in the bevacizumab group improved from 21.9 ± 7.9 mm Hg with 2.7 ± 0.8 antiglaucoma medications to 13.6 ± 3.2 mm Hg with 0.2 ± 0.5 antiglaucoma medications at the last visit (P.001 and P.001, respectively). The mean preoperative IOP in the MMC group improved from 23.3 ± 4.9 mm Hg with 2.6 ± 0.7 antiglaucoma medications to 9.6 ± 2.7 mm Hg with no antiglaucoma medications at the final visit (P.001 and P.001, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference in the IOP between the 2 groups at the last visit (P.001). The cumulative probabilities of total success at the last follow-up according to Kaplan-Meier analysis were 100% and 94.4% in bevacizumab and MMC groups, respectively (P = .32, log-rank test).Adjunctive subconjunctival bevacizumab with trabeculectomy is effective in controlling the IOP profile; however, its effect is less prominent than that of MMC.

Limbal transplantation is now widely accepted as the treatment of advanced limbal stem cell deficiency. Herein, we describe a technique for harvesting thin limbal grafts from cadaveric corneoscleral rims and a sutureless method to secure the grafts to the recipient eye using fibrin glue. We report the results of fibrin glue-assisted keratolimbal allograft in 19 eyes of 16 patients, with the outcome measures being ocular surface stability, visual acuity, and postoperative complications. The results indicate that limbal allograft transplantation can be performed safely and successfully using only fibrin glue to secure the grafts. This can potentially improve surgical efficiency and patient comfort postoperatively.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Changes in corneal endothelial cell (CEC) indices 24 months after Ahmed valve (New World Medical, Inc., Rancho Cucamonga, CA) and single-plate Molteno implants (Molteno Ophthalmic Limited, Dunedin, New Zealand) were evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cohort included Ahmed valve (29 eyes) or single-plate Molteno (28 eyes) implants. Preoperative and postoperative central CEC indices were compared. Main outcome measure was endothelial cell count. RESULTS: Twenty-four months postoperatively, no difference in visual acuity improvement or decrease in antiglaucoma medications was observed between groups. The Molteno group showed better postoperative intraocular pressure control ( P < .001). An 11.52% (Ahmed) and 12.37% (Molteno) reduction in CEC density (cells/mm 2 ) and 3.78 (Ahmed) and 2.48 (Molteno) increase in CEC area (mm 2 ) was observed, but no significant between-group difference in CEC density and area or corneal thickness. CONCLUSION: Twenty-four months after Ahmed valve or Molteno implant, statistically significant quantitative (cell density) and minor qualitative (cell area) changes in central CEC were observed. Both groups appeared to have similar CEC damage.

Purpose To report 2-year follow-up data after Ahmed valve implantation (New World Medical, Inc) and Molteno single-plate implantation surgical treatment of refractory glaucoma. Design Prospective, randomized, comparative study. Methods Patients with refractory glaucoma, defined as uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) of more than 21 mm Hg despite maximal antiglaucoma medication, previously failed nonseton surgical treatment, or a combination thereof were included. Ninety-two patients were allocated randomly to each of the study groups and underwent implantation of either the Ahmed valve implant (model FP7; 184 mm 2 surface area) or Molteno single-plate implant (134 mm 2 surface area) and were followed up for 24 months. Main outcome measures were IOP and surgical success rate. Other outcome measures were changes in visual acuity, number of ant-glaucoma medications, mean deviation of visual field, and rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications. Results Those who successfully completed the trial (28 in the Molteno group and 29 in the Ahmed group) achieved significantly less IOP and fewer glaucoma medications, but worse visual acuity 24 months after surgery. The Molteno group, compared with the Ahmed group, achieved significantly lower IOPs after the early postoperative period until the end of the study. Both groups reasonably maintained visual field during the follow-up. The rate of surgical failure was comparable in both groups. Median survival time was 24 months for both groups. There were no devastating intraoperative or postoperative complications in either group. Conclusions Both Ahmed and Molteno implants successfully preserved visual field, although IOP control was more pronounced in the Molteno implant group.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of cataract surgery and yellow-tinted intraocular lens (IOLs) implantation on perimetry indices of short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP) and standard automated perimetry (SAP) testing in patients with coexisting cataract and glaucoma. Materials and Methods: In this prospective comparative case series, phacoemulsification with implantation of yellow-tinted Acrysof Natural IOL was performed in 16 eyes of 16 patients with visually significant cataract (best-corrected visual acuity (VA) better than 20/120) and mild to moderate glaucoma. Pre- and postoperative values for VA and for perimetry indices including mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD), and foveal threshold (FT) from both SAP and SWAP testing were compared. Results: Postoperative VA improved significantly after cataract surgery and yellow-tinted IOL implantation (P < 0.001). After cataract extraction and IOL implantation, MD and FT on SWAP testing improved significantly (P = 0.001); however, there was no statistically significant change with SAP testing between the pre- and postoperative perimetry indices. There was no statistically significant change in PSD with either SAP or SWAP testing postoperatively. The differences between pre- and postoperative values for all perimetry indices under study were not significant when comparing SAP with SWAP tests, except for MD which had improved statistically significantly in SWAP testing (P = 0.03). Conclusions: In mild to moderate glaucoma patients with cataracts, the perimetry indices of SWAP testing improved after phacoemulsification and yellow-tinted IOL implantation. This suggests that the yellow-tinted IOLs have less effect on SWAP testing than visually significant cataracts.

Objective: To explore longitudinal correlations between structural and functional rates of glaucoma progression with confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and standard achromatic perimetry. Methods: In this retrospective longitudinal study, 108 eyes with suspected or established glaucoma and 5 or more good-quality scanning laser ophthalmoscopy examinations (global pixel SD 50 µm) and 6 or more reliable visual field (VF) examinations were included. Global and regional rates of progression for VF sensitivity and rim area (RA) were calculated with linear regression analysis. Correlations of global and regional rates of progression were calculated with bivariate correlation analyses. Linear mixed models were built to determine predictive factors for functional and structural changes over time. Results: The mean (SD) baseline mean deviation was �4.6 (4.9) decibels. The inferotemporal and superotemporal RAs had the highest overall rates of decay (0.0018 mm 2 /y). Glaucoma progressed in 38 (35.2%) and 20 (18.5%) eyes based on event and trend mean deviation criteria, respectively. The highest correlations of rates were observed between the superonasal or superotemporal RA and inferior VF clusters ( = 0.25-0.39; P .03). Follow-up time, baseline RA, and their interaction were the only significant predictors for RA change; belonging to the group with progression was not associated with higher rates of RA progression. Conclusions: Longitudinal structure-function relationships are fair at best in eyes with suspected or established glaucoma. Eyes with progressing disease according to VF criteria do not show significantly higher rates of RA progression. Both structural and functional outcomes need to be monitored to detect glaucoma progression in a timely manner.