Visual field behavior after intra-ocular surgery in glaucoma patients with advanced defects

Early postoperative visual acuity changes after trabeculectomy and factors affecting visual acuity

PURPOSE

To investigate the early visual acuity (VA) changes that occur after trabeculectomy and their reversal with recovery.

METHOD

Two hundred ninety-two eyes of 292 patients after initial trabeculectomy as a standalone procedure fulfilling the following conditions were included: 1) patients with a postoperative follow-up of at least 3 months; 2) patients with preoperative corrected VA less than 0.5 logMAR equivalent; 3) patients with reliable results of visual field; and 4) patients who had open angle glaucoma. VA and intraocular pressure (IOP) changes during the first 3 months after surgery and factors affecting VA postoperatively at 3 months were investigated.

RESULTS

The mean IOPs (mmHg) after trabeculectomy were significantly lower than preoperatively during the entire period (P < 0.0001). The mean corrected VA for all patients was 0.06 ± 0.17, 0.24 ± 0.38, 0.19 ± 0.26, and 0.14 ± 0.27 preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively, respectively, showing a significant decrease from the preoperative period at all time points (P < 0.0001). VA loss of two or more levels was observed in 13 eyes (4.45%) at 3 months postoperatively. Foveal threshold (FT), shallow anterior chamber (SAC), and choroidal detachment (CD) affected the change in VA before and at 3 months after surgery (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0002, P = 0.0004, respectively). The factors that had significant effects on VA change were FT, SAC, and CD in POAG, FT and hypotonic maculopathy in NTG, and FT in XFG (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The frequency of serious vision loss was 4.45% for two or more levels of vision loss, and early postoperative VA changes after trabeculectomy may not be reversed even 3 months later. VA loss is influenced by preoperative FT, postoperative SAC and CD, but the impact of postoperative complications vary with disease type.

Survival of Visual Function in Patients with Advanced Glaucoma after Standard Guarded Trabeculectomy with MMC

Surgical intervention in patients with severe glaucoma remains controversial, especially in unilateral cases with a minimally affected fellow eye. Many question the benefit of trabeculectomy in such cases due to high complication rates and prolonged recovery. In this retrospective, non-comparative, interventional case series we aimed to determine the effect of trabeculectomy or combined phaco-trabeculectomy on the visual function of advanced glaucoma patients. Consecutive cases with perimetric mean deviation loss worse than -20 dB were included. Survival of visual function according to five predetermined visual acuity and perimetric criteria was set as the primary outcome. Qualified surgical success utilizing two different sets of criteria commonly used in the literature constituted secondary outcomes. Forty eyes with average baseline visual field mean deviation -26.3 ± 4.1 dB were identified. The average pre-operative intraocular pressure was 26.5 ± 11.4 mmHg and decreased to 11.4 ± 4.0 mmHg (p < 0.001) after an average follow-up of 23.3 ± 15.5 months. Visual function was preserved at two years in 77% or 66% of eyes respectively according to two different sets of visual acuity and perimetric criteria. Qualified surgical success was 89%, 72% at 1 and 3 years respectively. Trabeculectomy and/or phaco-trabeculectomy is associated with meaningful visual outcomes in patients with uncontrolled advanced glaucoma.

Advanced glaucoma. Clinical practice guideline

OBJECTIVE

To present an update clinical practice guideline that serve as a guide for the detection, evaluation and treatment of adults patients with advanced glaucoma.

METHODS

After defining the objectives and scope of the guide, the working group was formed and structured clinical questions were formulated following the PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes) format. Once all the existing clinical evidence had been independently evaluated with the AMSTAR 2 (Assessment of Multiple systematic Rewiews) and Cochrane "Risk of bias" tools by at least two reviewers, recommendations were formulated following the Scottish Intercollegiate methodology. Guideline Network (SIGN).

RESULTS

Recommendations with their corresponding levels of evidence that may be useful in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of adults patients with advanced glaucoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the fact that for many of the questions the level of scientific evidence available is not very high, this clinical practice guideline offers an updated review of the different existing aspects related to the evaluation and management of advanced glaucoma.

Evaluation of Long-Term Visual Field Function in Patients Undergoing Glaucoma Drainage Device Implantation

PURPOSE

To determine the change in global and regional Humphrey visual fields (VF) after glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation over a 3-year follow-up period.

DESIGN

Retrospective interventional case series.

METHODS

Patients undergoing GDD placement from between 2010 and 2015 with reliable preoperative and yearly postoperative VF measurements were included. Clinical parameters were compared between preoperative and follow-up visits, including visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications, global VF metrics (mean deviation [MD]), pattern standard deviation (PSD), CIGTS (Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study) score of total deviation probability (CIGTS_TDP) and pattern deviation probability (CIGTS_PDP), and regional metrics (regional total deviation (TD), regional pattern deviation (PD), and regional CIGTS_TDP and CIGTS_PDP). Multivariate regression analyses were performed to determine risk factors for VF worsening after GDD surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 106 eyes from 95 patients were included. Mean IOP ± SD was reduced from 23.1 ± 8.5 mm Hg to 12.7 ± 3.1 mm Hg at 3-year follow-up (P < .001). MD, PSD, and global CIGTS_PDP showed no significant changes in follow-up, whereas global CIGTS_TDP showed mild progression from 10.7 to 12.8 at 3-year follow-up (P = .01). No regional metrics showed worsening at follow-up examinations. Defects in the superior hemifield were more common than in the inferior hemifield at baseline and follow-up examinations for all regional metrics. Pre-operative number of glaucoma medications was associated with worsening on CIGTS_TDP.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, GDD surgery is effective at stabilizing VF function over 3 years of follow-up. The superior hemifield is affected more than other regions. The number of pre-operative glaucoma medications is associated with mild VF progression, measured by CIGTS_TDP.

Vision Loss After Glaucoma Surgery: Progressive Macular Thinning as a Sign of Snuff-Out Phenomenon

We herein report 2 eyes with significant loss of vision after glaucoma filtering surgery that was accompanied by progressive macular thinning detected on macular optical coherence tomography imaging. The findings provide evidence that progressive retinal ganglion cell loss is one of the causes of visual loss after uncomplicated glaucoma surgery.

Risk assessment of sudden visual loss following non-penetrating deep sclerectomy in severe and end-stage glaucoma

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

To assess the risk of immediate sudden visual loss ("wipe-out" phenomenon) following non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS) for end-stages glaucoma within the first 6-months postoperative period.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Monocenter database study. We reviewed the results for 73 eyes with severe or end-stage glaucoma that underwent NPDS. End-stage glaucoma (stage 5) was defined by the inability of patients to perform the Humphrey visual field test or by a visual acuity <20/200 due to glaucoma, according to the Glaucoma Staging System classification. Severe glaucoma (stage 4) was defined by a mean deviation (MD) <-20 dB by the preoperative 24-2 Humphrey visual field assessment. All eyes had a severe defect on the central 10° visual field: only a central island of vision remained. "Wipe-out" was defined as the permanent postoperative reduction of visual acuity to <20/200 or to "counting fingers" or less if preoperative visual acuity was <20/200.

RESULTS

The mean age was 60 years (range 22-86). Before surgery, the average MD (Humphrey 24-2) was -25.6 ± 3.8 dB, the MD (Humphrey 10-2) -19.9 ± 7.0 dB, and the VFI 24.6 ± 13%. There were no cases of postoperative flat anterior chamber. No patients experienced "wipe-out" within the first 6 months following surgery. At the six-month visit, intraocular pressure (IOP) had decreased significantly from 22.0 ± 8.8 to 13.5 ± 4.5 mmHg (P<0.001). There were no significant changes in mean visual acuity after 6 months (P = 6).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, NPDS provided considerable IOP decrease with no occurrences of "wipe-out" and few other complications. Consideration of NPDS in end-stage and severe glaucoma is advisable given its low risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications and the low risk of wipe out. This surgery should probably be offered with less apprehension about the risk of "wipe-out" in end-stages glaucoma.

Severe visual loss and recovery post trabeculectomy- A case report

Purpose

Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy and a leading cause of blindness. Neural losses from glaucoma are irreversible, and so the aim of glaucoma treatment is to slow progression and minimize the risk of further damage. Visual loss post filtration surgery in patients with advanced glaucomatous optic nerve damage is a rare but dreaded complication. Functional improvement is not expected. We report the case of a patient who experienced a significant loss of vision following glaucoma surgery that was followed by late visual recovery. We will also review the literature regarding this phenomenon.

Case presentation/Observations

A 60-year old male presented with a history of right pseudoexfoliative glaucoma and uncontrolled intraocular pressure(IOP) on medical and laser treatment. He underwent a successful right Mitomycin C augmented trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification. Unexpectedly, he experienced a marked decrease in vision from 0.3 to hand motion with no identifiable explanation. The loss of vision continued for almost 4 months before a significant improvement in vision occurred and his visual acuity came up to 0.6. Although the mechanism of loss or improved vision cannot be proven, it is likely that post operative IOP spikes which were repeatedly above 30 mmHg in the first week, resulted in ganglion cell dysfunction rather than apoptosis which can explain the improvement in vision in the later months when pressure was maintained at target.

Conclusion

and Importance: Although rare, Wipe out phenomenon is possible in the setting of advanced glaucomatous optic neuropathy. However, functional improvements may occur following IOP control. Glaucoma surgery should be offered early to those with advanced disease.

Vision Loss and Recovery after Baerveldt Aqueous Tube Shunt Implantation

This study aims to determine the course of vision loss after Baerveldt aqueous tube shunt placement and identify risk factors associated with unexplained severe long-term vision loss, or snuff-out. We retrospectively reviewed 247 eyes of 222 patients who underwent Baerveldt implantations at one of two academic institutions. Postoperative vision loss at 6 months following surgery was categorized as mild-to-moderate versus severe and long-term versus transient. Long-term vision loss, defined as 3 or more lines of Snellen visual acuity (VA) loss compared with preoperative VA, occurred in 63 of 247 eyes (25.5%), and 39 had mild-to-moderate and 24 had severe loss. Of these 63 eyes, 18 had no identifiable cause of vision loss. On multivariate analysis, poorer Snellen VA on postoperative day 1 (POD1) was found to be a significant risk factor for long-term vision loss (p = 0.005). In addition, the negative change in preoperative versus POD1 Snellen VA (p = 0.021) and the presence of split fixation involving the inferonasal quadrant on preoperative Humphrey visual field (p = 0.044) were significant risk factors for snuff-out. Transient vision loss occurred in 76 of 242 eyes (30.8%). In conclusion, vision loss is not uncommon after Baerveldt surgery, with snuff-out occurring in 2.4% of cases in this study.

Comparison of visual recovery following ex-PRESS versus trabeculectomy: results of a prospective randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

To compare the rate of visual recovery after Ex-PRESS implantation versus standard trabeculectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Subjects enrolled in a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing Ex-PRESS to trabeculectomy were analyzed for postoperative changes in visual acuity (VA). Risk factors for visual loss (split fixation, cup-disc ratio, intraocular pressure, visual field mean deviation, and hypotony) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Sixty-four subjects were enrolled (33 Ex-PRESS, 31 trabeculectomy). There was no significant difference in mean logMAR VA between groups at baseline or any study visit. VA was significantly reduced up to week 2 following surgery in both the groups. However, by month 1, VA in the Ex-PRESS group was no longer significantly different from baseline (P=0.23) and remained nonsignificant at subsequent visits up to 6 months. In the trabeculectomy group, VA remained significantly lower than baseline at each study visit. At 6 months, 47% of the trabeculectomy eyes compared with 16% of the Ex-PRESS eyes had lost ≥2 Snellen lines (P=0.01). Reasons for VA loss included cataract, central retinal vein occlusion, and diabetic retinopathy, however, in a significant number of cases no cause could be determined. None of the risk factors evaluated were associated with vision loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there was no difference in mean VA between the Ex-PRESS and trabeculectomy groups at any time point, trabeculectomy eyes were more likely to lose ≥2 Snellen lines. In addition, VA recovered faster in the Ex-PRESS group.

Trabeculectomy for advanced glaucoma

The objective of this study is to evaluate the visual prognosis and postoperative course in advanced glaucoma patients who underwent trabeculectomy. The records of 30 patients with advanced visual field (VF) defects undergoing trabeculectomy were retrospectively reviewed. Severe VF defects were defined as those with a sensitivity of ≤5 dB either in more than 85% of test points, excluding the central four points, or in >75% of test points, including three of the central four points with threshold automated perimetry. Main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), corrected visual acuity (VA) and mean deviation (MD) of VF tests. Mean preoperative IOP, VA and MD values were compared with their respective postoperative values. The latest examination of each patient was used to determine postoperative outcome measures. In addition, any complications encountered were recorded. A total of 34 trabeculectomies were performed. The mean age was 59.3 years (13-80 years). The mean follow-up time was 41.1 months (3-120 months). Preoperatively the mean IOP was 28.4 ± 13.1 mmHg, and the mean postoperative IOP was 14.8 ± 5.0 mmHg (P = 0.001). Preoperatively the mean VA was 0.87 ± 80, and the mean value of the MD was -24.5 ± 6.7 dB. At the latest follow-up there was no significant difference in VA (0.89 ± 79, P = 0.699) and MD (-23.9 ± 6.7, P = 0.244) values. Transient hypotony occured in five eyes while one eye with mitomycin C trabeculectomy experienced extended hypotony. Ten eyes showed reduction of VA between 1 and 5 lines due to cataracts and five eyes had late bleb failure with uncontrolled IOP. One patient had late endophthalmitis and one patient presented with blebitis, both of which were successfully treated. No patients experienced wipe-out phenomenon. In conclusion, our study of advanced glaucoma patients undergoing trabeculectomy, vision was preserved with no cases of unexplained loss of central vision. IOP was largely controllable, with cataract being the leading factor decreasing VA at late term.

Intraocular pressure and visual field damage as risk factors for visual field progression in filtering surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between preoperative visual field severity and postoperative intraocular pressure as risk factors for visual field progression.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients undergoing trabeculectomy (TRAB, n = 92 eyes of 73 patients) or combined trabeculectomy and cataract extraction by phacoemulsification (COMBO, n = 49 eyes of 41 patients) by one surgeon with at least 6 months of follow-up were reviewed.

RESULTS

Both the COMBO and TRAB treatment groups experienced a substantial decrease in mean intraocular pressure (4.7 +/- 6.0 and 10.1 +/- 6.5 mm Hg) and mean number of ocular hypotensive medications (1.8 +/- 1.2 and 2.2 +/- 1.5), respectively. In the subset of 47 eyes with reliable visual fields, the COMBO group experienced a mean improvement in mean deviation of 2.75 dB, and the TRAB group experienced only minimal changes in visual fields.

CONCLUSION

In general, visual fields did not worsen following trabeculectomy or combined surgery.

Risk of sudden visual loss following filtration surgery in end-stage glaucoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of filtration surgery on visual acuity and visual fields in patients with end-stage glaucoma during the immediate postoperative period and to assess the risk of sudden visual loss.

DESIGN

Prospective interventional, consecutive case-series.

METHODS

The study prospectively included consecutive patients with end-stage glaucoma who underwent trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C. The inclusion criterion was a preoperative visual field with Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study score over 16. Main outcome measures included change in best corrected logMAR visual acuity, in mean deviation (MD) of visual field test, in number of points among the four central visual field points with a sensitivity less than 5 dB and in mean sensitivity of the four central visual field points after surgery. The incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications was also recorded.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients (21 eyes) were enrolled. Mean age was 64 years (range 31 to 78). Surgery resulted in a reduction of preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) by 14.1 +/- 9.2 mm Hg (P < .001) and a decrease in postoperative antiglaucoma medication use (P < .001). Preoperatively the mean visual acuity was 0.77 +/- 0.78, and the mean value of the mean deviation at the visual field test was -27.94 +/- 2.7 dB. Three months after surgery, there was no significant difference in visual acuity (0.74 +/- 0.79, P = .73) and mean deviation (-27.50 +/- 2.6 dB, P = .1). Similarly there was no significant change in the visual field parameters tested to assess central visual field sensitivity. There were no intraoperative complications. Transient hypotony occurred in three eyes while one eye presented more extended hypotony. Three of these eyes experienced bleb leak (seidel).

CONCLUSIONS

In our case-series of consecutive patients with end-stage glaucoma, followed for 3 months after filtration surgery IOP was reduced effectively and vision was preserved with no occurrences of "wipe-out" phenomenon.

Management and prognosis of end-stage glaucoma

PURPOSE

We followed, for a long term, end-stage glaucoma patients as defined by the level of legal blindness.

METHODS

Follow up was for 7.7+/-1.8 years (range 2-9) for 22 patients (13 men and nine women) having 32 eyes with functional vision. Age at exit was 74.6+/-15.5 years (range 33-89). Humphrey computerized perimetry and applanation tonometry were used throughout. We attempted to hold intraocular pressure below 15 mmHg using as much medical therapy as required.

RESULTS

All visual fields were less than 10 degrees diameter at exit, but at entry seven eyes of six patients still had a field between 10 degrees and 20 degrees, the rest were all less than 10 degrees. Corrected visual acuity at entry was 6/9 to 6/6 in 21 eyes of 6 patients and none had less than 6/60. At exit 16 eyes had 6/9 to 6/6 and five eyes had less than 6/60, but no patient had complete loss of vision. Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) throughout was below 15 mmHg in all but four patients, whose (IOP) were less than 20 mmHg, using multiple medications if necessary. All patients had undergone prior surgery and/or laser trabeculoplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

Even though visual loss slowly progressed, most patients with end-stage glaucoma retained functional vision for a long period when intraocular pressure was held below 15 mmHg. More stringent early control of intraocular pressure may avoid the development of end-stage glaucoma.

Lens extraction for uncontrolled angle-closure glaucoma: long-term follow-up

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term effects of extraction of incipient cataracts or clear lenses on glaucoma control in patients with subacute or chronic angle-closure glaucoma.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis comprised 22 extracapsular lens extractions with implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens in 18 patients with chronic or subacute angle-closure glaucoma (Group 1). The effect of glaucoma control was evaluated using visual field examination, diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) curves, gonioscopic appearance, and number of antiglaucoma medications. The results were compared with those in 25 eyes of 19 patients with chronic angle-closure glaucoma in whom a filtering procedure was performed (Group 2).

RESULTS

Glaucoma control was achieved in 15 eyes (68%) in Group 1 and in 17 eyes (68%) in Group 2. Mean preoperative IOP was 27.9 mm Hg +/- 8.1 (SD) and 29.0 +/- 7.7 mm Hg, respectively. Mean postoperative IOP was 17.1 +/- 2.9 mm Hg (Group 1) and 14.8 +/- 6.6 mm Hg (Group 2) after a mean follow-up of 52.6 and 58.9 months, respectively. Mean number of ocular hypotensive medications preoperatively was 2.3 +/- 0.8 in Group 1 and 2.2 +/- 0.8 in Group 2 and at last follow-up, 1.3 +/- 0.7 and 0.52 +/- 0.8, respectively. Twenty eyes (91%) in Group 1 had the same or better final visual acuity than before surgery. In Group 2, the final visual acuity was unchanged or better in 13 eyes (52%) and worse in 12 eyes (48%); subsequent cataract surgery was performed in 9 (75%) of these 12 eyes. Additional incisional surgery was done or recommended in 6 eyes (27%) in Group 1 and 20 eyes in Group 2 (80%).

CONCLUSION

Drainage surgery in patients with angle-closure glaucoma proved to be associated with multiple surgical interventions and deterioration in visual function. The choice of first a cataract procedure with the option of a future trabeculectomy may be a more attractive approach in patients with subacute or chronic angle-closure glaucoma than trabeculectomy followed by an optional cataract procedure.