Gonioscopy-assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy in a Pediatric Patient With Steroid-induced Glaucoma

Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy in Uveitis-Related Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma

PRCIS

Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) may be an effective first-line surgery for decreasing intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication burden in patients with uveitis-related ocular hypertension (OHT) or glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study is to determine the efficacy of GATT in lowering IOP in uveitis-related OHT or glaucoma.

METHODS

Retrospective case series that included patients with uveitis-related OHT or glaucoma who underwent GATT with or without concomitant cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation at 2 Canadian academic centres from July 2018 to May 2022. Primary outcomes were: complete (no medications) and qualified success (with medication), and failure defined as (1) IOP >21 mm Hg with maximal medical therapy, (2) the need for additional glaucoma procedure, (3) loss of light perception secondary to glaucoma, and (4) IOP <6 mm Hg for 3 months.

RESULTS

Twenty-one eyes from 18 patients were included with a mean preoperative IOP of 26.2 ± 7.3 mm Hg on 4.3 ± 0.7 classes of glaucoma drops. The average follow-up was 29.2 ± 17.6 months and 76% of eyes (n = 16) had reached at least 12 months of follow-up. At the 12-month follow-up visit, there was a significant decrease in average IOP by 9.9 ± 7.9 mm Hg (38%, P = 0.005) and a decrease of 1.9 in glaucoma medication classes ( P = 0.002). Of eyes, 14% achieved complete success, whereas 80% of eyes achieved qualified success. Six eyes failed (29%) and 5 patients (24%) required additional glaucoma surgery. The most common postoperative complication was hyphema (n = 9; 43%).

CONCLUSION

This small case series suggests that GATT may be an effective first-line surgery for decreasing IOP and medication burden in patients with uveitis-related OHT or glaucoma. Further studies with longer follow-ups should be conducted to assess its long-term outcomes.

Microcatheter-Assisted Circumferential Trabeculotomy After Failed Glaucoma Surgeries in Childhood Glaucoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the outcomes of microcatheter-assisted trabeculotomy (MAT) in childhood glaucoma (primary congenital glaucoma [PCG], juvenile open-angle glaucoma [JOAG], and secondary childhood glaucoma [SCG]) after failed glaucoma surgery.

DESIGN

Retrospective interventional case series.

METHODS

Patients with childhood glaucoma who underwent MAT after failed glaucoma surgery with at least 12 months of follow-up were evaluated. Pre- and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of glaucoma medications were recorded and compared. Success was defined as an IOP ≤21 mm Hg with or without glaucoma medication. Analysis of variance was used to compare the glaucoma subgroups.

RESULTS

Forty-five eyes (42 patients) with a median follow-up period of 19 months were included. The median age at the time of MAT was 10 (range, 0.8-33) years. The mean number of previous surgeries was 1.3 ± 0.5. The IOP had significantly reduced from baseline in all PCG, JOAG, and SCG patients (27.9 ± 4.5 vs 16.3 ± 8.0 mm Hg, P = .001; and 30.8 ± 9.4 vs 13.5 ± 3.0 mm Hg, P < .001; and 31.5 ± 7.1 vs 16.5 ± 5.3 mm Hg, P = .001, respectively). Fewer glaucoma medications were needed after MAT in all 3 groups (each P < .001). At the last visit, the total success rates in PCG, JOAG, and SCG were 93.8%, 100%, and 88.9%, respectively. No severe complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

MAT can effectively manage PCG, JOAG, and SCG after failed surgeries, providing successful outcomes and no serious complications. Following failed glaucoma surgeries, MAT may offer these patients with childhood glaucoma an excellent opportunity to achieve IOP control.

Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis: A Systematic Review

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic, bilateral corneal and conjunctival problem which typically presents in young individuals. VKC is characterized by itching, photophobia, white mucous discharge, lacrimation, foreign body sensation, and pain due to corneal involvement of shield ulcers. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is categorized within ocular diseases. The diagnosis is clinical, as no sure biomarkers pathognomonic of the disease have yet been identified. The VKC therapy relies on different types of drugs, from antihistamines and topical steroids to cyclosporine or tacrolimus eye drops. In extremely rare cases, there is also the need for surgical treatment for the debridement of ulcers, as well as for advanced glaucoma and cataracts, caused by excessive prolonged use of steroid eye drops. We performed a systematic review of the literature, according to PRISMA guideline recommendations. We searched the PubMed database from January 2016 to June 2023. Search terms were Vernal, Vernal keratoconjunctivitis, and VKC. We initially identified 211 articles. After the screening process, 168 studies were eligible according to our criteria and were included in the review. In this study, we performed a systematic literature review to provide a comprehensive overview of currently available diagnostic methods, management of VKC, and its treatments.

Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy and Goniotomy, With or Without Concomitant Cataract Extraction, in Steroid-Induced and Uveitic Glaucoma: 24-Month Outcomes

PRCIS

Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) and goniotomy with Kahook Dual Blade both achieved sustained reductions in intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication burden in eyes with steroid-induced or uveitic glaucoma at 24 months. Both procedures had favorable safety profiles.

PURPOSE

To characterize the 24-month surgical outcomes of GATT and excisional goniotomy in eyes with steroid-induced or uveitic glaucoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed of eyes with steroid-induced or uveitic glaucoma that underwent GATT or excisional goniotomy, either standalone or combined with phacoemulsification cataract surgery, by a single surgeon at the Cole Eye Institute. IOP, number of glaucoma medications, and steroid exposure were recorded preoperatively and at multiple postoperative timepoints up to 24 months. Surgical success was defined as at least 20% IOP reduction or IOP <12, 15, or 18 mm Hg (Criterion A, B, or C). Surgical failure was defined as need for additional glaucoma surgery or loss of light perception vision. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were reported.

RESULTS

Forty eyes of 33 patients underwent GATT, and 24 eyes of 22 patients underwent goniotomy, of which 88% and 75%, respectively, had 24-months' follow-up. Concomitant phacoemulsification cataract surgery was performed in 38% (15/40) GATT eyes and 17% (4/24) goniotomy eyes. IOP and number of glaucoma medications were reduced at all postoperative timepoints in both groups. At 24 months, GATT eyes had mean IOP 12.9±3.5 mm Hg on 0.9±1.2 medications, and goniotomy eyes had mean IOP 14.3±4.1 mm Hg on 1.8±1.3 medications. Surgical failure was 8% for GATT and 14% for goniotomy at 24 months. Transient hyphema and transient IOP elevation were the most common complications, and 10% GATT eyes required surgical evacuation of hyphema.

CONCLUSIONS

Both GATT and goniotomy demonstrate favorable efficacy and safety in steroid-induced and uveitic glaucoma eyes. Both procedures achieved sustained reductions in IOP and glaucoma medication burden at 24 months.

Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy for open-angle glaucoma with failed incisional glaucoma surgery: two-year results

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in treating patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) who had failed prior incisional glaucoma surgery.

METHODS

A consecutive case series of OAG patients aged ≥ 18 who underwent GATT with previous failed glaucoma incision surgery was retrospectively analyzed. Main outcome measures included intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of glaucoma medications, surgical success rate, and occurrence of complications. Success was defined as an IOP of ≤ 21 mmHg and a reduction of IOP by 20% or more from baseline with (qualified success) or without (complete success) glaucoma medications. For eyes with preoperative IOP of < 21 mmHg on 3 or 4 glaucoma medications, postoperative IOP of ≤ 18 mmHg without any glaucoma medications was also defined as complete success.

RESULTS

Forty-four eyes of 35 patients (21 with juvenile-onset open-angle glaucoma and 14 with adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma) with a median age of 38 years were included in this study. The proportion of eyes with 1 prior incisional glaucoma surgery was 79.5%, and the others had 2 prior surgeries. IOP decreased from 27.4 ± 8.8 mm Hg on 3.6 ± 0.7 medications preoperatively to 15.3 ± 2.7 mm Hg on 0.5 ± 0.9 medications at the 24-month visit (P < 0.001). The mean IOP and the number of glaucoma medications at each follow-up visit were lower than the baseline (all P < 0.001). At 24 months postoperatively, 82.1% of the eyes had IOP ≤ 18 mmHg (versus 15.9% preoperatively, P < 0.001), 56.4% reached IOP ≤ 15 mmHg (versus 4.6% preoperatively, P < 0.001), and 15.4% achieved IOP ≤ 12 mmHg (compared to none preoperatively, P = 0.009). While 95.5% of eyes took 3 or more medications preoperatively, 66.7% did not take glaucoma medication 24 months after GATT. Thirty-four (77.3%) eyes achieved IOP reduction greater than 20% on fewer medications. The complete and qualified success rates were 60.9% and 84.1%, respectively. No vision-threatening complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

GATT was safe and effective in treating refractory OAG patients who failed prior incisional glaucoma surgery.

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery in childhood glaucoma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) has been shown to be safe and effective in treatment of mild to moderate glaucoma in adults, but reports in childhood glaucoma are limited. We review the available data concerning MIGS and discuss its potential role in childhood glaucoma management.

RECENT FINDINGS

Ab interno counterparts to circumferential ab externo trabeculotomy such as gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) and Trab360 show promise in treatment of primary glaucomas as reported in a few retrospective case series. Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) and Trabectome have demonstrated mixed results in few published case reports in children. Small case series and reports suggest that the Xen gel stent can be a safer alternative to traditional filtration surgery, though data on long-term implant and bleb stability are unavailable. Newer devices are being investigated and early results are encouraging.

SUMMARY

GATT and Trab360 seem to be safe, effective methods of achieving circumferential trabeculotomy in childhood glaucoma. KDB, Trabectome, and Xen gel stent have shown some success in selected cases with short-term follow-up. Surgeons must determine the risks and benefits of MIGS over more established methods of intraocular pressure reduction for each individual child. Further research is needed to validate initial findings regarding MIGS in childhood glaucoma.

Outcomes of Gonioscopy-assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy in Vitrectomized Patients With Secondary Glaucoma After Silicone Oil Removal

PRCIS

The present study demonstrates that surgical success rates of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) with a target intraocular pressure (IOP)≤21 mm Hg are 93.3% (for qualified success) and 26.7% (for complete success) in vitrectomized patients exhibiting secondary open-angle glaucoma (SOAG) after silicone oil (SO) removal, for an average follow-up of 37.5 months.

PURPOSE

To report the long-term outcomes of GATT in vitrectomized patients exhibiting SOAG after SO removal.

SETTING

Retrospective case-series study.

PATIENT POPULATION

This retrospective case-series study enrolled vitrectomized patients who underwent uneventful GATT surgery between May 2014 and May 2019 at Gazi University Hospital for the treatment of medically uncontrolled SOAG after SO removal.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

At baseline and at each postoperative visit, a detailed ophthalmic examination consisting of slit-lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, macular optical coherence tomography, and Goldmann applanation tonometry was performed in all patients. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, duration between pars plana vitrectomy and SO removal, duration between SO removal and onset of SOAG, follow-up time, need for antiglaucoma medication, visual acuity, and IOP measurements were noted. Surgical success was defined as an IOP≤21 and ≥6 mm Hg with (qualified success) and without (complete success) IOP-lowering medication.

RESULTS

A total of 15 patients had a history of pars plana vitrectomy with 1000 centistoke SO tamponade before the GATT surgery. GATT was performed in all patients with SOAG after SO removal. The mean age and follow-up of the patients were 53.6±11.8 years (range, 34 to 72 y) and 37.5±15.1 months (range, 12 to 61 mo), respectively. The average duration of SO tamponade in the vitreous cavity was 7.5±1.6 months (range, 5 to 10 mo). The average duration between the SO removal and the development of SOAG was 14.1±13.2 months (range, 2 to 46 mo). The mean IOP decreased from 31.0±4.1 mm Hg at baseline to 15.6±4.6 mm Hg at final visit. The mean final logMAR BCVA was 0.92±0.58 (range, 2 to 0.045). Qualified surgical success was achieved in 14 (93.3%) patients, whereas complete success was achieved in only 4 (26.7%) patients (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

GATT seems to be safe and successful procedure for controlling IOP in patients exhibiting SOAG after SO removal. However, most patients may require antiglaucoma medication during the follow-up, particularly within the first 2 postoperative years.

Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy in primary angle-closure glaucoma

PURPOSE

This study aims to report on outcomes of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in eyes with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG).

METHODS

This study is a prospective, interventional, non-comparative case series. A total of 103 eyes from 88 patients with PACG underwent an ab interno trabeculotomy, using either a 5.0 polypropylene suture or an illuminated microcatheter, with up to 24 months of follow-up. The main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), number of antiglaucoma medications, success rate (IOP reduction ≥ 20% from baseline or IOP between 6 and 21 mmHg, without further glaucoma surgery) and complication rate.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative IOP was 21.4 (SD 7.4) mmHg using 2.5 (SD 1.1) glaucoma medications. These decreased postoperatively to 12.1 (SD 2.4) mmHg and 0.8 (SD 1.2) medications, at 24 months (P < 0.05). Success rate was 78% at 24 months of follow-up, and complication rate was 4.8%.

CONCLUSION

At 24 months of follow-up, our results for GATT in PACG demonstrate that this procedure effectively lowers IOP in this subtype of glaucoma, with a low complication rate.

From Conventional Angle Surgery to 360-Degree Trabeculotomy in Pediatric Glaucoma

PURPOSE

To describe the transition from conventional angle surgery (CAS), trabeculotomy with rigid probe or goniotomy, to 360-degree trabeculotomy assisted with microcatheter (MCT).

DESIGN

Retrospective comparative interventional case series.

METHODS

Review of consecutive children with glaucoma undergoing angle surgery, including cases with previous surgery, from January 2012 until March 2018 at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Main outcome measure was success rate, defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤21 mm Hg with a minimum of 20% of IOP reduction and no further glaucoma surgery (complete success: without the need of glaucoma drops; qualified success: drops were needed to keep the IOP under control).

RESULTS

Among the 106 eyes (77 patients) included were 54 MCT and 52 CAS eyes. At last visit, after a single surgery, qualified success was 85% (46 eyes) in MCT and 37% (19 eyes) in CAS. Complete success was 69% (37 cases) in MCT and 23% (12 cases) in CAS. The mean (95% confidence interval) change in axial length after surgery was -0.03 mm (-0.34 to 0.40) for MCT and +1.35 mm (-0.64 to 1.62) for CAS (P < .001). The percentage of IOP reduction was 52.1% in MCT and 45.5% in CAS (P = .1616). Further glaucoma surgery was required in 5.5% (3) in MCT and 63.4% (33) in CAS. At 1 year, 94.3% of MCT cases achieved qualified success compared to 34.6% of CAS (P < .0001). No significant complications were found on either group.

CONCLUSION

MCT achieved better results with significantly lower reoperation rates. The transition from CAS to MCT can be easily achieved, even in difficult cases or those previously operated.