[Ultrasound biomicroscopy in deep sclerectomy with a new acrylic implant]

Phacoemulsification combined with deep sclerectomy augmented with mitomycin and amniotic membrane implantation in chronic primary open angle glaucoma with cataract

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of combined phacoemulsification plus Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with deep sclerectomy augmented with mitomycin C (MMC) and sub-flap implantation of amniotic membrane for the management of uncontrolled, chronic, primary open-angle glaucoma patients.

METHODS

This prospective study included 41 patients with chronic, primary, open-angle glaucoma and cataract uncontrolled with medical treatment who underwent combined phacoemulsification augmented with mitomycin C (MMC) application and amniotic membrane implantation under the scleral flap. Intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, glaucoma medications, stabilization of visual field, complications, and viability of the success rate were assessed a 36-month follow-up period.

RESULTS

The mean age of cases was 54.8 ± 5.3 years. Sixty-one percent of cases were males, and 39% were females. The mean IOP decreased from 23.8 ± 1.8 mmHg preoperatively to 16.8 ± 2.3 mmHg postoperatively. The overall success rate was 97.5, 95, and 92.7% in the first, second, and third year, respectively. The overall success rate was 90% in the first year, but that decreased to 85.3 and 78% in the second and third year, respectively. Qualified success was 7.5, 10, and 14.7% in the first, second, and third year, respectively. Failure was recorded as 2.5, 5, and 7.3% in the first, second, and third year, respectively. IOP reduction was sustained through the follow-up period. Visual acuity improved from 0.13 ± 0.06 to 0.9 ± 0.07 (p < 0.001). The visual field improved significantly in the first assessment, from 14.0 ± 2.7 preoperatively to 12.6 ± 2.6 at three months postoperatively (p < 0.001), after which it became stable for the remainder of the follow-up period. One hundred percent of cases were on three anti-glaucoma drugs preoperatively, while postoperatively, 12.2% were on three drugs, 4.2% were on two drugs, and 82.9% were controlled without anti-glaucoma treatment. There were minor postoperative complications all of which were minor, such as a spike in the post-operative IOP and the formation of fibrinous material in the anterior chamber, both of which were treated medically without any adverse effects on the final results.

CONCLUSION

Amniotic membrane implantation in conjunction with MMC application may be an effective alternative to expensive implants in deep sclerectomy combined with phacoemulsification, and this approach can be used safely in advanced cases.

Deep Sclerectomy With a New Nonabsorbable Uveoscleral Implant (Esnoper-Clip): 1-Year Outcomes

Purpose:

To report the safety and the effectiveness of deep sclerectomy (DS) with a new nonabsorbable uveoscleral hema implant (Esnoper-Clip) designed to increase trabecular and uveoscleral outflow and to achieve higher intrascleral blebs.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty-seven eyes of 27 patients with open-angle glaucoma, who underwent DS with an Esnoper-Clip implant, were included in this study. All patients were followed up after 12 months.

Results:

A significant decrease in intraocular pressure was observed after surgery, changing from a preoperative mean of 26.6±5.2 mm Hg to a postoperative mean of 15.3±5 mm Hg (P<0.001) at 12 months. There was also a significant reduction in the number of glaucoma drugs needed, varying from 2.5 per patient to 0.3 (P<0.001) 1 year after surgery. The main intrascleral lake height and volume at 12 months was 0.7±0.1 mm and 3.9±1.3 mm³, respectively. No intraoperative complications occurred. The main postoperative complications were a positive Seidel test result at 24 hours in 2 eyes (7.4%), hyphema in 2 eyes (7.4%), and choroidal detachment in 1 eye (3.7%). All these complications resolved successfully. The need for additional mitomycin-C injections was recorded in 4 eyes (14.8%), twice in 2 of them. Twelve eyes (44.4%) underwent postsurgical Nd:YAG laser goniopuncture with a mean time between surgery and this procedure of 4.3 months. Mean intraocular pressure after Nd:YAG laser goniopuncture decreased from 19.2 to 15.5 mm Hg (P<0.001).

Conclusion:

DS with an uveoscleral hema implant (Esnoper-Clip) is a safe and effective technique for the management of open-angle glaucoma.

An ultrasound biomicroscopy study of filtering blebs after deep sclerectomy with a new acrylic implant

PURPOSE

To identify the clinical and anatomic characteristics of filtering blebs after nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS) using ultrasound biomicroscopy, and to evaluate its influence on intraocular pressure (IOP) control.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective interventional case series in 18 eyes of 18 patients who had undergone nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy with Esnoper® implant. A complete ophthalmic examination and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) exploration were performed at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

Intraocular pressure significantly decreased from a mean of 23.5 mmHg (SD 3.5) preoperatively to a mean of 13.1 mmHg (SD 7.6), 13.2 mmHg (SD 4.3), and 13.3 mmHg (SD 3) at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. At 6 months, lower IOP levels significantly correlated with hyporeflective blebs (r=-0.82, p=0.000), with the presence of hyporeflective suprachoroidal space (r=-0.67, p=0.003) and with the presence of hyporeflective area around the scleral lake (r=-0.55, p=0.02). The presence of these 3 filtration signs together correlated with lower IOP levels compared with the presence of only 1 or 2 (p=0.000, p=0.004, p=0.0005) at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. A thinner trabeculo-descemetic membrane (TDM) was significantly correlated with lower postoperative IOP value at the first postoperative month (r=0.45, p=0.05). Intraocular pressure mean values and UBM characteristics were not significantly different between eyes with single NPDS and eyes following combined NPDS-phacoemulsification. At 6 months, eyes without goniopuncture had lower IOP values (p=0.02), higher bleb (p=0.015), and thinner TDM (p=0.01) than those needing goniopuncture.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a useful method to evaluate outflow mechanisms after NPDS and their correlation with postoperative IOP control.

A new manner of reporting pressure results after glaucoma surgery

Purpose

To evaluate to what extent contemporary glaucoma abstracts offer complete information and to suggest a new manner of pressure results reporting.

Materials, methods, and results

Most of the 36 relevant surgical glaucoma abstracts found in one issue of International Glaucoma Review contain insufficient data-supported statements. Such abstracts cannot offer a clear picture of the study essence if economic, linguistic, or political barriers prevent access to the full text. In order to enrich abstract content and to avoid typographic space waste, a formula is suggested to provide, in one single line of symbols and figures, all the necessary data for statistical interpretation at two evolution moments: the first significative control (6 months) and the final one.

Conclusion

The current manner of results reporting in surgical glaucoma abstracts is subject to too little standardization, allowing insufficiently data-supported statements. Abstracts, especially those printed in small-circulation language journals, should be conceived and standardized in such a manner that any abstract review reader is capable of grasping the essence of the study at first glance. The suggested manner of reporting results would bring satisfaction to all areas of the process. Publishers would save typographic space, readers would find all the necessary data for statistical analysis and comparison with other studies, and authors would be convinced that the essence of their work would penetrate in spite of any economic, linguistic, or political barriers.