Quality of life following glaucoma surgery: canaloplasty versus trabeculectomy

Purpose

To evaluate quality of life (QoL) with a new questionnaire after canaloplasty (CP) and trabeculectomy (TE).

Patients and methods

We assessed outcomes of surgery, rate of revision surgeries, patients’ mood, and influence of postoperative care on QoL, surgery interference with daily activities, and postsurgical complaints. Patients completed the QoL questionnaire 24 months after surgery.

Results

Patients who underwent CP (n=175) were compared to TE patients (n=152). In the CP group, 57% of patients expressed high satisfaction, while 41% of patients in the TE group said they were highly satisfied. The satisfaction difference was statistically significant (P=0.034). Significantly fewer second surgeries were needed after CP (8% CP versus 35% TE, P<0.001). Patients were more positive in the CP group (54% CP versus 37% TE, P<0.009). Stress related to postoperative care was lower in the CP group compared to the TE group (14% versus 46%). Difficulties with activities of daily living, such as reading, were much lower or even nonexistent after CP, and complaints like eye burning or stinging were significantly lower in the CP group.

Conclusions

Compared with TE, CP is associated with less QoL impairment and higher patient satisfaction after surgery. However, long-term data on intraocular pressure reduction after surgery are needed to confirm long-term patient satisfaction with this surgery.

[Acute loss of vision during therapy of chronic hepatitis C]

A patient undergoing combined therapy of chronic hepatitis C with pegylated interferon-α-2a (PEG-IFN-α-2a) and ribavirin suddenly developed severe loss of visual acuity. A central vein occlusion with macular edema was found and intravitreal injections of bevacizumab were initiated. Retinal occlusion is a known complication of therapy with pegylated interferon-α-2a and ribavirin. An interdisciplinary assessment of patients treated for a chronic hepatitis C as well as an early anti-VEGF administration can be helpful in the therapy of this complication of chronic hepatitis C.

[Epi-LASIK with a 1000 hertz excimer laser]

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, stability and efficacy of Epi-LASIK with a 1000 hertz excimer laser system.

METHODS

40 eyes of 23 patients underwent an Epi-LASIK procedure using the Gebauer EpiLift and the WaveLight Concept System 1000. Preoperatively as well as 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively, a complete ophthalmic examination, including objective and subjective refraction (UCVA, BCVA) and topography, was performed.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) was -4.07 D (SD ± 1.89 D). 1 month after surgery, the spherical equivalent was + 0.01 D (SD ± 0.33 D), and 3 months after surgery -0.06 D (SD ± 0.28 D). 3 months after the Epi-LASIK procedure, 90 % of the patients were within ± 0.5 D of the intended correction, and 97.5 % were within ± 1.0 D of the intended correction. The astigmatism was reduced from -0.77 D (SD ± 0.68 D) to -0.24 D (SD ± 0.29 D) 3 months after surgery. 34 of the 40 eyes had a clear cornea 3 months after surgery, and 6 of the 40 eyes presented with haze grade 0.5.

CONCLUSIONS

In our pilot series of 40 eyes, the use of the 1000 hertz excimer laser did not reveal any specific clinical side effects potentially associated with the use of a high repetition rate. These first results with Epi-LASIK and the WaveLight Concept System 1000 are very promising.

[Keratectasia after refractive surgery]

BACKGROUND

Refractive surgery has become more and more popular in the past years. One of the most severe complications is iatrogenic keratectasia. The purpose of this article is to review the current knowledge about iatrogenic keratectasia. METHOD. A literature research (Medline) using the key words keratectasia, complication after refractive surgery and cross-linking was carried out. Apart from this, our own data from partially unpublished studies have been used.

RESULTS

Since the first publication of keratectasia in 1998 more and more cases of keratectasia have been published. The main risk factor is a preoperative irregular topography. But also thin corneas, deep ablations, thin residual stromal beds and young patients age at the time of the laser surgery are further risk factors.

DISCUSSION

Although preoperative examinations before refractive surgery are becoming more and more accurate and the inclusion criteria for laser ablation have become stricter, iatrogenic keratectasia still occurs. Therefore longer follow-up visits should be performed over a longer period to diagnose keratectasia in an early stage and to provide therapy.

[Spontaneous closure of traumatic macular holes. Two cases]

The optimal treatment approach for traumatic macular holes (TMH) is still controversial. We report two cases of spontaneous closure of TMH. In the first patient, closure resulted in an increase in visual acuity from 0.2 to 0.8. In the second case, no increase in visual acuity was detectable despite spontaneous closure of the TMH within a few days after the trauma. This may be explained by an irreversible damage of the photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium. In patients with TMH, a waiting approach should be considered because of the possibility of spontaneous closure of TMHs.

[Six-month clinical results with the light adjustable lens]

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the six-month clinical results of the light adjustable lens (LAL).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In 20 eyes of 12 patients with cataract a cataract surgery with implantation of a light adjustable lens has been performed. 2 ¹/₂ weeks after surgery all intraocular lens adjustments were carried out. Preoperatively, immediately before the adjustment procedures and 1 month, 3 and 6 months after the adjustment procedure a complete ophthalmic examination was performed.

RESULTS

All cataract surgeries have been carried out without any complications. 2 ¹/₂ weeks after surgery the mean spherical equivalent was + 0.39 D (standard deviation [SD] ± 0.79 D). 6 months after the adjustment procedure the spherical equivalent was -0.07 D (SD ± 0.25 D). 6 months after the adjustment procedure all patients were within ± 0.5 D of intended refraction. Two weeks after surgery the mean cylinder was -0.82 D (SD ± 0.67 D) and was reduced after the adjustments to -0.14 D (SD ± 0.30 D).

DISCUSSION

The light adjustable lens is a new IOL with the ability to correct up to two dioptres of sphere and cylinder after implantation. Our clinical results are promising. Especially the astigmatic correction is very promising, but further clinical investigations with larger patient numbers and longer follow-up are necessary.