Beneficial effects of preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab on trabeculectomy outcomes in neovascular glaucoma

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) on outcomes in trabeculectomy for neovascular glaucoma (NVG).

METHODS

Charts for 52 NVG eyes of 52 consecutive patients who received primary trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC) were reviewed. Postoperative follow-up periods for all patients were > or = 4 months. Thirty-two consecutive eyes were treated without IVB (control group) and 20 consecutive eyes received IVB (1.25 mg) 10 +/- 11 days before trabeculectomy (IVB group). The main outcome measures were postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and incidence of postoperative complications. Surgical success was defined as IOP< 21 mmHg with or without medication (qualified or complete success, respectively). Failure was defined as IOP exceeding these criteria, phthisis bulbi, loss of light perception or additional glaucoma surgeries. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with the log-rank test was performed to compare surgical success rates between the two groups.

RESULTS

Complete and qualified success rates at 6 months were 95% versus 50% and 95% versus 75% in the IVB and control groups, respectively. The IVB group achieved significantly better surgical success rates than the control group (complete success, p < 0.001; qualified success, p = 0.026). Postoperative hyphaema on day 1 or hyphaema with a duration of > 1 week occurred significantly less frequently in the IVB group than in the control group (p = 0.009, p = 0.014, respectively). The incidence of serious complications such as endophthalmitis, phthisis bulbi and a marked decrease in visual acuity did not increase in the IVB group.

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective study showed that preoperative IVB decreased postoperative hyphaema and increased surgical success rates, and thus may be an effective adjunct to trabeculectomy in NVG.

Indoor soccer-related eye injuries: should eye protection be mandatory?

BACKGROUND

Our objectives were to present the spectrum of eye injuries caused by indoor soccer, as seen at our institution, and to initiate discussion as to whether eye protection should become mandatory for this indoor sport.

METHODS

Chart review of patients presenting to our institution with eye injuries from indoor soccer.

RESULTS

Five cases were identified from 2001-2005, all occurring during the winter or late fall. Each injury was due to contact with the soccer ball itself. Initially, all 5 patients presented with commotio retinae (1 with a prominent retinal and vitreous hemorrhage and 2 with smaller retinal hemorrhages), 2 with hyphema and traumatic mydriasis, 1 with subconjunctival hemorrhage, and 1 with upper lid edema and ecchymosis. Three resolved uneventfully with 20/20 or better vision; however, in 2 there were findings of choroidal rupture with chorioretinal scarring. One of these had 20/20 vision and a discontinuous choroidal rupture peripherally, and the other had 20/40 vision and extensive chorioretinal scarring. One patient also showed a peculiar persistent iris scar.

INTERPRETATION

Soccer-related eye injuries have been recognized as an important ophthalmologic problem in Europe and now increasingly so in North America. With the increasing popularity of indoor soccer in Canada, serious eye injuries have become more prevalent. On the basis of the prevalence and the nature and mechanism of the ocular trauma, we believe there may be a need to make eye protection mandatory for all forms of soccer.

Trabeculectomy with mitomycin C combined with direct cauterization of peripheral iris in the management of neovascular glaucoma

PURPOSE

To determine the outcomes of trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC) combined with direct cauterization of peripheral iris before iridectomy in the management of neovascular glaucoma (NVG), and to demonstrate the effect of this surgical technique on decreasing the incidence of intraoperative bleeding and early postoperative hyphema.

METHODS

This prospective study was based on 72 eyes of 72 patients with NVG who underwent primary trabeculectomy with MMC combined with direct cauterization of peripheral iris before iridectomy. The patients were evaluated for intraoperative and early postoperative complications such as hyphema, and operative success rates. Operative success was defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) < or =22 mm Hg (+/-medical therapy) in the absence of phthisis. The mean IOP and the mean number of antiglaucomatous medications at baseline and at the posttrabeculectomy sixth month were compared by paired Student t test.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative IOP was 39.3+/-5.6 mm Hg (range, 29 to 60 mm Hg) whereas it was 20.02+/-4.3 mm Hg (range, 14 to 38 mm Hg) at the postoperative sixth month. The mean preoperative number of antiglaucoma medications was 3.2+/-0.4 (range, 2 to 4) but it reduced to 1.8+/-0.6 (range, 1 to 4) at the postoperative sixth month. These differences were statistically significant (P<0.00001). The IOP was < or =22 mm Hg (+/-medical therapy) in 69 eyes (95.8%) at the postoperative first week, in 62 eyes (86.1%) at the postoperative first month, in 60 eyes (83.3%) at the postoperative third month and in 48 eyes (66%) at the postoperative sixth month. Hyphema occurred in 15 eyes (20.8%) within the first week of the surgery. In 12 eyes it was transient; however, in 3 eyes irrigation of anterior chamber was required.

CONCLUSIONS

Trabeculectomy with MMC combined with direct cauterization of peripheral iris decreases the incidence of both intraoperative bleeding, and early postoperative hyphema, and provides reduction of IOP and the number of antiglaucomatous medications in cases with NVG in a 6-month follow-up period.

Ocular injury in hurling

OBJECTIVES

To describe the clinical characteristics of ocular injuries sustained in hurling in the south of Ireland and to investigate reasons for non-use of protective headgear and eye wear.

METHODS

Retrospective review of the case notes of 310 patients who attended Cork University Hospital or Waterford Regional Hospital between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 2002 with ocular injuries sustained during a hurling match. A confidential questionnaire on reasons for non-use of protective headgear and eye wear was completed by 130 players.

RESULTS

Hurling related eye injuries occurred most commonly in young men. Fifty two patients (17%) required hospital admission, with hyphaema accounting for 71% of admissions. Ten injuries required intraocular surgical

INTERVENTION

retinal detachment repair (5); macular hole surgery (1); repair of partial thickness corneal laceration (1); repair of globe perforation (1); enucleation (1); trabeculectomy for post-traumatic glaucoma (1). Fourteen eyes (4.5%) had a final best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of <6/12 and six (2%) had BCVA <3/60. In the survey, 63 players (48.5%) reported wearing no protective facemask while playing hurling. Impairment of vision was the most common reason cited for non-use.

CONCLUSIONS

Hurling related injury is a significant, and preventable, cause of ocular morbidity in young men in Ireland. The routine use of appropriate protective headgear and faceguards would result in a dramatic reduction in the incidence and severity of these injuries, and should be mandatory.

A prospective, open-label, dose-escalating study of low molecular weight heparin during repeat vitrectomy for PVR and severe diabetic retinopathy

BACKGROUND

To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of enoxaparin, a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was used during repeat vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and severe diabetic retinopathy.

METHODS

From 25 patients, 29 eyes undergoing repeat vitrectomy for PVR (CP3 or greater) or severe diabetic retinopathy were included in the study. Patients had previously undergone an average of 2.1 previous vitrectomies (range 1-5). Enoxaparin was added to the infusion fluid in an escalating dose from 0.1 IU/ml to 6.0 IU/ml as tolerated. Intraoperative bleeding, postoperative fibrin, hyphema and vitreous hemorrhage were graded in an unmasked fashion using previously described grading scales.

RESULTS

All patients completed the study, and the study was able to achieve the 6.0 IU/ml maximum dose on the dose escalation schedule. No patient experienced dose-limiting toxicity. Analysis showed no increase in intraoperative bleeding complications between low dose (<or=1.0 IU/ml) and high dose (>1.0 IU/ml) enoxaparin (Mann-Whitney Test, P=0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

Enoxaparin dose escalation did not result in a dose-dependent increase in acute side effects. The establishment of a well-tolerated dose of enoxaparin during repeat vitrectomy for PVR and severe diabetic retinopathy (6.0 IU/ml) provides a foundation for future studies.

Suture fixation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens in anticoagulated patients

PURPOSE

To describe a technique of suture fixating posterior chamber silicone intraocular lenses (PC IOLs) to the iris through a limbal incision and to evaluate its effectiveness in preventing intraocular hemorrhages.

SETTING

Price Vision Group, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.

METHODS

This retrospective single-center study comprised 7 eyes (5 patients) that had suture fixation of a silicone PC IOL from a limbal approach to the midperipheral iris using 9-0 polypropylene (Prolene(R)) suture. All patients were taking warfarin sodium (Coumadin(R)) preoperatively and postoperatively. At each follow-up examination, visual acuity and intraocular pressure were measured, the stability of the PC IOL was assessed, and the anterior chamber and posterior segment were evaluated for blood.

RESULTS

There was no incidence of intraocular hemorrhage during surgery in any eye. In 6 eyes, there was no blood in the anterior chamber or posterior segment at any postoperative examination. A nonlayering hyphema that resolved within 1 week without sequelae was noted in 1 patient 6 weeks postoperatively. The mean follow-up was 10.7 months (range 6 to 25 months).

CONCLUSION

Suture fixating a PC IOL to the iris through a limbal approach was an effective means of placing an IOL in anticoagulated patients without capsule support.

Changing trends in paintball sport-related ocular injuries

OBJECTIVES

To describe the type and severity of ocular injuries caused by paintballs, to summarize the outcomes, to determine if the injury occurred in a commercial or noncommercial setting, to compare the number of injuries in each setting as a function of time, and to ascertain whether eye-protective devices were worn and why they were removed.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of 35 patients who sustained ocular injuries caused by paintballs and underwent evaluation and treatment at an eye hospital from January 1, 1985, to September 30, 1998. Thirty-five eyes of 35 patients underwent a complete ocular examination, diagnostic testing, and surgical intervention when indicated.

RESULTS

All patients were male (average age, 22 years). Twenty-six patients (74%) had an initial visual acuity of 20/200 or worse, and visual acuity in 16 (46%) remained 20/200 or worse on follow-up (range, 2 weeks to 22 months). Traumatic hyphema was seen in 21 patients (60%). Twenty-two patients (63%) had access to goggles, 7 (33%) of whom removed them due to fogging before the injury. Injuries sustained after 1995 were 5.8 times (relative risk, 5.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-22.4) more likely to occur during a noncommercial war game than those occurring in 1995 or before.

CONCLUSIONS

As the popularity of war games increases, so does the potential for serious ocular injury caused by paint pellet guns. Most injuries seen after 1995 occurred in noncommercial war game settings, where the use of eye-protective devices is not required. Industry standards for eye protection have been developed recently and should be implemented.

Photocoagulation of iris nevus to control recurrent hyphema

PURPOSE

To report a case of recurrent hyphema caused by an iris nevus that was successfully treated with photocoagulation.

METHOD

Case report. In a 30-year-old woman with recurrent hyphema secondary to an iris nevus, photocoagulation was applied to the iris nevus.

RESULTS

Before photocoagulation of the iris nevus, the patient had increasing frequency of hyphema episodes. After treatment, no hyphema episodes occurred during 13 months of observation.

CONCLUSION

Photocoagulation of the surface of an iris nevus may prevent recurrent hyphema.

Air bags and ocular injuries

PURPOSE

This investigation retrospectively examined ocular injuries associated with air bag deployment to gain a better appreciation of potential risk factors in motor vehicle accidents. National statistics regarding the efficacy of air bags were reviewed.

METHODS

Review of the literature from 1991 to 1998 identified 44 articles describing 97 patients with air-bag-induced ocular injuries. Variables extracted from each case were age, sex, height, position in the car, eye wear, vehicle impact speed, visual acuity, and specific ocular injuries.

RESULTS

Corneal abrasions occurred in 49% of occupants, hyphemas in 43%, vitreous or retinal hemorrhages in 25%, and retinal tears or detachments in 15%. The globe was ruptured in 10 patients. Patients involved in higher-speed accidents (over 30 mph) sustained a greater percentage of vitreous or retinal hemorrhages and traumatic cataracts, while those at slower speeds were more prone to retinal tears or detachments. In a subset of 14 patients with serious ocular injuries, the impact speed of 11 patients was recorded at 30 mph or less. Slower speed may be a risk factor for some ocular injuries. Occupant height was not a significant factor. National statistics confirm that air bags reduce fatalities in motor vehicle accidents. However, children sitting in the front seat without a seat belt and infants in passenger-side rear-facing car seats are at risk for fatal injury.

CONCLUSION

Air bags combined with seat belts are an effective means of reducing injury and death in adults during motor vehicle accidents. However, this study has documented a wide variety of ocular injuries associated with air bag deployment. It is hoped that researchers can develop modifications that continue to save lives while minimizing additional harm.

Topical aminocaproic acid in the treatment of traumatic hyphema

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether topically applied aminocaproic acid, like systemic aminocaproic acid, effectively reduces secondary hemorrhage after hyphemas and to compare the safety and effectiveness of topical application with those of systemic use and a control group.

DESIGN

A prospective, randomized, double-masked, multicenter study.

PATIENTS

Sixty-four patients with traumatic hyphema treated with topical or systemic aminocaproic acid and compared with 54 control patients with hyphema. Daily slitlamp examinations for hyphema grading and corneal clarity, initial and final visual acuity, applanation tonometry, and fundus indirect ophthalmoscopy were studied. Follow-up was 6 months to 5 1/2 years (mean, 2.96 years).

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, topical and systemic aminocaproic acid was statistically significant in preventing secondary hemorrhage. Only 3% (2/64) of the patients who received topical or systemic aminocaproic acid had secondary hemorrhage compared with 22% (12/54) of the control group (P = .002). Final visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 30 patients (86%) in the topical group compared with 23 patients (43%) in the control group (P < .001). Final visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 20 patients (69%) in the systemic aminocaproic acid group compared with 23 patients (43%) in the control group (P = .04). The topical aminocaproic acid group had a final visual acuity of 20/40 or better in 86% of patients, compared with 69% of patients in the systemic group.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical aminocaproic acid appears to be a safe, effective treatment to prevent secondary hemorrhage in traumatic hyphema. It is as effective as systemic aminocaproic acid in reducing secondary hemorrhage. No systemic side effects were observed with topical use. Topical aminocaproic acid provides an effective out-patient treatment for traumatic hyphemas.

[Intraoperative prevention of bleeding into the anterior chamber in hemorrhagic glaucoma using viscoelastic substances]

The anterior chamber tamponade with Healon and 2.5% solution of hydroxymethyl-cellulose has been applied in 10 patients, aged 9-65 years, during antiglaucomatous surgery connected with interscleral dislocation of iris. The tamponade prevented the rupture of blood vessels of iris. Bleeding connected with the cutting of blood vessels was stopped by filling the anterior chamber with viscoelastic substance under increased pressure. It was possible to preserve the anterior chamber during surgery. The properties of Healon and 2.5% solution of hydroxymethyl-cellulose were similar.

Sports-related traumatic hyphema

Traumatic hyphema is a common sports-related eye injury that can cause permanent visual loss. Although referral to an ophthalmologist is advised, the primary care physician is often responsible for making the diagnosis and initiating medical care. A careful history should be taken and a physical examination performed, with attention given to possible accompanying ocular injuries. Proper positioning of the patient and placement of a unilateral eye shield are the first steps in management. Therapy is aimed at preventing secondary hemorrhage, elevated intraocular pressure and corneal blood staining. Surgical intervention may be necessary to preserve vision. Prognosis depends on the size of the hyphema, the development of complications and the presence of associated injuries. Protective eye guards have been shown to be very effective in preventing traumatic hyphema.

Effect of a superficial and a deep scleral pocket incision on the incidence of hyphema

Deep tunnel scleral pocket incisions were developed to control surgically induced astigmatism following cataract and intraocular lens implantation surgery. A more superficial, shallow scleral pocket incision was developed to reduce the rate of postoperative hyphema. To test its effectiveness, a randomized prospective clinical study was performed. One hundred twenty-nine eyes of 129 patients were randomized: 66 to receive a deep tunnel pocket and 63 to receive the superficial pocket. In both groups the incision was made 3 mm posterior to the limbus. For the deep pocket cases, a blade setting of 0.27 mm was used and the wound was dissected forward toward the entry site, creating a long, deep, narrow tunnel. For the superficial wound cases, a 0.17 mm blade setting was used and the entire wound was dissected to the edge of the anatomic limbus, creating a thin scleral flap. The left side was then fanned out toward the left with the entry site slightly into clear cornea. At one day after surgery, 22 cases (34%) in the deep pocket group and four cases (6%) in the superficial pocket group had hyphemas. The difference in hyphema rates was statistically significant (P less than .001).

Oral administration of tranexamic acid in the management of traumatic hyphema in children

In a prospective study 163 patients aged 17 years or less admitted to a children's hospital between April 1985 and December 1990 with traumatic hyphema were treated with tranexamic acid, 25 mg/kg given orally every 8 hours to a maximum of 1500 mg every 8 hours for 5 days. Secondary hemorrhage occurred in 5 patients (3%), none of whom had more than one rebleeding episode. In contrast, 24 (8%) of 316 patients aged 17 years or less admitted to the same hospital between January 1977 and March 1985 with traumatic hyphema who were not treated with antifibrinolytics had a secondary hemorrhage, several more than once, giving a rebleeding rate of 33/316 (10%). The results suggest that tranexamic acid reduces the incidence and number of secondary hemorrhages in children, without significant ocular or systemic side effects.

Modification of trabeculectomy to avoid postoperative hyphaema. The 'guarded anterior fistula' operation

The effect of varying the position of a trabeculectomy fistula on the rate of postoperative hyphaema was studied in a prospective randomised trial. One eye of each of 78 consecutive patients with primary open angle glaucoma and exfoliation glaucoma was allocated to one of two groups. In group A the fistula was fashioned anterior to the scleral spur, entirely in corneal tissue. In group B the fistula included cornea and sclera with trabecular meshwork and scleral spur. Seven out of 39 eyes (18%) in group A developed a postoperative hyphaema with detectable blood level, compared with 22 out of 39 eyes (56%) for group B (p less than 0.001). In addition, the severity of the bleeding was greater in group B, and the three cases of recurrent bleeding were all in this group. Group B patients remained in hospital for an average of 3.9 days, which was significantly longer (p = 0.004) than the average of 2.9 days for group A. This difference was related to the frequency and severity of the hyphaema. The type of dissection or the occurrence of hyphaema did not influence the intraocular pressure at 4 months after surgery.

Factors related to the incidence of secondary haemorrhage in 462 patients with traumatic hyphema

In a retrospective study of 462 in-patients with traumatic hyphema, secondary haemorrhage occurred in 8.7% of patients. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that the size of hyphaema on presentation and the presence of retinal damage did not affect the probability of secondary haemorrhage. The incidence of secondary haemorrhage was found to decrease by approximately half with the use of topical steroid (p = 0.005), but did not appear to be influenced by the use of cycloplegics. These data indicate in an unselected sequential population of patients, the therapeutic importance of topical steroid in the treatment of blunt ocular trauma.

[Personal observations on using artificial anterior chamber lenses]

The analysis concerned 100 eyes (91 persons) operated for senile (89 eyes), traumatic (7 eyes) and pathological (4 cases) cataracts, with implantation of an artificial anterior chamber lens. The age of the patients oscillated between 32 and 86 years. The period of observation amounted from several months to 3 years. In 83 cases the final visual acuity was over 0.7. The authors stated a dependence of the visual acuity on the coexisting general diseases and on the type of cataract.

Blue Healon

A random prospective study comparing clear sodium hyaluronate (Healon) and blue Healon was done in 50 patients who had routine extracapsular cataract surgery with lens implantation. Blue Healon was more visible and easier to remove. For this reason there was less residual Healon postoperatively in the blue Healon group, with slightly fewer cells and less flare and blood in the immediate postoperative period. There were no other differences and the mechanical properties of the two Healons were the same.

Topical aminocaproic acid significantly reduces the incidence of secondary hemorrhage in traumatic hyphema in the rabbit model

Systemically administered aminocaproic acid has been shown to reduce the incidence of secondary hemorrhage after traumatic hyphema. To date, no topical treatment has been shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of rebleeding in a double-masked study. Experimentally induced traumatic hyphemas in the rabbit model were treated with topical placebo gel (4% carboxypolymethylene gel only) or carboxypolymethylene gel with amino-caproic acid (treated group) in a double-masked fashion and were compared with untreated controls (control group). In both the control and placebo groups, there was a 33% rebleed rate. The treated eyes had a 10% rebleed rate that is statistically significant. The topically applied aminocaproic acid gel appears to be well tolerated locally without evidence of systemic toxicity. This study indicates that topical aminocaproic acid may be an effective alternative to systemic treatment to reduce the incidence of secondary hemorrhage in traumatic hyphema.

Management of traumatic hyphema in children. An analysis of 340 cases

Three hundred forty children with nonperforating traumatic hyphema were examined to verify or refute the possible protective action of the antifibrinolytic agent, tranexamic acid, against rebleeding. In the retrospective study group, 219 children were treated with strict bed rest, binocular patching, and sedation but did not receive antifibrinolytic agents. In the prospective study group, 121 children received systemically administered tranexamic acid; some of these children were confined to bed rest (26 cases) and some were allowed free ambulation within their rooms (95 cases). In the children who were treated with bed rest but who did not receive the antifibrinolytic agent, the frequency of secondary hemorrhage was 9.6%. Tranexamic acid reduced the incidence of secondary hemorrhage significantly: none of 26 eyes of patients who received systemically administered tranexamic acid and were confined to bed rest rebled, and only one (1.1%) of 95 eyes of children who received tranexamic acid and were allowed free ambulation in the hospital rebled.

A comparison of two dose regimens of epsilon aminocaproic acid in the prevention and management of secondary traumatic hyphemas

Fifty-nine patients who sustained hyphema following blunt trauma were randomly assigned prospectively to either of two dose regimens of epsilon aminocaproic acid (Amicar). Twenty-six took an oral dosage of 50 mg/kg ("half dose") every four hours for five days, up to a maximum of 30 g/day, and 33 patients received 100 mg/kg ("full-dose") every four hours up to a maximum of 30 g/day. Five patients in the full-dose group experienced dizziness, hypotension, and syncope. Half-dose Amicar substantially reduced such serious side effects (P = 0.063), had no adverse effect on the reduced rate of recurrent hemorrhages (P = 0.22), and was more cost effective than the full-dose regimen. When the two patients in the half-dose group receiving 30 g/day of Amicar were deleted, however, the comparison of dizziness and hypotension in the two groups became more significant (P = 0.050). The incidence of nausea and vomiting was approximately the same in both groups (P = 0.52). Serum Amicar levels were within the range of plasminogen inhibition at both dose levels. Prior aspirin ingestion appeared to have no influence on the rate of rebleeding (P = 0.58).

Aminocaproic acid decreases secondary hemorrhage after traumatic hyphema

Forty-eight patients (49 eyes) had nonperforating traumatic hyphema. Twenty-eight patients (28 eyes with hyphema) received oral aminocaproic acid, an antifibrinolytic agent, in a dosage of 100 mg/kg every four hours for five days, up to a maximum daily dose of 30 g. Twenty patients (21 eyes with hyphema) received placebo in an identical regimen. One eye treated with aminocaproic acid rebled; seven eyes receiving the placebo rebled. The results of this study show a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of secondary hemorrhage in the patients receiving aminocaproic acid.

Tranexamic acid in the prevention of secondary haemorrhage after traumatic hyphaema

The occurrence of secondary haemorrhage after traumatic hyphaema was studied in 239 patients treated in the Department of Ophthalmology, Tampere Central Hospital during the years 1972 to 1980. From 1972 to 1976, 126 patients with traumatic hyphaema were confined to bed and treated without antifibrinolytic agents; nine (7.1%) of these patients developed secondary haemorrhage. From 1977 to 1980, none of 58 patients with traumatic hyphema treated with tranexamic acid developed secondary haemorrhage which was seen in 3 (5.5%) of 55 patients treated without antifibrinolytic agents; the activities of these patients were not restricted and the eyes were not patched. The resorption of the hyphaema was significantly delayed in the tranexamic acid treated patients. It is concluded that tranexamic acid delays resorption of the blood-clot sealing the damaged vessel and preventing secondary haemorrhage after traumatic hyphaema without bed-rest and binocular patching.

A double-blind study on the influence of tranexamic acid on the intraocular pressure and the central corneal thickness after trabeculectomy for glaucoma simplex

The influence of tranexamic acid on the intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness has been examined by means of a double-blind trial in patients with glaucoma simplex. The material comprised 28 patients (14 pairs) who had all been operated on for glaucoma in one eye by trabeculectomy. Tranexamic acid was found not to influence the intraocular pressure, neither in the operated eye nor in the opposite eye. The possible antifibrinolytic effect on the outflow of the aqueous humour is discussed. As in previous studies an effect of tranexamic acid on the central corneal thickness was found in both the operated and in the non-operated eye. A possible mechanism behind this is discussed.

Tranexamic acid (AMCA) and late hyphaema. A double blind study in cataract surgery

A double blind study of the effect of tranexamic acid (AMCA) on late hyphaema after cataract surgery is reported. A total of 244 patients were included in the study after strict selection. It was shown that the incidence of late hyphaema in the treated group was significantly lower at the 5% level than that in the placebo group. The conclusion is made that the fibrinolytic inhibitor tranexamic acid can be used therapeutically or prophylactically to decrease the risk for re-bleeding after ocular surgery.