The effects of prostaglandin analogues on the blood aqueous barrier and corneal thickness of phakic patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of topical latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost on the blood-aqueous barrier and central corneal thickness (CCT) of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, masked-observer, crossover clinical trial. METHODS: A total of 34 phakic patients with POAG or OHT with no previous history of intraocular surgery or uveitis completed the study. Patients were randomized to use latanoprost 0.005%, travoprost 0.004%, or bimatoprost 0.03% once daily (2000 hours) for 1 month, followed by a washout period of 4 weeks between each drug. Aqueous flare was measured with a laser flare metre. CCT was calculated as the average of five measurements using ultrasound pachymetry. All measurements were performed by a masked observer (1000 h). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between baseline mean IOP, mean CCT, and mean flare values among the groups. There was no statistically significant increase in mean flare values from baseline in all groups (P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between mean flare values among the groups (P>0.05). All medications significantly reduced the mean IOP from baseline (P<0.0001). IOP reduction obtained with travoprost (7.3+/-3.8 mmHg) was significantly higher than that obtained with latanoprost (4.7+/-4.2 mmHg) (P=0.01). A statistically significant reduction in mean CCT (0.6+/-1.3%) from baseline was observed when patients instilled bimatoprost (P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost had no statistically significant effect on the blood-aqueous barrier of phakic patients with POAG or OHT. Bimatoprost may be associated with a clinically irrelevant reduction in mean CCT.     

Changes in optic nerve head blood flow after therapeutic intraocular pressure reduction in glaucoma patients and ocular hypertensives

PURPOSE: To detect and quantify changes in optic nerve head (ONH) and peripapillary retinal blood flow by scanning laser Doppler flowmetry (SLDF) in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT) after therapeutic intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, self-controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty patients with OAG and 20 patients with OHT with clinical indications for therapeutic IOP reduction were prospectively enrolled. INTERVENTION: IOP reduction was achieved by medical, laser, or surgical therapy. All patients had IOP reductions more than 20% and a minimum of 4 weeks follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood flow measurements were performed by SLDF analysis software (version 3.3) using Heidelberg Retina Flowmeter images. Statistical evaluations were performed on both groups using a two-tailed distribution paired t test. RESULTS: Twenty patients with OAG had a mean IOP reduction of 37% after treatment. In these patients, mean (+/- standard deviation) rim blood flow increased by 67% (from 158 +/- 79 arbitrary units to 264 +/- 127 arbitrary units, P = 0.001), whereas mean temporal peripapillary retinal flow decreased by 7.4% (P = 0.24), and mean nasal peripapillary retinal flow increased by 0.3% (P = 0.96). Twenty OHT patients had a mean IOP reduction of 33% after treatment. In contrast to the OAG group, neither the mean rim blood flow (7.5% increase from 277 +/- 158 arbitrary units to 298 +/- 140 arbitrary units, P = 0.41) nor the mean temporal (P = 0.35) or nasal (P = 0.88) peripapillary retinal flow changed significantly. CONCLUSIONS: For a similar percentage of IOP reduction, OAG patients had a statistically significant improvement of blood flow in the neuroretinal rim of the ONH, whereas OHT patients did not demonstrate such a change. Peripapillary retinal blood flow, expected to be affected less in glaucoma, remained stable in both groups. In addition to indicating a response to therapy in OAG patients, the reported changes in rim perfusion suggest that ONH autoregulation may be defective in OAG while intact in OHT.     

Effects of central corneal thickness on the efficacy of topical ocular hypotensive medications

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of central corneal thickness (CCT) on the efficacy of intraocular pressure (IOP)-reducing drugs in patients with ocular hypertension (OHT). METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed research records of 115 OHT patients and 97 ocular normotensive (ONT) volunteers. CCT was measured by slit-lamp pachymetry and IOP by pneumatonometry. The OHT patients were divided into Thick (>540 microm, n=52) and Thin (相似文献   

Efficacy and safety of a systematic switch from latanoprost to travoprost in patients with glaucoma

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of systematically switching a large number of hospital-based glaucoma patients from latanoprost to travoprost therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective observational study, patients on latanoprost were systematically switched to travoprost without washout and followed-up for 12 weeks. The main outcome measures were control of intraocular pressure (IOP), rate of switching back, and tolerability. IOP was measured at baseline (while on latanoprost), and at weeks 6 and 12 after switching to travoprost. Adverse effects were assessed and conjunctival hyperemia was graded using a standardized scale. RESULTS: Ninety-three consecutive patients (mean age 63.3 +/- 12.1 y) were enrolled. Nine patients were lost to follow-up. Four patients (4.3%) were switched back to latanoprost after 6 weeks due to travoprost intolerance. There was no significant difference between mean IOP at baseline [16.4 +/- 3.4 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval (CI) 15.6-17.2] and that at week 6 (15.9 +/- 4.2 mm Hg, 95% CI 14.9-16.8) (P=0.2) and week 12 (16.4 +/- 5.7 mm Hg, 95% CI 15.1-17.7) (P=0.99). There was no significant difference in the mean hyperemia score at week 12 compared with baseline (P=0.09). The majority of patients (86.9%) felt that both medications were comparable in terms of degree of comfort; 5 felt that travoprost caused more redness. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, when glaucoma patients were systematically switched from latanoprost to travoprost, the efficacy and safety of the 2 medications were found to be comparable. A high switch rate (95.2%) was achieved with average hyperemia scores being comparable.     

相干光断层扫描仪检测正常人及青光眼患者中央角膜厚度

目的探讨相干光断层扫描仪(OCT)测量正常人、原发性开角型青光眼(POAG)、正常眼压性青光眼(NTG)、高眼压症(OHT)患者的中央角膜厚度(CCT)。方法采用OCT3测量正常人143例(143只眼)、POAG患者36例(36只眼)、NTG患者39例(39只眼)及OHT患者40例(40只眼)的CCT,并进行单因素4水平设计定量资料的方差分析;用线性回归方法分析正常人CCT与Goldmann压平眼压测量值的相关关系;对OCT测量CCT观察者间和观察者内的一致性进行类内相关系数(ICC)分析。结果正常组、POAG组、NTG组及OHT组的平均CCT值分别为(523.66±32.13)μm、(530.92±27.32)μm、(506.92±21.49)μm及(573.13±27.39)μm。POAG组与正常人组的平均CCT值差异无统计学意义(P=0.099);OHT组的平均CCT值大于其他各组,均P<0.01;NTG组的平均CCT值小于其他各组,均P<0.01。正常组CCT与眼压值呈正相关(r=0.318,R2=0.101,P<0.01)。OCT测量CCT的测量者间和测量者内的ICC值分别为0.995和0.996。结论OCT可以准确地测量CCT;NTG患者平均CCT比正常人薄,而OHT患者比正常人厚;CCT可以影响Goldmann压平眼压计的测量值,但贡献率较小。(中华眼科杂志,2006,42:199-203)     

The relative effects of corneal thickness and age on Goldmann applanation tonometry and dynamic contour tonometry

AIMS: To establish the effects of central corneal thickness (CCT) on intraocular pressure (IOP) measured with a prototype Pascal dynamic contour tonometer (DCT), to evaluate the effect of CCT and age on the agreement between IOP measured with the Pascal DCT and Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), and to compare the interobserver and intraobserver variation of the DCT with the GAT. METHODS: GAT and DCT IOP measurements were made on 130 eyes of 130 patients and agreement was assessed by means of Bland-Altman plots. The effect of CCT and age on GAT/DCT IOP differences was assessed by linear regression analysis. Interobserver and intraobserver variations for GAT and DCT were assessed in 100 eyes of 100 patients. RESULTS: The mean difference (95% limits of agreement) between GAT and DCT was -0.7 (-6.3 to 4.9) mm Hg. GAT/DCT IOP differences increased with thicker CCT (slope 0.017 mm Hg/microm, 95% CI 0.004 to 0.03, r2 = 0.05, p = 0.01), and with greater age, slope 0.05 mm Hg/year (95% CI 0.012 to 0.084, r2 = 0.05, p = 0.01). The intraobserver variability of GAT and DCT was 1.7 mm Hg and 3.2 mm Hg, respectively. The interobserver variability was (mean difference (95% limits of agreement)) 0.4 (-3.5 to 4.2) mm Hg for GAT and 0.2 (-4.9 to 5.3) mm Hg for DCT. CONCLUSIONS: GAT is significantly more affected than DCT by both CCT and subject age. The effect of age suggests an age related corneal biomechanical change that may induce measurement error additional to that of CCT. The prototype DCT has greater measurement variability than the GAT.     

A comparison of latanoprost,bimatoprost, and travoprost in patients with elevated intraocular pressure: a 12-week,randomized, masked-evaluator multicenter study

PURPOSE: To Internet Advance publication at ajo.com Feb 13, 2003. compare the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect and safety of latanoprost, bimatoprost, and travoprost in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OH). DESIGN: Interventional study. METHODS: This 12-week, randomized, parallel-group study was conducted at 45 US sites. Previously treated patients with OAG or OH and an IOP > or =23 mm Hg in one or both eyes after washout received either latanoprost 0.005%, bimatoprost 0.03%, or travoprost 0.004% once daily in the evening. At baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks of therapy, masked evaluators measured IOP in triplicate at 8:00 AM, 12 noon, 4:00 PM, and 8:00 PM, and masked investigators graded conjunctival hyperemia before the 8:00 AM IOP measurement. The primary efficacy outcome measure was change between baseline and Week 12 in the 8:00 AM IOP (time of peak drug effect). RESULTS: In all, 410 of 411 randomized patients were included in intent-to-treat analyses (latanoprost, 136; bimatoprost, 136; travoprost, 138). Baseline mean 8:00 AM IOP levels were similar (P =.772); by week 12, reductions were observed in all 3 groups (P <.001 for each). Adjusted (ANCOVA) reductions in mean IOP at 8:00 AM were similar (P =.128) as were those at 12 noon, 4:00 PM, and 8:00 PM. Fewer latanoprost-treated patients reported ocular adverse events (P <.001, latanoprost vs bimatoprost), fewer reported hyperemia (P =.001, latanoprost vs bimatoprost), and average hyperemia scores were lower at week 12 (P =.001, latanoprost vs bimatoprost). CONCLUSIONS: Latanoprost, bimatoprost, and travoprost were comparable in their ability to reduce IOP in OAG and OH patients. Latanoprost exhibited greater ocular tolerability.     

High-dose ruthenium-106 plaque therapy for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma: a retrospective study of 25 Chinese patients

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ruthenium-106 (106Ru) plaque radiotherapy at a dose (>50 Gy) higher than recommended (29-50 Gy) for treatment of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH) in Chinese patients. METHODS: This retrospective study included 25 symptomatic CCH patients undergoing 106Ru plaque brachytherapy involving 25 eyes between January 2005 and August 2016. Ophthalmic examination was performed at the baseline and at each post-treatment follow-up visit, using best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), dilated fundus examination, and B-scan ultrasonography. The primary efficacy outcome measures included the changes in BCVA and hemangioma dimensions at the last followup visit from the baseline. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 28.0±26.6 (range, 12-110)mo. All the hemangiomas were located in the posterior pole except for two involving the fovea. The mean apex dose of 106Ru plaque radiotherapy was 84.4±19.7 Gy. The mean BCVA improved from 41.4±29.3 (0-97) at the baseline to 53.0±33.8 (0-97) ETDRS letters at the last visit (P=0.01). The mean hemangioma height declined from 3.98±0.88 (2.40-5.50) mm to 0.84±1.63 (0-6.47) mm (P≤0.001), and the greatest linear diameter (GLD) reduced from 9.36±2.23 (6.80-15.00) to 7.40±2.45 (0-13.00) mm (P≤0.001). Hemangioma size increased in one (4%) eye with a worsened vision, and subretinal fluid completely resolved in all but one patient (4%). Radiation-related retinopathy was observed in two patients at post-treatment 9 and 11mo, respectively. CONCLUSION: 106Ru plaque brachytherapy at a dose (>50 Gy) higher than recommended (29-50 Gy) is an effective treatment regimen for symptomatic CCH associated with significantly improved visual acuity and a favorable safety profile in Chinese patients.     

噻吗洛尔或卡替洛尔联合曲伏前列素的降眼压作用及对心血管系统的影响

目的比较噻吗洛尔与卡替洛尔分别联合曲伏前列素对原发性开角型青光眼（POAG）或高眼压症（OHT）患者的降眼压作用及对心血管系统的影响。方法随机双盲对照试验。将纳入的162例患者随机分为噻吗洛尔组和卡替洛尔组,噻吗洛尔组患者使用噻吗洛尔滴眼液联合曲伏前列素滴眼液点眼;卡替洛尔组患者使用卡替洛尔滴眼液联合曲伏前列素滴眼液点眼。在患者治疗后第14天、28天进行疗效评价及心血管不良反应、其他药物不良反应评价。采用重复测量资料的方差分析对数据进行比较。结果2组患者治疗前人口基线特征差异均无统计学意义。2组患者用药后14、28 d与治疗前比较,眼压均下降（P＜0.05）,组间差异无统计学意义。用药后28 d,2组心率均下降（P＜0.05）,噻吗洛尔组较卡替洛尔组的心率抑制作用明显（P＜0.05）;22∶00-04∶00时间段内患者心率与治疗前相比差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;噻吗洛尔组心率过缓发生率增加,而卡替洛尔组下降,00∶00-04∶00时间段内卡替洛尔组心动过缓的发生率低于噻吗洛尔组（χ²=4.077,P＜0.05）。治疗后收缩压、舒张压均下降,治疗前后差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,组间差异无统计学意义。结论对于POAG或OHT患者,噻吗洛尔或卡替洛尔联合曲伏前列素均具有较好的降眼压效果。在22∶00以后,卡替洛尔联合曲伏前列素引起心动过缓和心率下降的比率较低。     

Blue-on-yellow perimetry and corneal thickness in patients with ocular hypertension

AIM: To evaluate the frequency of blue-on-yellow perimetry (B/YP) deficits in ocular hypertension (OHT) patients and to correlate these findings with central corneal thickness (CCT), and to investigate the influence of age, refraction and gender on the B/YP results in OHT patients. METHODS: The B/YP and CCT were checked respectively in 72 OHT patients with normal white-on-white perimetry(W/WP) and normal optic nerve head. The B/YP was tested by Octopus 101 automated perimetry using G2 strategy, while the CCT was checked with DGH-550 ultrasound pachymeter. All patients were chosen randomly one eye for statistical analysis, a binary regression model was used to determine the independent contribution of variables included in the model, and the differences of the intraocular pressure (IOP), CCT, age, refraction and gender between the normal B/YP group and abnormal B/YP group were compared. RESULTS: Forty-nine out of 72 patients with OHT showed normal B/YP results, whereas 23 of 72 patients(31.9%) demonstrated abnormal B/YP results. CCT showed a correlation with the B/YP results (B=-0.038, SE=0.019, P=0.044), whereas none of the IOP, age, refraction and gender was found to be correlated with the B/YP results. The mean CCT in OHT patients with abnormal B/YP group was lower than that with normal B/YP group(t =2.066, P=0.043).There was a significant positive correlation between IOP and CCT (R2=0.513, P= 0.000). CONCLUSION: The mean CCT in OHT patients with abnormal B/YP results was lower than that with normal B/YP results. There was a significant positive correlation between IOP and CCT in OHT patients. The age, refraction and gender didn't influence the B/YP results in OHT patients.     

Comparing the Efficacy of Latanoprost (0.005%), Bimatoprost (0.03%), Travoprost (0.004%), and Timolol (0.5%) in the Treatment of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Purpose

To compare the efficacy and safety of latanoprost, bimatoprost, travoprost and timolol in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with primary open angle glaucoma.

Methods

This was a prospective study conducted at a tertiary-care centre. One hundred and forty patients with newly diagnosed primary open angle glaucoma were randomly assigned to treatment with latanoprost (0.005%), bimatoprost (0.03%), travoprost (0.004%) or timolol gel (0.5%); 35 patients were assigned to each group. All patients were followed for 2, 6, and 12 weeks. The main outcome measure studied was the change in IOP at week 12 from the baseline values. Safety measures included recording of adverse events.

Results

The mean IOP reduction from baseline at week 12 was significantly more with bimatoprost (8.8 mmHg, 35.9%) than with latanoprost (7.3 mmHg, 29.9%), travoprost (7.6 mmHg, 30.8%) or timolol (6.7 mmHg, 26.6%) (ANOVA and Student''s t-tests, p < 0.001). Among the prostaglandins studied, bimatoprost produced a maximum reduction in IOP (-2.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.25 to -3.18) followed by travoprost (-1.27; 95% CI, -0.81 to -1.27) and latanoprost (-1.25; 95% CI, -0.79 to -1.71); these values were significant when compared to timolol at week 12 (Bonferroni test, p < 0.001). Latanoprost and travoprost were comparable in their ability to reduce IOP at each patient visit. Ocular adverse-events were found in almost equal proportion in patients treated with bimatoprost (41.3%) and travoprost (41.9%), with a higher incidence of conjunctival hyperemia (24.1%) seen in the bimatoprost group. Timolol produced a significant drop in heart rate (p < 0.001) at week 12 when compared to the baseline measurements.

Conclusions

Bimatoprost showed greater efficacy when compared to the other prostaglandins, and timolol was the most efficacious at lowering the IOP. Conjunctional hyperemia was mainly seen with bimatoprost. However, the drug was tolerated well and found to be safe.     

Five-year risk of progression of ocular hypertension to primary open angle glaucoma. A population-based study

PURPOSE: To report the progression of ocular hypertension (OHT) to primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) during a 5-year follow up of a population-based sample. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients diagnosed to have OHT and 110 randomly selected normals from a population-based study in 1995 were invited for ocular examination in 2000. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination; including the daytime diurnal variation of intraocular pressure (IOP) and measurement of central corneal thickness (CCT). The "corrected" IOP was used for analysis. Progression to POAG was based on typical optic disc changes with corresponding field defects on automated perimetry. RESULTS: Twenty-five of the 29 persons with OHT who could be contacted were examined. After correcting for CCT, two persons were reclassified as normal. Four of 23 (17.4%; 95% CI: 1.95-32.75) had progressed to POAG. One person amongst the 110 normals progressed to normal tension glaucoma (NTG). The relative risk of progression amongst OHT was 19.1 (95% CI: 2.2-163.4). All those who progressed had bilateral OHT. The mean and peak IOP in those who progressed was 25.4 mm Hg and 29.3 mm Hg compared to 23.9 mm Hg and 25.7 mm Hg in those who did not. Those who progressed had more than 8 mm Hg diurnal variation. The diurnal variation was less than 6 mm Hg in those who did not progress. No patient developed blindness due to glaucoma. CONCLUSION: The 5-year incidence of POAG amongst OHT in this population was 17.4% (3.5% per year). Bilateral OHT, higher peak IOP and large diurnal variation may be the risk factors for progression.     

[In Press] Changes in intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness during pregnancy: a systematic review and Meta-analysis

AIM: To conduct a Meta-analysis for investigating the variations in intraocular pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT) during normal pregnancy. METHODS: We searched for clinical trials published up to November 2015 without language or region restrictions in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid, EBSCO, Elsevier, the Chinese Biomedicine Database, WanFang, CNKI, CQVIP and Google Scholar. Studies of the ocular changes observed in pregnant women were selected. The main outcomes were assessed by changes in IOP and CCT. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included. In subgroup analyses, IOP was significantly decreased during the second (MD=-1.53, 95% CI [-2.19, -0.87]; P<0.00001) and third (MD=-2.91, 95% CI [-3.74, -2.08]; P<0.00001) trimesters of pregnancy. CCT was increased during the second (MD=10.12, 95% CI [2.01, 18.22]; P=0.01) trimester of pregnancy; moreover, during the third trimester of pregnancy, the CCT displayed an increasing trend, but the difference was not significant (MD=5.98, 95% CI [-1.11, 13.07]; P=0.1). CONCLUSION: A decrease in IOP was accompanied by an increase in CCT in the second and third trimesters of a normal pregnancy in women.     

Corneal thickness determination and correlates in Singaporean schoolchildren

PURPOSE: To determine the central cornea thickness (CCT) in Singaporean children and to examine the possible relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) and other biometric factors and CCT. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. The subjects (N=652) were obtained from the Singapore Cohort Study of the Risk Factors for Myopia (SCORM). The subjects' ages ranged from 9 to 11 years. There were 485 Chinese, 92 Malayan, and 75 Asian Indian children. Measurement procedures included air-puff tonometry, noncontact slit lamp optical pachymetry, cycloplegic autorefraction, and autokeratometry. RESULTS: The mean CCT was 543.6 +/- 32.0 microm. Chinese children had thicker corneas than Malayan or Indian children (P=0.002). The boys had thicker corneas than girls (P=0.011), but the mean difference was only 6.4 microm. There was high correlation of CCT (r=0.98) and IOP (r=0.88) between right and left eyes. IOP was correlated with CCT (r=0.45, P <0.001). In a multiple linear regression model, each millimeter of mercury of IOP was associated with a CCT difference of 5.90 microm (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.98-6.82). The radius of corneal curvature correlated with CCT (r=0.19, P <0.001). The following parameters were not significantly (P >0.05) associated with CCT: age, family income, father's education, axial length, and spherical equivalent. CONCLUSIONS: The mean CCT in Singaporean children aged 9 to 11 years was 543.6 microm and showed ethnic and gender variation. CCT affected measured IOP and correlated weakly with corneal curvature. Compared with data in adults, a change in CCT was associated with a greater difference in measured IOP.     

Comparison of the effects of latanoprost and travoprost on intraocular pressure in chronic angle-closure glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect of latanoprost and travoprost as primary therapy in patients with chronic angle-closure glaucoma (CACG) after peripheral iridotomy. METHODS: Seventy-three (73) CACG patients with IOP>19 mmHg after peripheral iridotomy and without previous antiglaucoma medication were consecutively recruited. CACG was defined as the presence of chronically elevated IOP, glaucomatous optic neuropathy, and a corresponding visual field defect in eyes with occludable angle and peripheral anterior synechiae on gonioscopy. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups, based on daily treatment with either latanoprost 0.005% or travoprost 0.004% in the evening for 12 weeks. The IOP was measured at 9 AM and 4 PM at baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Between-group differences in mean diurnal IOP and IOP reduction were analyzed. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of treatment, mean IOP for both the latanoprost and travoprost groups was significantly reduced, when compared to the baseline IOP (from 21.3+/-1.8 mmHg to 16.0+/-2.3 mmHg and 21.7+/-1.7 to 16.7+/-2.2 mmHg; P<0.001 for both). There was no significant difference in IOP reduction between the 2 treatment groups (P=0.19). At 4 and 8 weeks, the IOP changes from the baseline were statistically significant at all time points for both drugs (all P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Both latanoprost and travoprost significantly reduced IOP in our sample of CACG patients after peripheral iridotomy.     

Risk factors associated with the incidence of open-angle glaucoma: the visual impairment project

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between potential risk factors and the development of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in Australian residents aged 40 and or more years. METHODS: A total of 3271 participants were recruited at baseline from nine urban areas through cluster random sampling and subjected to comprehensive standardized interviews and ophthalmic examination, both at baseline and at 5-year follow-up. The participation rate at follow-up was 85% of the surviving baseline cohort. OAG was diagnosed with definite, probable, or possible certainty by a consensus panel of six ophthalmologists. Potential risk factors identified at baseline included various sociodemographic, anthropometric, dietary, familial, medical, and ocular characteristics of the participants. Risk factor analyses were performed for development of at least possible OAG (possible, probable, and definite OAG) and then at least probable OAG (probable and definite OAG) to represent a higher level of certainty. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Increased age and increased intraocular pressure (IOP) were associated with increased risk of development of OAG, according to multivariate analyses. A family history of glaucoma (relative risk [RR] = 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-4.2), the presence of age-related macular degeneration (RR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.2-3.9), the presence of pseudoexfoliation (RR = 9.4, 95% CI = 2.6-34.4), and a cup-disc ratio (CDR) greater than 0.7 (RR = 7.9, 95% CI = 4.4-14.1) were associated with greater risk of development of at least possible OAG. Having ever taken alpha-blockers (RR = 4.8, 95% CI = 1.2-18.8), the presence of pseudoexfoliation (RR = 11.2, 95% CI = 2.0-63.3), and a CDR higher than 0.7 (RR = 11.0, 95% CI = 4.6-26.8) also indicated significant risk of development of at least probable OAG. CONCLUSIONS: Certain nonmodifiable risk factors may be used to identify high-risk individuals, and increased IOP remains an important modifiable risk factor for OAG. However, more prospective studies on risk factors are required to clarify further the etiological picture of OAG.     

Corneal thickness measurements and frequency doubling technology perimetry abnormalities in ocular hypertensive eyes

OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that some patients currently diagnosed with ocular hypertension (OHT) may have thicker than average corneas that result in an overestimation of their true intraocular pressure. Consequently, patients with OHT with greater corneal thickness may be at a lower risk for functional glaucomatous damage, including visual field loss measured with frequency doubling technology (FDT) perimetry. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of FDT perimetry deficits in patients with OHT and to correlate these findings with central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements. DESIGN: Observational case control study. PARTICIPANTS AND CONTROLS: Sixty-five patients with OHT with normal optic discs and normal standard achromatic automated perimetry (SAP) visual fields and 52 normal control subjects. METHODS: All participants underwent SAP, FDT perimetry, and CCT measurements using ultrasound pachymetry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CCT measurements in patients with OHT with abnormal repeatable FDT test results were compared with CCT measurements in patients with OHT with normal FDT results. In addition, CCT measurements in patients with OHT were compared with CCT measurements in normal control subjects. RESULTS: Fourteen of 65 patients with OHT (21.5%) demonstrated repeatable FDT abnormalities. The mean CCT of patients with OHT with abnormal FDT results was significantly lower than the mean CCT of patients with OHT with normal FDT results (542+/-35 microm versus 575+/-35 microm; P = 0.003). The mean CCT in the normal control group was 556+/-36 microm. The mean CCT in patients with OHT with normal FDT results was significantly higher than in normal subjects (P = 0.008). No statistically significant difference was found between mean CCT in normal subjects and in patients with OHT with abnormal FDT results (P = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: Patients currently diagnosed with OHT, but with visual field loss detected by FDT perimetry, had significantly lower CCT measurements than patients with OHT with normal FDT results. These findings suggest that patients with OHT with thinner corneas are more likely to develop early glaucomatous functional damage and that CCT measurements should be taken into account when assessing risk for the development of glaucoma among OHT subjects.     

Correlation between finger blood flow and changes in optic nerve head blood flow following therapeutic intraocular pressure reduction

PURPOSE: To correlate finger blood flow and changes in optic nerve head (ONH) blood flow following therapeutic intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT). METHODS: Seventeen open-angle glaucoma patients and nineteen ocular hypertension patients underwent therapeutic IOP reduction followed by a minimum of 4 weeks of follow-up. Optic nerve head blood flow measurements were obtained by scanning laser Doppler flowmetry using full-field perfusion image analysis. Finger blood flow was measured using the Transonic laser Doppler Flowmeter. Finger blood flow was measured at baseline, after immersion in warm water (40 degrees C) for 2 minutes (Flow Max), and after immersion in cold water (4 degrees C) for 10 seconds (Flow Min). Patients were identified as vasospastic if their Flow Max/Flow Min >7. Statistical comparisons were performed using two-tailed distribution paired T-test and Pearson's correlation factor. RESULTS: For similar mean percentage intraocular pressure reduction, vasospastic patients had greater improvements in rim blood flow than did non-vasospastic patients [+35% versus +13%] (P = 0.01). While there was no difference in rim blood flow changes in the vasospastic versus the non-vasospastic OAG group, the vasospastic ocular hypertension group showed 18% increase in rim blood flow whereas the non-vasospastic ocular hypertension group showed an 8% decrease. A significant negative correlation was also found in the open-angle glaucoma group between rim blood flow change and Flow Max (-0.681, P = 0.003). In contrast, no such correlation was found in the ocular hypertension group (+0.144, P = 0.556). CONCLUSION: OAG patients had a significant negative correlation between changes in rim blood flow and maximum finger Doppler flow. Among ocular hypertension patients, increased rim blood flow was only found in the vasospastic group, though this increase was not statistically significant. These results suggest that open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients with the most severe vasospastic disease may show the greatest improvements in rim blood flow after sustained intraocular pressure reduction.     

24-h IOP control with latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost in subjects with exfoliation syndrome and ocular hypertension

PURPOSE: To compare the 24-h IOP reductions induced by latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost in eyes with exfoliation syndrome (XFS) associated with ocular hypertension (OH). METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, single masked, and parallel design study with 15 patients in each treatment group. After washout of any previous medications, each patient underwent a baseline 24-h IOP curve testing at 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, 2100, and at 2400 (midnight) hours. Patients were then randomized to receive latanoprost, travoprost, or bimatoprost once a day for 3 months. The 24-h curve testing was repeated at first week, and first and third months. RESULTS: Maximal and minimal IOP was recorded at 0600 and 1800-2100 hours. There was no significant difference among treatment groups at any time-point except for the first week. At the first week, the travoprost group had significantly lower IOP levels than the latanoprost and bimatoprost groups. All medicines significantly lowered 24-h IOP from baseline (P=0.001 for each). Although there was no significant difference in IOP reduction among groups at first week and first month, bimatoprost reduced the 24-h IOP (7.9+/-1.4) more than travoprost (6.6+/-0.5) at the end of the third month (P=0.003). The mean 24-h range of IOP was lowest with travoprost in all visits, and between-group differences was significant for travoprost vslatanoprost (P=0.007) and travoprost vsbimatoprost (P=0.001) at the third month. CONCLUSION: Latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost were effective in reducing the 24-h IOP in patients with XFS and OH, and more research is required with a larger study.     

The efficacy and safety of timolol maleate versus brinzolamide each given twice daily added to travoprost in patients with ocular hypertension or primary open-angle glaucoma

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of timolol maleate 0.5% versus brinzolamide 1% when added to travoprost 0.004% in patients with ocular hypertension or primary open-angle glaucoma. DESIGN: A prospective, double-masked, randomized, active-controlled, parallel comparison. METHODS: Qualified patients at Visit 1 were placed on travoprost dosed every evening for 4 weeks and then were randomized at baseline (Visit 2) to the addition of timolol maleate or brinzolamide each given twice daily. Patients returned to clinic at Week 4 (Visit 3) for a safety visit and Week 12 (Visit 4) for an efficacy visit. At Visits 2 and 4 the intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured at 08:00, 12:00, and 16:00 hours. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients on brinzolamide had a baseline diurnal IOP of 21.5+/-2.2 mmHg and 95 on timolol maleate had 21.3+/-2.5 mmHg, each added to travoprost. The diurnal mean IOP at Week 12 was 18.1+/-2.7 mmHg for brinzolamide and 18.1+/-3.0 mmHg for timolol maleate (p=0.96). There was no statistical difference found between treatment groups in the absolute level of pressure, or in the reduction in IOP from baseline, at each time point or for the diurnal curve (p>0.05). There was no significant difference for any adverse event between groups (p>0.05), with the most common side effect being conjunctival hyperemia in 15/97 (16%) brinzolamide and 6/95 (6%) timolol treated patients (p=0.06). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that brinzolamide provides similar safety and efficacy compared to timolol maleate when added to travoprost.