Medical control of intraocular pressure after phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of oral acetazolamide, topical brinzolamide 1%, and no ocular hypotensive medication after phacoemulsification. SETTING: Adnan Menderes University Department of Ophthalmology, Aydin, Turkey. METHODS: This prospective randomized double-blind study comprised 60 eyes of 52 patients having phacoemulsification under topical anesthesia. There were no intraoperative complications. Eyes were randomized to receive oral acetazolamide 500 mg 1 hour preoperatively followed by 250 mg acetazolamide every 6 hours, 1 drop of brinzolamide 1% every 12 hours starting immediately after speculum removal, or no ocular hypotensive medication. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured using a Perkins tonometer preoperatively and 4 to 6 hours and 18 to 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: The preoperative IOP was not significantly different between the 3 groups. Four to 6 hours postoperatively, the acetazolamide group (P=.002) and brinzolamide group (P=.001) had significantly lower IOP than the control group. The same trend was observed at 18 to 24 hours in the brinzolamide group (P=.001) but not the acetazolamide group (P=.018). The IOP levels were not significantly different between the acetazolamide group and brinzolamide group at any postoperative time point. No eye receiving medication and 2 eyes (10%) in the control group had an IOP of 30 mm Hg or higher 4 to 6 hours postoperatively. Compared with preoperatively, an IOP increase of more than 5 mm Hg was seen at 4 to 6 hours in 3 eyes (15%), 2 eyes (10%), and 14 eyes (70%) in the acetazolamide, brinzolamide, and control group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Brinzolamide was as effective as acetazolamide in preventing IOP elevation 4 to 6 hours after phacoemulsification and more effective than acetazolamide at 18 to 24 hours.     

Risk factors for a postoperative intraocular pressure spike after phacoemulsification

Background: The aim of our study was to examine several potential risk factors for intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes 2 to 3 hours after phacoemulsification.Methods: 50 eyes of 50 consecutive patients undergoing uncomplicated phacoemulsification under topical anesthesia were included in this prospective study. The following variables were recorded:preoperative IOP, nuclear colour,cortical lens opacity,posterior subcapsular lens opacity,patient age;and presence or absence of preexisting glaucoma.Results: The mean IOP at each time interval was as follows: preoperatively, 14.5 (SD 3.4) mm Hg; 2-3 hours postoperatively, 23.1 (7.0) mm Hg; and 24 hours postoperatively, 17.0 (6.0) mm Hg. The postoperative IOP was significantly higher than baseline at 2-3 hours (p < 0.001) and at 24 hours (p = 0.002). Overall there were 10 cases (20%) of IOP spikes 2-3 hours postoperatively. Higher mean baseline IOP was significantly associated with postoperative IOP spikes (p = 0.013). Patient age, sex, operating surgeon, absolute phacoemulsification time, lens nuclear colour, cortical opacity, and posterior opacity were not significantly different between groups with or without an IOP spike (p > 0.05).Interpretation: Patients with high IOP at the preoperative assessment are more likely to have IOP spikes after surgery and should be scheduled at the start of the operating list. In a day-case setting with restricted opening hours, postoperative checks in those patients at risk of IOP spikes can then coincide with the time IOP reaches its peak.     

Effect of topical brinzolamide 1% and brimonidine 0.2% on intraocular pressure after phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of brinzolamide 1% (Azopt) and brimonidine 0.2% (Alphagan) with a placebo in preventing an early increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) after phacoemulsification. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Baskent University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: In this prospective double-masked study, 90 eyes of 90 patients having clear corneal phacoemulsification were randomly divided into 3 groups of 30 eyes each. One hour before surgery, 1 group received 1 drop of brinzolamide 1%, another received 1 drop of brimonidine 0.2%, and the third received 1 drop of a balanced saline solution (placebo). The IOP was measured preoperatively and 3 and 16 to 20 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: Three hours postoperatively, the mean IOP increased by 4.2 mm Hg +/- 7.0 (SD), 3.2 +/- 6.4 mm Hg, and 5.3 +/- 4.2 mm Hg in the brinzolamide, brimonidine, and placebo groups, respectively. The IOP increase from baseline was significant in all 3 groups (all P<.01), with no difference between the groups (P>.05). The change in IOP at 16 to 20 hours was 0.2 +/- 2.8 mm Hg, 0.2 +/- 2.4 mm Hg, and -0.8 +/- 2.4 mm Hg, respectively. The changes were not significant compared to baseline (all P>.05). Six eyes (20%) in the brinzolamide group, 5 eyes (16.7%) in the brimonidine group, and 7 eyes (23.3%) in the placebo group had an IOP higher than 25 mm Hg 3 hours postoperatively; the difference between groups was not significant (P =.8). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic use of 1 drop of brinzolamide or brimonidine was not more effective than a placebo in controlling early postoperative IOP elevations after clear corneal phacoemulsification.     

Effect of antiglaucoma agents on postoperative intraocular pressure after cataract surgery with Viscoat

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of brinzolamide 1%, brimonidine 0.2%, acetazolamide 250 mg, intracameral acetylcholine, and timolol 0.5% in preventing intraocular pressure (IOP) peaks during the early period after phacoemulsification in which sodium chondroitin sulfate 4%-sodium hyaluronate 3% (Viscoat) was used as the ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Baskent University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: This prospective randomized study comprised 185 eyes of 185 patients with uncomplicated cataract scheduled for phacoemulsification using Viscoat as the OVD. Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 groups: postoperative application of topical brinzolamide 1%, brimonidine 0.2%, oral acetazolamide 250 mg, intracameral acetylcholine, timolol 0.5%, or no ocular hypotensive agent (control group). The IOP was measured at baseline (preoperatively) as well as 6 hours, 20 to 24 hours, and 1 week after surgery. RESULTS: The mean preoperative IOP values were not significantly different between the groups. Six hours and 20 to 24 hours postoperatively, the mean IOP was significantly lower in all groups receiving an ocular hypotensive agent than in the control group (P<.01). Six hours after surgery, the mean IOP significantly increased in all groups but was higher in the control group. At 20 to 24 hours, the mean IOP decreased significantly in all ocular hypotensive agent groups but remained significantly high in the control group. One week after surgery, there were no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: Brinzolamide, brimonidine, acetazolamide, intracameral acetylcholine, and timolol had similar effects in reducing IOP increases after phacoemulsification performed using Viscoat.     

Effect of bimatoprost on intraocular pressure after cataract surgery

Background: An increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) frequently occurs after otherwise uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of bimatoprost 0.03% drops given preoperatively in preventing IOP rise following phacoemulsification cataract surgery.Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study, 91 eyes of 85 patients scheduled to have clear corneal phacoemulsification cataract surgery were randomly divided into 2 groups. One hour before surgery, 1 group (48 eyes) received 1 drop of bimatoprost 0.03%, and the other group (43 eyes) received 1 drop of a balanced saline solution (placebo). A masked observer measured IOP preoperatively, and 3 and 24 hours postoperatively. Anterior chamber cellular reaction was measured on the first day after surgery. Preoperative and postoperative central corneal thickness (CCT) was assessed.Results: The mean IOP changes from baseline were not statistically different between the 2 groups at 3 hours (p = 0.618). At 24 hours, there was a statistically significant difference between the mean IOP changes of the groups (p = 0.001). The incidence of IOP elevation greater than 5 or 10 mm Hg at 24 hours was significantly higher in the control group (9 of 43 eyes) than the bimatoprost group (3 of 48 eyes) (p = 0.039). Anterior chamber reaction was not increased by bimatoprost. Mean CCT change was not different between the groups at 24 hours (p = 0.615).Interpretation: When compared with placebo, prophylactic use of 1 drop of bimatoprost before phacoemulsification cataract surgery failed to produce a significantly different effect on IOP levels from placebo at 3 hours postoperatively, but it caused a significant IOP reduction at 24 hours.     

The effect of combined topical-intracameral anaesthesia on neuroleptic requirements during cataract surgery

Objective: To evaluate whether the addition of intracameral lidocaine to topical anaesthesia during cataract surgery leads to a decrease in the administration of intraoperative midazolam and fentanyl.Design: Retrospective case-control study.Participants: The eyes of 124 patients undergoing phacoemulsification were included in the study, with 62 in the intracameral group and 62 in the control group.Methods: A single-centre, retrospective chart review of cases between April and October 2007 in which patients had undergone small-incision phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens insertion and received preoperatively either topical tetracaine 0.5% with unpreserved intracameral lidocaine 1% (intracameral group) or topical tetracaine 0.5% alone (control group). Intraoperatively, midazolam and fentanyl were administered as needed based on pain and anxiety.Results: A total of 124 eyes (124 patients) were included. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean intraoperative midazolam doses given for the 2 groups (p = 0.08). The mean intraoperative dose of fentanyl was lower in the intracameral than in the control group (p < 0.0001). A comparison of intraoperative fentanyl requirements between groups using a multivariate regression analysis for age, gender, surgical time, and preopera-tive fentanyl levels confirmed the lower need for intraoperative fentanyl in the intracameral compared with the control group (p = 0.0037). There were no anaesthetic complications among any of the study patients.Conclusions: Patients receiving topical tetracaine 0.5% with unpreserved intracameral lidocaine 1% during cataract surgery demonstrated a reduction in intraoperative fentanyl requirements. Surgeons performing cataract surgery under topical anaesthesia should consider the addition of intracameral lidocaine 1% to decrease fentanyl requirements and improve patient safety and comfort.     

Comparing the effects of travoprost and brinzolamide on intraocular pressure after phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect of travoprost and brinzolamide within the first 24 h after phacoemulsification cataract surgery. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, double-masked, controlled study comprised 90 eyes of 90 consecutive patients with senile cataract who had uneventful phacoemulsification surgery. Eyes in the first group received travoprost 0.0015%, second group received brinzolamide 1%. Eyes in the third group received balanced salt solution and were used as control. One drop was instilled immediately after surgery. IOP was measured 24 h preoperatively, 6 and 24 h postoperatively. Analysis of variance, Student's-t and chi2-tests were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Preoperatively IOP was not significantly different among the three groups (P = 0.653). At 6 and 24 h postoperatively IOP was lower in both travoprost and brinzolamide group when compared to control group (P = 0.018 and 0.015 at 6 h, P = 0.010 and 0.007 at 24 h between travoprost and brinzolamide group was not significant (P = 0.744 at 6 h and P = 0.672 at 24 h). CONCLUSION: Both travoprost and brinzolamide significantly lowered IOP after small incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery within the first 24 h without any side effect.     

Does the use of trypan blue during phacoemulsification affect the intraocular pressure?

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of trypan blue on intraocular pressure (IOP) after small-incision cataract surgery.Design: Prospective, randomized study.Participants: Fifteen patients (30 eyes) with bilateral, dense, age-related cataracts.Methods: Patients with glaucoma, ocular hypertension, exfoliation, pigment dispersion syndrome, history of uveitis, recent use of topical or systemic steroids, and previous ocular surgery were excluded. The patients were randomly assigned to receive trypan blue during cataract surgery for enhancing capsulorrhexis in 1 of their eyes, while in the other eye, trypan blue was not used. Cataract surgery was performed in an identical fashion in both eyes, with a sutureless posterior limbal incision, phacoemulsification, and implantation of a foldable intraocular lens. The same viscoelastic (sodium hyaluronate) was used in all cases and was thoroughly aspirated at the end of the procedure. All patients received a single dose of 250 mg acetazolamide 8 hours after surgery. No other antiglaucomatous agent was used during surgery or postoperatively. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured preoperatively and at 24 hours, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively.Results: IOP values were similar in both groups at all 4 postoperative measurements. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative IOP values between the eyes in which trypan blue was used and the control eyes.Conclusions: The use of trypan blue during small-incision cataract surgery does not have any effect on IOP during the immediate and early postoperative period.     

A trial of topical prednisolone acetate before intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide decreases intraocular pressure spikes

Objective: To compare adverse intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes in patients receiving intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) in 2 cohorts: (i) patients who underwent a topical prednisolone acetate trial (PAT) without incurring a short-term IOP rise, and (ii) control patients who did not undergo a PAT.Design: Retrospective cohort study.Participants: Charts of all patients who underwent any intravitreal injection during the study period were reviewed (n = 1150).Methods: Patients in the PAT group received a 6-week course of prednisolone acetate 1% 4 times per day and had an IOP that did not rise above 25 mm Hg or above 8 mm Hg over the IOP in the contralateral eye. Patients undergoing a PAT and having a short-term IOP rise were not studied. Control patients did not receive a PAT. All patients received 12-20 mg of IVTA. Patients were followed for a minimum of 6 weeks and follow-up lasted for I year or until intraocular surgery or another IVTA injection was performed.Results: There were 97 patients in the PAT cohort and 75 control patients. Patients in the PAT cohort had a lower proportional rise between maximum IOP and baseline (43%) compared with controls (64%) (p = 0.035). Patients in the PAT group also had a lower risk of incurring a 40% (p = 0.05), 60% (p = 0.0I8), and 100% (p = 0.045) increase in maximum IOP (vs baseline) compared with controls and were less likely to require glaucoma filtration surgery (p = 0.035).Conclusions: Patients undergoing a PAT who did not have a subsequent short-term IOP rise had a lower risk of severe IOP spikes after IVTA compared with those patients receiving IVTA but not having undergone a PAT.     

Effect of 1% brinzolamide and 0.5% timolol fixed combination on intraocular pressure after cataract surgery with phacoemulsification

AIM: To evaluate the effect of brinzolamide-timolol fixed combination on intraocular pressure (IOP) after cataract surgery.METHODS:The study included 92 eyes of 87 patients who underwent cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation. Patients scheduled for phacoemulsification were assigned to 1 of 2 groups. The treatment group received 1 drop of brinzolamide-timolol fixed combination immediately after surgery, and the control group received no treatment. The IOP was measured preoperatively and at 2h and 24h postoperatively.RESULTS: The mean IOP change was lower in the treatment group than in the control group at 2h postoperatively. The difference between the mean IOP values of the two groups at 2h postoperatively was found to be statistically significant. Twenty-four hours after the surgery, the mean IOP change was still higher in the control group when compared to the treatment group.CONCLUSION: The fixed combination brinzolamide-timolol can effectively reduce IOP after cataract surgery.     

Diphenhydramine as a topical ocular anesthetic

Objective: To determine whether 5% diphenhydramine solution has an anesthetic effect when administered topically to rabbit corneas.Design: Experimental study.Participants: Twenty white New Zealand rabbits.Methods: Twenty rabbits at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences received 1 drop of 5% diphenhydramine solution in the left eye and 1 drop of balanced salt solution in the right eye. Corneal sensation was then measured with a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer at 30-, 60-, and 90-minute intervals. Rabbits were observed for conjunctival reaction. Follow-up fluorescein and Rose Bengal slit-lamp examinations were then performed to assess toxicity.Results: Diphenhydramine solution at a 5% concentration demonstrated a significant anesthetic effect 30, 60, and 90 minutes after instillation (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0001, p = 0.0164, respectively). Mild conjunctival injection occurred in all diphenhydramine-treated eyes. No toxic effects on the corneal epithelium were observed.Conclusions: When applied topically to rabbit corneas, 5% diphenhydramine solution has a significant anesthetizing effect compared with salt solution (control eyes). Topical diphenhydramine may be a safe alternative in patients requiring topical anesthesia who have multiple allergies to topical anesthetics. Additional studies are needed to determine a dose-response curve and to further evaluate corneal toxicity prior to use in humans.     

Comparison of dynamic contour tonometry and Goldmann applanation tonometry following penetrating keratoplasty

Objective: To evaluate dynamic contour tonometry (DCT) versus Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements in eyes that underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PKP).Design: Prospective, cross-sectional, observational study.Participants: Thirty-one eyes of 28 patients were examined after PKP.Methods: All eyes had undergone PKP with interrupted sutures. The postoperative period was more than 1 year for 25 eyes and less than 1 year for 6. Sutures were removed based on corneal topography and refraction. IOP was measured by both DCT and GAT methods and was correlated to the number of remaining sutures.Results: IOP readings were successfully obtained in 25/31 (80.6%) with DTC and in 21/31 (67.7%) with GAT (p = 0.25). In eyes with fewer than 4 remaining sutures, both methods were successful. In eyes with more than 4 sutures, the success rates of DCT and GAT were 66.7% and 44.4%, respectively (p = 0.18). In PKPs with a postoperative period of more than 1 year, the success rates of DCT and GAT were 96% and 84%, respectively (p = 0.16). In 20 eyes, both methods measured the IOP. The mean IOP obtained by DCT (16.6 [SD 2.8] mm Hg) was higher than the mean IOP obtained from GAT (15.1 [SD 3.6] mm Hg). The IOPs from the 2 instruments correlated significantly (p < 0.05) and the mean difference was 1.5 mm Hg.Conclusions: The success rate in measuring IOP with DCT and GAT did not show any statistically significant difference. Both methods were less effective measuring the IOP after recent PKPs and regrafts. However, DCT seemed to be superior to GAT in corneas with more than 4 remaining sutures and in PKPs performed more than 1 year earlier. The absolute values of IOP were higher with DCT than with GAT.     

抗青光眼药物对粘弹剂辅助白内障超声乳化手术后眼压的作用

目的:探讨抗青光眼药物在防治粘弹剂辅助白内障超声乳化手术后早期眼压升高中的作用。方法:150例150眼白内障患者行玻璃酸钠辅助超声乳化术,术程顺利无并发症。按术后抗青光眼药物将患者随机分为5组:10g/L派立明组,2g/L阿法根组,口服醋氮酰胺250mg组,5g/L噻马心安组及未用药组(空白对照组)。术前、术后6,12,24h及1wk测量眼压。结果:术前各组间眼压均值无明显差别。术后6,12h及24h用药组眼压较对照组低(P<0.01),术后6h各组眼压均升高,以对照组显著。各组术后12h眼压达峰值。此时眼压>21mmHg所占比例,抗青光眼药物组各组间比较无差异,对照组明显高于其它组。术后24h用药组眼压均降低,对照组仍保持高值。术后1wk,各组间无明显差异。结论:抗青光眼药物对玻璃酸钠辅助超声乳化手术后引起的眼压增高均有降低作用。     

Preventing intraocular pressure increase after phacoemulsification and the role of perioperative apraclonidine

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic topical apraclonidine 1% in preventing an intraocular pressure (IOP) rise in the early period after uneventful phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. SETTING: District general hospital, United Kingdom. METHODS: In this prospective masked randomized trial, 61 patients had elective, routine, corneal tunnel, sutureless phacoemulsification with in-the-bag foldable IOL implantation. A single surgeon operated on all the patients. Patients were randomized to receive topical apraclonidine 1% eyedrops (n = 31) or artificial tears (control group, n = 30) 1 hour preoperatively and at the end of the surgery. An observer masked to the perioperative drops used measured the IOP preoperatively and 3 to 6 hours and 16 to 24 hours postoperatively. The primary outcome was the change in IOP between the baseline and the 2 postoperative intervals. The IOP changes within and between the groups were analyzed using the t test and chi-square test. RESULTS: The changes between the postoperative and preoperative IOPs in the study groups were statistically significant (apraclonidine, P = 0.018 and P = 0.007, respectively; artificial tears, P = 0.028 and P = 0.023, respectively; paired t test). There was no significant difference in the postoperative IOP between the apraclonidine and control groups 3 to 6 hours and 16 to 24 hours postoperatively (P = 0.717 and P = 0.497, respectively; independent t test). The mean difference was 0.2 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI], -3.4 to 3.1) in the apraclonidine group and 2.2 mm Hg (95% CI, -2.5 to 7.0) in the control group. In each group, a few patients had an IOP greater than 30 mm Hg in the first 24 hours. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic topical perioperative apraclonidine 1% did not cause a significant reduction in the postoperative IOP when compared with a control group.     

The effect of latanoprost, bimatoprost, and travoprost on intraocular pressure after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative topical latanoprost, bimatoprost, and travoprost administration on postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) after phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, double-masked study included 120 eyes of 120 consecutive, normotensive, uncomplicated cataract patients having phacoemulsification surgery with PC IOL implantation. They were randomized into 1 of 4 treatment groups, each of which had 30 patients. Two (2) h before the surgery, the patients received 0.005% latanoprost (Group 1), 0.004% bimatoprost (Group 2), 0.03% travoprost (Group 3), or placebo (Group 4, artificial tears). IOP was measured at preoperative, 4, 8, and 24 h postoperative with a Goldmann applanation tonometer. The anterior chamber was examined postoperatively 24 h for levels of cell and flare using slit-lamp biomicroscopy. RESULTS: The preoperative mean IOP was not statistically significant different among the four groups. In Groups 1 and 3, the mean IOP at 4, 8 and 24 h were significantly lower than the control (Group 4; P < 0.05). However, in Group 2, there was no significant difference in IOP during the study period, compared to the control (Group 4; P > 0.05). In addition, the mean postoperative IOP at 24 h in Groups 1 and 3 were significantly lower than the preoperative IOP (P < 0.05). No severe anterior chamber reaction was observed in any group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that a single-dose topical of latanoprost and travoprost can prevent early postoperative IOP elevation after phacoemulsification surgery without any sideeffects.     

Effect of bimatoprost on intraocular pressure after phacoemulsification in eyes with exfoliation syndrome

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of bimatoprost 0.03% on intraocular pressure (IOP) after phacoemulsification in eyes with exfoliation syndrome. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, masked study comprised 90 eyes of 90 patients scheduled for phacoemulsification. The patients were divided into three groups (group 1 = without exfoliation, group 2 = with exfoliation syndrome, group 3 = exfoliation syndrome + bimatoprost). Immediately after phacoemulsification, one drop of bimatoprost was instilled in eyes in group 3. Baseline IOP was measured 1 day before surgery and routine follow-ups were performed at 6 hours, 20-24 hours and 1 week postoperatively. RESULTS: Preoperative IOP was 15.0 +/- 2.7 mmHg in group 1, 15.6 +/- 3.2 mmHg in group 2 and 16.1 +/- 3.2 mmHg in group 3 (p = 0.372). Six hours postoperatively, there was a significant difference between the groups (p = 0.013): IOP in group 2 (22.4 +/- 7.3 mmHg) was higher than in group 1 (18.4 +/- 4.4 mmHg) (p = 0.018) and group 3 (18.9 +/- 4.9 mmHg) (p = 0.044). In all groups, IOP values at 6 hours postoperatively were higher than preoperative values (p < 0.001), but IOP values at 20-24 hours and 1 week after surgery were not significantly different from baseline values (p > 0.05). The change in IOP in group 2, from baseline to 6 hours postoperatively, was greater than the equivalent changes in group 1 (p = 0.048) and group 3 (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Transient IOP increase and spikes were more common in eyes with exfoliation syndrome. Postoperative application of bimatoprost was effective in reducing IOP and preventing IOP spikes >/= 30 mmHg in eyes with exfoliation syndrome in the early postoperative period.     

Pretreatment with frequent topical betamethasone in Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of pretreatment with topical betamethasone in Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation.DesignRandomized clinical trial.ParticipantsSixty-two eyes from 62 patients undergoing AGV.MethodsWe randomly assigned patients undergoing AGV to 2 arms of the study. The case group received AGV implantation with preoperative betamethasone eye drops, and the control group did not receive preoperative betamethasone. Follow-up examinations were performed on postoperative day 1, at least weekly for 4 weeks, and then every 1 to 3 months. Our main outcome measure was the rate of success, defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) <15 mm Hg and IOP ≤18 mm Hg.ResultsWe analyzed 62 eyes divided to case (n = 33) and control (n = 29) groups. The success rate was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group at 12 months postoperatively when considering either IOP < 15 or IOP < 18 mm Hg as success (p < 0.001) and also at 6 months when considering IOP < 18 mm Hg as success (p < 0.041). The reduction in the number of antiglaucoma medications used postoperatively was significantly higher in the betamethasone group at follow-up at 1 and 3 months and 1 year.ConclusionPretreatment with topical betamethasone in AGV implantations increases the success rate and reduces the need for medications.     

Intravitreal bevacizumab and aqueous shunting surgery for neovascular glaucoma: safety and efficacy

Objective: To study the safety and efficacy of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab followed by aqueous shunting tube surgery for the management of neovascular glaucoma (NVG).Study Design: A prospective, non-randomized study with a historical control group.Participants: Twenty eyes of 20 patients with intractable NVG were treated with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab followed by aqueous shunting surgery (IVB group). A historical group of 10 NVG eyes treated with panretinal photocoagulation followed by aqueous shunting surgery without bevacizumab injection was used for comparison (PRP group).Methods: Injection of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) was performed under topical anesthesia. An Ahmed valve was implanted in all cases after 1-2 weeks. In the IVB group, 10 eyes received postoperative panretinal photocoagulation (subgroup IA), and 10 eyes were followed without further photocoagulation (subgroup IB). Minimum follow-up was I year or when failure was diagnosed.Results: Mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 46.5 mm Hg in the IVB group and 49.2 mm Hg in the PRP group (p = 0.5). After bevacizumab injection, iris neovessels regressed markedly. The final IOP after aqueous shunting tube surgery was 18.8 mm Hg in the IVB group and 15.9 mm Hg in the PRP group (p = 0.2). Postsurgical complications were comparable between the groups. The success rate was 85% and 70% in the 2 groups, respectively. Two eyes were considered failures, and 3 required repeated bevacizumab injections in subgroup IB as compared with I in subgroup IA.Conclusion: Intravitreal bevacizumab is a useful preparatory step to safely and effectively implant an aqueous shunting tube in NVG. Panretinal photocoagulation after bevacizumab injection promotes the success rate of aqueous shunt surgery by permanent ablation of the ischemic retina.     

Can preoperative anterior chamber angle width predict magnitude of intraocular pressure change after cataract surgery?

Objective: To determine whether preoperative anterior chamberangle width,capturedbyanteriorsegment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), can be a predictor of intraocular pressure (IOP) change following cataract surgery.Design: Prospective comparative observational study.Participants: Fifty-three eyes of 53 patients awaiting cataract surgery were included.Methods: Measurement of anterior chamber angle width and IOP using AS-OCT and Goldmann’s applanation tonometry, respectively, were performed before and 6 months after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. Preoperative and postoperative measurements were compared using paired t test. The prediction rule defined success as ≥20% IOP reduction from the baseline preoperative IOP measurement. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to assess the association of postoperative IOP with independent variables, including age, sex, systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, and preoperative anterior chamber angle width.Results: Data were collected from 32 females and 21 males with visually significant cataract. Mean age was 73.3 (SD 8.2) years. Mean IOP dropped from 15.1 (SD 3.l)mm Hg to 12.8 (SD 2.5) mm Hg (p < 0.0001) after cataract extraction. Mean anterior chamber angle width increased from 24.7° (SD 7.1°) to 38.1° (SD 6.0°) after surgery (p < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis did not identify preoperative variables to be significantly associated with ≥20% postoperative IOP reduction.Conclusions: Cataract surgery results in significant and sustained mean reductions in IOP and concurrent increases in anterior chamber angle width for a period of at least 6 months after surgery. However, measurements of the preoperative anterior chamber angle width did not predict the IOP-lowering effect of cataract surgery.     

Inverse horse-shoe technique for the phacoemulsification of posterior polar cataract

Objective: To study a new technique of controlled hydrodelineation followed by viscodelineation and viscodissection during phacoemulsification in eyes with posterior polar cataracts and to report its effectiveness in preserving the posterior capsule.Design: Prospective interventional study.Participants: Twenty-eight eyes of 22 patients with posterior polar cataracts.Methods: All patients underwent phacoemulsification under topical anaesthesia with controlled hydrodelineation, viscodelineation, and viscodissection with minimal stress on the posterior capsule. Hydrodissection was not done. The preoperative complications and visual outcome were recorded.Results: The mean follow-up time was 8 months (range 2-24 months). Posterior capsule rupture occurred only in 2 eyes (7.1%); neither of the 2 had any vitreous prolapse, so anteriorvitrectomy was not required. Mean visual acuity improved significantly after surgery (p = 0.0001, paired t test). The causes of the low postoperative visual acuity were amblyopia in 3 eyes (10.7%) and age-related macular degeneration in 1 (3.6%).Conclusions: This inverse horse-shoe technique of controlled viscodelineation and viscodissection markedly reduced the risk of posterior capsule rupture. Moreover, if it occurred, the anterior vitreous face remained intact, so the IOL could be implanted in the sulcus without resorting to anterior vitrectomy.