Utility of Collagen Matrix Insertion during Ahmed Valve Implantation with Adjunctive Mitomycin-C: Outcomes at One-year

Purpose: To compare the surgical outcomes of adjunctive mitomycin-C (MMC) Ahmed valve implantation with and without collagen matrix insertion.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 108 eyes of 108 patients who underwent Ahmed valve implant surgery with adjunctive MMC. Collagen matrix insertion/Ahmed valve implant surgery (CM-AGV) was performed on 55 eyes, while conventional Ahmed valve implant surgery (AGV) was performed on 53 eyes. We defined surgical failure as an intraocular pressure (IOP) > 18 mmHg or <5 mmHg on two or more consecutive visits, regardless of medication status.Results: After surgery, the IOP and number of topical medications required fell significantly (compared with the preoperative period) in both groups (both p < 0.001); these findings did not significantly differ between groups. The cumulative surgical success rates at 1 year did not significantly differ between groups (78.2% vs. 79.2%, p = 0.54). The only risk factor significantly associated with surgical failure was a postoperative hypertensive phase. Anterior chamber (compared with sulcus) tube placement was significantly associated with visual acuity loss at 1 year postoperatively, but this did not significantly differ between groups.Conclusions: At the 1-year follow-up after Ahmed implant surgery with adjunctive MMC, the success rates of surgery with and without collagen matrix insertion were similar.

Implantation of XEN After Failed Trabeculectomy: an Efficient Therapy?

Background Trabeculectomy (TE) has been the standard procedure in glaucoma surgery for a long time. This study examined the efficacy and safety profile of XEN45 Gel Stent (XEN) after failed and/or scarred trabeculectomy. Material and Methods We analysed all files of patients, who received a XEN after insufficient TE and examined changes in intraocular pressure (IOP), IOP-lowering medication, best corrected visual acuity, visual field tests as well as the intra- and postoperative complications recorded within a 12-month follow-up period. Results 31 eyes of 28 patients were analysed in our study (mean age: 66,2 ± 13,4 years; 39% female; 48% right eye; mean follow-up after TE: 70,3 ± 64,9 months). The mean IOP decreased from 23,5 ± 6,5 to 18,0 ± 5,3 mmHg (− 23,5% compared to baseline-IOP; p = 0,01) while the mean IOP-lowering medication could be reduced from 2,8 ± 1,1 to 1,1 ± 1,5 (p < 0,01) 12 months after XEN-implantation. The mean visual acuity did not change significantly (pre-op: 0,5 ± 0,6 logMAR; 12 months post-op: 0,5 ± 0,6 logMAR). The most common complications postoperatively were choroideal detachment due to postoperative hypotony in 4 eyes (13%), a needling procedure in 9 eyes (29%), a Re-XEN-Implantation in 4 eyes (13%), an open revision of the conjunctiva in 3 eyes (10%), and a Re-TE in 1 eye (3%) as well as an Ahmed-Valve implantation in 2 eyes (6%). Overall, neither needling procedure nor further glaucoma surgery was necessary in 19 eyes (61%). In 10 of 22 evaluable eyes (45%) an IOP reduction of > 20% was achieved 12 months after XEN implantation. Conclusion XEN could be an effective method to reduce IOP after failed TE. The rate of complications seems to be low and the rate of needling procedures and/or revisions is acceptable.

Malignant Glaucoma in a Pseudophakic Eye with Slack Lens Zonules

Purpose: To report a case of malignant glaucoma after glaucoma surgery in a pseudophakic eye with slack lens zonules.Case summary: An 83-year-old man presented with high intraocular pressure of the left eye. He underwent cataract surgery in the left eye ten years ago. He was diagnosed with glaucoma two years ago and had used anti-glaucoma medications. The initial examination of the left eye revealed intraocular pressure of 24 mmHg and zonular dehiscence. We performed Ahmed valve implant surgery because medical treatment failed to lower the intraocular pressure. The anterior chamber angle was nearly closed. After the surgery, over-filtration of aqueous fluid was observed. Injecting the balanced salt solution into the anterior chamber demonstrated misdirected flow of aqueous fluid into the vitreous cavity behind the unstable intraocular lens. The eye was diagnosed with malignant glaucoma; therefore, pars plana vitrectomy was performed. After the vitrectomy, the anterior chamber was not deep; therefore, we repositioned the tip of Ahmed valve implant from the anterior chamber to the vitreous cavity. Subsequently, the anterior chamber became deep and intraocular pressure normalized. The patient remained stable two months after the vitrectomy.Conclusions: Malignant glaucoma can occur in pseudophakic eyes with slack lens zonules after glaucoma surgery, due to misdirection of aqueous fluid. This case suggests that the tip of Ahmed valve implant should be located in the vitreous cavity after vitrectomy, to prevent misdirected flow of aqueous fluid.

Posner – Schlossman Syndrome: case report

Introduction: Posner - Schlossman Syndrome (PSS) is a rare disease, more prevalent in men between 20 and 50 years old, characterized by recurrent attacks of anterior uveitis and ocular hypertension. Clinical case: We report the case of a 42-year-old patient with a single eye. He came to the consultation presenting decreased visual acuity, photobobia, halos around the lights, and intense pain in his left eye. The ophthalmological examination revealed inflammatory signs in the anterior segment, elevated intraocular pressure and damage to the optic nerve. Medical treatment was started with corticosteroids and topical antiglaucoma drugs, oral acetazolamide and intravenous mannitol, obtaining no response and it was decided to perform a surgical intervention (Ahmed valve implantation) in the left eye, subsequently achieving a good clinical evolution and resolution of the case. Conclusion: This report highlights that the episodic and recurrent nature of SPS requires strict monitoring.

Combined treatment of post-thrombotic neovascular glaucoma (clinical case study)

PURPOSE. To present the features of the clinical course and evaluate the effectiveness of laser and surgical treatment of patients with neovascular glaucoma following central retinal vein thrombosis.MATERIALS AND METHODS. Two patients with neovascular glaucoma secondary to central retinal vein thrombosis were examined. Surgical interventions were performed: patient M. — micropulse cyclophotocoagulation (twice), intravitreal administration of an angiogenesis inhibitor (5 injections), retinal laser coagulation (two-stage); patient E. — micropulse cyclophotocoagulation, intravitreal administration of an angiogenesis inhibitor (2 injections), implantation of the Ahmed valve.RESULTS. The treatment resulted in compensation of intraocular pressure (IOP), improvement of visual functions, reduction of neovascularization in the structures of the anterior eye segment.CONCLUSION. Micropulse cyclophotocoagulation can be used in the complex treatment of neovascular glaucoma at any stage in order to reduce IOP and decrease the neovascularization in the iris and anterior chamber angle structures in the postoperative period.

Severe sequelae in bilateral acute iris transillumination syndrome secondary to the use of oral moxifloxacin: a case report

Background Moxifloxacin is a fourth-generation fluoroquinolone used as a second-line treatment for multiple bacterial infections. Uveitis has been described as an adverse effect related to this medication. Although several case reports have been published describing uveitis and bilateral acute iris transillumination syndrome related to moxifloxacin, we present a unique case of a patient with severe sequelae associated with bilateral acute iris transillumination syndrome secondary to the use of oral moxifloxacin. Case presentation A 45-year-old Colombian hispanic female presented bilateral conjunctival hyperemia, decreased visual acuity, blurred vision, photophobia, and ocular pain after 15 days of treatment with systemic moxifloxacin for an upper tract respiratory infection. The patient presented unilateral anterior chamber pigment dispersion, mydriatic and nonreactive pupils, extensive iris transillumination defects, and secondary glaucoma. Blood and aqueous humor tests were negative for infectious and autoimmune diseases. Moxifloxacin-induced bilateral acute iris transillumination syndrome was diagnosed. Permanent sequelae such as ocular pain, photophobia, and focus difficulty secondary to severe bilateral iridian atrophy and inability of synkinetic reflex were left. Additionally, glaucoma was diagnosed, and Ahmed valve implantation was required. Conclusions We should be aware of the possible association between moxifloxacin and bilateral acute iris transillumination syndrome. A detailed anamnesis, adequate examination, and laboratory tests are necessary to reach an early diagnosis and treatment to avoid unnecessary therapies. Larger studies should be carried out to understand the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and sequelae of the disease.

Simultaneous pars plana vitrectomy, panretinal photocoagulation, cryotherapy, and Ahmed valve implantation for neovascular glaucoma

AIM: To describe and evaluate the efficacy of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation (AGV) combined with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in a single surgical act for the treatment of advanced neovascular glaucoma (NVG). METHODS: Retrospective observational case series included 51 eyes from 50 patients with severe NVG treated with PPV, AGV, and panretinal photocoagulation and/or cryotherapy in a single surgical act during a 13-year period (2005-2018). Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data at day 1 and months 1, 3, 6, 21, and 24 were systematically collected. Definition of surgical success was stablished at IOP between 6 and 21 mm Hg with or without topical treatment. RESULTS: Main indications for surgery were NVG secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (39.2%) and central retinal vein occlusion (37.3%). Mean (±SD) preoperative IOP was 42.0±11.2 mm Hg decreasing to 15.5±7.1 mm Hg at 12mo and 15.8±9.1 mm Hg at 24mo of follow up. Cumulative incidence of success of IOP control was 76.0% at first postoperative month, reaching 88.3% at 6mo. Prevalence of successful IOP control at long term was 74.4% at 12mo and 71.4% at 24mo. Eye evisceration for unsuccessful NVG management was required in 1 case (2.0%). CONCLUSION: Combination of AGV implantation and PPV in a single act may be a suitable option for severe forms of NVG in a case-by-case basis for effective IOP control and a complete panretinal photocoagulation.

Management of Suprachoroidal Hemorrhage in a Patient With Boston Type I Keratoprosthesis

Purpose: Suprachoroidal hemorrhage (SCH) is a rare but vision-threatening complication in patients with keratoprosthesis devices (KPro), particularly in the setting of concurrent glaucoma tube shunts. Although there are many approaches to draining an SCH, surgery can be especially challenging in these patients because a crowded anterior chamber, and frequent anterior extension of the SCH. Methods: A case report is discussed. Results: We describe a novel approach to surgical drainage of SCH in a 64-year-old monocular patient with a Type I Boston KPro, an Ahmed valve, and aphakia. Conclusion: Successful repair of appositional SCH in the context of KPro can be safely and effectively achieved by injecting viscoelastic through the backplate holes of the KPro, thereby providing internal tamponade within the vitreous compartment while liquefied hemorrhage is drained by sclerotomy.