Pathogenetic Justification of a New View on the Treatment of Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Purpose. To study the effectiveness of vascular, anti-inflammatory and fibrinolytic therapy, to conduct a comparative assessment with treatment without vascular therapy in patients with angle-closure (ACG) and mixed glaucoma.Methods. A total of 55 patients with angle-closure and mixed glaucoma, mainly with hypermetropic refraction of varying degrees, were examined: 7 people with acute glaucoma attack, 6 people with subacute glaucoma attack (group 1, with anti-inflammatory treatment), 7 people with acute glaucoma attack and 6 people with subacute glaucoma attack (group 2, with vascular treatment), 14 people with chronic angle-closure glaucoma (group 3) and 15 people with mixed glaucoma (group 4). All patients underwent an ophthalmological examination, which included visometry, refractometry, tonometry, computer perimetry, OCT and OCT angiography, and an ELISA analysis to determine cytokines.Results. The administration of the drug Pentoxifylline as a cytokine blocker and antiplatelet agent in ACG contributed, in our opinion, to an improvement in visual acuity, perimetry (MD), an increase in the density of capillaries of the deep vascular plexus at the level of lamina cribrosa in the peripapillary zone (%), i.e. improved blood circulation in the vessels of the optic nerve disc and also contributed to the blockade of cytokines, mainly in the 2-nd group of patients. In our opinion, a personalized approach to the treatment of ACG is to maintain the improvement of blood circulation in the peripapillary zone by prescribing a course of treatment with Pentoxifylline for 6 months after surgery. After phacoemulsification, there was a significant increase in the density of capillaries of the deep peripapillary vascular plexus at the level of lamina cribrosa (p ≤ 0.05) (51.0 ± 3.5 %), and after further treatment with Pentoxifylline, the capillary density continued to increase in 2–4 groups in the next 6 months of follow-up. The thickness of RNFL (Retinal nerve fiber layer, structural parameter) decreased due to a decrease in edema in 1–2 groups, slightly increased in 3–4 groups, in our opinion, due to improved blood circulation. Increased reperfusion in the capillaries of the deep plexus during normalization of IOP in glaucoma patients and further treatment with pentoxifylline indicates the effectiveness of the proposed treatment in addition to surgical treatment. The results obtained emphasize the advantages of the proposed therapy for the treatment of patients with angle-closure and mixed glaucoma.Conclusion. To date, there are no clear recommendations of vascular therapy for the treatment of patients with ACG and mixed glaucoma, which creates the need for its addition to treatment regimens, taking into account the vascular component of ACG and mixed glaucoma.

Evaluation of Depressive Symptoms in Elderly With Glaucoma

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the presence of depressive symptoms in elderly people with glaucoma and other clinical and epidemiological factors that were associated to the presence depression.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Hospital de Olhos Leiria de Andrade, including volunteers aged 60 years or over. Individuals were separated into patients with glaucoma and patients without glaucoma. Volunteers responded a questionnaire, containing data from clinical history and the Geriatric Depression Scale – 15, and were submitted to a complete ophthalmological evaluation.Results: Overall, 42 patients in the glaucoma group and 40 patients in the non-glaucoma group were evaluated. The mean age among cases was 70.2 years, while in the control group it was 65.7 years. The evaluation of the Geriatric Depression Scale – 15 showed an average score of 4.21 and 3.82 in the case and control groups, respectively, with no statistical difference. However, the worsening of visual acuity was related to a greater number of depressive symptoms when comparing individuals with glaucoma. When analyzing the correlation between age, in both groups, and the number of depressive symptoms, there was no statistical significance.Conclusion: The presence of glaucoma was not associated with an increase in the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 score. However, the worsening in visual acuity was correlated to a greater number of depressive symptoms.

Viscoelastic properties of the iris in different types of glaucoma

Introduction. The iris is involved in maintaining the ocular hydrodynamic homeostasis as one of the elements of the anterior chamber angle of the eye. From there, the iris is one of the parts of its drainage area. The anterior chamber angle’s structure can predispose to an increase in intraocular pressure and thereby provoke the development of primary angle-closure glaucoma, a disease accompanied by clogging of the drainage area of the eye and, accordingly, an increase in intraocular pressure.Objective. To analyse the viscoelastic properties of the iris in primary angle-closure glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma.Materials and methods. The study material was a fragment of the iris obtained through iridectomy in the course of sinus trabeculectomy, which is considered the treatment for glaucoma surgery. A total of 43 samples (43 patients) were obtained and analysed, with 20 samples obtained from patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma (group 1), and 23 samples from patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (group 2). A standard ophthalmological examination, which included visometry, autorefractometry, tonometry, biomicroscopy, and indirect ophthalmoscopy, was carried out. The special examination included static perimetry, gonioscopy, ultrasound biomicroscopy or optical coherence tomography of the anterior chamber angle, optical coherence tomography of the disk of optic nerve.Results and discussion. The avascular part of the stroma (designated by us as S) is the most rigid part of the iris, according to the study. It is characterized by the greatest efforts of the viscous dynamic resistance to the indenter (0.4–2.0 gf/мм2 × S), as well as the maximum integral tensile strength (up to 4.9 × 10-2 N). The inner (vascular) part of the stroma has the lowest dynamic viscosity, according to this study.Conclusion. The samples vary enormously both in the biomechanical characteristics and relative thickness of this layer. It was observed that this biomechanically incompetent structure completely collapses and ceases to exist in partial dehydration of the sample.

Comparison of Ocular Biometry between Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Patients and Normal subjects

Introduction: Glaucoma is one of the major causes of irreversible blindness. In Nepal, the most common type of Glaucoma seen is Primary Open Angle Glaucoma. There are many risk factors associated with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma. The main objective of the study was to compare ocular biometric parameters in patients diagnosed with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma and age matched controls. Material and methods: This is a hospital based cross sectional study done at Mechi Eye Hospital. The study included 137 cases of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma and 75 normal individuals as control. Axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), Keratometry ‘K’ value and Central Corneal Thickness (CCT) were measured. Mann – Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Mean age in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma group was (55.25 ± 10.16 years) and in the control group was (60.96 ± 10.91 years). Axial length in the Primary Open Angle Glaucoma group (23.16 ±1.19 mm) was deeper as compared to the control group (22.69 ±0.89 mm), the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Anterior chamber depth (ACD) was statistically deeper in the Primary Open Angle Glaucoma group (3.05 ±0.51 mm) as compared to the control group (2.86 ±0.46 mm), (p<0.01). Central corneal thickness (CCT) was thinner in the Primary Open Angle Glaucoma group (519.5 ±36.25 um) as compared to the control group (525.40 ±37.77 um) but the difference was not found to be statistically significant (p<0.19). K value in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (7.54 ±0.41mm) was higher than age-matched controls (7.58 ± 0.33mm) but the difference was not statistically significant (p<0.79). Conclusion: Patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma had longer Axial length (AL) and deeper Anterior chamber depth (ACD) as compared to normal individuals.

Evaluation of non-exudative microcystoid macular abnormalities secondary to retinal vein occlusion

Purpose We aimed to investigate non-exudative microcystoid macular abnormalities for visual and anatomical outcome in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) with and without glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON). Methods Medical records of 124 eyes (105 patients) with RVO were reviewed and analyzed. Eyes demonstrating microcystoid macular abnormalities were divided into 2 groups, those with evidence of glaucoma (group A) and those without glaucoma (group B). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the prevalence and number of microcystoid macular abnormalities, and number of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections were compared at baseline and follow-up. Results Seventy-one out of 105 eyes (67.6%) with RVO displayed microcystoid macular abnormalities. Thirty-eight out of 71 eyes (53.5%) presented with concomitant glaucoma (group A), while the remaining 33 eyes (42.6%) had no history of glaucoma (group B). At the end of the follow-up period, mean BCVA was worse in group A versus group B (20/80 versus 20/40, respectively; p = .003). The mean number of anti-VEGF injections was 10.1 ± 9.2 in group A versus 5.9 ± 6.9 in group B (p = .03). Conclusion Eyes with RVO and concomitant glaucoma exhibited a significantly higher number of microcystoid macular abnormalities and worse BCVA versus eyes with RVO without glaucoma.

The role of pattern electroretinograms and optical coherence tomography angiography in the diagnosis of normal-tension glaucoma

In this study, we investigated the correlation between pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters for diagnosis in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). Forty-nine normal individuals (49 eyes) and 60 patients with NTG (60 eyes) were enrolled. OCTA and PERG parameters, such as macular vessel density (VD) and the amplitude of N35–P50 and P50–N95, were measured. Correlation analyses were performed between the parameters, and the area under the curve (AUC) was used to identify their diagnostic ability for NTG. Macular VD and the amplitude of N35–P50 and P50–N95 showed significant differences between the normal individuals and patients with NTG. Correlation between P50 and N95 amplitude and macular VD was significant in the normal and early glaucoma groups. Macular VD showed a higher AUC value (0.730) than that of P50–N95 amplitude (0.645) in the early glaucoma group. In the moderate to severe glaucoma group, the AUC value of the amplitude of P50–N95 (0.907) was higher than that of macular VD (0.876). The results indicate that PERG and OCTA parameters may identify glaucoma in its early stage, based on the severity of glaucomatous damage in patients with NTG.

Changes in ocular morphology after cataract surgery in open angle glaucoma patients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) pre- and postoperatively, together with anterior chamber angle (ACA) parameters and biometrical results in cataract patients with or without open angle glaucoma (OAG). The prospective observational case–control study included 15 eyes with cataract and OAG in the glaucoma group and 25 eyes with only cataract in control group. Examination included full ophthalmic evaluation, IOP, ocular biometry and anterior segment optical coherence tomography measuring ACA pre- and 6 months postoperatively. OAG patients had a larger absolute IOP reduction compared to control group. Anterior chamber depth (ACD) and ACA width significantly increased in both groups. The OAG group had a tendency of narrower ACA preoperatively, but overall ACA parameters did not differ in either group pre- and postoperatively. The ACD change after surgery correlated with ACA parameters in the control group, but not in OAG group. Axial length was shorter postoperatively in the control group, but remained similar in the OAG group. Absolute IOP reduction was more pronounced in cataract patients with OAG than in cataract patients without glaucoma. ACD and ACA postoperatively increased in both groups and AL shortening was observed in non-OAG in cataract group.

Progression of Corneal Endothelial Insult by Chronic Elevation of intraocular Pressure: A prospective Observational Comparative Study Among Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Patients

Purpose: To evaluate specular microscopic changes of corneal endothelial cells (CEC) count and morphology in correlation to retinal nerve fiber layer RNFL changes detected by visual field (VF) and OCT in early and advanced primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Methods: A prospective observational comparative study was conducted on patients with POAG versus non-glaucomatous patients of the same age group. Specular microscopy, VF test, OCT scans of RNFL, and macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) were performed. Glaucoma group was further subdivided into early and advanced stages.Results: The study included 130 eyes of 130 subjects, 70 were eyes with POAG (glaucoma group), 60 were healthy eyes (control group). Both groups were comparable regarding mean age and sex.In the early glaucoma group, a significant negative correlation was found between the coefficient of variation (CV%) and superior PRNFL thickness (r=-0.5, p-value=0.018). A significant negative correlation was also found between percentage of cellular hexagonality (HEX%) and vertical cup/disc (C/D) ratio (r=-0.43, p-value= 0.035). A significant positive correlation was found between HEX% and (superior, inferior) PRNFL thickness (r=0.53, 0.5 and p-value= 0.008, 0.015) respectively.Mean CEC count was significantly lower in the advanced glaucoma group than in the control group (2958.7±371.2 vs 3085±172.5, p value=0.043). Conclusions: CEC is affected by chronic intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation just like the PRNFL and macular GCC. CEC morphology is insulted in the early stages of POAG while the count can withstand chronic IOP elevation till advanced stages were both are affected.

Higher contrast thresholds for vanishing optotype recognition in macular visual fields among glaucoma patients: a structure–function analysis

Background/aimsWe aimed to explore the impact of glaucomatous macular damage, specifically retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss, on macular pattern vision measured by the vanishing optotype (VO) recognition contrast threshold.MethodsSeventy-two patients (mean age, 33.51±7.05 years) with primary open-angle glaucoma and 36 healthy controls (mean age, 30.25±6.70 years) were enrolled. VO recognition contrast thresholds of each participant were measured at the 16 preset test locations covering the central 5° visual field (VF). Macular sensitivity (MS) was tested by macular threshold test of Humphrey Field Analyzer. Macular RGC plus inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness was also measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography.ResultsThe VO contrast threshold demonstrated weak-to-moderate correlations (rho=−0.275 to −0.653) with MS (p<0.001). There was a significantly higher VO contrast threshold in glaucoma group (p<0.0001). At similar levels of MS, patients with glaucoma with GCIPL damage showed remarkably higher VO contrast thresholds than those with preserved GCIPL (p=0.0079). The structure–function relationships between VO contrast threshold and GCIPL thickness (rho=−0.725 to −0.802) were remarkably stronger than those between MS and GCIPL thickness (rho=0.210 to 0.448). VO contrast threshold showed stronger correlation with average GCIPL thickness (rho=−0.362 to −0.778) than MS (rho=0.238 to 0.398) at multiple test locations in glaucoma group.ConclusionsGlaucomatous eyes have higher contrast thresholds for VO recognition in fovea-around VF. Stronger structure–function relationships indicate that VO contrast threshold is more vulnerable to RGC damage.

COMPARISON OF RETINAL NERVE FIBER LAYER THICKNESS(RNFL) IN NORMAL AND GLAUCOMA PATIENTS WITH OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY(OCT)

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has proved to be valuable in the detection of glaucomatous damage. With its high resolution and proven measurement reproducibility, OCT has the potential to become an important tool for glaucoma detection. This manuscript presents the capabilities of the OCT technology evaluate retinal nerve ber layer thickness in normal and glaucoma patients Method: -A prospective, non-randomized, observational cross-sectional study was done at Rotary eye hospital, Navsari, from September 2019 to March 2020. Groups were divided in Control and glaucoma group and further Glaucoma patients were also subdivided in to Glaucoma Suspect, OHT, NTG and POAG. Patient went under comprehensive examination and selected patient went undergone measuring average retinal nerve ber layer thickness (RNFL) was by using ZEISS CIRRUS HD OCT. Results: - In overall 120 eyes of patients, 60 eyes of control group & 60 eyes of glaucoma groups were analysed. The average RNFL measurement were signicantly thinner in glaucoma group with compared control groups were 80±14 and 89±12, (P<0.01). All four quadrant RNFL thickness were analysed in Glaucoma Suspect, OHT, NTG and POAG which was statistically highly signicant. Superior quadrant RNFL thickness among groups were 105±17, 112±16, 90±17 and 85±18 m respectively (p= < 0.01).Mean RNFL thickness showed a decrease in thickness from Non-Glaucoma to Primary Open angle glaucoma (POAG) shows statistically signicant difference. Conclusions: OCT is important instrument for measuring RNFL thickness. Study shows difference in normal and glaucoma patients and different types of glaucoma patients. OCT measurement will help in early detection of glaucoma as well as in keeping an eye on progression of glaucoma.