[Differentiation of ocular hypertension]

Incidence and treatment approach of intraocular pressure elevation after various types of local steroids for retinal diseases

PURPOSE

For the treatment of macular edema, in addition to the use of antivascular endothelial growth factors, steroids are also used intravitreally and sub-Tenon. Side effects include among others cataract formation and elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP). The aim of this retrospective study was to elicit the IOP elevation after administration of various steroidal medication, the time of onset, and the efficacy of the administered IOP-lowering therapies.

METHODS

We included 428 eyes with a postoperative (n = 136), diabetic (n = 148), uveitic macular edema (n = 61), and macular edema after retinal vein occlusion (n = 83). These patients were treated with one or more diverse steroidal agents once or multiple times. These drugs included: triamcinolone acetonide (TMC) as intravitreal injection (TMC IVI) or sub-Tenon (TMC ST), as well as dexamethasone (DXM) and fluocinolone acetonide (FA) intravitreally. An increase of IOP of ≥ 25 mmHg was designated as pathological. A steroid response in anamnesis, the time of onset of IOP rise from the first administration, and the therapy administered were documented.

RESULTS

Of 428 eyes, 168 eyes (39.3%) had IOP elevation up to a mean of 29.7 (SD ± 5.6) mmHg, which occurred at a median of 5.5 months. Steroids most frequently leading to rise of IOP included DXM (39.1% of all eyes receiving that drug), TMC IVI (47.6%), TMC ST combined with DXM (51.5%), DXM with FA (56.8%), and TMC IVI with DXM (57.4%). A Kaplan-Meier analysis and the Log Rank test showed a significant difference (p < 0.001). IOP rise was treated as follows: 119 conservatively (70.8%), and 21 surgically (12.5%, cyclophotocoagulation 8.3%, filtering surgery 1.8%, in 4 the steroidal drug implant was removed 2.4%), and 28 eyes received no therapy (16.7%). Sufficient IOP regulation was achieved in 82 eyes (68.9%) with topical therapy. In 37 eyes (31.1%) with persistently elevated intraocular pressure, topical therapy had to be continued over the follow-up of 20 ± 7 months.

CONCLUSIONS

IOP increases after any type of steroid application are not rare. Results of our study let us suspect that especially therapy with intravitreal dexamethasone, either as a monotherapy or in combination with another steroid, tends to increase IOP more than other steroids. Regular IOP checks are necessary after each steroid administration, with possible initiation of long-term conservative and/or surgical therapy if necessary.

Detection of Intraocular Hypertension during Opportunity Screening (Check-Up Medical Inspections)

The aim of the study is the early detection of OHT (Ocular hypertension) in patients, in the activity of secondary prophylaxis (opportunity screening-medical check-up), to prevent blindness caused by POAG (Primary Open Angle Glaucoma). In Romania, medical examination of personnel with responsibilities in Transport Safety (TS) is legally regulated, being mandatory as a result of the internal transposition of European legislation in the field. The addressability of the patients for examination was determined by personal choice, depending on the accessibility of the medical service on the profile market (availability and price). The design of the study is epidemiological, observational, descriptive and retrospective. The standardized medical protocol included: personal medical history (anamnesis), physical ophthalmological examination, Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement and Visual Field (VF) performance, with Automated Perimeter “Optopol PTS 910” through “Fast Threshold” strategy. The specialized medical research was completed with a dichotomous questionnaire entitled “Symptom Inventory”, made according to the recommendations of patients resulting from “Focus group” research. The study was carried out within the “Check-up” type medical controls upon request, only for personnel with positions in Transport Safety (TS), during January−December 2021 at S.C. ARTIMED S.R.L. Oradea, Bihor County. Health analysis was performed for 820 people, of whom 71 people (8.65%) tested positive for IOP > 21 mmHg, (suspected OHT) compared to 749 (91.35%) with normal values (Normal intraocular pressure-NIOP); the two lots being statistically significantly different (x2 = 560.590, df = 1, p = 0.000). The study involved 754 men (92.0%) and 66 women (8.0%), the sex ratio is 11.42 (Exp (B) = 0.782, Sig = 0.558, 95% CI = 0.343−1783; sex is not a significant predictor at the 5% level). The prevalence of OHT was 8.66% for the whole group, 8.48% for men and 10.60% for women. In the screening action for the whole group of patients the following was determined: IOP reference = 20.85 mmHg, Sensitivity (Se) = 91.5% and 1-Specificity (Sp) = 0.073, (Sp = 92.7%). The predictive value of the screening test was: Positive Predictive Value (PPV) = 90.1% and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) = 91.7%; Area under the ROC Curve (Receiver Operating Characteristic) = 0.986, Sig. = 0.000, CI95% = 0.979−0.993. A binary logistical model of a questionnaire was developed to determine the screening parameters which significantly predicted OHT: IOP (OR = 4.154, 95% CI: 3.155−5.469), Age < 40 years (OR = 0.408, 95% CI: 0.239−0.698) and Pattern Defect (PD) (OR = 1.475% CI: 1.130−1.925). The results of this study assess health status through regular medical examinations, and highlight their importance and usefulness in secondary prevention activity. The particularity of this “check-up” type for personnel with attributions in transport safety is based on two essential aspects: the legal obligation to perform it and the fact it is financed by the beneficiary (the employer). In patients suspected of OHT after antiglaucoma treatment, IOP statistically significantly decreased.

Correlation Between Central Corneal Thickness and Radial Peripapillary Capillary Density, in Patients With Ocular Hypertension

Purpose To investigate any possible relationship between the central corneal thickness and the radial peripapillary capillary density detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography in eyes with ocular hypertension. Materials and methods In this observational study, 135 eyes were examined. OCT angiography of the optic disc (4.5 mm) and ultrasound corneal pachymetry were performed in all cases. Age, medical treatment for ocular hypertension, sex, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were evaluated. The main indices of blood flow were also examined. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to explore the association between two continuous variables. Results A directly proportional significance regarding the correlation between central corneal thickness and radial peripapillary network was indicated in eyes with ocular hypertension (p = .036). Conclusions Central corneal thickness and radial peripapillary capillary density constitute two essential screening parameters for patients with ocular hypertension.