Target intraocular pressure for stability of visual field loss progression in normal-tension glaucoma

Long-Term Surgical Outcomes of Glaucoma Drainage Implants in Eyes with Preoperative Intraocular Pressure Less than 19 mmHg

Background

This retrospective review reports on patients who underwent glaucoma drainage implant (GDI) surgery and had baseline intraocular pressure (IOP) of ≤18 mmHg with at least one year of follow-up.

Methods

Clinical data of 67 eyes of 67 patients were collected from patients' charts, and the outcomes of GDI were evaluated until 7 years. GDI failure was defined as IOP reduction of less than 20% from the baseline at two consecutive visits three months after surgery, decline to no light perception, or if additional glaucoma surgery was performed.

Results

The average age was 65.9 ± 13.2 years. Most cases were male (52.2%), White (53.7%), and had primary open-angle glaucoma (62.7%). Forty-four eyes had prior glaucoma surgery (68.6%) and 46 (68.6%) had severe glaucoma. Though postoperative (postop) IOP changes were insignificant, the average postop number of medications dropped from 2.4 ± 1.4 to 1.9 ± 1.2 medications two years after surgery (p = 0.0451). Postop complications (23.9%) included GDI exposure (7.5%), inflammation (4.5%), shallow anterior chamber (4.5%), and strabismus (1.5%). Hypotony was observed in 4 eyes (5.9%), none of which developed hypotony maculopathy. The cumulative one-year failure rate was 56.7%, most of which were due to failure to lower IOP.

Conclusion

In patients with baseline IOP ≤18 mmHg who had GDI surgery, though the change in IOP was not statistically significant, the number of medications dropped and visual field progression slowed in a subset of patients with adequate perimetric data. Due to a relatively high rate of complications and limited effectiveness in lowering IOP, GDI should be cautiously used in these eyes.

Vision-Related Quality of Life following Combined Cataract and Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery or Cataract Surgery Alone in Glaucoma Patients

This study examined glaucoma patients after undergoing combined cataract and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), microhook ab interno trabeculotomy and goniotomy with the Kahook Dual Blade (KDB), or cataract surgery alone, and it then evaluates their vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) following the procedure. A total of 75 eyes of 75 consecutive glaucoma patients in this prospective cohort study underwent phacoemulsification (Phaco) or phaco and MIGS (Phaco-TLO) between October 2019 and March 2022. In all cases, the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) was used to evaluate the 20 eyes in the Phaco group and the 55 eyes in the Phaco-TLO group before and at 2 months after surgery. There was a significant increase in the visual acuity (logMAR) at 2 months post-operatively (Phaco group; 0.34 ± 0.10 to -0.07 ± 0.1, p < 0.0001, Phaco-TLO group; 0.37 ± 0.43 to 0.09 ± 0.32, p < 0.0001). The median (25-75th percentile) total VFQ scores in the Phaco group before and at 2 months after surgery were 71.1 (62.4-80.6) and 79.4 (69.0-84.0), respectively. (p = 0.006). The median (25-75th percentile) total VFQ scores in the Phaco-TLO group before and at 2 months after surgery were 69.8 (55.3-78.6) and 74.7 (65.1-83.3), respectively. (p = 0.005). Glaucoma patients who underwent not only cataract surgery alone but also combined cataract surgery and MIGS exhibited significant improvement in the VR-QOL.

A retrospective study to assess visual field improvement following augmented trabeculectomy

Purpose

To explore the visual field (VF) changes two years following augmented trabeculectomy.

Methods

A retrospective study of patients who underwent augmented trabeculectomy surgery with mitomycin C by a single surgeon at East Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust over 3 years. Patients with a minimum of two years postoperative follow-up were included. Baseline characteristics, intraocular pressure (IOP), VF, number of glaucoma medications, and complications were recorded.

Results

In total, 206 eyes were included, 97 (47%) patients were female, and the mean age was 73.8 ± 10.3 (range 43 to 93) years. One hundred thirty-one (63.6%) eyes were pseudophakic before trabeculectomy. The patients were divided into three outcome groups according to VF outcome. Seventy-seven (37.4%) patients had stable VF, 35 (17.0%) patients showed VF improvement, and 94 (45.6%) had VF deterioration. The overall mean preoperative IOP was 22.7 ± 8.0 mmHg and postoperative IOP 10.4 ± 4.2 mmHg, with a reduction of 50.2% (P < 0.001). In total, 84.5% of postoperative patients did not require glaucoma medications. A higher number of patients with postoperative IOP ≥15 mmHg had deteriorating VF (P < 0.001). Based on preoperative MD distribution, VF improvement or stability was more achievable with patients with a preoperative VF defect up to -12 dB (n = 41, 59.4%) and in those with greater than -24 dB (n = 25, 64.1%).

Conclusion

Trabeculectomy continues to be an effective means of lowering IOP in patients with uncontrolled glaucoma and is important in stabilizing or improving visual fields. We recommend early trabeculectomy to prevent further VF deterioration. This may help in maintaining VF for driving status and, thus, quality of life.

The Japan Glaucoma Society guidelines for glaucoma 5th edition

We are pleased to bring you the 5th edition of the Glaucoma Clinical Practice Guidelines. Clinical practice guidelines are based on evidence (scientific grounds). It is a document that presents the treatment that is the most appropriate for the patient. "Glaucoma Clinical Guidelines" was first published in 2003. This was the first guideline for glaucoma treatment in Japan. The principle of glaucoma treatment is to lower intraocular pressure. Means for lowering intraocular pressure includes drugs, lasers, and surgery; Glaucoma is a disease that should be considered as a complex syndrome rather than a single condition. Therefore, the actual medical treatment is not as simple as one word. This time we set the Clinical Questionnaire with a focus on glaucoma treatment. We hope that you will take advantage of the 5th edition.

Ex-PRESS® surgery versus trabeculectomy for primary open-angle glaucoma with low preoperative intraocular pressure

PURPOSE

To compare surgical outcomes between Ex-PRESS® surgery (EXP) and trabeculectomy (Trab) for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) with low preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective non-randomized study. We included POAG patients with preoperative IOP ≤ 16 mmHg who were taking tolerance glaucoma medications. We compared the surgical outcomes, postoperative IOP, number of glaucoma medications, reduction rate of corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), visual acuity, and postoperative complications between POAG patients who underwent EXP (34 eyes) or Trab (38 eyes) and could be followed up for > 2 years.

RESULTS

Both surgeries significantly decreased the IOP (p < 0.001): At 2 years, EXP provided decreases from 13.4 ± 2.3 to 10.2 ± 3.1 mmHg, and Trab provided decreases from 13.5 ± 2.0 to 8.9 ± 3.2 mmHg. No significant differences were observed in the postoperative IOP (p = 0.076), number of postoperative medications (p = 0.263), success rate (p = 0.900), reduction rate of ECD (p = 0.410), or difference in visual acuity (p = 0.174). The reduction rate of IOP was significantly high in the Trab group (p = 0.047).

CONCLUSIONS

Both surgeries significantly decreased IOP and were useful surgical methods for low-IOP glaucoma. Our results suggest that trabeculectomy can decrease IOP more than Ex-PRESS surgery but might have more complications.

Sovesudil (locally acting rho kinase inhibitor) for the treatment of normal-tension glaucoma: the randomized phase II study

PURPOSE

To evaluate ocular hypotensive efficacy and the safety of sovesudil (formally known as PHP-201), a novel Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).

DESIGN

Multicentre, prospective, double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel clinical study.

METHODS

Patients with NTG (unmedicated baseline IOP ≤ 21 mmHg) were randomized in 3 groups and treated with sovesudil in concentrations of 0.25% and 0.5%, or with a placebo three times daily (TID) for 4 weeks. The primary end-point was the mean diurnal IOP change from the baseline at week 4. Safety was recorded over a 4-week treatment period and the following 2-week observation period.

RESULTS

A total of 119 patients were included in the primary efficacy analysis. The mean diurnal IOP change from the baseline at week 4 was -1.56 mmHg for the high-dose group, -1.10 mmHg for the low-dose group and -0.65 mmHg for the placebo group. The difference between the high-dose and the placebo groups was -0.91 mmHg (95% confidence intervals: -1.73, -0.09). 0.5% sovesudil TID met the criteria for superiority to the placebo. The most frequent ocular adverse event among sovesudil-treated patients was conjunctival hyperaemia (24.4% for the high-dose and 17.5% for the low-dose group) and predominately classified as mild.

CONCLUSIONS

Sovesudil 0.25% and 0.5% TID showed statistically significant IOP-lowering effects and 0.5% concentration's IOP-lowering effects met the superiority criteria in comparison with the placebo at week 4. Sovesudil was well tolerated with mild adverse events including relatively low incidence of conjunctival hyperaemia in patients with NTG.

Stratification-Based Investigation of Adjunctive Brimonidine or Timolol to a Prostaglandin Analogue in Japanese Patients with Normal-Tension Glaucoma

Purpose

We previously investigated the efficacy and safety of adding 0.1% brimonidine (Brim) or 0.5% timolol (Tim) to prostaglandin analogue (PGA) monotherapy to treat patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) with intraocular pressure (IOP) of ≤16 mmHg. Herein, we describe an additional post-hoc stratifying analysis of the possible differences in the effect of IOP-lowering and pulse rate (PR) after adjunctive Brim or Tim to PGA.

Patients and Methods

This study included 128 subjects. Patients with NTG treated with PGA were stratified based on their baseline IOP. The changes in IOP from baseline and the effect of patient factors on IOP changes were investigated. Patients were stratified by age for investigation of their PR and blood pressure (BP). The change and the effect of patient factors on PR and BP were investigated.

Results

After stratification analysis, in 52 eyes treated with Brim and 61 eyes with Tim with baseline IOP 12 ≤ IOP ≤ 16 mmHg, both eye drops lowered IOP significantly (P < 0.0001), and the IOP-lowering efficacy of Brim was non-inferior to that of Tim. However, in 9 Brim- and 6 Tim-treated eyes with baseline IOP of <12 mmHg, no statistically significant decrease in IOP was evident with either eye drop. In the Tim group, PR decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after stratification by age.

Conclusion

The IOP-lowering efficacy of Brim was non-inferior to that of Tim after stratification by baseline IOP (12 ≤ IOP ≤ 16 mmHg). The discrepancy in the IOP-lowering effects of Brim and Tim observed in the previous study was thought to be related to enrolled subjects with low baseline IOP. PR decreased significantly in the Tim group even after age stratification. PR should be considered when selecting β-blockers for glaucoma treatment.

Factors associated with achieving intraocular pressure lower than 15 mmHg by Trabectome surgery in primary open-angle glaucoma

To assess good prognostic factors of Trabectome surgery in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), clinical records of patients with POAG who underwent Trabectome surgery with/without cataract surgery as the first additive therapy to eye drops between January 2015 and March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Overall, data of 79 eyes (79 patients; 50 men; mean age, 68.0 years) up to postoperative 24 months were analyzed. Their mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was 20.4 ± 6.0 mmHg at baseline. Forty-two eyes (53.2%) achieved an IOP < 15 mmHg and ≥ 20% reduction from baseline without additional treatments. Phakic eyes had a better survival probability than pseudophakic eyes after adjusting for age, sex, baseline IOP, best-corrected visual acuity, and eye drop score (hazard ratio 3.096; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.367–7.013; P = 0.007). Phakic eyes treated with combined Trabectome and cataract surgeries (mean survival time, 22.250 months; 95% CI 17.606–26.894) had a better survival probability than pseudophakic eyes treated with Trabectome surgery only (mean survival time, 12.111 months; 95% CI 8.716–15.506; P = 0.009) after the adjustment. Among the eyes treated with Trabectome surgery only, phakic eyes required significantly less additional treatments than pseudophakic eyes (P = 0.04). Trabectome surgery may be indicated for phakic eyes with POAG in addition to eye-drop therapy.

Central visual field change after fornix-based trabeculectomy in Japanese normal-tension glaucoma patients managed under 15 mmHg

PURPOSE

To investigate how the central visual field would be changed after fornix-based trabeculectomy with mitomycin C in Japanese normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients monitored for more than 10 years including before surgery.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study. We identified twenty-eight eyes of 28 NTG cases regularly monitored for more than 5 years and examined static visual field (VF) tests for more than five times before and after fornix-based trabeculectomy (including combined surgery). Based on preoperative data for 6.3 years, we evaluated postoperative changes for 6.0 years in 10-2 VF and 30-2 VF.

RESULTS

Six patients were male and 22 females, the mean age was 57.9 years, and the mean deviation was - 13.7 decibels. After surgery, mean IOP decreased from 13.9 to 9.0 mmHg (P ≤ 0.01), and medication score also did. The rate of 10-2 VF deterioration was significantly suppressed from - 1.0 dB/year preoperatively to - 0.4 dB/year postoperatively (P ≤ 0.01). And when 30-2 VF was divided into six relevant sectors, the rate of deterioration at cecocentral and arcuate areas of the superior hemifield was suppressed postoperatively (P ≤ 0.01 and P = 0.042, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Based on long-term preoperative data, a significant positive change in 10-2 VF was observed after fornix-based trabeculectomy with mitomycin C in Japanese NTG patients with a mean IOP of 13.9 mmHg. Central vision could be expected to be maintained for NTG patients even if its preoperative IOP is low after successful trabeculectomy.

The Relationship Between Corneal Hysteresis and Progression of Glaucoma After Trabeculectomy

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of corneal hysteresis (CH) measured with Ocular Response Analyzer on the progression of glaucoma after trabeculectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-four eyes of 19 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma underwent trabeculectomy. A series of visual fields (Humphery Field Analyzer 24-2 SITA-standard) were measured starting after 6 months after trabeculectomy (4.2±5.0 y, mean±SD). The mean total deviation (mTD) of the 52 test points were calculated. In addition, the mTD was divided into the following areas: central area (within central 10 degrees), superior area and inferior area: mTDcentre, mTDsuperior, and mTDinferior, respectively. The relationship between each area's progression rate of mTD and the 7 variables of baseline age, central corneal thickness, baseline mTD, mean intraocular pressure (IOP), SD of IOP divided by the mean IOP, the difference between baseline IOP obtained before the initiation of any treatment, mean IOP, and CH were analyzed using the linear mixed model, and the optimal model was selected using the model selection method with the second ordered Akaike Information Criterion.

RESULTS

In the optimal model for mTD progression rate, only CH was selected with the coefficient of 0.11. The optimal model for the mTDcentre progression rate included mean IOP with the coefficient of -0.043 and CH with the coefficient of 0.12, and that for mTDinferior included only CH with the coefficient of 0.089. There was no variable selected in the optimal model for the mTDsuperior progression rate.

CONCLUSION

CH is a useful measure in the management of glaucoma after trabeculectomy.

Effective treatment of a normal-tension glaucoma patient with bilateral ab externo XEN Gel Stent implantation

Purpose

To provide the first report of effective use of bilateral XEN Gel Stent implantation using an ab externo open-conjunctival approach designed to improve bleb function and meet the uniquely low intraocular pressure requirements of a Japanese patient with normal-tension glaucoma refractory to topical medical therapy.

Observations

A 54-year-old phakic Japanese woman with severe normal-tension glaucoma on maximally tolerated medical therapy of four topical agents presented with above-goal intraocular pressures and new medication intolerances. She underwent bilateral ab externo open-conjunctival XEN Gel Stent implantation with tenectomy and sub-Tenon's injection of 40μg of mitomycin-C, which resulted in reduction of intraocular pressures by 41.2 and 28.6% to 10 and 10 mmHg in the right and left eyes, respectively at the most recent visit. Postoperatively, a diffuse filtering bleb with good morphology developed in both eyes. The procedure has so far allowed for complete cessation of all four topical medications for up to eight months following surgery without any serious complications.

Conclusions

This case illustrates the potential of Xen Gel Stent implantation through an ab externo, open-conjunctival approach to be an effective, simple alternative to trabeculectomy to meet the unique low-pressure requirements of normal-tension glaucoma patients with practical and safety benefits of a micro-invasive approach.

Effectiveness of trabeculectomy with mitomycin C for glaucomatous eyes with low intraocular pressure on treatment eye drops

PURPOSE

To examine the efficacy and safety of current trabeculectomy with mitomycin C in Japan for glaucomatous eyes with low intraocular pressure (IOP).

METHODS

Two hundred ninety-four eyes of 294 patients with IOP ≤21 mmHg before surgery were studied; all patients were participants in the Collaborative Bleb-related Infection Incidence and Treatment Study (CBIITS), a multicentre, prospective, cohort study conducted at 34 ophthalmological institutions throughout Japan. All eyes had an intraocular pressure ≤ 21 mmHg and had undergone trabeculectomy alone or phacotrabeculectomy. Two success criteria were used: Criterion A comprised 20% reduction of baseline IOP and Criterion B comprised 30% reduction of baseline IOP. The primary outcome was the success rate for each of these criteria.

RESULTS

The qualified success rates were 87.3% for Criterion A and 42.0% for Criterion B at 5 years. Mean IOP was significantly reduced, from 16.7 ± 2.7 to 11.6 ± 4.0 mmHg at 5 years after trabeculectomy (p < 0.0001); the number of anti-glaucoma medications significantly decreased from 2.7 ± 1.1 to 1.0 ± 1.2 (p < 0.0001) at 5 years after the surgery. Three or more trabeculectomies, and needling were related to increased risk of failure. Incidences of postoperative hyphema, infection, shallow anterior chamber and bleb leakage were 2.4%, 2.4%, 2.0% and 3.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that trabeculectomy with mitomycin C is an effective procedure with few surgical complications for reducing IOP in patients, even if preoperative IOP was within the normal range.

Risk factors associated with progressive nerve fiber layer thinning in open-angle glaucoma with mean intraocular pressure below 15 mmHg

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors associated with progressive retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL) thinning of open-angle glaucoma(OAG) in patients whose intraocular pressure(IOP) was maintained low with medical treatment. Based on a retrospective review of medical records, OAG patients with ≥60 months of follow-up and mean IOP below 15 mmHg were recruited. All eyes underwent IOP measurement with Goldmann applanation tonometer(GAT), standard automated perimetry(SAP), and cirrus optical coherence tomography(cirrus OCT) at 6 month or 1 year intervals. RNFL thinning was assessed using the Guided Progression Analysis(GPA) software. Forty-one eyes of 41 patients (mean age 54.9 ± 13.5) were followed up for 77.8 ± 7.8 months. GPA detected 20 eyes (48.8%) with progressive RNFL thinning(−1.5 ± 0.5 um/year), who were subsequently classified as the ‘rapid progression group.’ Those whose rate of change in RNFL thickness was slower than −1.00 µm/year was classified as the ‘slow progression group’ (n = 21, −0.0 ± 0.4 um/year, P < 0.001). Mean IOP after initiating therapy was 13.2 ± 1.1 mmHg in the rapid progression group and 13.1 ± 1.3 mmHg in the slow progression group (P = 0.300; 14.8 ± 10.0% vs. 19.6 ± 12.4% reduction, P = 0.155). Disc hemorrhage was found to more frequently occur in the rapid progression group (P = 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with disc hemorrhage were at a higher risk for progressive RNFL thinning in OAG (OR 37.529 95% CI 2.915–483.140) after adjusting for baseline co-variates (P = 0.005). In conclusion, disc hemorrhage is associated with progressive RNFL thinning in OAG with well-maintained IOP. Factors other than IOP appear to also play a role in OAG progression.

The DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor amsacrine as a novel candidate adjuvant in a model of glaucoma filtration surgery

Treatments for refractory glaucoma include trabeculectomy, in which a filtering bleb is created to reduce aqueous pressure. Mitomycin C (MMC) is often used as an adjuvant to reduce post-trabeculectomy bleb scarring and consequent failure. However, scarring sometimes still occurs. Thus, we searched for more effective trabeculectomy adjuvants with high-throughput screening (HTS) of a library of 1,165 off-patent drug compounds. This revealed that amsacrine (AMSA), a DNA topoisomerase II (TOP2) inhibitor, was the top candidate. Compared to MMC, rabbits that underwent trabeculectomy with 10% AMSA had lower IOP at 42, 56, and 70 days (P < 0.01 at all measurement points) and a higher bleb score at 28, 42, 56, and 70 days (P =  < 0.01, 0.04, 0.04, and < 0.01, respectively). Compared to saline, rabbits that received 1% AMSA also had lower IOP and better bleb score at all time points, without a sharp drop in IOP just after surgery (all P < 0.01). Both effects were milder than MMC at 7 days (P = 0.02 and <0.01, respectively). Thus, this study showed that HTS may help identify new, promising uses for off-patent drugs. Furthermore, trabeculectomy with AMSA at a suitable concentration may improve the prognosis after trabeculectomy compared to MMC.

Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Associated With Progressive Glaucomatous Optic Neuropathy?

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and glaucoma progression, and to examine the correlation between OSAS severity and rate of visual field (VF) loss.

METHODS

Patients with concurrent diagnoses of open-angle glaucoma and OSAS between 2010 and 2016 were identified. Enrollment criteria consisted of glaucomatous optic neuropathy and VF loss, ≥5 reliable VFs, ≥2 years of follow-up, and polysomnography (PSG) within 12 months of final VF. PSG parameters including apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were collected. Eyes were classified as "progressors" or "nonprogressors" based upon event analysis using Glaucoma Progression Analysis criteria. Two-tailed t test comparisons were performed, and correlations between rates of VF loss and PSG parameters were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 141 patients with OSAS and glaucoma were identified. Twenty-five patients (age 67.9±7.6 y) with OSAS (8 mild, 8 moderate, 9 severe) were enrolled. Eleven eyes (44%) were classified as progressors, and had more severe baseline VF loss (P=0.03). Progressors and nonprogressors had nonsignificantly different (P>0.05) age (69.9±8.7 vs. 66.4±6.6 y), follow-up (4.4±0.7 vs. 4.3±1.0 y), intraocular pressure (13.1±2.8 vs. 14.9±2.5 mm Hg), mean ocular perfusion pressure (49.7±5.5 vs. 48.8±9.0 mm Hg), AHI (31.3±18.6 vs. 26.4±24.0), body-mass index (27.8±5.5 vs. 28.8±5.6), and SpO2 (94.1±1.6% vs. 94.0±1.6%). AHI was not correlated with slopes of VF mean deviation (r, -0.271; P, 0.190) or pattern standard deviation (r, 0.211; P, 0.312), and no substantial increase in risk of progression was found with increase in AHI.

CONCLUSIONS

This study does not support a relationship between OSAS and glaucomatous progression. No correlation was observed between OSAS severity and rate of VF loss.

Impact of optic disc hemorrhage on subsequent glaucoma progression in mild-to-moderate myopia

PURPOSE

To investigate optic disc hemorrhage (DH)'s clinical implications to subsequent progression of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in cases of mild-to-moderate myopia.

DESIGN

Retrospective comparative study.

PARTICIPANTS

(1) Fifty-nine (59) myopic (26.5 mm > axial length [AXL] ≥ 24.0 mm) POAG patients with DH and (2) 59 age-, AXL-, and mean deviation (MD) of visual field (VF)-matched controls without DH were evaluated over the course of a minimum 3.5 years of follow up. For clear assessment of the effect of DH on progression of glaucoma, the patients selected for inclusion in the study were those with stable IOP (i.e., those showing an at least 20% reduction relative to the baseline IOP) whose IOP-lowering medication was not increased, supplemented or changed during the follow-up period.

METHODS

The patients' optic disc/retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) photographs were independently evaluated by three glaucoma specialists for structural progression of glaucoma. Event-based analysis with Guided Progression Analysis (GPA) software was used to determine their functional progression. The durations of structural and functional progression were compared by Kaplan-Meier life survival analyses.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Optic disc/RNFL progression and VF progression.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up periods between the DH and non-DH groups were not significantly different: in the DH group, 5.6±2.7 years; in the non-DH group, 5.4±2.6 years (P = 0.588). In the DH group, 30 (50.8%) of 59 eyes manifested optic disc/RNFL deterioration; in the non-DH group, however, only 17 (28.8%) of 59 eyes showed structural progression. For the DH group, the cumulative probability of structural glaucoma progression was significantly greater than for the non-DH group (P = 0.001; log rank test). Interestingly, the two groups did not significantly differ in the cumulative probability of functional progression (P = 0.79; log rank test): in the DH group, VF progression was observed in 14 eyes (23.7%); in the non-DH group, in 12 eyes (20.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

DH was associated with a greater probability of structural progression in medically well-controlled-IOP POAG eyes with mild-to-moderate myopia. However, the relevance of DH to VF progression was not clear over the course of the average 5.5-year duration of the study.

Effectiveness of Single-Digit IOP Targets on Decreasing Global and Localized Visual Field Progression After Filtration Surgery in Eyes With Progressive Normal-Tension Glaucoma

PURPOSE

To examine the effectiveness of achieving single-digit intraocular pressure (IOP) targets with filtration surgery on decreasing global and localized visual field (VF) progression in eyes with progressive normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify NTG patients who underwent trabeculectomy with mitomycin C between 2006 and 2010 for progressive VF loss with preoperative IOP≤15 mm Hg during the 12 months before surgery. All eyes had glaucomatous optic neuropathy and progressive VF loss, uncontrolled IOP on maximum therapy, and a minimum of 2 baseline preoperative and 4 postoperative VF examinations. VF progression was assessed using Guided Progression Analysis (GPA) and Progressor software.

RESULTS

Fifteen eyes of 14 patients (mean age 71.8±7.5 y) were enrolled with mean follow-up of 71±26 months. Mean postoperative IOP (8.5±3.5 mm Hg) was significantly (P<0.001) reduced compared with preoperatively (13.1±1.5 mm Hg). The probability of achieving an IOP goal ≤10 mm Hg was 66% at 4 years' follow-up. The overall rate of postoperative VF progression using any method was 13.3% (1 eye using Progressor; 1 eye using GPA and Progressor). Average postoperative slope of MD (-0.25±0.86 dB/y) and pattern SD (0.49±0.83 dB/y) were improved (P=0.05 and 0.07) compared with the preoperative slopes (-1.05±0.66 and 1.21±0.71 dB/y).

CONCLUSIONS

Achieving single-digit IOP targets with filtration surgery has a beneficial effect on reducing global and localized rates of VF progression in NTG eyes with progression at low IOP.

Effect of trabeculectomy on visual field progression in Japanese progressive normal-tension glaucoma with intraocular pressure < 15 mmHg

We examined the effectiveness of trabeculectomy in decreasing the slope of mean deviation (MD) in Japanese patients with progressive normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) at low intraocular pressure (IOP) levels. The charts of patients who had undergone initial trabeculectomy with adjunctive mitomycin C for progressive NTG with medically controlled IOP < 15 mmHg in 2010–2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Seventeen eyes of 13 NTG patients who had undergone at least 5 times of visual field (VF) examinations in both of preoperatively and postoperatively with postoperative follow-up of ≥ 2 years were enrolled. Preoperative and postoperative MD slopes were compared to evaluate the effectiveness of trabeculectomy in slowing progression of VF. Mean IOP (8.1 ± 2.9 mmHg) and number of IOP-lowering medications (0.8 ± 1.5) were significantly lower postoperatively than preoperatively (13.9 ± 0.9 mmHg; P < 0.001 and 3.0± 0.4; P < 0.0001). In total, 91.7% of eyes with single-digit IOP postoperatively showed improvement in MD slope, whereas only 20.0% of eyes with IOP ≥ 10 mmHg postoperatively showed the improvement. Three eyes (17.6%) showed a decrease in visual acuity (VA) of ≥ 0.1 unit; this group had a lower mean postoperative IOP (6.0 ± 1.0 vs. 8.6 ± 3.0 mmHg; P = 0.1717) and a higher mean IOP reduction rate (56.2 vs. 38.5%; P = 0.8296) than eyes with a VA decrease of < 0.1 unit or no change. Thus, in this analysis of Japanese NTG patients with medically controlled IOP < 15 mmHg, achieving an IOP < 10 mmHg with trabeculectomy was beneficial for reducing the VF progression rate in progressive NTG at low IOP levels. However, an IOP < 7 mmHg by surgery would be required careful attention to VA decline.

Multicenter, Randomized, Investigator-Masked Study Comparing Brimonidine Tartrate 0.1% and Timolol Maleate 0.5% as Adjunctive Therapies to Prostaglandin Analogues in Normal-Tension Glaucoma

INTRODUCTION

This study compared the efficacy and safety of adjunctive brimonidine tartrate 0.1% ophthalmic solution (brimonidine) and timolol maleate 0.5% ophthalmic solution (timolol) in prostaglandin analogue (PGA)-treated normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), assessing the non-inferiority of brimonidine in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction.

METHODS

In this multicenter, randomized, investigator-masked, parallel-group, clinical study, adjunctive brimonidine or timolol was administered twice daily for 12 weeks in eyes with NTG that had been treated with PGA for at least 90 days and required additional treatment despite an IOP of 16 mmHg or less. IOP was measured on at least three visits before add-on therapy (mean baseline IOP), and at weeks 4, 8, and 12 after adjunctive administration. Systolic/diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, and adverse events (AEs) were recorded at each visit.

RESULTS

A total of 152 individuals were enrolled and 128 (84.2%) were eligible for efficacy analyses. IOP in both groups at each visit decreased significantly from baseline (P < 0.001). However, the difference in the change from baseline IOP at week 12 between the brimonidine (-1.05 ± 1.81 mmHg) and timolol (-1.41 ± 1.40 mmHg) groups was 0.36 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI] [-0.21, 0.92]), which exceeded the value of the non-inferiority margin (0.75 mmHg). Baseline systolic/diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in both groups at certain visits (P < 0.05), while baseline pulse rates decreased significantly in the timolol group (P < 0.001), with no significant differences in the brimonidine group. AE-related treatment discontinuation occurred in 2/71 (2.8%) and 2/75 (2.7%) patients in the brimonidine and timolol groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated an add-on effect of brimonidine to PGAs, although non-inferiority of brimonidine to timolol as adjunctive therapy in PGA-treated NTG in terms of IOP reduction was not observed. Brimonidine was associated with no adverse effects on pulse rate.

FUNDING

Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

UMIN Clinical Trials Registry identifier, UMIN000014810.

Impact of intraocular pressure reduction on visual field progression in normal-tension glaucoma followed up over 15 years

PURPOSE

To investigate the impact of surgical or medical reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) on progressive normal-tension glaucoma followed up over 15 years.

METHODS

Sixty eyes of 60 patients were divided into 3 intervention groups: group 1 (trabeculectomy, n = 17); group 2 (IOP reduction rate ≥15% with prostaglandin analogs, n = 24); and group 3 (IOP reduction rate <15% with prostaglandin analogs, n = 19). The preintervention and postintervention mean deviation (MD) slopes and IOP were compared. Factors associated with the rate of visual field progression were identified by multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 19.8 years. In group 1, the preintervention and postintervention IOPs were 14.7 ± 1.3 and 9.1 ± 2.0 mmHg, respectively (P < .001, 38% reduction). The MD slope decreased significantly after trabeculectomy (-0.86 ± 0.51 versus -0.19 ± 0.20 dB/y; P < .001). In group 2, the preintervention and postintervention IOPs were 14.7 ± 1.5 and 11.7 ± 1.2 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.001, 20% reduction), with significant differences in the MD slope (-0.52 ± 0.37 versus -0.31 ± 0.30 dB/y; P = .019). In group 3, the preintervention and postintervention IOPs were 14.4 ± 1.8 and 13.2 ± 1.6 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.001, 8% reduction), with no differences in the MD slope (-0.40 ± 0.27 versus -0.50 ± 0.65 dB/y; P > .05). Multiple regression analysis showed that the average IOP, IOP reduction rate, and preintervention MD slope were related to the extent of the postintervention reduction in the MD slope. The difference in the preintervention and postintervention MD slopes significantly correlated with the rate of IOP reduction (r = 0.559, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

A pressure-dependent maintenance effect of the visual field was confirmed in progressive normal-tension glaucoma.

Effect of glaucoma implant surgery on intraocular pressure reduction, flare count, anterior chamber depth, and corneal endothelium in primary open-angle glaucoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of filtering surgery using the EX-PRESS device on intraocular pressure (IOP), flare count, anterior chamber (AC) depth, and the corneal endothelium in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), including normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study comprised 63 consecutive patients with POAG or NTG. They underwent complete ophthalmologic examinations, including measurement of visual acuity (VA), IOP, flare count, AC depth, and cell density of the corneal endothelium (CE). Two outcomes were used for surgical success: outcome 1 was defined as a ≥20% reduction in the IOP from the preoperative value, with an IOP ≥ 5 mmHg but ≤18 mmHg, and outcome 2 was defined as a ≥20% reduction in the IOP, with an IOP ≥ 5 mmHg but ≤15 mmHg.

RESULTS

The IOP significantly decreased from 17.7 preoperatively to 12.4 mmHg postoperatively (P < 0.0001). The success rates for outcome 1 at 24 months were 81.3 and 46.7% for POAG and NTG, respectively (P = 0.0065); the corresponding success rates for outcome 2 were 79.4 and 46.7% (P = 0.0120). The flare count significantly increased on postoperative day 1 (P = 0.0002) but recovered to insignificant levels by day 3 (P = 0.0686). A transient decrease in AC depth was observed by 4 weeks after surgery (P = 0.0017). The CE changed from 2529 preoperatively to 2428/mm² at 24 months (P = 0.0089).

CONCLUSION

The advantage of filtering surgery using the EX-PRESS device includes reduced inflammation, and the disadvantages include loss of the CE and reduced effectiveness of NTG.

Effect of Travoprost and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug on Diurnal Intraocular Pressure in Normal Subjects with Low-Teen Baseline Intraocular Pressure

PURPOSE

The main purpose was to determine whether a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ophthalmic solution would affect the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect of a benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-free prostaglandin analog, travoprost. The secondary purpose was to confirm the IOP-lowering effect of BAK-free travoprost on the diurnal IOP.

METHODS

This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 1-month trial. After baseline diurnal IOP was confirmed, travoprost was administered once daily to both eyes. Bromfenac sodium hydrate was then randomly assigned to one eye, while flavin adenine dinucleotide sodium was applied to the other eye as a control. Both solutions were administered twice daily. IOP was measured three times daily (8:00, 14:00, and 20:00). The IOP of both groups was compared using Student's t-test. The effect of NSAID on IOP was investigated by repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS

Twenty-eight normal Japanese subjects (mean age, 36.6 years) completed the study. After the start of travoprost, remarkable IOP lowering was gained and it settled to 10-11 mmHg. The diurnal IOPs of the NSAID group showed similar tendencies to that of the control group (P = 0.69-1.0). In a 1-month period, the range of IOP reductions compared with the baseline IOP of both groups showed no significant difference (P = 0.76-0.92). NSAID did not have an influence on IOP (F-value = 0.0036, P = 0.95).

CONCLUSIONS

Although BAK-free travoprost showed a powerful IOP-lowering effect in diurnal and 1-month readings, even in eyes with an IOP of <13 mmHg, the NSAID ophthalmic solution did not affect its IOP-lowering effect.

Safety And Efficacy Of Achieving Single-Digit Intraocular Pressure Targets With Filtration Surgery In Eyes With Progressive Normal-Tension Glaucoma

PURPOSE

Whereas achieving intraocular pressure (IOP) targets ≤ 10 mm Hg typically requires surgical intervention, we sought to examine the safety and efficacy of trabeculectomy in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).

METHODS

Patients with progressive NTG undergoing trabeculectomy with preoperative IOP ≤ 15 mm Hg during the 12-month period before surgery were identified at a single academic institution. Failure was defined as IOP reduction <20% below baseline (criteria A), <30% (criteria B), or <40% (criteria C), reoperation for glaucoma, or loss of light perception vision.

RESULTS

Thirty eyes of 28 patients (mean age, 73 ± 8.7 y) were enrolled with a mean follow-up period of 50 ± 31 months. Mean postoperative IOP (8.6 ± 2.9 mm Hg) and medications (0.6 ± 1.0) at final follow-up was significantly (P<0.001) reduced compared with before surgery (13.2 ± 1.4 mm Hg and 2.5 ± 1.2, respectively). The cumulative probability of failure during 5 years of follow-up was 32% (criteria A), 48%, (criteria B), and 67% (criteria C). The probability of successfully achieving an IOP goal ≤ 10 mm Hg was 68% at 4 years of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Trabeculectomy is a safe and effective method for achieving single-digit IOP targets in NTG eyes with progression at low IOP.

The Effects of Nocturnal Dip and Blood Pressure Variability on Paracentral Scotoma in Early Open-Angle Glaucoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of nocturnal dip and blood pressure (BP) variability on paracentral scotoma in early open-angle glaucoma.

METHODS

The present study included 72 early normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients and 34 early primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. Nocturnal dip and weighted standard deviation (wSD) were determined by 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (24-hr ABPM). The mean deviation (MD) and pattern deviation (PD) were measured with visual field. Correlations between nocturnal dip and/or BP variability and paracentral scotoma were assessed using Student's t-test, Pearson's correlation test, and linear logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The systolic and diastolic nocturnal dip and paracentral scotoma occurrence demonstrated a statistically significant correlation in the early NTG group (systolic nocturnal dip: p=0.047, diastolic nocturnal dip: p=0.011). In the early NTG group, the subgroup with paracentral scotoma had a greater nocturnal dip than those patients without paracentral scotoma (systolic nocturnal dip: p=0.000; diastolic nocturnal dip: p=0.000). In the early NTG group, the subgroup with paracentral scotoma had higher wSD of SBP than the patients without paracentral scotoma (p=0.003). In the logistic regression analysis of the factors that can affect paracentral scotoma SBP dip and SBP, wSD appeared to significantly affect the occurrence of paracentral scotoma in the early NTG group.

CONCLUSIONS

Early NTG patients with paracentral scotoma have nocturnal dip and large BP variability. Therefore, in early glaucoma patients, particularly in early NTG with paracentral scotoma, nocturnal dip and BP variability should be assessed with 24-hr ABPM.

Sustainability of Intraocular Pressure Reduction of Travoprost Ophthalmic Solution in Subjects with Normal Tension Glaucoma

Introduction

We examined the sustainability of the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering efficacy of travoprost (0.004%) ophthalmic solution in subjects with normal tension glaucoma (NTG).

Methods

Travoprost ophthalmic solution was given once daily at 9 PM to subjects with newly diagnosed NTG or with NTG who had not received any ocular hypotensives within the previous 30 days. IOP was measured at three time points (9 AM, 1 PM, and 5 PM) at baseline and week 12 visits, and at one time point (9 AM) at week 4 and week 8 visits. Conjunctival hyperemia, superficial punctate keratopathy, and other adverse events were evaluated during the observation period.

Results

Thirty subjects (12 males and 18 females; mean age 65.6 years) from 32 subjects enrolled were included in the efficacy analysis. The mean IOPs (±standard deviation) of 16.6 ± 1.4, 15.7 ± 1.8, and 15.7 ± 2.2 mmHg at 9 AM, 1 PM, and 5 PM, respectively, at baseline reduced significantly to the mean IOPs of 13.0 ± 1.8, 12.7 ± 1.8, and 12.8 ± 1.6 mmHg, respectively, at week 12 (P < 0.0001 for every time point). Together with the mean IOPs of 13.4 ± 1.9 mmHg at week 4 and 13.2 ± 1.9 mmHg at week 8, the pooled IOP during the observation period for up to 12 weeks showed a statistically and clinically significant reduction of IOP at 9 AM. (3.4 mmHg or 20.3% reduction from baseline, P < 0.0001). There were no adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation.

Conclusion

This multi-center collaborative study suggests that IOP-lowering efficacy of travoprost ophthalmic solution persists during the day at the clinically relevant level in subjects with NTG.

Funding

Alcon Japan Ltd.

Trial registration

University Hospital Medical Information Network, UMIN ID: 000011621.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12325-016-0297-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Does Chronic Hypotony following Trabeculectomy Represent Treatment Failure?

Purpose: To measure the rate of complications from chronic hypotony following trabeculectomy and clarify the definition of postoperative hypotony.

Materials and methods: In this retrospective case-control study, the rate of complications was compared between 34 eyes with chronic hypotony and 34 eyes without hypotony. Chronic hypotony was defined as those eyes with an intraocular pressure (IOP) of less than 6 mm Hg on two consecutive clinic visits at least 3 months after trabeculectomy. Cases were identified from a database of two glaucoma surgeons between 2010 and 2013. Outcomes measured included visual acuity, presence of choroidal effusion, hypotensive maculopathy and cataract development/progression. Factors associated with the development of hypotony were considered using analysis of variance (ANOVA) multivariate regression.

Results: Maculopathy was seen in 23.5% of hypotony eyes but not in controls (p < 0.01). No significant difference in the rate of choroidal effusion or cataract was documented between groups. Control eyes were more likely to remain complication free (58.8 vs 32.4%, p < 0.03). Spontaneous recovery from hypotony occurred in 32.4% of hypotony eyes.

Conclusion: Sight threatening complications occur more frequently in eyes with chronic hypotony following glaucoma surgery. However, not all eyes with chronic hypotony develop sight threatening complications. A definition of hypotony that combines IOP criteria with the presence of structural and/or functional changes is recommended.

How to cite this article: Yun S, Chua B, I Clement C. Does Chronic Hypotony following Trabeculectomy Represent Treatment Failure? J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2015;9(1):12-15.

Travoprost with sofZia® preservative system lowered intraocular pressure of Japanese normal tension glaucoma with minimal side effects

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of travoprost with sofZia® preservative system for lowering the intraocular pressure (IOP) of Japanese normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients.

Methods

In this prospective, multicenter, open-label study, Japanese NTG patients with baseline IOPs <20 mmHg were enrolled after three consecutive time measurements taken at screening and baseline visits. Travoprost with sofZia® was instilled once daily. Lowering effect on IOP, conjunctival hyperemia, superficial punctate keratopathy, and adverse events were examined at week 4, 8, and 12 after drug instillation.

Results

One-hundred and three of the 107 enrolled patients (baseline IOP =15.2±2.0 mmHg [mean ± standard deviation]) completed the study. The mean IOP value as well as percent reduction was significantly reduced at each visit after travoprost with sofZia® initiation (P<0.0001). The conjunctival hyperemia score was 1 or less throughout the study, though it increased significantly over time. No significant change was observed in superficial punctate keratopathy. The cumulative incidence of side effects such as eyelash changes, eyelid pigmentation, and deepening of the upper lid was 47.6%, 27.2%, and 16.5%, respectively.

Conclusion

Travoprost preserved with sofZia® effectively lowered the IOP of Japanese NTG patients. It was well tolerated with few discontinuations due to adverse events.

Surgical Decisions in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma with Low or Normal Tension

Glaucoma, given its insidious nature, is often coined 'the sneak thief of sight'. Following this trail of thought, primary open angle glaucoma with low or normal tension (POAGLNT) could be coined 'the king of thieves'. The lack of a compelling red fag of high intraocular pressure (IOP), together with the diurnal fuctuation of the deceptively low baseline IOP, POAGLNT poses a therapeutic challenge in terms of judging when to intervene, and how. In this review article, we will outline the considerations before undergoing surgery: risk stratification, defining goal in terms of target pressure and IOP modulation. We will also review the strengths, weaknesses and pearls of available options. How to cite this article: Shum JW, Leung DY. Surgical Decisions in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma with Low or Normal Tension. J Current Glau Prac 2013;7(3):121-127.

Intraocular pressure reduction with topical medications and progression of normal-tension glaucoma: a 12-year mean follow-up study

PURPOSE

To investigate whether the amount of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction with topical medications is associated with the progression of normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and to identify risk factors for NTG progression.

METHODS

The medical records of 121 eyes of 121 NTG patients, who were treated with topical medications for more than 7 years, were reviewed. NTG progression was defined by either structural (optic disc or retinal nerve fibre layer) or functional (visual field) deterioration. Patients were divided into tertile groups according to the percentage IOP reduction from baseline, and the cumulative probability of NTG progression between upper and lower tertile group was compared using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Multivariate analysis with Cox's proportional hazard model was performed to identify the hazard ratio (HR) of clinical factors for NTG progression.

RESULTS

The average follow-up period was 12.2 years, and 56 of 121 eyes (46.3%) showed the NTG progression. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that upper tertile group (percentage IOP reduction >22.1%) showed a greater cumulative probability of non-progression than lower tertile group (percentage IOP reduction < 13.3%; p = 0.012). Multivariate Cox's proportional hazard model indicated that percentage reduction of IOP (HR = 0.964; p = 0.007) and the occurrence of disc haemorrhage (HR = 2.410; p = 0.008) were significantly associated with NTG progression.

CONCLUSIONS

The amount of IOP reduction using topical medications was related to NTG progression, and lower percentage reduction in IOP was a consistent risk factor for progression.

Can early postoperative intraocular pressure predict success following mitomycin-C augmented trabeculectomy in primary angle-closure glaucoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the association between early and late postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and determine if early postoperative IOP can predict the surgical outcome.

METHODS

A total of 165 consecutive patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) undergoing primary mitomycin-C-augmented trabeculectomy underwent a comprehensive eye examination before surgery and were followed-up on days 1, 7, 14, and 30, and months 3, 6, 12, and 18. IOPs on days 1, 7, 14, and 30 were stratified into groups A (<10 mm Hg), B (≥10 and <15 mm Hg), C (≥15 and <20 mm Hg), and D (≥20 mm Hg). Differences between groups were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Fisher's exact test. Multivariable regression was used to exam the predictive ability of early IOP for final outcome.

RESULTS

The mean age was 62.5±7.9 years and 41.21% (n=68) were males. Stratified by IOP on days 1, 7, 14, and 30, respectively, mean IOPs at month 18 were different among groups A, B, C, and D (ANOVA, P=0.047, P=0.033, P=0.008, and P<0.001, respectively). Once the IOPs were settled with interventions on day 7 a higher IOP level was associated with decreasing success rate under different outcome definitions, final IOP <15 mm Hg (Fisher's exact P=0.001) and <20 mm Hg (P=0.039) without medication. Multiple regression showed early IOP predicted final IOP independently from baseline variables. A cutoff value of 13.5 mm Hg on day 7 achieved an accuracy of 80.0 and 57.1% in predicting IOP<15 mm Hg without medication and failure after surgery, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The IOP at 18 months following primary antifibrotic-augmented trabeculectomy in PACG patients is associated with and predicted by the postoperative IOPs at 1 month. Control of early IOP to 13.5 or less may provide better outcomes.

The effects of prostaglandin analogues on intracellular Ca2+ in ciliary arteries of wild-type and prostanoid receptor-deficient mice

PURPOSE

To clarify the mechanism of prostaglandin (PG) analogue-dependent relaxation in ciliary arteries from wild-type (WT) and prostanoid receptor-deficient mice.

METHODS

The intracellular-free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in isolated WT mouse ciliary arteries was measured by fluorescence photometry. Reduction of [Ca(2+)](i) leading to vascular relaxation by PG analogues latanoprost, isopropyl unoprostone, or tafluprost was compared to the maximum increase of [Ca(2+)](i) by 50 mM KCl. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin and the NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-(L)-arginine methylester ((L)-NAME) were added to investigate the involvement of vascular endothelial factors. Moreover, PG analogue-dependent reduction of [Ca(2+)](i) was measured in ciliary artery strips from FP, EP1, EP2, and EP3 receptor-deficient mice.

RESULTS

The 3 PG analogues reduced K(+)-dependent increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in a concentration-dependent manner. Indomethacin (10 μM) had little effect. The reductions of [Ca(2+)](i) induced by 10 μM PG analogues were not significantly affected by the treatment with the NO synthase inhibitor (L)-NAME (10(-4) M). The effect of all 3 PG analogues in FP and EP3 receptor-deficient arteries was similar to the effect in WT arteries. Latanoprost significantly enhanced the reduction of [Ca(2+)](i) in ciliary arteries from prostanoid EP1 and EP2 receptor-deficient mice compared to WT mice. Tafluprost had a similar effect in arteries from EP2 receptor-deficient mice.

CONCLUSIONS

PG analogues latanoprost, isopropyl unoprostone, and tafluprost reduced the K(+)-dependent increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in isolated mouse ciliary arteries. Endothelial-derived factors and FP and EP3 receptors were not involved in the responses. The increased effectiveness of latanoprost and tafluprost in reducing [Ca(2+)](i) in EP1 and EP2 receptor-deficient arteries suggests that the PG analogues may act, at least partially, through nonprostanoid receptor pathways. For glaucoma patients, PG analogues can be selected to reduce the intraocular pressure and increase the ocular blood flow.