Retinal detachment and miotic therapy

Using Real-World Data to Assess the Association of Retinal Detachment With Topical Pilocarpine Use

PURPOSE

To examine the association between topical pilocarpine and the risk of new-onset rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

DESIGN

Retrospective clinical cohort study.

METHODS

We used an aggregated electronic health records research network, TriNetX, to examine the risk of RRD (ICD-10: H33.0x) following the initiation of pilocarpine. The primary study group included adult patients over 40 years who received topical pilocarpine (1.25% or any dose with the exclusion of other indications) for the first time. Our control group consisted of patients with presbyopia who were started on artificial tears and had no history of topical pilocarpine use during the study period. We matched both cohorts using propensity score matching (PSM) based on demographics, systemic comorbidities, and known risk factors for RRD.

RESULTS

After matching, the three-month risk of RRD was significantly higher in the pilocarpine group (0.53%) compared to the control (0.25%) (RR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.07-4.45, P = .03). The 6-month risk of RRD remained elevated at 0.60% in the study group versus 0.31% in the control group (RR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.01-3.67, P = .04). At one year, the risk increased to 0.78% in the pilocarpine group and 0.33% in the control group (RR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.28-4.27, P = .005). A Cox proportional hazards model indicated that pilocarpine use was associated with a 3.14-fold increased risk of RRD (95% CI: 1.66-5.93, P < .001) compared to controls after adjusting for demographics and comorbidities. Additional risk factors for RRD included male sex (aHR: 2.36, P = .001), myopia (aHR: 2.36, P = .001), vitreous degeneration (aHR: 2.22, P = .020), lattice degeneration (aHR: 3.71, P = .010), and pseudophakia (aHR: 3.48, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study quantified the increased risk of RRD associated with topical pilocarpine use.

Reversal of Pharmacologically Induced Mydriasis with Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 0.75% phentolamine ophthalmic solution (POS), an α-adrenergic antagonist, in reversal of pharmacologically induced mydriasis.

DESIGN

Two phase 3, multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-masked clinical trials in healthy participants.

PARTICIPANTS

Five hundred fifty-three healthy 12- to 80-year-old participants were randomized 1:1 (MIRA 2) and 2:1 (MIRA 3) to receive either POS or placebo eye drops in both eyes.

METHODS

Participants received POS or placebo administered 1 hour after mydriasis, induced by instillation of either 2.5% phenylephrine, 1% tropicamide, or 1% hydroxyamphetamine / 0.25% tropicamide.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Percent of participants returning to within 0.2 mm of baseline pupil diameter in study eye 90 minutes after POS administration. Safety measures included treatment-emergent adverse events and tolerability measures, including conjunctival hyperemia.

RESULTS

A total of 553 participants were randomized to treatment with placebo (n = 215) or POS (n = 338). A statistically significant greater percentage of participants treated with POS showed reversal of mydriasis at 90 minutes compared to placebo (MIRA 2: 48.9% vs. 6.6% [P < 0.0001]; MIRA 3: 58% vs. 6% [P < 0.0001]) and as early as 60 minutes (MIRA 2: 27.7% vs. 2.2% [P < 0.0001]; MIRA 3: 42% vs. 2% [P < 0.0001]). Between 28% and 34% of participants receiving placebo did not returned to baseline PD at 24 hours after pharmacologic dilation compared with 8% to 11% of patients treated with POS (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with POS reduced PD within 60 to 90 minutes, with a statistically significant time savings of 5 to 6 hours to return to baseline PD compared with placebo. One or 2 drops of POS rapidly reversed mydriasis in all participants regardless of mydriatic agent or iris color. More participants receiving POS reported a benefit in the resolution of visual symptoms caused by pharmacologically induced mydriasis compared with placebo, with statistically significant differences noted as early as 1 hour. The safety profile was favorable, with the most common adverse effects being mild transient conjunctival hyperemia (11.2%), instillation site discomfort (10.9%), and dysgeusia (3.6%).

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Combination Low-Dose Pilocarpine/Diclofenac Sodium and Pilocarpine Alone for Presbyopia: Results of a Randomized Phase 2b Clinical Trial

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of 0.2% and 0.4% pilocarpine HCl (CSF-1) for the treatment of presbyopia and to determine the contributions of pilocarpine HCl and diclofenac sodium on the efficacy of fixed-dose combination (FDC) formulations.

Patients and Methods

This was a Phase 2b, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, parallel-group clinical trial. Adults (45-64 years) with presbyopia were randomized 1:1:1 to 3 arms (Pilo arm: pilocarpine HCl; Pilo-Diclo FDC arm: pilocarpine HCl with 0.006% diclofenac sodium; Control arm: 0.006% diclofenac sodium). Participants in Pilo and Pilo-Diclo FDC arms received 0.2% pilocarpine HCl (0.2% Pilo or 0.2% Pilo FDC, respectively) from days 1-8, and 0.4% pilocarpine HCl (CSF-1 or CSF-1-FDC, respectively) from days 8-15. Primary efficacy endpoint was achievement of ≥3-line (15-letter) gain in mesopic, monocular distance-corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA) at 40 cm, 1 hour post-treatment of the study eye on days 8 and 15 in the per protocol (PP) population. Safety endpoints were assessed.

Results

One hundred and sixty-six participants were randomized (intent-to-treat, N = 166; PP, n = 160). There were no statistical differences between 0.2% Pilo or 0.2% Pilo FDC versus Control at 1 hour post-treatment on day 8. On day 15, 43.1% and 46.9% of participants receiving CSF-1-FDC (0.4% Pilo FDC) or CSF-1 (0.4% Pilo), respectively, achieved ≥3-line gain at 1 hour post-treatment in mesopic DCNVA compared with 16.1% of Control group in the PP population, meeting the primary endpoint (P = 0.0015 and P = 0.0002, respectively). All formulations were well tolerated.

Conclusion

CSF-1 demonstrated significant improvements in mesopic DCNVA and favorable safety. Pilocarpine HCl as a single active ingredient, at the concentration of 0.4% (CSF-1), provided a transient, therapeutic effect for presbyopia.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Efficacy and Safety of Topical Pilocarpine 1.25% in Presbyopia Treatment

Purpose

To do a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the existing literature on the effectiveness and safety of pilocarpine 1.25% eye drops in presbyopia management.

Methods

Relevant articles were extracted from the online database using keywords - "pilocarpine and presbyopia", "AGN-190584 and presbyopia", and "Vuity and presbyopia". The primary outcome measure considered was an improvement in distance-corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA) and secondary outcome measures were improvement in distance-corrected intermediate visual acuity (DCIVA) and adverse events (AEs). Risk of bias (ROB) assessment was done using the ROB2 tool and R software was used for quantitative analysis.

Results

The 3 included randomized control trials (RCTs) had a total of 980 participants between 40-55 years of age. They were randomized into 2 groups - 489 in the pilocarpine group and 491 in the vehicle group. In the pilocarpine group, 1.25% of pilocarpine was used either once (in the Gemini 1 and 2 trials) or twice daily (Virgo trial). A significantly higher proportion of patients reported improvement of DCIVA and gain of ≥ 3 lines in binocular DCNVA in the pilocarpine group than the vehicle group (P < 0.01). Headache was the most commonly reported AE (13.49% of participants). Three case reports published on pilocarpine use for presbyopia management have reported vitreomacular traction in 1 and retinal detachment in 5 eyes.

Conclusions

The available evidence documents significant improvement in near and intermediate vision in presbyopia participants with pilocarpine 1.25% drop. However, more RCTs, involving a wider age group, larger refractive error, longer follow-up, and clinical testing in a real-world scenario are required to conclusively prove its role in presbyopia management.

RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT AFTER INITIATION OF PILOCARPINE HYDROCHLORIDE OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION 1.25% FOR TREATMENT OF PRESBYOPIA

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Retinal detachment has previously been reported in association with topical miotic use for the treatment of glaucoma. Pilocarpine hydrochloride 1.25% was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of presbyopia, with no reports of associated retinal detachments in the clinical trial data.

METHODS

Case report.

RESULTS

Two novel cases of unilateral retinal detachment occurring within 10 days of the initiation of pilocarpine 1.25% for the treatment of presbyopia were described. The patients were pseudophakic men in their 60s or 70s with preexisting retinal detachment risk factors, such as high myopia, lattice degeneration, and prior retinal detachment. Both affected eyes were treated with pars plana vitrectomy and gas endotamponade with an uncomplicated postoperative course.

CONCLUSION

Retinal detachment may be associated with the use of pilocarpine 1.25%. Caution should be used when considering prescribing this medication in patients with preexisting retinal abnormality.

Google Search Trends to assess public interest in and concern about Vuity for treating presbyopia

PURPOSE

To assess public awareness, interest, and concerns regarding Vuity (1.25% pilocarpine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution), an eye drop for the treatment of presbyopia, based on Google Trends.

METHODS

We used Google Trends that provides a relative search volume for queried terms, to evaluate searches for Vuity from June 30, 2021, to June 30, 2022, in the United States. The data for this study were downloaded on June 30, 2022. Main outcome measures were changes in relative search volumes for the terms "Vuity," "Eye drops for reading," "Eye drops for near vision," "Presbyopia," "Pilocarpine," and related popular search terms, such as "Vuity side effects," and "Vuity retinal detachment".

RESULTS

Since the approval of Vuity on October 29, 2021, notable increases in the relative search volumes occurred for Vuity in October 2021, December 2021, and from March to April 2022, which coincided with its approval, availability, and subsequent direct-to-consumer advertising based on positive results of clinical trials. The direct-to-consumer advertising had the greatest impact on the search volume for Vuity. Specific interests included Vuity cost, where to buy it, and its side effects. Retinal detachment was the most highly searched Vuity side effect. Geographic variation was evident, with the relative search volumes highest for "Vuity" in Wyoming, followed by North Dakota.

CONCLUSION

Google Trends is a useful tool for monitoring increases in public interest in Vuity for presbyopia. Public concerns regarding side effects warrant further real-world investigations of the causal relationship between Vuity and retinal detachment.

Vitreofoveal Traction Associated With Pilocarpine for Presbyopia

Vuity (pilocarpine HCL ophthalmic 1.25%) was approved for the treatment of presbyopia in October 2021. Previous case series have reported the presence of vitreofoveal traction and retinal detachment following pilocarpine administration, but this was not reported in the recent randomized control trials assessing the efficacy of Vuity. The authors report a case of a woman of 65 years who developed vitreomacular traction immediately following the first administration of Vuity, review the literature, and present considerations regarding screening and management of patients starting Vuity. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2022; 53:410-411.].

Pilocarpine 1.25% and the changing landscape of presbyopia treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Despite affecting approximately 1.8 billion individuals worldwide, until recently, a pharmacologic treatment for presbyopia was not available. This special commentary reviews the treatment of presbyopia with a focus on the recently approved medication Vuity (pilocarpine 1.25%, Allergan, an AbbVie Company).

RECENT FINDINGS

Vuity is a re-engineered formulation of pilocarpine 1.25% specifically designed for the treatment of presbyopia. Recently published results from the GEMINI 1 Phase 3 clinical trial reported improvement in distance corrected near vision without significant compromise in distance vision. No unexpected safety findings were reported with mild headache being the most common adverse event. Notably, there were no reported cases of retinal detachment or angle closure during the 30-day phase 3 clinical trials.

SUMMARY

Vuity is the first treatment designed and FDA approved to treat the growing presbyopia market. Phase 3 clinical trials demonstrated its ability to improve near vision without significant compromise in distance vision. We recognize this paradigm shift in the treatment of presbyopia and anxiously await additional treatment options for this ubiquitous condition.

Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy in primary angle-closure glaucoma

PURPOSE

This study aims to report on outcomes of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in eyes with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG).

METHODS

This study is a prospective, interventional, non-comparative case series. A total of 103 eyes from 88 patients with PACG underwent an ab interno trabeculotomy, using either a 5.0 polypropylene suture or an illuminated microcatheter, with up to 24 months of follow-up. The main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), number of antiglaucoma medications, success rate (IOP reduction ≥ 20% from baseline or IOP between 6 and 21 mmHg, without further glaucoma surgery) and complication rate.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative IOP was 21.4 (SD 7.4) mmHg using 2.5 (SD 1.1) glaucoma medications. These decreased postoperatively to 12.1 (SD 2.4) mmHg and 0.8 (SD 1.2) medications, at 24 months (P < 0.05). Success rate was 78% at 24 months of follow-up, and complication rate was 4.8%.

CONCLUSION

At 24 months of follow-up, our results for GATT in PACG demonstrate that this procedure effectively lowers IOP in this subtype of glaucoma, with a low complication rate.

Retina and glaucoma: surgical complications

Background

The close structural and microcirculatory co-relation between anterior and posterior segments of eye make them very vulnerable to complications when one of them is affected surgically. With the advent of anti-fibrotic agents in the management of glaucoma, the rates of vitreoretinal complications have become more frequent.

Main body

Common retinal complications after glaucoma surgeries include choroidal detachment; ocular decompression retinopathy; haemorrhagic choroidal detachment; hypotony maculopathy; malignant glaucoma; vitreous haemorrhage; bleb endophthalmitis; retinal detachment. Similarly, intraocular pressure rise is often noted after scleral buckle; pars plana vitrectomy; intravitreal gas injection; silicone oil injection; intravitreal steroid injection.

Conclusion

The article provides some insight into some of the complications after glaucoma and retina surgeries, including the pathogenetic mechanisms behind each complication and available management options.

Glaucoma-Intraocular Pressure Reduction

Medical treatment is a mainstay for the management of glaucoma (Realini 2011; Marquis and Whitson 2005; Hoyng and van Beek 2000). Intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering has been long recognized as and still represents the primary and most widely employed treatment to prevent glaucomatous vision loss (Musch et al. 2011; Leske et al. 2003; The Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) 2000). Soon after the recognition that "tension" or IOP was related to glaucoma, pharmacological agents were introduced in the mid-1800s, first with the calabar bean (Realini 2011; Proudfoot 2006). Since then, an explosion of pharmacological agents targeting numerous intracellular and molecular signaling pathways has resulted in a plethora of drugs to lower IOP and treat glaucoma. Aqueous humor dynamics provides the basis for understanding each of these medical therapies.

Glaucoma management after vitreoretinal surgeries

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The surgical management of retinal disorders, including scleral buckling procedures, pars plana vitrectomy, and intravitreal injections of gas or silicone oil, can lead to short-term elevations in intraocular pressure (IOP) and ultimately long-term glaucomatous damage if not treated in a timely manner. Glaucoma in these cases is commonly refractory to conventional therapies. This review highlights the treatment strategies for glaucoma in eyes that have previously undergone vitreoretinal surgery.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although medical therapy is often used initially to control a temporary rise in IOP, laser and surgical therapy may be required to treat sustained IOP elevation and subsequent glaucomatous damage in eyes that have undergone intraocular surgery for retinal disorders. Glaucoma drainage devices are an important treatment modality, particularly when there is high risk of failure with filtering surgery.

SUMMARY

Previous vitreoretinal surgery is a known risk factor for the development of glaucoma. Treatment is usually initiated with medical therapy, however, surgical intervention is frequently required to control IOP and prevent progressive glaucomatous damage in patients with refractory glaucoma.

Glaucoma associated with the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Transient or permanent elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) is a common complication following vitreoretinal surgery. Usually secondary glaucoma, which develops after scleral buckling procedures, or pars plana vitrectomy for repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, is of multifactorial origin. It is essential, for appropriate management, to detect the cause of outflow obstruction. An exacerbation of preexisting open-angle glaucoma or a steroid-induced elevation of IOP should also be considered. Scleral buckling may be complicated by congestion and anterior rotation of the ciliary body resulting in secondary angle closure, which can usually resolve with medical therapy. The use of intravitreal gases may also induce secondary angle-closure with or without pupillary block. Aspiration of a quantity of the intraocular gas may be indicated. Secondary glaucoma can also develop after intravitreal injection of silicone oil due to pupillary block, inflammation, synechial angle closure, or migration of emulsified silicone oil in the anterior chamber and obstruction of the aqueous outflow pathway. In most eyes medical therapy is successful in controlling IOP; however, silicone oil removal with or without concurrent glaucoma surgery may also be required. Diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation and glaucoma drainage devices constitute useful treatment modalities for long-term IOP control. Cooperation between vitreoretinal and glaucoma specialists is necessary to achieve successful management.

Managing refractory glaucoma with a fixed combination of bimatoprost (0.03%) and timolol (0.5%)

Glaucoma is a chronic progressive optic neuropathy characterized by progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells, which manifests clinically with loss of optic disc neuroretinal rim tissue, defects in the retinal nerve fiber layer, and deficits on functional visual field testing. The goal of glaucoma treatment is to reduce the intraocular pressure to a level that prevents or minimizes the progressive loss of vision. The current standard of management for the newly diagnosed primary open angle glaucoma (PAOG) patient is to start topical medication. Available topical medications include: beta-adrenergic antagonists, alpha-adrenergic agonists, carbonic anhydraze inhibitors, prostaglandin analogues and miotics. In some patients, IOP is not adequately controlled by monotherapy. In those refractory patients, where more efficacy is required, shifting to another medication or adding a second medication is indicated. The complimentary action between two drugs serves as the basis for combination medications. One avenue of delivering a second medication is through a fixed combination medication that has the advantage of providing two medicines within one drop. Bimatoprost/timolol represents a new fixed combination which is clinically and statistically more effective than either of its active constituents for patients with refractory glaucoma. As regard the safety of the combination, there were no signs or symptoms of intolerance and the incidence of conjunctival hyperemia was clinically and statistically significantly less than each of the two components separately. Bimatoprost/timolol fixed combination offers cost and time savings, which may enhance compliance; also reducing the amount of preservative applied to the eye, will improve tolerability and may also favorably improve eventual surgical outcomes in patients who might require filtering procedures.

Lowering of IOP by echothiophate iodide in pseudophakic eyes with glaucoma

PURPOSE

We retrospectively investigated the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effects of echothiophate iodide (EI) as adjunctive treatment for pseudophakic glaucoma patients who were receiving maximal medical therapy (MMT), including the newer class of medications, i.e., prostaglandin analogs, alpha-2 agonists, and topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

METHODS

The medical records of all pseudophakic glaucoma patients (24 eyes) under MMT who received supplementary EI 0.125% between January 2002 and December 2003 were reviewed. IOP data and number of medications before, during and after EI treatment were collected.

RESULTS

Adding EI to MMT further reduced IOP in 23 of 24 eyes. Three eyes (12.5%) showed some lowering of IOP, but not enough to be considered controlled (IOP above the target pressure). The mean baseline IOP of 30.4 +/- 8.2 mmHg (median 29 mmHg) dropped at final follow-up (11.2 +/- 3.9 months) to 16.6 +/- 4.2 mmHg (median 17 mmHg, p < 0.0001) in all eyes that had showed effective pressure reduction upon the addition of EI. Their IOP rose to 27.7 +/- 8.0 mmHg (median 28 mmHg, p < 0.001) when EI was discontinued because of commercial non-availability. IOP reduction was > or =20% in 18 (75%) eyes and > or =30% (a mean decrease of 16.7 +/- 8.3mmHg) in 15 eyes (63%). Four eyes (16.6%) required a trabeculectomy despite EI supplement. Five eyes were re-challenged with EI when a small amount was released for sale: their IOP of 26.6 +/- 7.1 mmHg after the first EI discontinuation had dropped to 16.4 +/- 4.3 mmHg (p < 0.0001) and rose to 29.6 +/- 7.1 mmHg when EI was again discontinued. The recorded EI-associated side effects were increased miosis in all eyes and headache (8/24 patients), neither of which were reasons for discontinuation of the drug in any patient.

CONCLUSION

EI substantially decreased the IOPs in pseudophakic glaucoma eyes receiving maximal medical therapy, including the newer class of medications. This drug may be the last resort for post-cataract advanced glaucoma patients and may obviate the need for filtering surgery among the very elderly.

Morphologic indication for proprioception in the human ciliary muscle

PURPOSE

To search for proprioceptive nerve terminals in human ciliary muscle.

METHODS

In 48 human donor eyes, histologic and ultrathin sections cut in different planes and wholemounts of the ciliary muscle were studied. Immunohistochemical staining with antibodies against pan-neuronal antigens and antigens reported as markers for sensory terminals in other organs was performed.

RESULTS

Among the markers for proprioceptive terminals, only calretinin was present in the ciliary body. Calretinin-immunoreactive (IR) nerve terminals surrounded the posterior and reticular ciliary muscle tips and their elastic tendons. Terminals in that region contained mitochondria and neurofilaments. At the anterior tips larger terminals with numerous membrane-filled vesicles were located between the muscle fibers. The most elaborate network of calretinin-IR nerve fibers was present in the ground plate covering the circular muscle portion. Here calretinin-IR neurons with morphologic features of mechanoreception were present. Within the circular muscle portion numerous calretinin-IR ganglion cells were found. Their processes were connected to the calretinin-IR network but also surrounded ciliary muscle cells and NADPH-diaphorase-positive ganglion cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These morphologic findings indicate that there are proprioreceptors in the ciliary muscle that morphologically and presumably functionally differ at different locations. At the posterior muscle tips, the receptors could measure stretch of the tendons, whereas the large receptor organs located at the anterior muscle tips morphologically resemble mechanoreceptors measuring shear stress. The presence of the numerous intrinsic nerve cells indicates that contraction of the circular muscle portion can be modulated locally via a self-contained reflex arc.

Management of glaucoma after retinal detachment surgery

Secondary glaucoma may complicate retinal detachment surgery. Intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation has been described after scleral buckling procedures and vitrectomy with intravitreal injection of gas or silicone oil. Angle-closure glaucoma after scleral buckling develops because of congestion and anterior rotation of the ciliary body. Medical therapy and laser iridoplasty are usually successful in controlling IOP, but the presence of conjunctival scarring and recession and retinal hardware after scleral buckling procedures can make surgical management challenging. Intravitreal injection of expansile gases like sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and perfluoropropene (C3F8) may produce secondary angle-closure glaucoma with or without pupillary block. Aspiration of a portion of the intraocular gas may be needed, especially if IOP is elevated to a level that may compromise ocular perfusion. Glaucoma also can develop after intravitreal injection of silicone oil secondary to pupillary block, inflammation, synechial angle closure, rubeosis iridis, or migration of emulsified or nonemulsified silicone oil into the anterior chamber. A prophylactic inferior iridectomy at the time of surgery serves to prevent pupillary block. Patients with medically uncontrolled glaucoma after silicone oil injection may require oil removal with or without concurrent glaucoma surgery.

Pharmacological therapy for glaucoma: a review

For some time the medical treatment of glaucoma has consisted of topical beta-blockers, adrenergic agents, miotics and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs). However, the therapeutic arsenal available for the medical treatment of glaucoma has recently extended with new classes of ocular hypotensive agents i.e. prostaglandins, local CAIs and alpha2-adrenergic agents. Beta-blockers are still the mainstay in glaucoma treatment and are first line drugs. However, even if they are applied once daily, as with timolol in gel forming solution and levobunolol, the possible cardiopulmonary adverse effects of beta-blockers remain a cause for concern. When monotherapy with beta-blockers is ineffective in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) or is hampered by adverse effects, a change of monotherapy to prostaglandins, local CAIs, alpha2-adrenergic agonists (brimonidine) or to dipivalyl epinephrine is advised. Prostaglandins, local CAIs and alpha2-adrenergic agonists, such as brimonidine, may in time become first line drugs because they reduce IOP effectively and until now systemic adverse effects have rarely been reported with these agents. The development of a pro-drug of either a local CAI or an alpha2-adrenergic agonist with a sustained and continuous effect on IOP level, which could be applied once a day is suggested. Because of these new developments, miotics, i.e. pilocarpine and carbachol, are recommended as second or third line drugs. The cholinesterase inhibitors are considered third line drugs as better agents with fewer local and systemic adverse effects have become available. Oral CAIs may be used temporarily in patients with elevated IOPs e.g. postsurgery or post-laser, or continuously in patients with glaucoma resistant to other treatment. Combining ocular hypotensive drugs is indicated when the target pressure for an individual patient cannot be reached with monotherapy. Combination therapy of beta-blockers is additive with prostaglandins, topical CAIs and miotics. Prostaglandins such as latanoprost can be combined with beta-blockers, adrenergic agents, local CAIs and miotics. Combinations with brimonidine or local CAIs need further investigation. Treatment of glaucoma with the new ocular hypotensive agents, either in monotherapy or combination therapy, may provide lower IOPs and delay or postpone the need for surgery.

Retinal involvement in pigment dispersion syndrome

Retinal involvement has been documented in a number of patients with pigment dispersion syndrome, which also appears to be associated with a higher than normal risk of retinal detachment. We studied 24 patients with this syndrome to determine the prevalence of lattice degeneration and other retinal disorders associated with a predisposition to detachment. Lattice degeneration was found in 8 of 24 patients examined, with a prevalence that is significantly higher than that reported for normal subjects. Four eyes presented areas of retinoschisis and only one displayed a rhegmatogenous detachment. A father and son (both myopes) were found to have similar lattice lesions in the same retinal quadrants. These findings suggest that pigment dispersion syndrome may be associated with developmental anomalies that are not restricted to the anterior chamber but involve other portions of the bulb as well.

Glaucoma after surgery on the retina and vitreous

Increased intraocular pressure after retinal detachment or its surgery may be addressed in an effective manner, because the clinical setting invariably suggests an ascertainable etiologic mechanism. Directed, stepwise therapy may then be instituted promptly to minimize lasting or functional impairment from long-standing increased intraocular pressure.

Photoreceptor outer segments in aqueous humor: key to understanding a new syndrome

Retinal detachment with oral dialyses and tears of the nonpigmented epithelium of the ciliary body sometimes accompanies aqueous cells and high intraocular pressure with its marked fluctuation. The aqueous cells consist predominantly of photoreceptor outer segments which obstruct aqueous outflow at the trabecular meshwork and induce high intraocular pressure as ghost cells do in ghost cell glaucoma. A new clinical entity with the combination of these signs, namely, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with "photoreceptor outer segment glaucoma" is designated as Schwartz-Matsuo syndrome in this report. The detection of photoreceptor outer segments in the anterior chamber indicates that a communication between subretinal space and aqueous humor has been established by some mechanism. The new syndrome should be included in differential diagnoses of iritis and glaucoma.

Lattice degeneration of the retina and the pigment dispersion syndrome

Retinal detachment occurs more frequently in patients with pigment dispersion syndrome. We evaluated the incidence of peripheral retinal abnormalities known to predispose to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in a consecutive series of 60 patients with pigment dispersion syndrome with or without glaucoma. Lattice degeneration was present in at least one eye of 12 patients (20%). Seven patients had bilateral lesions. Full-thickness retinal breaks were found in seven patients (11.7%) and two patients (3.3%) had asymptomatic rhegmatogenous retinal detachments that required scleral buckle procedures. The incidence of lattice degeneration and full-thickness retinal breaks appears to be increased in this group of patients, and may be responsible for the increased risk of rhegmatogenous detachment.

Intraocular pressure response to the replacement of pilocarpine or carbachol with echothiophate

In 20 patients with open-angle glaucoma in aphakia or pseudophakia whose intraocular pressure had remained uncontrolled on their current medical therapy, the medication was changed from pilocarpine or carbachol to echothiophate iodide. In all, 12 patients (60%) showed a statistically significant improvement in pressure control, 7 (35%) showed no change, and 1 had higher pressure. One-third of the patients with improved intraocular-pressure control eventually required laser or incisional surgery after a mean of 23 months, whereas the remaining subjects were controlled for the duration of the follow-up, which averaged 26 months. Side effects encountered during echothiophate iodide treatment included ocular irritation, decreased vision, and one retinal detachment.

Miotics and retinal detachment: upgrading the community standard

The majority of ophthalmologists who responded to a questionnaire regarding the relationship between miotics and retinal detachment felt that such a relationship does exist, and that myopia and aphakia/pseudophakia predispose to the formation of new retinal breaks or to retinal detachment from pre-existing breaks with miotics. Horseshoe breaks and dialyses are pre-existing lesions that should be treated prophylactically prior to miotic therapy. Patients with no predisposing pathology or whose eyes have lattice degeneration or operculated breaks should be warned of possible retinal detachment prior to starting miotics. Not performing a peripheral retina examination prior to prescribing a miotic is acceptable, but not optimal, medical practice. Examining the peripheral retina or obtaining a retina consultation prior to prescribing a miotic may be beneficial to the patient and could be invaluable in the defense of litigation.

Effects of carbachol and acetylcholine on intraocular pressure after cataract extraction

We compared the effect of carbachol and acetylcholine on intraocular pressure 24 hours after extracapsular cataract extraction. All agents were administered intracamerally at the time of surgery. Sixty patients scheduled for routine extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation were randomly assigned into one of three treatment groups: (1) carbachol, (2) acetylcholine, or (3) 0.5% balanced salt solution (placebo). Baseline intraocular pressures were determined the day before surgery, and postoperative pressures were measured approximately 24 hours after surgery. The group intraocular pressures averaged over preoperative and postoperative values were 21.06 mm Hg in the acetylcholine group, 19.36 mm Hg in the control group, and 17.30 mm Hg in the carbachol group. The average difference between preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure measurements for the three groups were 7.33 mm Hg for the acetylcholine group, 8.73 mm Hg for the control group, and 2.20 mm Hg for the carbachol group. Only carbachol was significantly different from placebo on statistical subsequent testing. Carbachol is suggested as the agent of choice both for achieving intrasurgical miosis and prophylaxis of increasing intraocular pressure after cataract surgery.

Management of increased intraocular pressure after cataract extraction

We measured the change in intraocular pressure prospectively after extracapsular cataract extraction in 80 eyes after treatment with either pilocarpine gel, pilocarpine 4% solution, timolol 0.5% solution, or placebo. Intraocular pressure, pupil size, and anterior chamber cellular reaction were measured in a masked fashion on the first day after surgery. A significant increase in intraocular pressure was found in all groups postoperatively when compared with baseline values (P less than .001). Eyes treated with pilocarpine gel had an average intraocular pressure increase of 4.2 +/- 2.1 mm Hg (mean +/- 1 S.E.), eyes treated with pilocarpine 4% eyedrops had an average increase of 9.8 +/- 2.8 mm Hg, and eyes treated with timolol demonstrated an intraocular pressure increase of 8.25 +/- 3.19. The intraocular pressure in untreated eyes (controls) increased by an average of 12.9 +/- 2.7 mm Hg. Only the difference in intraocular pressure change between the eyes treated with pilocarpine gel and control eyes was statistically significant (P = .025). Postsurgical intraocular pressure exceeding 25 mm Hg was observed in three of 20 pilocarpine gel treated eyes (15%) and 11 of 20 control eyes (55%). Pilocarpine treatment was not associated with noticeable changes in intraocular inflammatory response, nor were significant ocular or systemic adverse reactions observed. A single administration of pilocarpine gel is effective in reducing increased intraocular pressure for the first 24 hours after extracapsular cataract extraction.

Visual impairment following radial keratotomy. A cluster of cases

Thirteen patients who underwent radial keratotomy developed complications leading to visual impairment. Three eyes were legally blind. Two groups of complications were seen: those common to surgical procedures involving the eye--optic atrophy, infections, cataract and retinal detachment, and those unique to radial keratotomy--complete failure of the procedure, marked undercorrection, marked overcorrection, and induced astigmatism. Symptoms due to anisometropia were prominent in the latter group who considered themselves visually disabled by the surgery. Radial keratotomy, like all surgical procedures, is liable to complications that may lead to visual impairment, blindness, or loss of an eye.

Characteristics of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Characteristics of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and its predisposing factors were studied in a consecutive series of 342 patients operated on for retinal detachment (RD) at the University Eye Hospital in Helsinki in 1978-1981. On these, 234 were pre-operatively examined and operated on by the senior author. The mean age of the patients was 52.8 +/- 1.0 (range 5.7 to 83.0) years, 49.1% were males, 50.9% females. Bilateral RD occurred in 9.9%, and another 4.7% had been treated for retinal breaks in the fellow eye. Of the main predisposing factors, myopia (greater than or equal to -1.0 D) was found in 50.6% of the phakic eyes, 23.0% of the eyes were aphakic, and lattice degeneration was found in 15.1% and trauma in 11.9% of the whole series. In the nontraumatic phakic group, lattice degeneration was present in 31.3%. In the aphakic group, 25.9% had underlying myopia and 8.1% showed lattice degeneration. The relative importance of these factors varied with age. Total RD was found in 60 eyes (17.0%), most commonly in aphakic eyes (32.1%). Macula was detached in 56.5%. Two or more retinal breaks were found in 40.9%. The type of breaks varied with age and refraction. Oral dialysis was common before the age of 20 in non-myopic phakic eyes. Between 20 and 39 years, tears and holes were equally common, and after 40 years of age tears predominated. Tears outnumbered holes both in nonmyopic and myopic eyes, most round holes were found in myopic eyes. In 11.6% of the eyes no sure retinal breaks were detected. Relation of retinal breaks to peripheral retinal degenerations was studied.

Prognosis for central vision and anatomic reattachment in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with macula detached

We analyzed a total of 473 eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and macular involvement for significant factors relating to anatomic success and a favorable visual outcome of 6/15 (20/50) or better. The overall success rate was 90% (427 of 473 eyes). Visual acuities of 6/15 (20/50) or better postoperatively were present in 37% (174 of 470 eyes). Important factors related to both anatomic success and favorable functional results were preoperative visual acuities of 6/15 (20/50) or better, retinal detachments that were less than total, detachments with tears located at or anterior to the equator, absence of giant retinal tears, absence of either preoperative ocular hypotony (tension less than 5 mm Hg) or ocular hypertension (intraocular pressure greater than 20 mm Hg), detachments managed by nondrainage techniques, a single operation with less than 50 cryoapplications, and noncircumferential buckling. Among the other factors related to favorable visual results were detachments lasting less than one month, a shallowly rather than highly detached macula, the absence of fixed retinal folds, a patient age of less than 60 years, and the absence of postoperative choroidal detachments sufficient to cause glaucoma. We found no statistical relationship between either anatomic success or functional result and the presence of aphakia, demarcation lines, vitreous hemorrhage, detachments of the pars plana epithelium, or predetachment glaucoma being treated.

Vitreous base classification of retinal tears: clinical application

The abundant data about retinal tears has shown that they are prevalent in the general population and that the vast majority of retinal tears do not lead to retinal detachment. What remains to be clarified are the criteria for identifying the few retinal breaks which require prophylactic surgery to prevent their progression to retinal detachment. Numerous reports have identified clinical features which correlate with the risk the retinal detachment. These correlative data offer at best only a suggestion about the need for treatment of any specific retinal break. This paper-demonstrates how the categorization of a retinal tear on the basis of vitreoretinal anatomic detail may be used clinically to make an objective and nonstatistical judgment about the prognosis of any specific retinal break. The application of this new categorization offers an advance in the care of patients with retinal tears.

Retinal detachments and topical ocular miotics

There is increasing suspicion that topical ocular miotic therapy in selected persons may precipitate retinal detachments. This is a rare event and probably does not occur in patients free of retinal pathology. Data supporting a possible cause and effect relationship, obtained from the National Registry of Drug-Induced Ocular Side Effects, a survey of the Retina Society, medicolegal decisions, and a review of the literature, is presented.