Current management approaches for uveitic glaucoma

Phacoemulsification with Either Endocyclophotocoagulation or Ab-Interno Canaloplasty with or without Trabeculotomy in Uveitic Glaucoma

PURPOSE

Understanding the current role and efficacy of endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP) compared to ab-interno canaloplasty with or without trabeculotomy (OMNI), combined with cataract extraction and lens implantation (CEIOL), for the management of uveitic glaucoma (UG) is limited.

METHODS

All UG patients ≥18 years old with ≥6 months of follow-up data (15.2 ± 5.9 months) after CEIOL combined with either ECP or OMNI from August 2019 to May 2022 at a single academic center were retrospectively reviewed [22 eyes of 15 patients (8 ECP, 14 OMNI)]. Surgical success was considered intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤21 mmHg and a reduction of baseline by ≥20% for two consecutive final visits without hypotony, additional surgery, or loss of light perception. Uveitic control was considered a <2-step increase in anterior chamber (AC) cell grade, <3+ AC cell grade, and no increase in steroid drop use at 3 months postoperatively. Secondary outcome measurements included postoperative change in IOP, glaucoma medications, best corrected visual acuity (VA), AC cell grade, and steroid drop frequency.

RESULTS

Baseline ocular and preoperative characteristics of eyes (age, sex, laterality, uveitic location, systemic immunomodulating therapy, visual acuity, IOP, number of glaucoma medications, AC cell grade, and steroid drop frequency) did not significantly differ except for greater racial diversity in the ECP group. 62.5% eyes were surgically successful in the ECP group and 85.71% in the OMNI. Between-group analysis showed greater IOP reduction in the OMNI group (p < .05), but no difference in reduction of glaucoma medications (p = .33). No eyes displayed a two-step increase in or >3+ AC cell grade, however, 50% and 64.29%, respectively, increased steroid drop use. Between groups, no difference in the change of AC cell grade (p = .98) or steroid drop use (p = .84) was seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Both interventions improved visual acuity, IOP, and glaucoma medication use, however, OMNI was more successful at reducing IOP long term. An increase in steroid drop frequency may be the cost of a prolonged post-surgical inflammatory course related to underlying uveitis regardless of surgical approach.

Characteristics of ocular hypertension and uveitic glaucoma among patients with noninfectious uveitis

OBJECTIVE

Ocular hypertension and uveitic glaucoma are important downstream sequela of noninfectious uveitis (NIU). Herein, we describe the clinical outcomes of NIU cases with ocular hypertension and uveitic glaucoma.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

All adults (≥18 years) with NIU under the care of uveitis subspecialty tertiary care clinics between 2010 and 2021 were included.

METHODS

The primary outcomes were baseline and final visual acuity.

RESULTS

A total of 216 patients out of 914 (23.6%) cases with NIU had ocular hypertension or uveitic glaucoma over the study period. Of all patients with ocular hypertension or uveitic glaucoma, 46% were corticosteroid responders. Baseline and last median visual acuities were better for the ocular hypertension patients compared with patients with uveitic glaucoma (p < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients with uveitic glaucoma than patients with ocular hypertension required glaucoma surgery (p < 0.001). The regression analyses suggested that baseline visual acuity and anatomical classification are significant predictors of last visual acuity, whereas diagnosis of ocular hypertension versus uveitic glaucoma were significant predictors of requirement for glaucoma surgery (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

A quarter of patients with NIU in this study developed ocular hypertension or uveitic glaucoma. Approximately half of the patients with ocular hypertension or uveitic glaucoma were deemed to be corticosteroid responders. Baseline and last visual acuity outcomes are better amongst ocular hypertension patients compared with those with uveitic glaucoma. Poor baseline visual acuity and panuveitis are predictors of worse vision at last follow-up. Additionally, diagnosis of uveitic glaucoma was a significant predictor of requirement for glaucoma surgery.

Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy for the Treatment of Glaucoma in Uveitic Eyes

PURPOSE

To evaluate the outcomes of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in adult eyes with uncontrolled uveitic glaucoma.

METHODS

We reviewed 16 eyes from 13 patients. Surgical success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction >20% from baseline or IOP between 5 and 21 mmHg by the 3-month visit while on a stable number or fewer IOP-lowering agents and no need for additional glaucoma surgery.

RESULTS

At 12 months, the cumulative success rate was 81%. Mean IOP was 37.8 ± 13.0 mmHg at baseline and 12.2 ± 3.0 mmHg at 12 months (68% reduction; p < .0001). The average number of glaucoma medications was 4.6 ± 1.3 at baseline and 2.2 ± 0.7 at 12 months (52% reduction; p < .0001). Transient hyphema was seen in 44% of eyes at 1 week.

CONCLUSIONS

This small retrospective study suggests that GATT is effective and safe as an initial surgical treatment for medically refractory glaucoma in uveitic adult eyes.

PATHOGENESIS AND CURRENT METHODS OF TREATMENT OF SECONDARY UVEITIC GLAUCOMA. A REVIEW

Secondary uveitic glaucoma is a serious sight-threatening complication of intraocular inflammation (uveitis). It develops in approximately 10-20% of patients with uveitis (although this figure may be higher depending on the type of inflammation). It is more commonly associated with chronic forms of uveitis, especially anterior uveitis. Elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) and the development of secondary glaucoma arise as a direct or indirect consequence of uveitis, and may develop further in association with therapy for intraocular inflammation. Several types of uveitic glaucoma are distinguished according to the mechanism of development: open-angle secondary glaucoma (including steroid-induced secondary glaucoma), angle-closure secondary glaucoma, and a combination of both. It is necessary to determine the pathogenesis of uveitis and target the treatment of the inflammatory process according to it. Subsequently, it is necessary to determine the type of secondary glaucoma, which influences the choice of therapy. Compensation for IOP should be achieved as quickly as possible, before irreversible damage to the optic nerve and visual field occurs. In the first instance, we choose conservative pharmacological therapy. However, this therapy fails more often in secondary uveitic glaucoma than in primary open-angle glaucoma. For this reason, surgical or laser therapy is necessary for refractory glaucoma. Trabeculectomy remains the gold standard in surgical therapy for secondary uveitic glaucoma, but other surgical techniques can also be used (Ahmed drainage implants, goniotomy in the paediatric population, surgical iridectomy, and synechiae for angle closure etc.). The choice of method is individualised according to the clinical findings of the patient and previous ocular procedures. However, the main factor influencing the success and efficacy of filtration surgery is adequate therapy and control of the intraocular inflammatory process.

Results of modified CO2 laser-assisted sclerectomy monotherapy versus trabeculectomy combination therapy in the eyes with uveitic glaucoma

This study compared the efficacy of modified CO₂ laser-assisted sclerectomy surgery (CLASS) with combined CLASS and trabeculectomy (CLASS-TRAB) in patients with uveitic glaucoma (UG). UG patients who underwent CLASS-TRAB between August 2015 and April 2019 were retrospectively compared with a control group who underwent a modified CLASS standalone procedure during the same period. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), use of supplemental medical therapy and postoperative complications were recorded at baseline, 1 week, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. Forty patients (40 eyes) were enrolled, and each group had 20 patients (20 eyes). The age and sex distribution were matched between groups (P > 0.05). Both the preoperative IOP (CLASS: 34.9 ± 9.3 mmHg, CLASS-TRAB: 36.8 ± 8.7 mmHg; P > 0.05) and number of glaucoma medications (CLASS: 3.3 ± 0.4, CLASS-TRAB: 3.5 ± 0.5; P > 0.05) were relatively higher in the CLASS-TRAB group than in the CLASS group. At the final follow-up, the IOP (CLASS: 12.9 ± 3.4 mmHg, CLASS-TRAB: 11.2 ± 2.5 mmHg) and number of glaucoma medications (CLASS: 0.4 ± 0.7 and CLASS-TRAB: 0.2 ± 0.5) significantly decreased in both groups (P < 0.01). Both the complete success rate and qualified success rate were comparable between the two groups (CLASS versus CLASS-TRAB: 55% versus 80%, P = 0.09; 80% versus 95%, P = 0.34). CLASS-TRAB is as efficient as modified CLASS in terms of the IOP-lowering effect, providing a new option for patients with UG that is severe and ineligible for other treatments.

Surgical management of complicated inflammatory glaucoma

Case report: We report a case of a 26-year-old woman with a previous history of complicated ulcerative colitis, as well as multiple episodes of recurrent anterior uveitis in control with adalimumab and methotrexate, who develops ocular hypertension refractory to topical treatment. The implant of an EXPRESS^® is proposed, but in the immediate post-operative period, the implant causes atalamia and does not achieve the correct control of intraocular pressure. A XEN^® stent was implanted. Due to failure, it was decided to remove the stent and to release a subconjunctival fibrosis that had formed at the subconjunctival portion of the XEN^®, in association with coating by an Ologen^® collagen matrix, which led to an improvement of the results. Conclusions: The surgical management of inflammatory glaucoma is complex in young patients with a scar component. The new minimally invasive techniques are effective in cases refractory to topical treatment, whose characteristics prevent the use of conventional ones.

Characteristics of uveitic glaucoma in Turkish patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate the prevalence of uveitic glaucoma (UG) in the Turkish population and investigate the primary underlying diseases.

METHODS

This multicenter, cross-sectional, prospective study included patients who presented to the glaucoma units of 10 tertiary ophthalmology departments in Ankara, Turkey from 15th March to 16th May 2015 and fulfilled the criteria of UG. Patients were inspected for age, sex, medical history, best corrected visual acuity, biomicroscopic findings, intraocular pressure values, and visual field results.

RESULTS

During the study period, 4604 eyes of 2541 patients with glaucoma were screened and 145 eyes of 104 patients (4.1%) were identified as having UG. One hundred and thirty-four eyes (92.4%) had open-angle glaucoma and 11 eyes (7.6%) had closed-angle glaucoma. The mean patient age was 47 ± 16 (6-90) years. Idiopathic uveitis (54 eyes), Behçet's disease (26 eyes), Fuchs heterochromic cyclitis (21 eyes), Herpes Simplex virus infectious uveitis (14 eyes), and ankylosing spondylitis (six eyes) were the leading types of uveitis associated with glaucoma. Acute anterior uveitis was the most common type of uveitis diagnosed in 72 patients (105 eyes), whereas 21 patients (27 eyes) had panuveitis, eight patients (nine eyes) had intermediate uveitis, and three patients (four eyes) had posterior uveitis. The need for surgical intervention was 37.2% among all cases and the most common surgery was trabeculectomy in 45 eyes.

CONCLUSION

UG is a vision-threatening complication commonly seen in patients with uveitis. This study demonstrates the epidemiological features and underlying etiologies of UG in the Turkish population. The most common primary causes of UG were Behçet's disease and Fuchs heterochromic cyclitis.

Clinical results of ab interno trabeculotomy using the trabectome in patients with uveitic glaucoma

IMPORTANCE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ab interno trabeculotomy (AIT) (trabecular ablation) with the trabectome in patients with uveitic glaucoma.

BACKGROUND

Traditional glaucoma filtration surgeries in the uveitic patient population come with a higher risk of complications such as failure and hypotony.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients diagnosed with uveitic glaucoma were included in this study. Patients were excluded if they have less than 12 months of follow-up.

METHODS

All patients who received AIT alone or combined with phacoemulsification.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Major outcomes include intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications and secondary glaucoma surgery, if any. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis and success was defined as IOP ≤21 mmHg, at least 20% IOP reduction from baseline for any two consecutive visits after 3 months, no additional glaucoma medications, and no secondary glaucoma surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 45 eyes, 45 patients, with an average age of 52 years were included in the study. The majority were Japanese (40%) and underwent AIT alone (71%). IOP was reduced from 29.2 ± 8.0 to 16.7 ± 4.6 mmHg at 12 months (P < .01*), while the number of glaucoma medications was reduced from 4.0 ± 1.0 to 2.5 ± 1.6 (P < .01*). Survival rate at 12 months was 91%. Six cases required secondary glaucoma surgery and no other serious complication were reported.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The trabectome AIT procedure appears to be effective in reducing IOP in uveitic glaucoma patients. Although no statistically significant difference was found in the number of glaucoma medications, a decreasing trend was found.

Surgical outcomes of trabeculectomy and glaucoma drainage implant for uveitic glaucoma and relationship with uveitis activity

IMPORTANCE

This study provides ophthalmologists who manage uveitic glaucoma with important information on factors that can affect the success of surgical management of this challenging disease.

BACKGROUND

This study examines surgical outcomes of trabeculectomy and glaucoma device implant (GDI) surgery for uveitic glaucoma, in particular the effect of uveitis activity on surgical outcomes.

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review at a tertiary institution.

SAMPLES

Eighty-two cases with uveitic glaucoma (54 trabeculectomies and 28 (GDI) surgeries) performed between 1 December 2006 and 30 November 2014.

METHODS

Associations of factors with surgical outcomes were examined using univariate and multivariate analysis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Surgical outcomes as defined in Guidelines from World Glaucoma Association.

RESULTS

Average follow up was 26.4 ± 21.5 months. Overall qualified success rate of the trabeculectomies was not statistically different from GDI, being 67% and 75%, respectively (P = 0.60). Primary and secondary GDI operations showed similar success rates. The most common postoperative complication was hypotony (~30%). Active uveitis at the time of operation was higher in trabeculectomy compared with GDI group (35% vs. 14%). Active uveitis at the time of surgery did not significantly increase risk of failure for trabeculectomies. Recurrence of uveitis was significantly associated with surgical failure in trabeculectomy group (odds ratio 4.8, P = 0.02) but not in GDI group.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Surgical success rate of GDI was not significantly different from trabeculectomy for uveitic glaucoma in this study. Regular monitoring, early and prolonged intensive treatment of ocular inflammation is important for surgical success particularly following trabeculectomy.