The Influence of Ultrasound Ciliary Plasty on Corneal Parameters

Clinical applications of anterior segment swept-source optical coherence tomography: A systematic review

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive method that provides the opportunity to examine tissues by taking cross-sectional images. OCT is increasingly being used to evaluate anterior segment (AS) pathologies. Swept-source (SS) OCT allows greater penetration and achieves better visualization of the internal configuration of AS tissues due to the longer wavelength employed and high scan speeds. We reviewed the utilization of AS SS-OCT in various conditions including glaucoma, ocular surface pathologies, iris tumors, refractive surgery, cataract surgery, and scleral diseases. A systematic literature search was carried out on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases between January 1, 2008, and September 1, 2022 using the following keywords: AS SS-OCT; dry eye and SS-OCT; ocular surface and SS-OCT; cornea and SS-OCT; dystrophy and SS-OCT; glaucoma and SS-OCT; ocular surface tumors and SS-OCT; conjunctival tumors and SS-OCT; refractive surgery and SS-OCT; cataract and SS-OCT; biometry and SS-OCT; sclera and SS-OCT; iris and SS-OCT; ciliary body and SS-OCT; artificial intelligence and SS-OCT. A total of 221 studies were included in this review. Review of the existing literature shows that SS-OCT offers several advantages in the diagnosis of AS diseases. Exclusive features of SS-OCT including rapid scanning, deeper tissue penetration, and better image quality help improve our understanding of various AS pathologies.

Ultrasound ciliary plasty in glaucoma treatment: A long‐term follow‐up study

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound ciliary plasty (UCP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma for three consecutive years.

METHODS

Sixty-one patients (62 eyes) with primary and secondary glaucoma were enrolled to undergo UCP. The primary outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, success rates, glaucoma medication use and visual acuity after UCP. An IOP reduction of 20% compared to the baseline value without re-intervention was considered a successful treatment. Complete success was defined as cessation of antiglaucoma medications. Secondary outcome measures included intraoperative and postoperative complications. Measurements were performed preoperatively and at the first week, and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

A total of 41 patients (41 eyes) were evaluated 36-month after UCP. The mean ± SD values of IOP preoperatively at 1 day, 1 week, 1; 3; 6; 12; 18; 24; 30 and 36 months postoperatively were 22.7 ± 5.0 mmHg, 17.1 ± 4.2 mmHg (p < 0.001), 15.7 ± 4.8 mmHg (p < 0.001), 18.8 ± 4.8 mmHg (p < 0.001), 17.3 ± 3.7 mmHg (p < 0.001), 16.9 ± 3.2 mmHg (p < 0.001), 16.6 ± 2.7 mmHg (p < 0.001), 16.3 ± 3.0 mmHg (p < 0.001), 15.8 ± 3.4 mmHg (p < 0.001), 15.3 ± 2.1 mmHg (p < 0.001) and 16.3 ± 3.0 mmHg (p < 0.001), respectively. The mean IOP at the last follow-up was reduced by 28.5%. The qualified success rate was 64.0%. All patients at 36-month follow-up visit required the use of antiglaucoma medications - none of the patients achieved complete success. The decrease in the number of antiglaucoma medications was statistically significant at each follow-up visit compared to the baseline. Choroid detachment was observed in three patients (4.8%), while macular oedema was observed in three patients (4.8%) after the procedure. No other major intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound ciliary plasty seems to be an effective and well-tolerated method to reduce IOP in patients with refractory glaucoma. Further studies with a larger group are needed to confirm the efficacy of this procedure.

Assessment of Scleral and Conjunctival Thickness of the Eye after Ultrasound Ciliary Plasty

PURPOSE

This study aims to assess scleral and conjunctival thickness using optical coherence tomography after ultrasound ciliary plasty (UCP) procedure with reference to scleral marks appearing in the area where the ultrasound energy was applied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-eight patients with primary and secondary refractory glaucoma participated in this study. Complete ophthalmic examinations including measurements of scleral and conjunctival thickness were performed preoperatively and at 1 week, and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively. The parameters were determined using the Swept Source OCT with anterior attachment. Thirty-eight patients (58 scleral marks-23 superior and 35 inferior) fulfilled the inclusion criteria and completed the follow-up period of 24 months.

RESULTS

The mean ± SD scleral and conjunctival thickness in superior scleral mark before the procedure and at 1 week, and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after the procedure was 684.57 ± 83.58 μm, 771.78 ± 112.03 μm (p < 0.001), 771.74 ± 100.12 μm (p < 0.001), 731.38 ± 83.92 μm (p=0.012), 719.52 ± 73.20 μm (p=0.037), 702.91 ± 66.50 μm (p=0.247), 694.13 ± 72.22 μm (p=0.482), and 699.35 ± 70.68 μm (p=0.200), respectively. The mean ± SD scleral and conjunctival thickness in inferior scleral mark before the procedure and at 1 week, and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after the procedure was 816.86 ± 79.30 μm, 936.37 ± 107.33 μm (p < 0.001), 946.00 ± 130.40 μm (p < 0.001), 896.63 ± 123.40 μm (p < 0.001), 877.69 ± 114.38 μm (p=0.003), 843.03 ± 71.55 μm (p=0.021), 811.86 ± 68.91 μm (p=0.731), and 805.03 ± 69.52 μm (p=0.248), respectively. The transient thickening of the sclera was observed after the procedure; however, after 12 months postoperatively, the parameters returned to the initial value and no significant difference was noted.

CONCLUSION

The sclera thickness increases after UCP. However, with time the thickness reduces to its initial value with no significant difference. Clinical implication of the scleral changes lasts shorter than the measured significant difference in scleral thickness.