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

Trabecular Procedures Combined with Cataract Surgery for Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

PURPOSE

To determine the intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction of various trabecular procedures (a form of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery [MIGS]) combined with cataract surgery compared with cataract surgery alone, to compare the safety of the various trabecular procedures, and to highlight patient characteristics that may favor one trabecular procedure over another.

METHODS

A search of English-language peer-reviewed literature in the PubMed database was initially conducted in February 2021 and updated in April 2023. This yielded 279 articles. Twenty studies met initial inclusion and exclusion criteria and were assessed for quality by the panel methodologist. Of these, 10 were rated level I, 3 were rated level II, and 7 were rated level III. Only the 10 level I randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this assessment, and all were subject to potential industry-sponsorship bias.

RESULTS

The current analysis focuses on the amount of IOP reduction (in studies that involved medication washout) and on IOP reduction with concurrent medication reduction (in studies that did not involve medication washout). Based on studies that performed a medication washout, adding a trabecular procedure to cataract surgery provided an additional 1.6 to 2.3 mmHg IOP reduction in subjects with hypertensive, mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma (OAG) at 2 years over cataract surgery alone, which itself provided approximately 5.4 to 7.6 mmHg IOP reduction. In other words, adding a trabecular procedure provided an additional 3.8% to 8.9% IOP reduction over cataract surgery alone, which itself provided 21% to 28% IOP reduction. There was no clear benefit of one trabecular procedure over another. Patient-specific considerations that can guide procedure selection include uveitis predisposition, bleeding risk, metal allergy, and narrowing of Schlemm's canal. There are no level I data on the efficacy of trabecular procedures in subjects with pretreatment IOP of 21 mmHg or less.

CONCLUSIONS

Trabecular procedures combined with cataract surgery provide an additional mild IOP reduction over cataract surgery alone in hypertensive OAG subjects. Additional research should standardize outcome definitions, avoid industry sponsorship bias, and study the efficacy of these procedures in normotensive OAG.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

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

XEN®-45 implantation for refractory uveitic glaucoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of XEN®-45 gel stent ab interno implantation for medically uncontrolled uveitic glaucoma.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 25 eyes receiving XEN® gel stent for medically uncontrolled uveitic glaucoma from February 2019 to February 2023 with recording of intraocular pressure (IOP) values, ocular hypotensive medication, requirement for revision or secondary surgery and complications. Prerequisites for XEN® implantation were a clear cornea, an open iridocorneal angle and an unscarred, mobile conjunctiva at the implantation site. Minimum follow-up required for inclusion was 3 months. The primary outcome measure was IOP compared to baseline. Complete and qualified success were defined as final IOP of ≤ 18 mmHg without or with topical antiglaucomatous treatment, respectively. Failure was defined as IOP > 18 mmHg on two consecutive visits, IOP reduction < 20%, persisting complications from hypotony and open conjunctival bleb revision. Further glaucoma surgical intervention was defined as complete failure.

RESULTS

Mean preoperative IOP was 35.3 ± 10.9 mmHg on 2.9 ± 0.9 topical antiglaucomatous agents. 19 of 25 patients (76%) received additional oral acetazolamide. 19 eyes were pseudophakic, 5 eyes phakic and 1 aphakic. Early postoperatively, mean IOP reduced to 7.7 ± 3.0 mmHg (75.8% reduction). At final follow-up (mean 17.7 months) mean IOP was 12.0 ± 3.8 mmHg (62.5% reduction) on 0.2 ± 0.6 medications. Six eyes (24%) required bleb revision at mean 28 weeks and therefore were categorized as failure. One eye failed despite bleb revision and restart of topical ocular hypotensive medication. Three other eyes (12%) had IOP spikes with uveitis flare-ups. Transient hypotony complications occurred in 32%. At final follow-up, 18 eyes (72%) achieved complete success and one eye (4%) qualified success.

CONCLUSION

The XEN® gel stent effectively reduced IOP in uncontrolled uveitic glaucoma, with 72% complete success. Bleb revision was required in 24%. IOP spikes occurred in 12% despite functioning blebs. Further follow-up is needed to determine long-term outcomes.

Update on Diagnosis and Treatment of Uveitic Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a common and potentially blinding complication of uveitis. Many mechanisms are involved alone or in combination in the pathogenesis of uveitic glaucoma (UG). In terms of diagnostic evaluation, the effects of inflammatory activity in the retinal nerve fiber layer may be a source of bias in the interpretation of optical coherence tomography measurements. For the successful treatment of UG, the control of intraocular inflammation specific to the cause or anti-inflammatory treatment, combined with IOP management, is mandatory. The early institution of specific treatment improves the prognosis of UG associated with CMV. The young age of UG patients along with increased failure rates of glaucoma surgery in this group of patients warrants a stepwise approach. Conservative and conjunctival sparing surgical approaches should be adopted. Minimally invasive surgical approaches were proved to be effective and are increasingly being used in the management of UG along with the traditionally used techniques of trabeculectomy or tubes. This review aims to summarize the progress that recently occurred in the diagnosis and treatment of UG.

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.

Long-term Outcomes of Modified 360-degree Suture Trabeculotomy for Uveitic Glaucoma Compared with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

PRCIS

A Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed no significant differences in success rates between UG and POAG 120 months after modified 360-degree suture trabeculotomy, which was effective for both groups in the long term.

PURPOSE

To examine the outcomes of modified 360-degree suture trabeculotomy in patients with uveitic glaucoma (UG) as compared to those with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

METHODS

This was a retrospective, non-randomized, and comparative case series study. Modified 360-degree trabeculotomy using a 5-0 nylon suture (S-LOT) was performed on 51 eyes of 51 patients (54.4±13.4 y) with UG between October 2005 and January 2012 at Hokkaido University Hospital. Age-matched patients with POAG who underwent S-LOT during the same period were enrolled as controls. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients enrolled in the present study. Surgical success was defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) <18 mmHg with similar or lower doses of antiglaucoma medications. Kaplan-Meier survival curves of surgical failure were analyzed and compared between UG and POAG.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up periods (±SD) for UG and POAG were 104.8±44.0 and 98.1±36.3 months (P=0.23), respectively. Mean pre-operative IOP in UG and POAG were 34.9±11.0 and 25.3±9.4 mmHg (P<0.001), respectively. After surgery, mean IOP in UG and POAG decreased to 12.0±4.1 and 13.8±3.2 mmHg, respectively, at 60 months, and 12.1±5.6 and 12.4±1.8 mmHg (P=0.86), respectively, at 120 months. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed no significant differences in success rates between UG and POAG at the end of the follow-up (Log-rank test, P=0.13). Success rates in UG and POAG were 70.0 and 62.5% at 60 months, and 67.5 and 41.2% at 120 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that S-LOT is effective for UG and POAG alike.

Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy is an effective surgical treatment for uveitic glaucoma

BACKGROUND

To assess the efficacy and safety of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in uveitic glaucoma (UG).

METHODS

A retrospective interventional case series in which 33 eyes of 32 patients with UG underwent GATT with or without concomitant cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation (CE/IOL) at three Canadian treatment centres from October 2015 to 2020. The main outcome measure was surgical success defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤18 mm Hg and at least one of the following: IOP within one mm Hg of baseline on fewer glaucoma medications as compared with baseline or a 30% IOP reduction from baseline on the same or fewer medications. Secondary outcome measures were IOP, medication usage and surgical complications.

RESULTS

Mean patient age (mean±SD) was 49±16 years (range: 18-79) and 44% were female. GATT was performed as a standalone procedure in 52% of cases and the remainder were combined with CE/IOL. Surgical success was achieved in 71.8% (SE: 8.7%) of cases. Mean preoperative IOP (±SD) was 31.4±10.8 mm Hg on a median of 4 medications. 59% of patients were on oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) prior to surgery. After 1 year, average IOP was 13.8 mm Hg on a median 1 medication, with 6% of patients being on oral CAIs. No sight threatening complications occurred during surgery or follow-up.

CONCLUSION

GATT is an effective surgical strategy in the management of UG. This microinvasive conjunctival-sparing procedure should be considered early in these patients.

Effectiveness and limitations of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery targeting Schlemm's canal

Glaucoma surgery is performed to lower intraocular pressure (IOP); ideally, the IOP reduction is safely maintained for an extended period of time. Although trabeculectomy was considered the gold standard for glaucoma surgery for many years because of its effective IOP reduction, yet now it is considered unsafe because of serious complications. In recent years, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), which emphasizes safety and can be performed rapidly, has become widespread. Because MIGS does not involve conjunctival incisions, patients can undergo future trabeculectomy. If IOP reduction can be maintained safely, the number of anti-glaucoma drops can be reduced and visual function maintained, good outcomes for patients with glaucoma. Currently, many types of MIGS approved in Japan are reported to yield relatively good results, with targets of approximately 15-19 mmHg. However, the IOP-lowering effects of MIGS are limited. In procedures targeting Schlemm's canal, it is difficult to lower IOP beyond episcleral venous pressure. In some instances, a beneficial effect cannot be achieved if function is reduced beyond the collector channel. There are many unclear aspects regarding long-term outcomes following MIGS. Notably, investigation is ongoing to determine which patients are likely to benefit most from surgery. Based on previous reports, this review describes the characteristics and results of MIGS, approved in Japan, as well as underlying factors that affect the preoperative predictions and outcomes of the surgical procedure.

Clinical practice preferences for glaucoma surgery in Japan: a survey of Japan Glaucoma Society specialists

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the surgical practice patterns of glaucoma management followed by glaucoma specialists in Japan.

METHODS

A survey was administered to 50 glaucoma specialists who were councilors in the Japan Glaucoma Society about surgical preferences and postoperative glaucoma care.

RESULTS

All 50 glaucoma specialists participated in the survey. Results show that, in 2019, compared to conventional trabeculotomy (4.6%), the frequency of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), combined with phacoemulsification, remarkably increased (79.0%) for non-operated eyes with mild open-angle glaucoma associated with cataract. Tube-shunt surgery was performed more often for open-angle glaucoma with previously twice failed trabeculectomy (65.8%) and neovascular glaucoma with previously once failed trabeculectomy (63.4%). In addition, during one year post-operatively, MIGS required less frequent follow-up visits compared to filtering surgery.

CONCLUSION

Although glaucoma specialists in the Japan Glaucoma Society usually prefer trabeculectomy, in the past decade they have selected tube-shunt surgery more often to treat refractory glaucoma. MIGS is increasing remarkably as the choice primary glaucoma surgery.

Expression and clinical value of lncRNA MALAT1 and lncRNA ANRIL in glaucoma patients

Expression and clinical value of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) MALAT1 and lncRNA ANRIL in glaucoma patients were investigated. Altogether 86 glaucoma patients who were diagnosed (study group) and 86 people who underwent physical examinations and were confirmed to be healthy (control group) in the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2016 to June 2018 were enrolled. Expression of the serum lncRNA MALAT1, lncRNA ANRIL, pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), homocysteine (Hcy), and inflammatory cytokines [interleukin-12 (IL-12), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)] was detected. The clinical significance of lncRNA MALAT1 and lncRNA ANRIL was analyzed. Compared with those in the control group, patients in the study group had significantly lower expression of serum lncRNA MALAT1 and lncRNA ANRIL (P<0.05), significantly lower expression of serum PEDF and IL-12 (P<0.05), and significantly higher expression of serum Hcy and IL-4 (P<0.05), without significant difference in the expression of serum IFN-γ between the two groups (P>0.05). Serum lncRNA MALAT1 and lncRNA ANRIL were positively correlated with PEDF and IL-12 (P<0.05), but negatively correlated with Hcy and IL-4 (P<0.05). The diagnostic value of the combined detection of lncRNA MALAT1 and lncRNA ANRIL was higher than that of lncRNA MALAT1 alone and lncRNA ANRIL alone. The expression of lncRNA MALAT1 and lncRNA ANRIL was significantly related to the pathological staging of the patients (P<0.05), not the sex, age, body mass index (BMI), types, and presence or absence of myopia (P>0.05). lncRNA MALAT1 and lncRNA ANRIL are poorly expressed in the serum of glaucoma patients and related to the patients' conditions. Their combined detection has high diagnostic value for the disease. Therefore, they may be used as new molecular targets for the diagnosis and severity evaluation of glaucoma patients.