Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome: clinical perspectives

Outcomes of Trabeculectomy and Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation in Patients With Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome

PRCIS

Our study highlights the long-term success of trabeculectomy or Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) surgery in patients with glaucoma secondary to iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome. However, many ICE syndrome cases may need multiple glaucoma surgeries to achieve controlled intraocular pressure (IOP), with/without concomitant corneal graft surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long-term outcome of trabeculectomy and AGV implantation in ICE syndrome.

METHODS

Patients with glaucoma secondary to ICE syndrome who underwent either trabeculectomy or AGV surgery with intraoperative adjunctive mitomycin-C from 2009 to 2020 were included in this study. All patients were followed for at least 6 months after initial surgery. The main outcome measures were IOP, number of IOP-lowering medications, and surgical success. Surgical success was defined as complete according to the levels of IOP ( < 18) and at least 20% reduction from preoperative IOP without medications and qualified as a complete success but with medications, where the number of medications was less than preoperative numbers. Cumulative success was the sum of the qualified and complete success.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine eyes of 29 patients were included. Trabeculectomy was done in 13 patients (group A, 44.8%) and 16 patients underwent AGV surgery (group B, 55.2%). The median age was 50 (42-56.50) and 47 (36.75-52.75) years in groups A and B, respectively ( P = 0.10). All patients completed at least 2 years of follow-up. Mean IOP was not significantly different between groups preoperatively ( P = 0.70) and the effect of the type of surgery on IOP was not statistically significant at multiple follow-up time points (repeated measures analysis of variance, P = 0.44). The mean IOP decreased from 35.76 ± 6.36 mm Hg preoperatively to 16.00 ± 3.10 in group A and from 36.12 ± 8.11 mm Hg to 17.00 ± 3.75 in group B ( P = 0.449) at year 2 of follow-up. The effect of the type of surgery was not significant on the total number of IOP-lowering medications used throughout the study (repeated measures analysis of variance, P = 0.81). Kaplan-Meier analysis shows complete success in 14 patients (48.3%), 11 patients (37.9%), and 7 patients (24.1%) at 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up, respectively. The cumulative success rate was 95% at 2 years follow-up for all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In 2-year follow-up, trabeculectomy or AGV significantly reduced the IOP in glaucoma patients secondary to ICE syndrome.

PreserFlo Microshunt for the management of intraocular pressure elevation in iridocorneal endothelial syndrome

Purpose

To report on a case of angle-closure glaucoma secondary to iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome effectively managed with the PreserFlo Microshunt.

Observations

We report successful implantation of a PreserFlo Microshunt in a 57-year-old patient with secondary angle-closure glaucoma in the context of ICE syndrome. Following failure of medical therapy to adequately control intraocular pressure (IOP), the patient was consented for surgical intervention and underwent combined cataract surgery and PreserFlo Microshunt implantation. IOP at the last post-operative follow-up (5 months) was 12 mmHg with the patient on brinzolamide/timolol maleate (Azarga®). We report no complications in the post-operative period.

Conclusions and importance

The PreserFlo Microshunt may be a promising option for patients with ICE syndrome who fail medical therapy. Implantation of this device was well tolerated in the presented case.

Spokewise iridotomy combined with Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in iridocorneal endothelial syndrome

Purpose

Iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome is a progressive anterior segment disorder that can be tricky to treat. Keratoplasty is commonly used to treat corneal edema in ICE syndrome. However, glaucoma is an important risk factor affecting graft survival. To address this question, we designed a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the effect of Spokewise Iridotomy (SI) on Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) Grafts in Iridocorneal Endothelial (ICE) Syndrome.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 29 patients were included; 31 eyes with ICE syndrome underwent DSAEK at Peking University Third Hospital between June 2015 and June 2022, including 11 eyes with combined SI during DSAEK. The aim was to explore the effect of SI on vision, glaucoma control, complications, peripheral anterior synechiae recurrence, endothelial cell count, and graft survival.

Results

The median follow-up time was 30.83 months (mo.) in the SI+Endothelial Keratoplasty (EK) group and 6.17 mo in the EK group. The 2-year cumulative survival rate of grafts in the SI+EK group was 100%, compared with the 6-month and 1-year cumulative survival rates of 80.2 and 63.2%, respectively, in the EK group (p = 0.043). The SI+EK group had a lower incidence of immediate postoperative complications (p = 0.005), fewer postoperative anti-glaucoma medications (AGMs) (p = 0.029), smaller peripheral anterior synechiae recurrence (p = 0.001), and significant visual acuity improvement (p < 0.05). More AGMs were used in failed grafts (p = 0.002).

Conclusion

SI can help control intraocular pressure, improve visual acuity, and increase graft survival after DSAEK in ICE syndrome patients.

Clinical Outcomes of the Intraocular Lens Injector and Busin Glide for Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty in Patients with Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome

Purpose: To report the outcomes of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) performed in iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome patients using the intraocular lens injector (injector), in comparison with those using the Busin glide. Methods: In this retrospective, interventional comparative study, we evaluated the outcomes of DSAEK performed using the injector (n = 12) or the Busin glide (n = 12) for patients with ICE syndrome. Their graft position and postoperative complications were recorded. Their best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and endothelial cell loss (ECL) were monitored over a 12-month follow-up period. Results: DSAEK was conducted successfully in the 24 cases. The BCVA improved from the preoperative 0.99 ± 0.61 to 0.36 ± 0.35 at 12 months after operation (p < 0.001), with no significant difference between the two groups (the injector group and the Busin group) (p = 0.933). ECL at 1 month after DSAEK was 21.80 ± 15.01% in the injector group, which was significantly lower than 33.69 ± 9.75% of the Busin group (p = 0.031). No surgery-related complications were observed in the 24 cases intraoperatively or postoperatively except that one case suffered from postoperative graft dislocation, without statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusions: At 1 month after surgery, the use of graft injector for delivering DSAEK-based endothelial graft may cause significantly less endothelial cell damage than the pull-through technique used in the application of Busin glide. The injector allows safe endothelial graft delivery without the need of anterior chamber irrigation, which increases the ratio of successful graft attachment.

Outcomes of the Aurolab aqueous drainage implant and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C in iridocorneal endothelial syndrome

PURPOSE

To compare the surgical outcomes of the Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC) in patients with glaucoma secondary to iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective comparative case series included 41 eyes of 41 patients with ICE syndrome and glaucoma who underwent either a trabeculectomy with MMC (n = 20) or AADI surgery (n = 21) with a minimum of 2 years follow-up. Outcome measures included intraocular pressure (IOP), the use of glaucoma medications, visual acuity, additional surgical interventions, and surgical complications. Surgical failure was defined as IOP > 21 mmHg or reduced < 20% from baseline, IOP ≤ 5 mmHg, reoperation for glaucoma or a complication, or loss of light perception vision.

RESULTS

The cumulative probability of failure at 2 years was 50% in the trabeculectomy group (95%CI = 31-83%) and 24% in the AADI group (95%CI = 11-48%) (p = 0.09). The IOP was consistently lower in the AADI group compared with the trabeculectomy group at 6 months and thereafter. Surgical complications occurred in 13 eyes (65%) in the trabeculectomy group and 12 eyes (57%) in the AADI group (p = 0.71). Reoperations for glaucoma or complications were performed in 12 eyes (60%) in the trabeculectomy group and 5 patients (24%) in the tube group (p = 0.06). Cox proportional hazards showed that AADI had a 53% lower risk of failure at 2 years (p = 0.18; HR = 0.47; 95%CI = 0.16-1.40).

CONCLUSION

AADI surgery achieved lower mean IOPs than trabeculectomy with MMC in managing glaucoma secondary to ICE syndrome. A trend toward lower rates of surgical failure and reoperations for glaucoma and complications was observed following AADI placement compared with trabeculectomy with MMC in eyes with ICE syndrome.

Two-Step Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome Management: Endocapsular Intraocular Lens and Artificial Iris Followed by Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty

A 54-year-old female presented with complaints of glare and progressive visual loss OS with a corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) OS of 20/100. The patient had grade 1 corneal edema with a "beaten bronze" appearance on specularly reflected light, pseudopolycoria, and a nuclear sclerotic cataract. The diagnosis of nuclear cataract and progressive iris atrophy iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome was made, and the patient underwent uneventful phacoemulsification with capsular bag placement of an AcrySof SA60AT intraocular lens combined with pseudopolycoria repair using an endocapsular Model A REPER artificial iris. Six months later, the patient was submitted to a Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) procedure, and 6 months after that the CDVA was 20/32 with no corneal edema and normal intraocular pressure. This two-step surgical approach, combining phacoemulsification and endocapsular foldable iris prosthesis placement followed by DSAEK, may be considered a promising option to successfully treat progressive iris atrophy ICE syndrome patients.

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty and Goniosynechialysis in Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome: Surgical Perspective and Long-Term Outcomes

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to report the long-term outcomes of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) with goniosynechialysis in eyes with iridocorneal endothelial syndrome with an emphasis on the surgical technique.

METHODS

This was a retrospective series of 5 eyes of 5 patients undergoing a DMEK procedure at a tertiary eye care institute by a single surgeon. Modifications in the standard surgical technique, including the release of peripheral anterior synechiae, peripheral descemetorhexis, the release of adherent membranes, maneuvers in the anterior chamber with or without cataract extraction were logged. Long-term outcomes of the surgery in these patients are reported.

RESULTS

Five DMEK procedures were performed in 5 eyes of 5 patients. The average age of the patients was 48.2 ± 10.8 years, and the donor was 55.2 ± 3.2 years with a mean endothelial cell density (ECD) of 2784.6 ± 231 cells/mm 2 . After a mean follow-up period of 29.6 months (24-41 mo), all the 5 grafts remained clear; the mean BCVA at the last follow-up was 0.18 ± 0.17 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution with a mean ECD of 1086.2 ± 338 cells/mm 2 with a 61.1% reduction in ECD. intra ocular pressure was normal in all the cases. None of the patients had graft detachments that required rebubbling, and all eyes had a clear graft at the last follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

DMEK can be performed successfully in a case with iridocorneal endothelial syndrome with good visual outcomes with modifications to the surgical technique, including peripheral anterior synechiae release and minimizing surgical manipulation.

'Progressive peripheral anterior synechiae in iridocorneoendothelial syndrome- a crawling disaster'

PURPOSE

Iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome is well known to cause refractory glaucoma in young adults. Commonly acclaimed mechanism for trabeculectomy failure in these cases include accelerated subconjunctival fibrosis, abnormal endothelial proliferation, and closure of ostium. In the following article, we present a case of Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome that presented with refractory glaucoma after trabeculectomy due to rapidly progressive peripheral anterior synechiae causing angle closure and corneal decompensation that mandated a tailored surgical approach of management. Methods: This is a descriptive case report based on electronic medical records, patient observation, surgical intervention, and follow-ups. Case description: A thirty-eight-year-old-male presented to us with signs suggestive of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome with gonioscopy revealing peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) over four clock-hours temporally. Uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) despite maximal medical therapy mandated augmented trabeculectomy with anti-fibrotics. The bleb failed within 3 weeks of trabeculectomy, with evidence of progressive crawling PAS causing endothelial decompensation and raised IOP. He underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implant surgery with viscosynechiolysis and sectoral iridectomy under antiviral cover. This helped control IOP and retain corneal clarity, with no recurrence of PAS in the affected area. Conclusion: Progressive peripheral synechiae in ICE syndrome can cause early bleb failure and refractory glaucoma. Careful viscosynechiolysis and sectoral iridectomy alongside a second implant surgery can help salvage visual functions and preserve corneal clarity while preventing further progression of PAS in these eyes.

XEN-augmented Baerveldt surgical success rate and comparison with the Ahmed Valve

PURPOSE

The Baerveldt-XEN technique is intended to reduce the risk of early hypotony after Baerveldt implant, while keeping a good long-term intra-ocular pressure (IOP) control. The aim of this study is to discuss the surgical success rate of the Baerveldt-XEN and compare it with the commercially available flow-restrictor device (Ahmed glaucoma valve - AGV).

METHODS

Single-centre, cohort study. Consecutive glaucoma patients with uncontrolled IOP > 21 mmHg on maximum tolerated medical therapy, and who had an aqueous shunt as the planned surgical procedure. Patients underwent implantation of Baerveldt-XEN. An age-, gender- and glaucoma aetiology-matched database of AGV patients was used for comparison. Complete surgical success was defined as a final IOP between 6 and 21 mmHg, and 20% reduction from baseline with no need for IOP-lowering medication. Qualified success was the same criteria but resorting to medications.

RESULTS

Twenty-four eyes from 24 subjects with glaucoma were included in this study, 12 patients underwent Baerveldt-XEN implantation and 12 AGV. Twelve months after the Baerveldt-XEN implant, the IOP reduced from 33 ± 9 mmHg to 14 ± 3 mmHg (p < 0.001). The qualified and complete success rate was 50% and 25%, respectively. With the AGV, the IOP reduced from 29 ± 7 mmHg to 16 ± 7 mmHg (p = 0.001). The matched AGV group compared to the Baerveldt-XEN, presented a higher complete success rate (58.3%) and a qualified success rate of 33.3% (p = 0.72). No sight-threatening complications were recorded in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The Baerveldt-XEN disclosed a low complete success rate at 1 year of follow-up, although with no major safety concerns. While studies with a longer follow-up are needed to demonstrate the potential advantages and disadvantages of the Baerveldt-XEN, this technique may be less likely to achieve drop-free efficacy when compared to other flow-restrictor strategies.

Cornea thinning in two cases of ICE syndrome

We present two patients with a new finding of symmetrical corneal thinning early in the clinical course of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome. Patient 1 was evaluated for uncontrolled angle closure glaucoma of the left eye (OS) status post laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI). After placement of an Ahmed glaucomatous valve and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C were performed, the patient was diagnosed with Chandler syndrome. The patient's pachymetry at the time of diagnosis revealed stable central corneal thickness (CCT) of 481 µm of the right eye (OD) (baseline 494 µm) and central cornea thinning with CCT of 407 µm OS (baseline 486 µm). Patient 2 was evaluated for ocular hypertension and Chandler syndrome OS was diagnosed. The patient had a good short-term response to LPI and ocular hypotensive medications. This patient was also found to have thinning of his affected cornea with CCT 523 µm OD and 476 µm OS.

Surgical outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation in patients with glaucoma secondary to iridocorneal endothelial syndrome

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the long-term outcome of patients with iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome who underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation surgery for uncontrolled glaucoma.

METHODS

Eighteen patients who suffered from unilateral ICE syndrome with uncontrolled glaucoma and subsequently underwent Ahmed aqueous shunt surgery at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center between January 2008 and December 2016 were reviewed. Outcome measures included intraocular pressure (IOP), the use of glaucoma medications, visual acuity, further surgical interventions, and surgical complications.

RESULTS

The mean IOP was reduced from 34.8 ± 10.6 mmHg on 3.6 ± 0.5 medications to 17.4 ± 4.9 mmHg (t = 6.791, P = 0.000) on 1.6 ± 1.1 medications (Z = -3.545, P = 0.000) at the last follow-up (42.0 ± 19.3 months). Five eyes (27.8%) achieved complete success, nine (50.0%) achieved qualified success, and the remaining four (22.2%) were considered failures. Survival was 94.4% at 1 year, 88.1% at 2 years, and 73.5% at 3 years. Four cases displayed a flat anterior chamber and were treated with a single anterior chamber reformation surgery with no recurrence. No other complications related to the glaucoma drainage implants occurred in this series.

CONCLUSIONS

Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation appears to be a safe and effective method for treating glaucoma secondary to ICE syndrome. Postoperative shallow anterior chamber and hypotony may occur but responds well to the treatment. Early consideration may be given to aqueous shunt surgery in patients with glaucoma secondary to ICE syndrome when trabeculectomy fails.

Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome in a patient with keratoconus - a case report

Background

To describe a case of a rare association of bilateral keratoconus and unilateral essential iris atrophy and to conduct a literature review of the current strategies of treatment of the corneal disease and glaucoma in patients with Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome (ICE).

Case presentation

We report a rare association of bilateral keratoconus and unilateral essential iris atrophy in a 38-year-old man. Diagnosis of bilateral keratoconus was confirmed by corneal topography. Slit-lamp examination showed extensive iris atrophy with corectopia and policoria in one eye. Corneal specular microscopy revealed an abnormal endothelium morphology in the same eye with extensive peripheral anterior synechiae and closure of the drainage angle at gonioscopy. Intraocular pressure was 26 mmHg, despite maximal topical therapy. Optic disc examination showed severe glaucomatous cupping. Surgery by glaucoma drainage device implantation was performed.

Conclusion

Essential iris atrophy is a rare clinical variant of ICE syndrome characterized by profound anatomical alterations of the anterior segment associated with corneal edema and secondary glaucoma. In these patients, selective keratoplasties have replaced penetrating keratoplasty to treat corneal decompensation and glaucoma drainage devices are preferred to conventional trabeculectomy for the treatment of secondary glaucoma.

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy and corneal endothelial diseases: East meets West

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is amongst one of the most common indications for endothelial keratoplasty worldwide. Despite being originally described among Caucasians, it is now known to be prevalent among a large number of populations, including Asians. While the FECD phenotype is classically described as that of central guttate and pigment deposits associated with corneal endothelial dysfunction, there are subtle yet important differences in how FECD and its phenocopies may present in Caucasians vs Asians. Such differences are paralled by genotypic variations and disease management preferences which appear to be geographically and ethnically delineated. This article provides a succinct review of such differences, with a focus on diagnostic and management issues which may be encountered by ophthalmologists practicing in the different geographic regions, when evaluating a patient with FECD.