Glaucoma, Neovascular ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; surgery ; Humans ; Retinal Diseases ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; surgery

To describe three cases of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) where iris or angle neovascularization regressed remarkably after subconjunctival bevacizumab injections used as the initial treatment before pan retinal photocoagulation (PRP) and/or filtering surgery. Three consecutive NVG patients whose intraocular pressure (IOP) was not controlled with maximal medication were offered an off-label subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab (2.5-3.75 mg/0.1-0.15 mL, Avastin). Bevacizumab was injected into the subconjunctival space close to the corneal limbus in two or three quadrants using a 26-gauge needle. Serial anterior segment photographs were taken before and after the injection. Following subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab, iris or angle neovascularization regressed rapidly within several days. Such regression was accompanied by lowering of IOP in all three cases. The patients underwent subsequent PRP and/or filtering surgery, and the IOP was further stabilized. Our cases demonstrate that subconjunctival bevacizumab injection can be potentially useful as an initial treatment in NVG patients before laser or surgical treatment.
Adult ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/*administration & dosage ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/*administration & dosage ; *Conjunctiva ; Glaucoma, Neovascular/*drug therapy ; Humans ; Injections, Intraocular ; Iris Diseases/*drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Twenty four eyes from 23 neovascular glaucoma (NVG) patients, who underwent trabeculectomy with 0.2 or 0.4 mg/ml MMC in least the previous 6 months, were examined in order to evaluate the mid-term effects of a trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC) in NVG. Success defined when an intraocular pressure (IOP) < 22 mmHg and > 5 mmHg with or without medication was observed. The mean IOP was reduced from 46.8+/-12.9 mmHg preoperatively to 18.2+/-12.0 mmHg at the last follow-up (mean = 25.8 months). The overall success rates at 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-months after surgery were 71%, 58%, 50%, 29%, 29% respectively. The number of anti-glaucoma medications administered was significantly reduced from 2.6+/-0.7 preoperatively to 0.9+/-1.0 postoperatively (Wilcoxon signed rank test, p = 0.005). In addition both the intraoperative MMC concentration and application time had no influence on lowering the IOP (logistic regression analysis, p = 0.228, 0.910, respectively). There was a similar incidence of postoperative complications in both the success and failure group. These results suggest that a trabeculectomy with MMC is an effective surgical procedure in NVG patients and the MMC concentration is not crucial for reducing the IOP postoperatively.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Glaucoma, Neovascular/*drug therapy/*surgery ; Human ; Male ; Middle Age ; Mitomycin/*therapeutic use ; Time Factors ; *Trabeculectomy ; Treatment Outcome

INTRODUCTIONThe aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of intraocular injections of bevacizumab for neovascularisation of the iris and neovascular glaucoma.

CLINICAL PICTUREThree patients with neovascularisation of the iris due to various causes were recruited.

TREATMENTPatients were treated with intraocular bevacizumab.

OUTCOMENeovascularisation of the iris was noted to have completely regressed as early as 3 days after the injection and in all the patients (100%) within 8 days after injection. They were followed up for at least 1 month with no clinical evidence of recurrence. Visual acuity remained stable or improved, and the intraocular pressure was controlled in all the 3 patients' eyes. Vitreous haemorrhage also cleared. No signs of inflammation or complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONIntraocular injection of bevacizumab is effective and safe for patients with neovascularisation of the iris and neovascular glaucoma with or without vitreous haemorrhage.

Adult ; Aged ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Bevacizumab ; Glaucoma, Neovascular ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Iris ; blood supply ; Male

We report on a case of cholesterosis bulbi concurrent with secondary glaucoma. A 36-year-old man, with a history of long-standing retinal detachment in his right eye after the irrigation and aspiration of a congenital cataract, presented with a clinical picture of elevated intraocular pressure and ocular pain. Upon slit-lamp examination, we found a ciliary injection and a pseudohypopyon of polychromatic crystals. Gonioscopic examination revealed a large amount of crystals deposited on the trabecular meshwork and mild rubeosis iridis, but the neovascularization of the angle could not be clearly confirmed due to the presence of so many crystals. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed to remove clusters of crystals and bevacizumab was injected intravitreally to treat iris neovascularization. Aqueous aspirate was examined by light microscopy and the typical highly refringent cholesterol crystals were identified. Intraocular pressure returned to a normal level after the bevacizumab injection, although severe cholesterosis was still evident in the anterior chamber. To our knowledge, this would be the first Korean case of cholesterosis bulbi combined with chronic retinal detachment and presumed neovascular glaucoma, which was treated by pars plana vitrectomy and intravitreal bevacizumab injection.
Adult ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/therapeutic use ; Anterior Chamber/*metabolism ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/*therapeutic use ; *Cholesterol ; Eye Diseases/complications/metabolism ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma/surgery ; Glaucoma, Neovascular/drug therapy/*etiology/surgery ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Male ; Vitrectomy/*methods

BACKGROUNDNeovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a refractory glaucoma. The management of NVG is very difficult, and it is more difficult when combined with vitreous hemorrhage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ranibizumab plus combined surgery for NVG with vitreous hemorrhage.

METHODSA total of 26 eyes of 26 NVG patients with vitreous hemorrhage were recruited in this study. The patients aged from 36 to 63 years with a mean age of 51.97 ± 7.60 years. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was 46.38 ± 5.75 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) while being treated with the maximum medical therapy. The mean best-corrected visual acuities converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR BCVA) was 2.62 ± 0.43. All the patients underwent intravitreal injection of 0.5 mg (0.05 ml) ranibizumab combined with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), pars plana lensectomy (PPL) with a preserved anterior capsule, panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), and trabeculectomy (intravitreal ranibizumab [IVR] + PPV + PPL + PRP + trabeculectomy). The IOP and logMAR BCVA were the main outcome measures in this study.

RESULTSThe follow-up period was 12 months. The mean postoperative IOPs were 26.38 ± 3.75 mmHg, 21.36 ± 3.32 mmHg, 18.57 ± 3.21 mmHg, and 16.68 ± 2.96 mmHg, respectively at 7 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 12 months after PPV + PPL + PRP + trabeculectomy. At the last follow-up, the mean IOP was significantly lower than the preoperative one (t = 6.612, P = 0.001). At 7 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 12 months after PPV + PPL + PRP + trabeculectomy, the mean logMAR BCVA were 1.30 ± 0.36, 1.29 ± 0.37, 1.29 ± 0.39, and 1.26 ± 0.29, respectively. At the last follow-up, the mean logMAR BCVA was significantly improved, and the difference was statistically significant compared with preoperative one (t = 6.133, P = 0.002). The logMAR BCVA improved in 22 eyes (84.62%), and remained stable in 4 eyes (15.38%). The neovascularization in the iris and the angle regressed significantly in all patients 7 days after ranibizumab injection. No serious complications occurred during 12 months of the study.

CONCLUSIONSIVR + PPV + PPL + PRP + trabeculectomy can control IOP well and improve BCVA without severe complication for NVG patients with vitreous hemorrhage.

Adult ; Female ; Glaucoma, Neovascular ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; drug effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Ranibizumab ; therapeutic use ; Trabeculectomy ; adverse effects ; Vitrectomy ; adverse effects ; Vitreous Hemorrhage ; drug therapy ; surgery

We report three cases of neovascular glaucoma secondary to central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) which were effectively managed with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) followed by panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). Neovascular glaucoma without peripheral anterior synechiae developed between one and five weeks following CRAO onset. All patients received 0.75 mg (0.03 ml) IVB. In all patients, complete regression of the iris and anterior chamber angle neovascularization was confirmed within one week. PRP was applied two weeks after the injection. The follow-up period was four to seven months (average, five months). Intraocular pressure was controlled in all patients using topical antiglaucoma medications alone. However, one patient experienced a recurrence of neovascularization three months after the initial combination treatment. This patient received another IVB injection and additional PRP, and the recurrent neovascularization resolved. There were no local or systemic adverse events in any patients. Therefore, intravitreal bevacizumab may be an effective adjunct in the treatment of neovascular glaucoma associated with CRAO.
Aged ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/*administration & dosage ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/*administration & dosage ; Female ; Glaucoma, Neovascular/*drug therapy/*etiology ; Humans ; Injections ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Retinal Artery Occlusion/*complications ; Retreatment ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/antagonists & inhibitors ; Vitreous Body

PURPOSE: To study the concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the aqueous humor before and after intracameral injection of bevacizumab in eyes with neovascular glaucoma, and to detect the duration of an anti-VEGF effect of bevacizumab in the anterior chamber. METHODS: In this prospective interventional case series, 1.25 mg of bevacizumab was injected into the anterior chamber of five eyes in five neovascular glaucoma patients. Aqueous humor samples were obtained just before intracameral injection of bevacizumab and two weeks after injection. The concentrations of VEGF in the aqueous humor were measured using ELISA. To investigate corneal endothelial damage after intrecameral bevacizumab injection, specular microscopy was performed before injection and two weeks after injection. Slit lamp photo and iris fluorescent angiography was performed to determine the regression of iris neovascularization. RESULTS: After injection, substantial regression of neovascularization or fluorescein leakage was seen in all treated eyes. The VEGF concentrations in the aqueous humor in eyes with NVG were 1181.8+/-1248.3 pg/mL before intracameral injection of bevacizumab. Two weeks after injection, the VEGF concentrations decreased to 33.2+/-12.2 pg/mL (p=0.04, Wilcoxon signed rank test). There were no significant changes in IOP or corneal endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Intracameral bevacizumab injection can remarkably reduce iris neovascularization in neovascular glaucoma patients. VEGF levels were significantly decreased two weeks after injection and corneal toxicity was not observed during short term follow-up.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/*administration & dosage ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/*administration & dosage ; Aqueous Humor/*metabolism ; Eye ; Glaucoma, Neovascular/*drug therapy/*metabolism ; Humans ; Injections ; Middle Aged ; Osmolar Concentration ; Prospective Studies ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/antagonists & inhibitors/*metabolism

This prospective observational case series study included 6 eyes of 6 consecutive glaucomatous patients. Each patient underwent trabeculectomy with mitomycin C, and received a 1.25 mg of subconjunctival bevacizumab injection at completion of the trabeculectomy. Study eyes included two with neovascular glaucoma, three with uveitic glaucoma, and one with secondary glaucoma following vitrectomy. All eyes had undergone failed glaucoma laser/surgical treatment or an intraocular surgical procedure. Intraocular pressure (IOP) at the following postoperative visits: preoperative, 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, and 6 months, was measured. We also evaluated postoperative bleb findings and complications. IOP measured at each visit was 37.5+/-14.4 mmHg, 6.2+/-3.4 mmHg, 8.3+/-7.2 mmHg, 12.0+/-4.4 mmHg, 10.8+/-3.1 mmHg, and 12.2+/-3.3 mmHg, respectively, for each visit. All eyes had functioning blebs with normal IOP at postoperative 6 months with no additional IOP-lowering medication.
Adult ; Aged ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/*administration & dosage ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/*administration & dosage ; Conjunctiva ; Female ; Glaucoma/*drug therapy/etiology/*surgery ; Glaucoma, Neovascular/drug therapy/surgery ; Humans ; Injections, Intraocular ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Trabeculectomy/*methods ; Uveitis/complications ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/*antagonists & inhibitors ; Vitrectomy/adverse effects

A 60-year-old woman who had experienced two episodes of amaurosis fugax in her right eye presented with vision loss. Two weeks earlier, at a private clinic, she was diagnosed with impending central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) of the right eye and received an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. Two weeks after this injection she was diagnosed with ischemic CRVO. At 11-weeks post-presentation, extremely ischemic features were observed with fluorescein angiographic findings of severe vascular attenuation and extensive retinal capillary obliteration. At 22-weeks post-presentation she was diagnosed with neovascular glaucoma; she experienced no visual improvement over the following several months.
Antibodies, Monoclonal/*administration & dosage ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Glaucoma, Neovascular/complications ; Humans ; Injections, Intraocular ; Ischemia/diagnosis/*etiology/physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Retinal Vein Occlusion/*complications/*drug therapy/physiopathology ; *Retinal Vessels ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/antagonists & inhibitors ; Visual Acuity/drug effects ; Vitreous Body