PURPOSE: To evaluate outcomes and factors associated with surgical failure in patients who underwent combined phacoemulsification and Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation. METHODS: This retrospective and longitudinal study enrolled 40 eyes (38 patients) that underwent combined phacoemulsification and AGV implantation. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and number of antiglaucoma medications were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. Complete success was defined as a last follow-up IOP of 6 to 21 mmHg without medication, qualified success as an IOP of 6 to 21 mmHg with medication, and failure as an IOP of >21 or <6 mmHg. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 18 ± 10 months. Preoperative diagnoses were chronic angle closure glaucoma (35.0%), neovascular glaucoma (22.5%), uveitic glaucoma (17.5%), primary open-angle glaucoma (15.0%), and other (10.0%). IOP decreased from a mean of 30.5 ± 8.7 to 14.5 ± 3.7 mmHg at the last follow-up visit (p < 0.001). Treatment was classified as qualified success in 18 eyes (45%), complete success in 15 (37.5%), and failure in seven (17.5%). Twenty-two eyes (55%) showed improvement in visual acuity. The most common postoperative complication was a transient hypertensive phase (five eyes, 12.5%). Tube-iris touch was associated with surgical failure (hazard ratio, 8.615; p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Combined phacoemulsification and AGV implantation is an effective and safe surgical option for patients with refractory glaucoma and cataract. Postoperative tube-iris touch is an indicator of poor prognosis.
Cataract ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma Drainage Implants ; Glaucoma* ; Glaucoma, Angle-Closure ; Glaucoma, Neovascular ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Longitudinal Studies ; Phacoemulsification* ; Postoperative Complications ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVBI) and prognostic factors of surgical success in neovascular glaucoma patients, who underwent trabeculectomy. METHODS: A total of 58 patients (58 eyes) diagnosed with neovascular glaucoma who underwent trabeculectomy between 2003 and 2013 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Trabeculectomy with mitomycin C was performed between 2003 and 2006 and additional preoperative IVBI with the above mentioned technique was performed between 2007 and 2013. To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative IVBI, the patients were divided into the preoperative IVBI group and control group. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were measured from preoperative to postoperative 12 months. To evaluate the prognostic factors related to surgical success, the following was investigated: age, lens status, preoperative IVBI, time interval between preoperative IVBI and trabeculectomy, previous vitrectomy and, postoperative complications. RESULTS: Trabeculectomy with mitomycin C only was performed in 26 eyes and additional preoperative IVBI was performed in 32 eyes. Surgical success was 81.3% in the IVBI group and 57.7% in the control group at postoperative 6 months (p = 0.012), and 78.1% in the IVBI group and 50.0% in the control group at postoperative 12 months (p = 0.021). Statistically significant IOP reduction effect was observed in the IVBI group (p = 0.048), and reduced anti-glaucoma eye drop usage was observed in the IVBI group (0.4) compared with 0.8 in the control group (p = 0.040). Postoperative hyphema (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.872, p = 0.044) and preoperative IVBI (HR = 0.280, p = 0.030) were considered risk factors for surgical failure in univariate analysis, however, only preoperative IVBI was statistically significant in multivariate analysis (p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: In neovascular glaucoma patients, preoperative IVBI before trabeculectomy is a good prognostic factor of surgical success and shows benefit in lowering the IOP and reducing anti-glaucoma eye drop usage at postoperative 1 year.
Glaucoma, Neovascular* ; Humans ; Hyphema ; Intraocular Pressure ; Mitomycin ; Multivariate Analysis ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Trabeculectomy* ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy ; Bevacizumab

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

Branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) rarely cause neovascular glaucoma (NVG). A 58-year-old woman with hypertension and type 2 diabetic mellitus complained of progressive visual loss in her right eye for the previous 3 months. At initial examination, visual acuity was 20 / 63 in the right eye. Angle neovascularization was observed and the intraocular pressure (IOP) was 30 mmHg in her right eye. Fundus examination and fluorescein angiography showed BRAO combined with BRVO. We immediately injected intravitreal and intracameral bevacizumab in her right eye. The next day, we performed scatter photocoagulation in the nonperfusion area. One month later, visual acuity was 20 / 20 in her right eye and the IOP was 17 mmHg with one topical antiglaucoma agent. The neovascularization had regressed completely. We report a case of unilateral NVG which was caused by BRAO with concomitant BRVO and advise close ophthalmic examination of the iris and angle in BRVO with BRAO.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Fundus Oculi ; Glaucoma, Neovascular/diagnosis/*etiology/physiopathology ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Middle Aged ; Retinal Artery Occlusion/*complications/diagnosis ; Retinal Vein Occlusion/*complications/diagnosis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term surgical results of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation (AGVI) and the effects of intracameral bevacizumab injection in neovascular glaucoma (NVG) after diabetic vitrectomy. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 57 patients with NVG after diabetic vitrectomy who underwent AGVI with or without intracameral bevacizumab injection. In each group, preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure, the number of glaucoma medications, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were compared. We analyzed the rates of surgical success, postoperative complications, and risk factors. RESULTS: The cumulative probability of success was 87.7% at 1 year, 78.8% at 2 years, 70.5% at 3 years, and 61.6% at 5 years. Intraocular pressure and the number of glaucoma medications were significantly reduced and BCVA was significantly better at all postoperative follow-up time points in both groups. There were no differences in mean intraocular pressure, the number of glaucoma medications, BCVA, or the rates of surgical success between the two groups. The incidence of hypertensive phase was significantly reduced in the intracameral bevacizumab group, but neither the surgical success rate nor intraocular pressures were different compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Ahmed glaucoma valve was a good therapeutic modality for long-term treatment of NVG occuring after diabetic vitrectomy. Intracameral bevacizumab injection had no effects on the surgical results of Ahmed glaucoma valve surgery.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma ; Glaucoma, Neovascular ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intraocular Pressure ; Medical Records ; Postoperative Complications ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy ; Bevacizumab

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a pars plana Ahmed valve implantation combined with 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy in the treatment of patients with medically uncontrolled neovascular glaucoma (NVG) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 11 consecutive patients with refractory NVG in PDR who underwent a 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy combined with pars plana placement of an Ahmed valve implant. Control of intraocular pressure (IOP), pre- and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity and the development of intra- and postoperative complications were evaluated during the follow-up. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 12.2 months (range, 8 to 25 months). Mean preoperative IOP was 35.9 +/- 6.3 mmHg and mean postoperative IOP at the last visit was 13.3 +/- 3.2 mmHg. Control of IOP (8 to 18 mmHg) was achieved in all patients, but 91% (10 of 11 patients) needed antiglaucoma medication (mean number of medications, 1.2 +/- 0.6). Postoperative visual acuity improved in 11 eyes, and the logarithmically to the minimum angle of resolution mean visual acuity in these eyes improved from 1.67 +/- 0.61 to 0.96 +/- 0.67. The complications that occurred were transient hypotony in one case, transitory hypertension in two cases, and postoperative vitreous hemorrhage which spontaneously cleared in two cases. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest the combination of 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and Ahmed valve implantation is safe and effective in PDR patients with refractory NVG.
Adult ; Aged ; Diabetic Retinopathy/*complications/pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; *Glaucoma Drainage Implants ; Glaucoma, Neovascular/*complications/pathology/*surgery ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitrectomy/*methods

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

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

A 60-year-old diabetic patient transferred to our retina clinic for a regular follow-up for diabetic retinopathy. He had uneventful cataract surgery at the time of pars plana vitrectomy in the right eye due to diabetic retinopathy at a private ophthalmologic hospital. Six months after the surgery, neovascular glaucoma with hyphema developed in the right eye and an Ahmed valve was implanted at our hospital. Ten months after cataract surgery, we found opacification of the intraocular lens (IOL) which was causing significant visual disturbance. At the time, the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the right eye was hand motion. The IOL was explanted 45 months after the operation. Five months after explantation, the BCVA was 0.06. Unfortunately, pathologic analysis was not performed. Patient-related factors such as an anterior chamber reaction caused by hyphema might have been responsible for the opacification. To our knowledge, there are no previous reports of opacification of the Akreos Adapt IOL.
Cataract/complications/etiology ; Cataract Extraction ; Device Removal ; Diabetic Retinopathy/surgery ; Equipment Failure ; Eyeglasses ; Glaucoma, Neovascular/etiology ; Humans ; Hyphema/etiology ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular ; Lenses, Intraocular/*adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Vision Disorders/*etiology ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy/methods