‘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.

Outcomes of bleb revision with ologen following filtering glaucoma surgery

Purpose This study reports long-term outcomes of bleb revision with ologen™ Collagen Matrix (Aeon Astron Europe BV, the Netherlands) for the surgical management of various bleb-related issues including persistent bleb leaks with or without associated hypotony, bleb dysesthesia, overhanging blebs, or hypotony after filtering glaucoma surgery. Materials and methods A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who underwent ologen bleb revision from 2012 to 2019 at Glaucoma Associates of Texas. Results The study included 23 eyes of 22 patients undergoing bleb revision with the ologen implant. Mean age was 74.0 ± 11.3 years, 16 (69.6%) were female, and 13 (56.5%) were White. Indications for bleb revision included bleb leak (78.3%), dysesthesia (13.0%), and hypotony from an overfiltering bleb (8.7%). Mean preoperative intraocular pressure was 6.8 ± 4.1 mmHg and the number of medications was 0.3 ± 0.9. Median follow-up was 24 months (range: 12–84 months); all patients had at least 12 months of follow-up. At 1 year, mean intraocular pressure was 10.9 ± 4.6 mmHg on 0.2 ± 0.5 medications, and at last follow-up, mean intraocular pressure was 10.4 ± 3.6 mmHg on 0.3 ± 0.7 medications. Bleb morphology remained low, diffuse, and posterior. One patient developed kissing choroidal effusions requiring surgical drainage with subsequent stabilization of intraocular pressure and bleb function, and three patients required additional surgery due to persistent leaks or bleb failure; there were no other vision-threatening complications. Conclusions Use of the ologen implant during surgical bleb revision is a useful surgical technique that confers long-term improvements in bleb morphology and stability of function.

Needling after XEN gel implant: What’s the efficacy? A 1-year analysis

Purpose: To analyse the long-term efficacy and safety of bleb needling in glaucoma patients previously submitted to XEN implantation. Methods: Retrospective, observational study. Charts from patients who underwent XEN gel implant surgery between October 2015 and December 2017 were reviewed. Needling protocol involves use of Mitomycin C 0.2 mg/mL in an operating room. Primary outcome was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering efficacy at 12 months post-operative. Complete success was defined as a decrease in IOP > 20% and overall value <18 mmHg. Secondary outcomes included safety parameters (both intra and post-operative). Exploratory analysis of predictive factors for success were performed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 24. Results: About 94 charts were reviewed, with 18 patients (19%) having undergone needle revision. This salvage procedure was performed after 3.3 ± 3.4 months, achieving a mean IOP reduction of 8.3 ± 8.4 mmHg at 12 months after the procedure (pre-needling: 24.0 ± 5.2 mmHg vs 12th month: 13.5 ± 5.9 mmHg, p < 0.0001). Accordingly, success was achieved in 72% (complete success in 61% of cases). Among predictive factors, there was a higher tendency for success in patients on two types of medications or fewer pre-operatively, cases of standalone XEN surgery and patients with a higher IOP difference pre-needling – day 1. No vision-threatening complications were recorded. Conclusion: XEN salvage procedure with mitomycin C is a valid option in early bleb failure. This single intervention had a long-lasting effect on bleb survival, with almost two-thirds achieving long term significant drop-free IOP reduction.

Trabeculectomy in an unsuspected extramedullary iris–ciliary body plasmacytoma

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the iris and ciliary body is extremely rare. We present a case which was misdiagnosed as granulomatous uveitis with neovascular glaucoma, and underwent a trabeculectomy with mitomycin-c along with iris biopsy. The post-operative period showed early bleb failure and catastrophic growth of the suspected mass. Histopathological examination revealed a diagnosis iris plasmacytoma. Subsequent ultrasound biomicroscopy showed involvement of the iris and ciliary body. A prompt systemic workup was done, and an associated systemic plasma cell dyscrasia was ruled out. The affected eye was enucleated, and the patient remains disease free at the end of 3-year follow-up.

Efficacy of postoperative management with 5-fluorouracil injections after XEN Gel Stent implantation

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of postoperative management with 5-fluorouracil injections after XEN Gel Stent implantation. Methods Prospective real-world evidence study included 39 eyes (of 36 patients) with primary open-angle glaucoma without previous glaucoma surgery and with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP), glaucoma progression, or intolerance to IOP-lowering therapy. Patients underwent mitomycin C-augmented XEN implantation either as a stand-alone procedure or combined with cataract extraction. 5-Fluorouracil subconjunctival injections were a first-choice therapy for bleb failure and were administered according to predetermined criteria (analogous to pro re nata regimen in age-related macular degeneration treatment). Primary outcome was unqualified success, defined as postoperative IOP < 18 mmHg and > 20% reduction from medicated baseline without any antiglaucoma medications and no detected glaucoma progression. Results At median follow-up of 8 months (range 3–24 months), IOP decreased from a medicated baseline value of 23 mmHg (95% CI 21–24 mmHg) to 13 mmHg (95% CI 12–15 mmHg) and number of medications decreased from 3 (95% CI 2–3) to 0 (p < 0.0001 for both). Median number of 5-fluorouracil injections per eye was 3 (95% CI 2–3), and median time to first injection was 0.5 months (95% CI 0.25–3 months) after surgery. Thirteen eyes (33.3%) underwent ≥ 1 needling, and surgical revision was performed in three cases (7.7%). The primary outcome measure, which allows performing additional procedures, was achieved in 27 eyes (69%). Conclusions 5-Fluorouracil subconjunctival injections are safe and effective in postoperative management of bleb failure after XEN implantation and represent a viable alternative to other methods.

Temporary Filtering Bleb Failure Induced by Anterior Chamber Sulfur Hexafluoride Gas: A Complication after Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty

Herein, we report two clinical cases with acute temporary filtering bleb obstruction by gas tamponade after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) surgery and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) peaks. Both patients underwent uncomplicated DMEK surgery with 20% sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) anterior chamber tamponade and had previous trabeculectomy for glaucoma. Prior to surgery, both patients showed patent bleb function with low to normal IOP without antiglaucomatous medication. After uneventful DMEK surgery, both patients showed postoperative IOP peaks of up to 50 mm Hg despite patent inferior iridotomy and no sign of a pupillary block. In both cases, SF6 gas bubbles could be visualized obstructing the bleb. Both patients were treated with IOP-lowering agents topically as well as systemically. In addition, anterior chamber paracenteses were performed to reduce the SF6 volume within the anterior chamber. Under this treatment, IOP normalized within the first 18 h after surgery. We hypothesize that the SF6 gas tamponade from the anterior chamber migrates into the ostium and below the bleb, leading to an acute temporary insufficiency of bleb function and to a consecutive IOP peak after surgery. In contrast to a pupillary block, this mechanism cannot be antagonized by preoperative iridotomy and needs to be taken into account for every glaucoma patient with functional bleb undergoing DMEK surgery.

ExPRESS Mini-Shunt as a Treatment Alternative for Medically Uncontrolled Steroid-Induced Glaucoma in a Pediatric Patient

This case report illustrates the use of ExPRESS mini-shunt in a pediatric glaucoma patient. We describe the management of steroid-induced glaucoma with ExPRESS mini-shunt in a 9-year-old boy with allergic keratoconjunctivitis. The intraocular pressure of both of his eyes was uncontrolled with medical and laser treatment. Both eyes were treated with ExPRESS mini-shunt and mitomycin-C. Transient overfiltration with postoperative hypotony occurred in both eyes and resolved after 2 weeks. One year postoperatively, intraocular pressure was maintained below 21 mm Hg without medication in 1 eye. Bleb needling with mitomycin-C was done to maintain filtration. The fellow eye received cataract extraction but developed bleb failure a few months afterwards. The intraocular pressure was controlled medically. To conclude, ExPRESS mini-shunt is a new surgical option in selected patients. Bleb failure developed after cataract extraction. Postoperative inflammation should be minimized. Patient selection, such as those with stable ocular condition, is important to increase surgical success.