Purpose To compare the short-term changes in corneal endothelial cells after trabeculectomy or XEN Gel Stent implantation. Design Prospective, interventional, comparative study. Methods Changes in corneal endothelium in patients that underwent XEN Gel Stent implantation or trabeculectomy were prospectively evaluated. Eighty eyes of 62 diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma were divided into two the trabeculectomy and XEN Gel Stent groups. Corneal specular microscopy was performed at the central cornea using a noncontact specular microscope preoperatively and 3 months after surgery. Results The baseline mean corneal endothelial cell density in the trabeculectomy group was 2390.3 ± 324.8 cells/mm2, and this was significantly reduced to 2148 ± 352.5 cells/mm2 3 months after surgery, representing a cell loss of 10.0% (p < 0.001). The baseline mean corneal endothelial cell density in the XEN Gel Stent group was 2156.2 ±559.7 cells/mm2, and this was significantly reduced to 2098.4 ± 556.2 cells/mm2 3 months after surgery, representing a cell loss of 2.1% (p = 0.002). The corneal endothelial cell density change rate of the trabeculectomy group (−10.0% ± 9.7%) was statistically higher than the XEN Gel Stent group (−2.1% ± 13.8%) (p = 0.002). A statistically significant difference was observed in the trabeculectomy group between the baseline and postoperative values in the coefficient of variation (p = 0.029). Conclusion Trabeculectomy caused more endothelial cell damage than XEN Gel Stent implantation in the short-term follow-up period. The XEN Gel Stent may be the treatment of choice in patients with a significantly low preoperative corneal endothelial cell density.

Herein, we report 2 cases of endophthalmitis after XEN Gel Stent implantation. A 68-year-old woman and an 80-year-old man had previously undergone uncomplicated XEN Gel Stent implantation for primary open-angle glaucoma 4 and 5 months prior, respectively. Both patients had presented with pain, redness, loss of vision, and sensitivity to light. For both patients, the best-corrected visual acuity was hand motion, eyelids and conjunctiva were hyperemic and edematous, anterior chamber had +3 cells and exhibited hypopyon, and B-scan ultrasonography revealed vitreous condensation. Blebitis was absent; the bleb height was medium, bleb width was 1 to 2 hours, and the bleb was avascular in the first case. In the second case, ∼2 mm of the XEN Gel Stent implant protruded from the conjunctiva; therefore, bleb formation was not observed. On a previous visit, the bleb height was medium, bleb width was 2 to 3 hours, and the bleb was mildly vascular. Both patients had undergone vitrectomy with silicone oil injection, but only the female patient had received intravitreal and topical antibiotics preoperatively. After surgery, both patients received topical antibiotic therapy. After 2 to 3 months, the silicone oil was removed; the final visual acuity remained low for the female patient (hand motion level). Despite immediate treatment, the final visual acuity may remain poor, similar to the outcome of patients with other types of endophthalmitis. It is important to provide the patients scheduled for XEN Gel Stent implantation information on the risk of infection and the other risk factors involved.

No abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the color-changing effect and adverse effects after Nd: YAG laser application on the iris surface of rabbit eyes.Material/MethodsThe study was performed on right eyes of 12 pigmented rabbits. A laser device that produces frequency doubled 532 nm wavelength Nd: YAG laser with 900 μm spot diameter was used. The laser was applied in 3 sessions at 2-week intervals, at energy levels of 0.8 mJ in Group A and 1.5 mJ in Group B. Slit-lamp examinations and measurements of intraocular pressure (IOP) using a Tono-Pen were performed before and 1 day after each laser session. Iris thickness (IT) was measured at the beginning and the end using an ultrasonic biomicroscope. The eyes were enucleated for histopathologic examination on day 60.ResultsOn the first day after each laser session, maximum grade 1 anterior chamber flare and cells were observed in both groups. In all eyes, flare and cells disappeared at the end of the first week. There was no significant difference in the IOP and IT values between measurements performed prior to and after laser sessions during the study (p>0.05). None of the eyes showed complications such as corneal edema, hypopyon, posterior synechia, transillumination defect, or pupillary defect. In histopathological examinations, reduction in pigment density was more profound in Group B compared to Group A, which was statistically significant (p<0.019).ConclusionsThere were no serious complications apart from mild transient inflammatory signs. Change in iris color was more evident at the end of the second month.

No abstract

Objectives:To evaluate the effect of carotid artery disease on retinal morphology by means of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).Materials and Methods:We examined 23 eyes with internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis and 24 age- and gender-matched healthy eyes as a control group in this prospective, case-control study. Compherensive ophthalmic examination and SD-OCT scan were performed to all the patients. The average RNFL and macular thicknesses (MT) in the nine macular ETDRS areas were the major OCT measurements for our study.Results:Although all of the average RNFL and MT measurements were lower in the ICA stenosis group, only the total MT and outer ETDRS area (temporal/superior/nasal/inferior outer macula) values were found to be significantly thinner compared to the control group (p=0.004, p=0.009, p<0.001, p=0.002, and p=0.001, respectively).Conclusion:In addition to our knowledge about the effects of ICA stenosis on the retino-choroidal circulation, we found that OCT measurements may be beneficial in the early detection of ocular damage due to ICA stenosis.

No abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of ab interno trabeculectomy which is a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, in the late period, performed via trabectome instrument. A total of 70 eyes followed up with a diagnosis of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and undertaken trabectome surgery were included in the study. Preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressures (IOPs), number of the drugs used, and complications were retrospectively investigated and the data were evaluated. The criteria of success were accepted as an IOP value ≤21 mmHg or ≥30 % reduction in IOP and no need for a second operation. Mean IOP was decreased by 38 % from a preoperative value of 28.77 ± 5.34 to 17.62 ± 2.81 mmHg at the end of 18 months. Likewise, mean drug usage was decreased by 48 % from a preoperative value of 3.3 ± 1.01 to 1.7 ± 1.16 at the end of 18 months. Both decreases were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Postoperative success rates were 82.8 % in the 6th month, 81.4 % in the 9th month, 77.1 % in the 12th month, and 70 % in the 18th month. Most common complication observed was intraoperative reflux hemorrhage and no serious complication was observed. Trabectome surgery is an effective and safe method in early-stage open-angle glaucoma types that cannot be controlled despite maximal medical therapy. This procedure is a proper surgical option in patients targeted for moderate IOP without the need for a topical medication or with less drug usage.