AimTo investigate changes in corneal endothelial cell density (CECD) after trabeculectomy.MethodsThis prospective, observational study followed 117 eyes of 117 patients for 2 years after trabeculectomy. The central cornea was examined by corneal specular microscopy prior to and at every 6 months after the surgery. Survival analysis of patients who exhibited a 10% or less reduction of the postoperative CECD compared with preoperative levels was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate prognostic factors for decreasing CECD.ResultsAt baseline, the mean CECD was 2420±357 cells/mm2, while at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after surgery, the mean CECD was 2324±373 cells/mm2 (p<0.001), 2276±400 cells/mm2 (p<0.001), 2290±398 cells/mm2 (p<0.001) and 2267±446 cells/mm2 (p<0.001), respectively. At 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after surgery, the results of the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of the 10% loss of CECD from baseline were 91%, 85%, 83% and 77%, respectively. Uveitic glaucoma was a significant prognostic factor for decreasing CECD (p=0.041).ConclusionsCECD significantly and continuously decreased after trabeculectomy.

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan (26462689).

BackgroundTo compare trabeculectomy and EX-PRESS device implantation procedures for treating glaucoma and evaluate changes in corneal endothelial cell density (CECD).MethodsThis study prospectively evaluated changes in the CECD in 60 eyes of 60 patients who underwent trabeculectomy and 50 eyes of 45 patients who underwent EX-PRESS device implantation. Baseline patient data recorded included age at surgery, sex, type of glaucoma medications, and lens status. Using a noncontact specular microscope, corneal specular microscopy was performed preoperatively at the central cornea and then at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after surgery. CECD before and after surgery was compared using a paired t-test.ResultsThere was a significant decrease in the IOP and number of antiglaucoma medications in both groups after the surgery. The mean CECD in the trabeculectomy group was 2505 ± 280 cells/mm2 at baseline, while it was 2398 ± 274 cells/mm2 (P < 0.001), 2349 ± 323 cells/mm2 (P < 0.001), 2293 ± 325 cells/mm2 (P < 0.001), and 2277 ± 385 cells/mm2 (P = 0.003) at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. However, the CECD in the EX-PRESS group was 2377 ± 389 cells/mm2 at baseline, while it was 2267 ± 409 cells/mm2 (P = 0.007), 2292 ± 452 cells/mm2 (P = 0.043), 2379 ± 375 cells/mm2 (P = 0.318), and 2317 ± 449 cells/mm2 (P = 0.274) at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively.ConclusionsAs compared to trabeculectomy, EX-PRESS device implantation appears to be a safer procedure with regard to the endothelial cell loss risk.

PurposeThis study was conducted in order to compare relationships between the macular visual field (VF) mean sensitivity measured by MAIATM (Macular Integrity Assessment), MP-3, or Humphry field analyzer (HFA) and the ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCA) thicknesses.MethodsThis cross-sectional study examined 73 glaucoma patients and 19 normal subjects. All subjects underwent measurements for GCA thickness by Cirrus HD-OCT and static threshold perimetry using MAIATM, MP-3, or HFA. VF and OCT in the retinal view were used to examine both the global relationship between the VF sensitivity and GCA thickness, and the superior hemiretina and inferior hemiretina. The relationship between the GCA thickness and macular sensitivity was examined by Spearman correlation analysis.ResultsFor each instrument, statistically significant macular VF sensitivity (dB) and GCA thickness relationships were observed using the decibel scale (R = 0.547–0.687, all P < 0.001). The highest correlation for the global (R = 0.682) and the superior hemiretina (R = 0.594) GCA thickness-VF mean sensitivity was observed by the HFA. The highest correlation for the inferior hemiretina (R = 0.687) GCA thickness-VF mean sensitivity was observed by the MP-3. Among the three VF measurement instruments, however, no significant differences were found for the structure-function relationships.ConclusionsAll three VF measurement instruments found similar structure-function relationships in the central VF.

PurposeTo investigate changes of the macular and peripapillary choroidal areas after trabeculectomy.MethodsThis prospective and interventional study examined 74 eyes of 74 patients with glaucoma uncontrolled by medical therapy. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) recorded macular and peripapillary choroidal images at 1 day before trabeculectomy and at 2 weeks after surgery. The Niblack method was used to covert luminal and interstitial areas to binary images.ResultsAt baseline, the mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was 17.6±6.3 mmHg, while it was 6.5±2.9 mmHg after trabeculectomy (P < 0.001). Increases were observed for the macular choroidal area after the surgery, with the total area increasing from 317,853±95,728 μm2 to 368,597±104,393 μm2, while the luminal area increased from 210,355±73,650 μm2 to 249,464±77,195 μm2, and the interstitial area increased from 107,498±27,613 μm2 to 119,133±31,811 μm2 (all P < 0.001). Increases were also observed after the surgery for the peripapillary choroidal area, with the total area increasing from 1,629,440±460,429 μm2 to 1,974,289±500,496 μm2, while the luminal area increased from 920,141±328,690 μm2 to 1,179,843±357,601 μm2, and the interstitial area increased from 709,299±153,179 μm2 to 794,446±169,029 μm2 (all P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in the ratio of the luminal to choroidal area in the macular area (67.2%) and in the peripapillary area (59.1%). Factors associated with the changes in the peripapillary choroidal area included decreases in the diastolic blood pressure and IOP.ConclusionsA reduction in the IOP after trabeculectomy led to increases in the macular and peripapillary choroidal areas. Observed changes in the choroidal area after trabeculectomy are primarily due to increases in the luminal areas.