Glaucoma

Carbon dioxide laser assisted sclerectomy surgery (CLASS) is being used as an effective and safe, minimally invasive treatment for glaucoma. In this article, two surgeons at the forefront of research, development and implementation of this approach discuss this surgical option and its benefits for the ophthalmic market.

The combination of microinvasive glaucoma surgeries with cataract surgery may address a patient's cataract and glaucoma in one procedure.

Ultrasound circular cyclocoagulation is a non-invasive treatment for refractory glaucoma that is approved in Europe.

Primary congenital glaucoma is usually controlled with surgery, however, in a recent paper it has been demonstrated that long-term treatment with latanoprost 0.005% eyedrops is effective in about 30% of affected eyes.

Vitamin D deficiency may be a potential risk factor in the development of open-angle glaucoma (OAG), according to a recent study.

Repetitive activation of residual vision with training of the visual field borders and areas of residual vision can improve visual field defects caused by glaucoma and increase detection sensitivity, according to results from a randomized clinical trial.

SLT is a popular treatment option for glaucoma. In this article, Dr McAlinden discusses his recent paper that reviewed comparative studies from peer-reviewed journals, finding encouraging and reassuring results about SLT.

Corneal anterior segment imaging has emerged as a screening tool for refractive surgery, cataract and glaucoma. In this article, the authors discuss their recent study that identified a set of normative data to correct for sources of bias in pre-surgery screening.

In this article, Dr Ayala talks about his recent study examining SLT re-treatment and whether the treatment area had an effect on the IOP-lowering ability of SLT.

Researchers at University of California, Los Angeles, USA, have developed a new delivery system for treating patients with glaucoma. They have combined nanodiamonds - a by-product of conventional mining and refining processes - with timolol maleate into contact lenses that deliver sustained doses.

The Optimis Fusion integrated laser platform from Quantel Medical has received CE Mark approval. The system is a combination of advanced selective laser trabeculoplasty photoregeneration therapy with traditional YAG photodisruption treatment for treating both cataract and glaucoma.

Patients with advanced glaucoma have higher oxygen saturation in venules and lower arteriovenous difference in oxygen saturation compared with healthy individuals. The decrease in arteriovenous difference in patients with severe glaucoma may be related to lower oxygen consumption secondary to neuropathy

Nocturnal IOP measurements are critical in evaluating drugs, according to Professor Cordeiro speaking at the 4th World Congress on Controversies in Ophthalmology.

Various issues impact the effectiveness of population screening for open-angle glaucoma (OAG). However, use of ethnicity-specific normative databases for structural tests may improve their diagnostic performance, said Dr Mingguang He, PhD.

Two surgeons discuss strategies for profiling patients for glaucoma surgical technique.

There is buzz happening within the glaucoma industry, and two experts weigh in on the various highlights of the year.

Ophthalmologists from 76 countries discussed the latest findings in diagnostics and therapy, and also issues of promoting the next generation of young ophthalmologists.

Researchers presented positive top-line clinical results for AMA0076 (Amakem Therapeutics), a possible new drug candidate for the treatment of glaucoma at the 2013 annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Heidelberg edge perimetry (HEP) may have role in the early detection and assessment of functional damage cause by glaucoma, according to the authors of a case report presented online at PubMed via Case Reports in Ophthalmology. Further, HEP testing may potentially have advantages over standard automated perimetry (SAP), currently the gold standard for visual function testing.

Waveform changes in optic nerve head (ONH) blood flow as measured by laser speckle flowgraphy may be useful in differentiating healthy eyes from those with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), according to the authors of a recent study.

Phacoemulsification done after trabeculectomy may significantly increase the rates of bleb failure in the following 12 months, but not at 24 months, according to a recently published study.

In this article, the author provides a summary of the current market and considerations with regard to generic drugs for glaucoma treatment.

Even patients experienced with instilling topical glaucoma medications continue to have difficulties with eye drop administration, even those who do not self-report such difficulties, according to a recent study. Further, the risk of having difficulties with eye drop instillation is increased in patients who self-report difficulty and in those who have been previously observed to have difficulties.

Researchers have developed a methodology for calculating likelihood ratios for glaucoma diagnosis using continuous retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements taken with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and found that average RNFL thickness values < 86 ?m were associated with negative likelihood ratios of such a diagnosis.

Cataract surgery not only can result in a reduction of IOP, it also provides benefits for future management of glaucoma, according to this article.

Dr Nichamin discusses surgical options including MIGS, which he believes is offering attractive prospects for both patients and surgeons.

The article looks at a minimally invasive glaucoma laser procedure with a long-lasting IOP lowering efficiency.

Long-term follow-up is necessary in secondary pigmentary glaucoma patients implanted with a foldable IOL in the ciliary sulcus, advises a recent journal paper.

Gold Micro Shunt Plus (GMS+) implantation is not an effective method for controlling IOP in glaucoma patients, according to a recent study in the journal BMC Ophthalmology.

In this article, Prof. Bron discusses treatment considerations, advocating the treatment of the whole patient.