Asymmetric glaucoma in pseudoplateau iris syndrome.

A 39-year-old Caucasian man with bilateral narrow angles, a plateau-like iris configuration on gonioscopy and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) presented with significant asymmetric glaucoma, left eye affected more than right. Initial management with topical medical therapy, laser iridoplasty and peripheral iridotomy in the left eye was ineffective in lowering the IOP or opening the anterior chamber angle. Ultrasound biomicroscopy demonstrated bilateral ciliary body cysts.

Innovations and adaptations in trabeculectomy.

Purpose Of Review: This article examines the current literature reporting updates on trabeculectomy techniques, complications, and cost-effectiveness.

Recent Findings: Trabeculectomy continues to be the standard for glaucoma surgery when a low intraocular pressure is required. Recent publications describe technique modifications that successfully increase efficacy and lower complications.

Ranibizumab versus mitomycin C in primary trabeculectomy--a pilot study.

Purpose: The current standard adjunctive agent used in primary trabeculectomy is mitomycin C (MMC), but it is associated with well known complications. The objective of this study is to test the feasibility of the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agent ranibizumab for adjunctive use instead of MMC (0.4 mg/ml).

A clinical method to assess the effect of visual loss on the ability to perform activities of daily living.

Background/aims: To develop a clinically applicable, performance-based measure of the ability to perform visually related activities.

Methods: 99 patients with glaucoma and 21 subjects with a normal ocular examination completed a nine-item performance-based test (the Assessment of Ability Related to Vision (AARV)), received a standard ophthalmic clinical examination and answered the questions on the National Eye Institute's Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25). All combinations of two, three or four items of the full nine-item AARV test were analysed, and their scores were compared with the full AARV scores and with clinical measures.

Fixed combinations of dorzolamide-timolol and brimonidine-timolol in the management of glaucoma.

Importance Of The Field: The emergence of fixed-combination drugs for the treatment of glaucoma has, to some extent, changed the medical management of glaucoma. The potential benefits of these drugs include a reduction in the total number of drops and preservatives instilled per day and improved patient comfort factors, which may contribute to better compliance. Combination medications may also improve therapeutic efficacy and play an important role in controlling medication cost.