Glaucoma Agreement in New Zealand (GAINZ).

Clinical Relevance: With an ageing population, ophthalmologists are becoming burdened with glaucoma management, and patient care can be delayed. Therefore, the use of optometrists in glaucoma management can help alleviate the burden.

Background: The ageing population and subsequent rise of glaucoma prevalence are putting a strain on the public health system in New Zealand.

Analysis of Glaucoma Subtypes and Corresponding Demographics in a New Zealand Population.

Purpose: The aim of this paper was to determine the diagnosis distribution and demographic characteristics of glaucoma in a New Zealand population.

Methods: The clinical records of all patients presenting consecutively to the Auckland District Health Board Glaucoma Service over a 6-month period were reviewed. Demographic parameters including ethnicity, age at presentation, and gender were collected along with all clinical data.

Nailfold capillaroscopy assessment in patients with glaucoma with a current optic disc hemorrhage.

Objective: To determine whether there is an increased prevalence of nailfold hemorrhages in patients with glaucoma with a current optic disc hemorrhage (ODH) compared with those without a history of ODH.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Participants: Group 1 (n = 40) consisted of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or normal tension glaucoma (POAG/NTG) with a current ODH who met the specified inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Economic analysis of the Ex-PRESS miniature glaucoma device versus trabeculectomy.

Purpose: Ex-PRESS shunt is an alternative filtration procedure to trabeculectomy. This study aimed to compare the 1-year cost differences between the 2 operations.

Methods: Subjects were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial comparing Ex-PRESS to trabeculectomy.

Incidence and management of cataract after glaucoma surgery.

Purpose Of Review: This review summarizes the recent literature regarding the incidence and management of cataract following glaucoma surgery.

Recent Findings: Half of the total number of phakic patients that have either trabeculectomy or tube shunt surgery will go on to develop visually significant cataract within 5 years. Phacoemulsification following trabeculectomy is significantly associated with bleb failure and loss of intraocular pressure (IOP) control.

Patient satisfaction with topical ocular hypotensives.

Background: The aim of this study is to assess patient satisfaction, convenience of use, ease of administration, side effects and treatment burden of topical ocular hypotensives.

Design: Prospective, observational cohort.

Participants: Two thousand five hundred and forty-one patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Screening glaucoma genes in adult glaucoma suggests a multiallelic contribution of CYP1B1 to open-angle glaucoma phenotypes.

Background: Despite increasing knowledge of the genetic pathophysiology of glaucoma, mutations in known genes account for less than 15% of disease. Gene screening predominantly remains a research tool rather than an essential part of the clinical work-up. We aimed to determine the mutational spectrum and frequency in the genes implicated in glaucoma, in a range of glaucoma and 'glaucoma suspect' (GS) participants, with a positive family history.

The New Zealand National Eye Bank: survival and visual outcome 1 year after penetrating keratoplasty.

Purpose: To identify potential donor, recipient, surgical, and postoperative factors that may influence survival and visual outcome of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP).

Methods: As part of a prospective longitudinal study, the electronic records of the New Zealand National Eye Bank were analyzed for the 10-year period from 1994-2003. Both univariate and multivariate analysis was performed.

Acute primary angle closure attack does not cause an increased cup-to-disc ratio.

Purpose: To determine if an increased cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) loss occur after acute primary angle closure (APAC).

Design: Prospective, observational case series.

Participants: Twenty participants with unilateral APAC provided 20 affected eyes and 20 fellow eyes (controls) for analysis.

Use of a cyclo-oxygenase 2 inhibitor for prophylaxis of cystoid macular oedema following cataract surgery: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Background: To assess the efficacy of Celecoxib, a cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor, as prophylaxis for cystoid macular oedema after routine cataract surgery.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 69 hospital patients undergoing cataract surgery. Celecoxib 200 mg twice daily or placebo was given immediately after surgery for 14 days.

The New Zealand National Eye Bank study 1991-2003: a review of the source and management of corneal tissue.

Purpose: To evaluate donor demographics and source, donor tissue processing and storage, biologic contamination, and the utilization and distribution of corneal tissue procured by the New Zealand National Eye Bank.

Methods: As part of a prospective longitudinal study, the electronic records of the NZNEB for the 13-year period 1991-2003 were analyzed for each year with respect to donor demographics, donor source and cause of death, death-to-preservation interval, storage methods, endothelial assessment, biologic contamination, corneal tissue utilization, and distribution.

Results: During the study period, 3221 corneas were retrieved from 1628 donors (69.