A novel bilayered expanded polytetrafluoroethylene glaucoma implant creates a permeable thin capsule independent of aqueous humor exposure.

The purpose of these studies was to evaluate clinical, functional, and histopathological features of glaucoma drainage implants (GDIs) fabricated from novel, custom-tailored expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). Implants of matching footprints were fabricated from silicone (Control) and novel, bilayered ePTFE. ePTFE implants included: (a) one that inflated with aqueous humor (AH) (High), (b) one that inflated with a lower profile (Low), (c) an uninflated implant not connected to the anterior chamber (Flat), and (d) one filled with material that did not allow AH flow (Filled).

Patient Acceptance of Sustained Glaucoma Treatment Strategies.

Purpose: To assess patient acceptance of different methods for delivering sustained-release, intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medications.

Methods: Electronic surveys were administered to 150 patients at 2 glaucoma clinics. Participants were questioned on their willingness to accept: (1) drug-eluting contact lenses, (2) ring inserts (3) punctal plugs, and (4) subconjunctival injections as alternatives to IOP-lowering eye drops based on various success levels.

Losartan Treatment Protects Retinal Ganglion Cells and Alters Scleral Remodeling in Experimental Glaucoma.

Purpose: To determine if oral losartan treatment decreases the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death caused by experimental intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation in mice.

Methods: We produced IOP increase in CD1 mice and performed unilateral optic nerve crush. Mice received oral losartan, spironolactone, enalapril, or no drug to test effects of inhibiting angiotensin receptors.

Sequential episodes of perioperative ischemic optic neuropathy after hip surgery.

Perioperative ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) after nonocular surgery is a rare complication leading to permanent and often severe vision loss. Due in part to the low prevalence of this complication, there remains no reliable way to predict which patients will develop ION. We present a patient with sequential episodes of unilateral perioperative ION, both occurring after otherwise uncomplicated hip operations.