Efficacy and Safety of Switching Latanoprost Monotherapy to Bimatoprost Monotherapy or Combination of Brinzolamide and Latanoprost.

Purpose: To prospectively assess the efficacy and safety of switching to bimatoprost monotherapy or brinzolamide and latanoprost combination therapy in patients who had been receiving latanoprost monotherapy.

Methods: A prospective, open-label study was conducted. Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who had been receiving latanoprost monotherapy for three months or more were enrolled.

Genetic and clinical factors associated with reticular pseudodrusen in exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Backgrounds: Reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) is considered to be a distinct entity from soft drusen and a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In the present study, we investigate the genetic and clinical factors associated with reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) in patients with exudative AMD, including polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), typical neovascular AMD, and retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP).

Methods: The presence or absence of RPD was studied among 408 patients with exudative AMD in at least one eye, and the clinical characteristics of those with RPD were investigated as well as genetic polymorphisms of ARMS2 A69S (rs10490924) and CFH I62V (rs800292).

Systemic risk factors associated with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To compare the association of systemic risk factors between neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).

Methods: Seven hundred and three patients (235 with nAMD and 468 with PCV) were included. Associated systemic conditions, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and end-stage renal disease, were investigated through an interview and questionnaire.

Comparison of a remote operating slit-lamp microscope system with a conventional slit-lamp microscope system for examination of trabeculectomy eyes.

Purpose: To compare 2-dimensional (2D) photo imaging with slit-lamp photo imaging for examination of trabeculectomy eyes, and to compare the accuracy and consistency of examination of trabeculectomy eyes with a remote operating slit-lamp microscope system (referred to as "remote slit lamp" hereafter) and a conventional slit-lamp microscope system (referred to as "slit lamp" hereafter).

Methods: Thirty-five eyes of 35 patients having a history of trabeculectomy were enrolled in the study that compared 2D photo imaging with slit-lamp photo imaging for the evaluation of trabeculectomy eyes. Five ophthalmologists evaluated the 2D images and the slit-lamp images independently with masking of patient information.

Reappraisal of spontaneous closure rate of idiopathic full-thickness macular holes.

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 142 eyes of 138 patients with idiopathic full-thickness macular hole. Spontaneous closure of idiopathic full-thickness macular hole was observed in five eyes (3.5%) of four patients before the planned vitrectomy.