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Eye (London, England) Nov 2022To estimate the risk of blindness with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) compared to primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in those population-based studies that... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIM
To estimate the risk of blindness with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) compared to primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in those population-based studies that reported blindness rates for both PACG and POAG.
METHOD
A systematic search was performed in PubMed for articles published in English between 2000 and 2020 reporting the prevalence of POAG as well as PACG among various ethnic populations. A study was included if it was (1) population-based (2) had published prevalence and blindness rates for both PACG and POAG in the same cohort. (3) Glaucoma was defined as per the International Society for Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology (ISGEO) criteria. The proportion of blindness for both POAG and PACG for each study and the cumulative proportion taking all the studies were calculated.
RESULTS
We included 23 studies with 78,434 participants. POAG was diagnosed in 1702 persons with 151 (8.9%) blind. There were 724 cases of PACG with 196 (27.0%) blind. The risk ratio of blindness in PACG to POAG varied from 0.73 to 10.6 among the studies. The cumulative risk ratio was 2.39 (95% confidence interval (CI); 1.99, 2.87). Risk ratios for studies including visual field restriction while defining blindness were similar to studies that did not (1.92 vs 2.64, P = 0.11). Risk ratios were also similar for studies that used greater than 2 instead of 3 or more quadrants of iridotrabecular contact to define angle closure (2.79 vs 2.25).
CONCLUSION
Primary angle-closure disease is more likely to be associated with blindness.
Topics: Humans; Blindness; Glaucoma; Glaucoma, Angle-Closure; Glaucoma, Open-Angle; Intraocular Pressure; Visual Field Tests
PubMed: 34645961
DOI: 10.1038/s41433-021-01802-9 -
BMJ Open Ophthalmology 2021Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. It is estimated that as many as 3.2 million people worldwide experience blindness due to glaucoma, including...
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. It is estimated that as many as 3.2 million people worldwide experience blindness due to glaucoma, including open-angle glaucoma (OAG). Until now, there is no definite mechanism related to the incidence of OAG. However, increased intraocular pressure (IOP) is considered to be the most important risk factor. Several current studies show that there is a significant relationship between hypertension (HTN) and IOP. In particular, several epidemiological studies have shown that an increase in systemic blood pressure (BP) is associated with an increase in IOP. However, several studies report that high BP provides a protective effect at a young age against the incidence of OAG. Therefore, this literature aims to explore the effect of HTN on the incidence of OAG. In this review, search for the literature using keywords that match the topic, then a gradual screening was carried out with the predetermined eligibility criteria. From 3711 studies, 16 studies matched the criteria having a total sample size of 72 212 and then a quantitative meta-analysis was conducted. The results showed a risk ratio of 1.69 (95% CI 1.50 to 1.90) in the HTN group. However, from our qualitative synthesis, we found that people who have an unstable diastolic blood pressure (DBP), either high or low, are both able to increase the risk of OAG events. In conclusion, we found that HTN was able to increase the risk of OAG and DBP instability, whether high or low, can also increase the risk of OAG incidence.
PubMed: 34632075
DOI: 10.1136/bmjophth-2021-000798 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2021Previous studies evaluating the relationships of glaucoma with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia showed inconsistent results. We performed a meta-analysis of cohort...
Previous studies evaluating the relationships of glaucoma with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia showed inconsistent results. We performed a meta-analysis of cohort studies to evaluate the association between glaucoma with incidence of AD, all-cause dementia, and non-AD dementia. Cohort studies which evaluated the association between glaucoma with incidence of AD, all-cause dementia, and non-AD dementia in adult population with multivariate analyses were identified by systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane's Library databases. A random-effects model incorporating the potential intra-study heterogeneity was used for the meta-analysis. Eleven cohort studies including 4,645,925 participants were included. Results showed that compared to those without glaucoma at baseline, adult patients with glaucoma was not independently associated with increased incidence of AD [adjusted risk ratio (RR): 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.93-1.05, = 0.55; = 83%], all-cause dementia (adjusted RR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.97-1.19, = 0.15; = 79%), or non-AD dementia (adjusted RR: 1.05 95% CI: 0.91-1.21, = 0.49; = 82%). Sensitivity analyses by excluding one study at a time did not significantly affect the results of the meta-analyses. Moreover, subgroup analyses showed consistent results in meta-analysis of prospective or retrospective cohort studies, and in meta-analysis of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or primary angle-closure glaucoma (-values for subgroup difference all > 0.05). Current evidence from cohort studies did not support that glaucoma is an independent risk factor of AD, all-cause dementia, or non-AD dementia in adult population.
PubMed: 34504851
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.688551 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Aug 2021Glaucoma is one of the leading largely preventable causes of blindness in the world. It is usually addressed first medically with topical intraocular pressure-lowering... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Glaucoma is one of the leading largely preventable causes of blindness in the world. It is usually addressed first medically with topical intraocular pressure-lowering drops or by laser trabeculoplasty. In cases where such treatment fails, glaucoma-filtering surgery such as trabeculectomy, is commonly considered. Surgeons can differ in their technique when performing trabeculectomy, for example, the choice of the type of the conjunctival flap (fornix- or limbal-based). In a fornix-based flap, the surgical wound is performed at the corneal limbus; while in a limbal-based flap, the incision is further away. Many studies in the literature compare fornix- and limbal-based trabeculectomy with respect to outcomes and complications.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the comparative effectiveness of fornix- versus limbal-based conjunctival flaps in trabeculectomy for adult glaucoma, with a specific focus on intraocular pressure (IOP) control and complication rates (adverse effects).
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register; 2021, Issue 3); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid Embase; the ISRCTN registry; ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO ICTRP. The date of the search was 23 March 2021. There were no restrictions to language or year of publication.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included RCTs comparing the benefits and complications of fornix- versus limbal-based trabeculectomy for glaucoma, irrespective of glaucoma type, publication status, and language. We excluded studies on children less than 18 years of age, since wound healing is different in this age group and the rate of bleb scarring postoperatively is high.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard methodological procedures as per Cochrane criteria. MAIN RESULTS: We did not identify any new eligible studies for this review update. As presented in the original review, we included six trials with a total of 361 participants. Two studies were conducted in the USA and one each in Germany, Greece, India, and Saudi Arabia. The participants of four trials had open-angle glaucoma; one study included participants with primary open-angle or primary closed-angle glaucoma, and one study did not specify the type of glaucoma. Three studies used a combined procedure (phacotrabeculectomy). Trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC) was performed in four studies, and trabeculectomy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was performed in only one study. None of the included trials reported trabeculectomy failure at 24 months. Only one trial reported the failure rate of trabeculectomy as a late complication. Failure was higher among participants randomised to the limbal-based surgery: 1/50 eyes failed trabeculectomy in the fornix group compared with 3/50 in the limbal group (Peto odds ratio 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05 to 2.61)); therefore we are very uncertain as to the relative effect of the two procedures on failure rate. Four studies including 252 participants provided measures of mean IOP at 12 months. In the fornix-based surgeries, mean IOP ranged from 12.5 to 15.5 mmHg and similar results were noted in limbal-based surgeries with mean IOP ranging from 11.7 to 15.1 mmHg without significant difference. Mean difference was 0.44 mmHg (95% CI -0.45 to 1.33; 247 eyes) and 0.86 mmHg, (95% CI -0.52 to 2.24; 139 eyes) at 12 and 24 months of follow-up, respectively. Neither of these pooled analyses showed a statistically significant difference in IOP between groups (moderate certainty evidence). One trial reported number of anti-glaucoma medications at 24 months of follow-up with no difference noted between surgical groups. However, three trials reported the mean number of anti-glaucoma medications at 12 months of follow-up without significant difference in the mean number of postoperative IOP-lowering medications between the two surgical techniques. Mean difference was 0.02, (95% CI -0.15 to 0.19) at 12 months of follow-up (high certainty evidence). Because of the small numbers of events and total participants, the risk of many reported adverse events was uncertain and those that were found to be statistically significant may have been due to chance. For risk of bias assessment: although all six trials were randomised selection bias was mostly unclear, with unclear random sequence generation in four of the six studies and unclear allocation concealment in five of the six studies. Attrition bias was encountered in only one trial which also suffered from reporting bias. All other trials had an unclear risk of reporting bias as there was no access to study protocols. All included trials were judged to have high risk of detection bias due to lack of masking of the outcomes. Trabeculectomy is quite a standard procedure and unlikely to induce bias due to surgeon 'performance', hence performance bias was not evaluated.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
The main result of this review was that there was uncertainty as to the difference between fornix- and limbal-based trabeculectomy surgeries due to the small number of events and confidence intervals that cross the null. This also applied to postoperative complications, but without any impact on long-term failure rate between the two surgical techniques.
Topics: Child; Glaucoma; Glaucoma, Open-Angle; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Sclera; Trabeculectomy
PubMed: 34437715
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009380.pub3 -
Journal of Current Glaucoma Practice 2021This study aimed to use the available evidence to model a glaucoma surgical rate (GSR), which could serve as a target for West Africa.
AIM AND OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to use the available evidence to model a glaucoma surgical rate (GSR), which could serve as a target for West Africa.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was performed in Medline, Embase, Global Health, and CINAHL, and studies published between January 1, 2000, and June 19, 2020, were retrieved. Study selection, quality appraisal, and data extraction were performed and the results of individual studies aggregated and presented using a narrative synthesis. Using these data, we aimed to construct a target GSR per million population per year that is sufficient to offer trabeculectomy to most patients with glaucoma who are diagnosed, and for whom other treatment options are either ineffective or inappropriate. The findings were then used to develop a trabeculectomy target for West Africa.
RESULTS
Initial searches returned 633 references, of which 33 unique studies were eligible for inclusion. The glaucoma prevalence population-based surveys identified, reported a wide range of prevalence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) ranging from 1.0 to 8.4%. The studies on glaucoma medications reported intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effects ranging from 12.8% (beta-blockers) to 63.7% (Timolol-Latanoprost combinations). The adherence rate to antiglaucoma medications spanned from 10.3 to 82.3%. Regarding selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), only two studies were found. All the studies on trabeculectomy showed a significant reduction in IOPs at different follow-up periods with many reporting the absence of vision-threatening complications. From these available data, a GSR of 50 trabeculectomies was suggested for countries in West Africa.
CONCLUSION
This trabeculectomy target metric is expected to minimize POAG blindness in the West African subregion.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The proposed GSR will enable eye care workers involved in glaucoma care in West Africa to assess their efforts compared with the proposed target. The gap will signal the potential for improvement.
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Eni EN, Nolan W, Eval B, What Glaucoma Surgical Rate could Serve as a Target for West Africa? A Systematic Review. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2021;15(1):19-27.
PubMed: 34393452
DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10078-1293 -
Graefe's Archive For Clinical and... Jan 2022This study aims to review the literature that compares the accuracy of Anterior Segment-Optical Coherence Tomography (AS-OCT) against gonioscopy in detecting eyes with... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
This study aims to review the literature that compares the accuracy of Anterior Segment-Optical Coherence Tomography (AS-OCT) against gonioscopy in detecting eyes with angle closure. It is currently unclear how AS-OCT fits into clinical practice for detecting angle closure. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
A literature search was performed on Medline, Embase, Scopus and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify studies that investigated the diagnostic accuracy of AS-OCT in detecting eyes with angle closure as diagnosed by gonioscopy. Eligible studies included in the analysis met stringent inclusion criteria determining the sensitivity and specificity of AS-OCT.
RESULTS
The initial search identified 727 studies, of which 23 were included in the final analysis. We found substantial variation in the parameters being studied and methodologies. The sensitivity of AS-OCT ranged from 46 to 100% (median 87%). Twenty-one studies identified parameters that showed sensitivity above 80%. The specificity ranged from 55.3 to 100% (median 84%).
CONCLUSION
AS-OCT demonstrates good sensitivity for detecting angle closure. It may provide an avenue to address high rates of undiagnosed angle closure, such as found in developing Asian countries. However, AS-OCT is not yet able to replace gonioscopy. Clinicians should consider whether the diagnostic accuracy of AS-OCT is acceptable for their specific clinical use before adopting it. More studies are needed to determine the utility of AS-OCT, including longitudinal studies to determine the significance of eyes classified to have closed angles by AS-OCT but open on gonioscopy.
Topics: Anterior Eye Segment; Glaucoma, Angle-Closure; Gonioscopy; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Tomography, Optical Coherence
PubMed: 34223989
DOI: 10.1007/s00417-021-05271-4 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2021Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world and is influenced by various sociodemographic factors. This meta-analysis... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world and is influenced by various sociodemographic factors. This meta-analysis aims to determine the worldwide prevalence of POAG in the adult general population for the last 20 years, and explore variation in prevalence by age, gender and geographical location. An electronic literature search was performed using the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Population-based cross-sectional or cohort studies published in the last 20 years (2000-2020) that reported prevalence of POAG were recruited. Relevant studies meeting defined eligibility criteria were selected and reviewed systematically by meta-analysis. The prevalence of POAG was analyzed according to various risk factors. A random effect model was used for the meta-analysis. Fifty publications with a total of 198,259 subjects were included in this meta-analysis. The worldwide overall prevalence of POAG was 2.4% (95% CI 2.0 ~ 2.8%). The prevalence increases with age. Men are found to be more susceptible to POAG than women (RR 1.28, p < 0.01). Africa is found to have the highest prevalence of POAG (4.0%) among all continents. The current estimated global population of POAG is 68.56 million (95% CI 59.99 ~ 79.98). POAG is a worldwide vision threatening disease with high prevalence for the last 20 years. The population-based prevalence of POAG varies widely across individual studies, due to variations in risk factors of age, gender, and population geographic location.
Topics: Africa; Age Distribution; Blindness; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Glaucoma, Open-Angle; Humans; Male; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Sex Distribution
PubMed: 34215769
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92971-w -
Nutrients Jun 2021Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) remains a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally. Recent evidence further substantiates sustained oxidative stress, and...
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) remains a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally. Recent evidence further substantiates sustained oxidative stress, and compromised antioxidant defenses are key drivers in the onset of glaucomatous neurodegeneration. Overwhelming oxidative injury is likely attributed to compounding mitochondrial dysfunction that worsens with age-related processes, causing aberrant formation of free radical species. Thus, a compromised systemic antioxidant capacity exacerbates further oxidative insult in glaucoma, leading to apoptosis, neuroinflammation, and subsequent tissue injury. The purpose of this systematic review is to investigate the neuroprotective benefits of the macular carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin, and -zeaxanthin on glaucomatous neurodegeneration for the purpose of adjunctive nutraceutical treatment in glaucoma. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) and 20 records were identified for screening. Lutein demonstrated enhanced neuroprotection on retinal ganglion cell survival and preserved synaptic activity. In clinical studies, a protective trend was seen with greater dietary consumption of carotenoids and risk of glaucoma, while greater carotenoid levels in macular pigment were largely associated with improved visual performance in glaucomatous eyes. The data suggest that carotenoid vitamin therapy exerts synergic neuroprotective benefits and has the capacity to serve adjunctive therapy in the management of glaucoma.
Topics: Antioxidants; Carotenoids; Dietary Supplements; Glaucoma, Open-Angle; Humans; Lutein; Macular Pigment; Oxidative Stress; Visual Acuity; Zeaxanthins
PubMed: 34204051
DOI: 10.3390/nu13061949 -
Acta Ophthalmologica May 2022Preservative-free topical medications have been introduced for glaucoma care to reduce ocular adverse events associated with preservatives. This is a systematic review...
Preservative-free topical medications have been introduced for glaucoma care to reduce ocular adverse events associated with preservatives. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy and safety of beta-blockers, or combination using beta-blockers, with and without preservatives. PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science were examined. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews. The primary outcome was change in intraocular pressure (IOP) from baseline to final follow-up. Secondary outcomes included ocular and systemic side effects, and other clinical and quality of life outcomes. Of 242 records identified, seven RCTs (1125 patients) were included. The follow-up period ranged from one to 12 months. Timolol was used in five studies, and two studies used a combination (timolol with bimatoprost or dorzolamide). The difference in mean change (MD) in IOP between the preservative-free and the preserved drugs was statistically significant but not clinically relevant: (MD 0.29 mmHg, 95% confidence interval 0.07-0.51 mmHg, p = 0.010; moderate-certainty evidence). Regarding adverse events: Level of evidence for all ocular surface outcome was low or very low and reported in few studies. No significant difference was observed on ocular surface symptoms. Tear break-up time (TBUT) was better with preservative-free drops (p < 0.001). Schirmer's test was better in the preservative-free group (p < 0.001). Level of evidence for all ocular surface outcomes was low or very low. There was no difference in other secondary outcomes. We found no clinically relevant difference in mean change in IOP between the preserved and the preservative-free treatments. Data on adverse events used different methods and were incompletely reported. Although some measures of ocular surface health favoured preservative-free medications, more evidence is needed. The increasing use of preservative-free drops may be associated with better ocular surface and tolerability, but strong evidence from RCTs would be welcome.
Topics: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Antihypertensive Agents; Glaucoma; Glaucoma, Open-Angle; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Ocular Hypertension; Ophthalmic Solutions; Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; Timolol
PubMed: 34128326
DOI: 10.1111/aos.14926 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2021Glaucoma is the leading cause of global irreversible blindness, often associated with raised intraocular pressure (IOP). Where medical or laser treatment has failed or...
BACKGROUND
Glaucoma is the leading cause of global irreversible blindness, often associated with raised intraocular pressure (IOP). Where medical or laser treatment has failed or is not tolerated, surgery is often required. Minimally-invasive surgical approaches have been developed in recent years to reduce IOP with lower surgical risks. Supraciliary microstent surgery for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is one such approach.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of supraciliary microstent surgery for the treatment of OAG, and to compare with standard medical, laser or surgical treatments.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register; 2020, Issue 8); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid Embase; the ISRCTN registry; ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO ICTRP. The date of the search was 27 August 2020.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of supraciliary microstent surgery, alone or with cataract surgery, compared to other surgical treatments (cataract surgery alone, other minimally invasive glaucoma device techniques, trabeculectomy), laser treatment or medical treatment.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently screened titles and abstracts from the database search to identify studies that met the selection criteria. Data extraction, analysis, and evaluation of risk of bias from selected studies was performed independently and according to standard Cochrane methodology.
MAIN RESULTS
One study met the inclusion criteria of this review, evaluating the efficacy and safety of the Cypass supraciliary microstent surgery for the treatment of OAG, comparing phacoemulsification + supraciliary microstent surgery with phacoemulsification alone over 24 months. This study comprised 505 eyes of 505 participants with both OAG and cataract, 374 randomised to the phacoemulsification + microstent group. In this study, the perceived risk of bias from random sequence generation, allocation concealment and selective reporting was low. However, we considered the study to be at high risk of performance bias as surgeons/investigators were unmasked. Attrition bias was unclear, with 448/505 participants contributing to per protocol analysis. Insertion of a Cypass supraciliary microstent combined with phacoemulsification probably increases the proportion of participants who are medication-free (not using eye-drops) at 24 months compared with phacoemulsification alone (85% versus 59%, risk ratio (RR) 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09 to 1.49, moderate-certainty evidence). There is high-certainty evidence that a greater improvement in mean IOP occurs in the phacoemulsification + microstent group - mean (SD) change in IOP from baseline of -5.4 (3.9) mmHg in the phacoemulsification group, compared to -7.4 (4.4) mmHg in the phacoemulsification + microstent group at 24 months (mean difference -2.0 mmHg, 95% CI -2.85 to -1.15). There is moderate-certainty evidence that insertion of a microstent is probably associated with a greater reduction in use of IOP-lowering drops (mean reduction of 0.7 medications in the phacoemulsification group, compared to a mean reduction of 1.2 medications in the phacoemulsification + microstent group). Insertion of a microstent during phacoemulsification may reduce the requirement for further glaucoma intervention to control IOP at a later stage compared to phacoemulsification alone (RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.07 to 1.04, low-certainty evidence). There is no evidence relating to the rate of visual field progression, or proportion of participants whose visual field loss progressed in this study. There is moderate-certainty evidence showing little or no difference in the proportion of participants experiencing postoperative complications over 24 months between participants in the microstent group compared to those who received phacoemulsification alone (RR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8 to 1.4). Five year post-approval data regarding the safety of the Cypass supraciliary microstent showed increased endothelial cell loss, associated with the position of the microstent in the anterior chamber. There were no reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes in the included study.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Data from this single RCT show superiority of supraciliary microstent surgery when combined with phacoemulsification compared to phacoemulsification alone in achieving medication-free control of OAG. However, there are long-term safety concerns with the device used in this trial, relating to the observed significant loss of corneal endothelial cells at five years following device implantation. At the time of this review, this device has been withdrawn from the market. This review has found that few high-quality studies exist comparing supraciliary microstent surgery to standard medical, laser or surgical glaucoma treatments. This should be addressed by further appropriately designed RCTs with sufficient long-term follow-up to ensure robust safety data are obtained. Consideration of health-related quality of life outcomes should also feature in trial design.
Topics: Bias; Combined Modality Therapy; Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss; Glaucoma, Open-Angle; Humans; Microsurgery; Phacoemulsification; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Stents
PubMed: 34049422
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012802.pub2