Does Retinal Ganglion Cell Loss Precede Visual Field Loss in Glaucoma? It is often said that substantial retinal ganglion cells are lost before glaucomatous damage is detected by standard automated perimetry. There are 4 key articles referenced to support this belief. To test the hypothesis that the 4 key articles are incorrectly cited, the publications in the first 6 months of 2019 that reference 1 or more of these 4 articles were examined. In particular, the degree to which the quotes from these 2019 publications accurately reflected the evidence in the 4 key articles was assessed. These quotes are inadequately supported by the data, and in some cases even by the conclusions found in the abstracts of the key articles. This is despite several review articles that have questioned the evidence in these key articles. Further, a case can be made that the evidence in the key articles better supports the opposite conclusion. That is, the data suggest that sensitivity loss can be seen on standard automated perimetry before retinal ganglion cells are missing.

Baseline Central Visual Field Defect as a Risk Factor For NTG Progression: A 5-Year Prospective Study Precis: This 5-year follow-up study on normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients demonstrated that those with baseline central visual field (VF) defect progress at a more increased rate compared with those with peripheral field defect. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics, including 24-hour ocular perfusion pressure and risk of progression in patients with baseline central VF defect, as compared with those with peripheral VF defect in NTG. Design: This was a prospective, longitudinal study. Methods: A total of 65 NTG patients who completed 5 years of follow-up were included in this study. All the enrolled patients underwent baseline 24-hour intraocular pressure and blood pressure monitoring via 2-hourly measurements in their habitual position and had ≥5 reliable VF tests during the 5-year follow-up. Patients were assigned to two groups on the basis of VF defect locations at baseline, the central 10 degrees, and the peripheral 10- to 24-degree area. Modified Anderson criteria were used to assess global VF progression over 5 years. Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to compare the elapsed time of confirmed VF progression in the two groups. Hazard ratios for the association between clinical risk factors and VF progression were obtained by using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: There were no significant differences between the patients with baseline central and peripheral VF defects in terms of demography, clinical, ocular and systemic hemodynamic factors. Eyes with baseline defects involving the central fields progressed faster (difference: βcentral=−0.78 dB/y, 95% confidence interval=−0.22 to −1.33, P=0.007) and have 3.56 times higher hazard of progressing (95% confidence interval=1.17-10.82, P=0.025) than those with only peripheral defects. Conclusion: NTG patients with baseline central VF involvement are at increased risk of progression compared with those with peripheral VF defect.

Treatment Outcomes Following Resident Performed Nonvalved (Baerveldt 350) Glaucoma Drainage Device Implantation Precis: When compared with outcomes by glaucoma specialists in several prospective studies, residents at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center achieved comparable reductions in intraocular pressure (IOP) and failure rates during the year following Baerveldt drainage device implantation. Purpose: To review the outcomes of resident performed Baerveldt implantation through 1 year of postoperative management in a resident-run clinic. Materials and Methods: The medical records of all veterans at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center were searched to identify those with Baerveldt implantation by resident physicians from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2017. Exclusion criteria include previous glaucoma tube or concurrent surgical intervention, including cataract extraction. All postoperative visits were reviewed and clinical data were collected. Failure was defined as 2 consecutive visits, starting at postoperative month (POM) 3, with IOP ≤5 mm Hg, or with IOP >21 mm Hg or <20% IOP reduction from baseline, reoperation for glaucoma, or loss of light perception. Results: A total of 48 eyes were included with mean (SD) IOP and number of medications: baseline, 23.1 (6.7) mm Hg on 3.7 (1.0) medications; postoperative day 1, 20.5 (11.7) mm Hg on no medications; postoperative week 1, 14.3 (6.9) mm Hg and 1.9 (1.7) medications; POM1, 16.7 (6.4) mm Hg and 2.2 (1.5) medications; POM3, 15.1 (5.2) mm Hg and 2.1 (1.6) medications; POM6 12.8 (4.9) mm Hg and 2.8 (1.3) medications; POM12, 13.0 (4.0) mm Hg and 2.8 (1.4) medications. IOP decreased at all time intervals (P<0.01) but postoperative day 1 (P=0.15) while medication burden was reduced at every visit (P<0.01). Through 12 months, 8 patients (17%) failed with a time to failure of 9.2 (0.3) months. No patients underwent additional glaucoma surgical interventions or lost light perception. Conclusions: Residents can safely and efficaciously perform Baerveldt implantation, providing reassurance regarding the autonomy afforded residents in the operating room and clinic.

Quality of Life of Caregivers of Children With Glaucoma in an Arab Population: A Cross-Sectional Study Background: To evaluate the quality of life (QoL) measures of caregivers of children with glaucoma using the Caregiver’s Congenital Glaucoma Quality of Life (CarCGQoL) questionnaire. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study undertaken at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. QoL of the caregivers, the main outcome, was assessed using the 20-item CarCGQoL questionnaire. Raw QoL scores of caregivers were converted to Rasch-calibrated interval level scores. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with caregivers’ QoL. Results: Eighty-five caregivers (46 fathers and 39 mothers) aged 42.5±7.5 years were included in the study. The mean QoL score of caregivers was 0.63 (±1.05). The presence of additional children with glaucoma in the household had the strongest negative relationship with caregivers’ QoL [β=−0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI): −1.22, −0.27; P=0.003]. A poor QoL was noted with mother caregivers (β=−0.46, 95% CI: −0.87, −0.04; P=0.031) and those caring for blind children (vision <20/200 in the better eye) (β=−0.52, 95% CI: −0.98,−0.05; P=0.030) when compared with their reference groups. A 22.3% variance in the QoL score was explained by these three factors (adjusted R2=0.223). Conclusions: The QoL of caregivers of children with glaucoma was poor. Caregiver’s relation to patients, additional children with glaucoma in the family and patient’s vision in the better eye could influence a caregiver’s QoL. Periodic evaluation of QoL of caregivers is recommended to plan counseling and other support services.

Analysis of the Optic Disc and Peripapillary Structures in Monozygotic Twins Purpose: We assessed the structural similarity of the optic disc and peripapillary region between monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs. Through these analyses, we sought to determine whether these structures are more likely to be affected by genetic or environmental factors. Methods: Using fundus photographs of 362 MZ twins, cup-to-disc ratio, tilt ratio of the optic disc, and the angle between the major temporal retinal vessels were measured. We also checked for the presence of peripapillary atrophy (PPA) and, if present, recorded its size and direction. We compared the level of consistency of these parameters and axial length (AL) between the right and left eyes within each individual and also between the corresponding paired eyes of the twins. Subgroup analysis was performed according to age and the difference in the AL between the twin pairs. Results: The mean (SD) age of the twins included in this study was 38.6 years (8.1). The size of the PPA was significantly correlated with the AL, but not with the intraocular pressure. For PPA-related factors, the level of consistency was weaker between corresponding paired eyes of the twins than between the right and left eyes within each individual. The level of consistency of the AL was the strongest in both comparisons. The level of consistency of both PPA-related factors and tilt ratio between the corresponding paired eyes of the twins was weaker in the group with a larger intertwin difference of AL than in the group with a smaller difference. Subgroup analyses by age (older age group, 45.3±6.3 y; younger age group, 32.4±2.7 y) showed that the level of consistency of PPA-related factors was weaker in the older age group than in the younger age group, after adjusting the AL. Conclusions: Unlike AL and cup-to-disc ratio, similarity of PPA between MZ twins decreased with age, suggesting that PPA could be formed as a result of various factors in addition to genetic ones.

The Chinese Glaucoma Study Consortium for Patients With Glaucoma: Design, Rationale and Baseline Patient Characteristics Precis: Chinese Glaucoma Study Consortium (CGSC) as the first nationwide glaucoma registry in China, we describe its design, rationale, the geographic distribution of the hospitals, and baseline patient characteristics. Aim: As a leading cause of blindness in China, glaucoma affects 2% to 4% of adults over the age of 40 and will become increasingly prevalent as the population ages. At the national level, there are few reports on the current medical practice for glaucoma patients. CGSC will be considered as the first nationwide glaucoma registry in China. Here we describe its design, rationale, the geographic distribution of the hospitals, and baseline patient characteristics. Methods: From December 21, 2015 to September 9, 2018, CGSC recruited patients with the diagnoses of primary angle-closure suspect, primary angle-closure, primary angle-closure glaucoma, acute primary angle closure, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), pigmentary glaucoma (PG), and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXG) from 111 hospitals covering 67 cities from 22 provinces, 4 municipalities, and 5 autonomous regions in mainland China. Clinical data were collected using an Electronic Data Capture System designed by Tongren hospital and Gauss informed Ltd. Blood samples were collected from every patient for further genetic analysis. Results: Medical records of 10,892 patients were collected, of which 5762 patients have complete information. The average age of those with complete information (n=5762) was 62.05±11.26 years old, and 35.25% were males. Primary angle-closure disease, including primary angle-closure suspect/primary angle-closure/primary angle-closure glaucoma/acute primary angle closure, was predominant (4588, 79.63%), and the distribution for others is as follows: POAG (1116, 19.37%), PXG (41, 0.71%) and PG (17, 0.30%). A total of 16,684 blood samples were collected, of which 9917 (82.68%) were primary angle-closure disease, 1987 (16.57%) were POAG, 69 (0.58%) were PXG, 22 (0.18%) were PG, and 4689 were normal controls. Conclusions: The CGSC is the first national-level glaucoma registry study in China. Clinical data and blood samples will provide the opportunity to study the epidemiology of glaucoma in Chinese hospitals, to evaluate the level of medical diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma in China, and to identify the susceptibility loci for glaucoma.

Analysis of Neuroretinal Rim by Age, Race, and Sex Using High-Density 3-Dimensional Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Précis: Neuroretinal rim minimum distance band (MDB) thickness is significantly lower in older subjects and African Americans compared with whites. It is similar in both sexes. Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between age, race, and sex with the neuroretinal rim using high-density spectral-domain optical coherence tomography optic nerve volume scans of normal eyes. Methods: A total of 256 normal subjects underwent Spectralis spectral-domain optical coherence tomography optic nerve head volume scans. One eye was randomly selected and analyzed for each subject. Using custom-designed software, the neuroretinal rim MDB thickness was calculated from volume scans, and global and quadrant neuroretinal rim thickness values were determined. The MDB is a 3-dimensional neuroretinal rim band comprised of the shortest distance between the internal limiting membrane and the termination of the retinal pigment epithelium/Bruch’s membrane complex. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the associations of age, race, and sex with neuroretinal rim MDB measurements. Results: The population was 57% female and 69% white with a mean age of 58.4±15.3 years. The mean MDB thickness in the normal population was 278.4±47.5 µm. For this normal population, MDB thickness decreased by 0.84 µm annually (P<0.001). African Americans had thinner MDBs compared with whites (P=0.003). Males and females had similar MDB thickness values (P=0.349). Conclusion: Neuroretinal rim MDB thickness measurements decreased significantly with age. African Americans had thinner MDB neuroretinal rims than whites.

Tube Shunt Revision With Excision of Fibrotic Capsule Using Mitomycin C With and Without Ologen—a Collagen Matrix Implant: A 3-Year Follow-up Study Precis: Tube revision with capsule excision in failed glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs) has good medium-term success effectively reducing the intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication burden. Implantation of Ologen may limit the complications, particularly erosion. Purpose: To evaluate the 36-month outcomes of tube shunt revision with capsule excision using Mitomycin C (MMC) versus MMC with Ologen—a collagen matrix implant. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three eyes with failed GDD underwent tube revision with fibrotic capsule excision. 12 of them received a MMC application whereas the other 11 also received an Ologen implant. Qualified success, changes in IOP, medication burden, and complication rates were evaluated and compared. Results: Three years post-revision, qualified success for the whole cohort was 58% with no significant difference between the MMC group (52%) and MMC+Ologen group (67%; P=0.606). Mean survival time for each group was 27.4 and 29.8 months, respectively. With no intergroup differences through 3 years, capsule excision leads to a significant decrease in IOP from 28.6±6.5 to 15.1±4.3 mm Hg (47% reduction) and in antiglaucoma medications, from 3.6±1.2 to 2.5±1.3 mm Hg (30% reduction; P<0.001). Complication rates were significantly lower in the MMC+Ologen group (27%) compared with the MMC group (75%; P=0.022). Plate erosion happened in 25% of the eyes in the MMC group which required excision of the tube and plate, but no such complication was observed in the MMC+Ologen group. Conclusions: Revision of a failed tube shunt by excision of the encapsulated bleb offers good medium-term outcomes by reducing the IOP and glaucoma medications. Although the addition of Ologen did not affect the medium-term success, IOP, or medication burden, its implantation yielded significantly lower complication rates.

Threshold Automated Perimetry of the Full Visual Field in Patients With Glaucoma With Mild Visual Loss Precis: The authors used the Open Perimetry Interface to design a static automated perimetry test of the full field. Abnormal test locations in the nasal midperiphery and temporal inferior sector area best separated glaucomas from normals. Purpose: The peripheral visual field in glaucoma outside 30 degrees is largely unexplored with static perimetry. Their goal was to use threshold static automated perimetry to characterize the visual loss in glaucoma of the central 30 degrees and the far periphery. Patients and Methods: The authors administered the 30-2 perimetric test to 27 patients with early stage glaucoma (with mean deviation better than −4 dB) with the Goldmann III and V stimulus sizes and a custom test from 30 to up to 87 degrees with the size V stimulus twice within a month. The authors quantified (1) the retest variability, (2) the proportion of patients flagged as abnormal (at level 0.05) on the basis of pointwise probability distributions obtained from 63 ocular healthy observers, (3) the pointwise statistical distance using the Kullback-Leibler divergence between normal and glaucoma eyes, and (4) the effect of eccentricity on visual loss. Results: Size V 30-2 testing identified significantly more abnormal test locations (36%) than size III 30-2 (30%; P=0.004). Kullback-Leibler divergence between healthy and glaucoma distributions was greatest for the nasal midperipheral test locations and the inferior temporal sector area. A more pronounced decrease was found in visual sensitivity with eccentricity in the patients with glaucoma compared with the ocular healthy participants across the full visual field (P<0.001). Conclusions: Patients with glaucoma demonstrate a systematic decrease in sensitivity with eccentricity across the full visual field. Goldmann size V stimuli better detected visual loss in patients with glaucoma with mild loss than size III.

Structure-function Relationship in Advanced Glaucoma After Reaching the RNFL Floor Précis: Although the circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) reached the measurement floor, the nasal macular region is important for assessing central visual function in advanced glaucoma. Purpose: To investigate the relationship between the central visual field (VF) and macular parameters obtained from spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with advanced glaucoma that reached the cpRNFL thickness measurement floor and to determine whether the structural changes measured by SD-OCT are useful for estimating the functional status in these patients. Methods: A total of 68 eyes from 68 patients with advanced glaucoma were included. Only eyes having an average cpRNFL thickness of ≤57 μm that reached the measurement floor were included. Macular imaging using Cirrus SD-OCT and 10-2 Humphrey VF was performed. The VF mean deviation was converted to a linear scale using unlogged 1/Lambert values. The relationships between the central VF and various macular parameters were determined. Results: Patients had a mean VF mean deviation of −20.69 dB and an average cpRNFL thickness of 51.76±3.61 μm. Correlations between the VF and all cpRNFL thickness parameters were not significant. However, significant correlations were found between the central VF and superonasal macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness (r=0.334; P=0.003), inner nasal macular thickness (r=0.301; P=0.013), and outer nasal macular thickness (r=0.331; P=0.007). Conclusions: Even after the cpRNFL had reached the measurement floor, several macular parameters showed a statistically significant relationship with functional status in VF. In particular, the assessment of structural changes in the nasal macular region may be important in determining the central VF in advanced glaucoma.