BackgroundTo assess the impact of knowing central corneal thickness (CCT) on glaucoma management in a United Kingdom district general hospital.MethodsA masked observational non-interventional study included 304 eyes of 152 consecutive glaucoma cases attending general clinic. CCT was measured using a hand-held pachymeter. IOP, as measured by the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), was adjusted for CCT using a normogram. Two identical study sheets were retrospectively constructed from each subject's case notes: one included the CCT and adjusted IOP information, the other excluded. Study sheets were randomly presented to a single masked observer to decide glaucoma management. The difference in management decision was noted.ResultsThe mean ± standard deviation CCT was 561.5 ± 35.7 μm, 538.9 ± 41.4 μm, 538.3 ± 40.3 μm for ocular hypertension (OHT), primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal pressure glaucoma (NPG) subjects respectively. IOP adjustment was greater than ±2 mmHg in 33.9%(103/304) of eyes. CCT and adjusted IOP information led to different treatment option in 37%(55/152). Of the most important changes 20.4%(31/152) cases would have been commenced on additional IOP-lowering medication, 2.0%(3/152) would have been counselled for trabeculectomy surgery and 3.3%(5/152) of the cohort would have been observed rather than treated.ConclusionCCT and adjusted IOP measurement can influence glaucoma management in a clinical context. It helps attribute risk and hence aids patient management decisions.
In this first single-center study to report incidence of endophthalmitis following phacoemulsification and silicone IOL implantations alone, the incidence of endophthalmitis was significantly higher with silicone polypropylene IOLs than with silicone PMMA IOLs and the overall incidence of endophthalmitis following phacoemulsification surgery was higher than most of the published data.
Objectives
This report, based on guidance from a panel of UK retina specialists, introduces a revised intravitreal aflibercept (IVT-AFL) treat-and-extend (T&E) pathway for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). The T&E pathway incorporates the updated IVT-AFL label (April 2021) allowing flexible treatment intervals of 4 weeks to 16 weeks, after three initiation doses and a further dose after 8 weeks. Practical guidance is provided on the clinical implementation of the revised pathway, with the aim of supporting clinical decision-making to benefit patients and addressing capacity issues in nAMD services.
Methods
Three structured round-table meetings of UK retina specialists were held online on 19 May, 16 June and 13 October 2021. These meetings were organised and funded by Bayer.
Results
The authors revised the previously published consensus pathway to reflect the changes to the IVT-AFL label and developed guidelines for the implementation of the pathway in UK clinical practice. The guidelines include topics such as recommendations for extending patients with 2- or 4-week adjustments, extending patients to 16-week treatment intervals, managing fellow eye involvement, and reducing treatment intervals for patients with particularly active disease.
Conclusions
The revised IVT-AFL T&E nAMD pathway offers guidance to clinicians seeking to increase the dosing flexibility of IVT-AFL, with 4- to 16-week treatment intervals, in line with the updated IVT-AFL label, to meet the continually evolving demands of nAMD service provision.
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