BackgroundTo identify success predictors and to study the role of the fellow untreated eye as a co-variable for adjustment of intraocular pressure (IOP) outcomes following selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in early open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients.MethodsA case series was carried out. Patients with uncontrolled early OAG or ocular hypertension (inadequate IOP control requiring additional treatment) underwent SLT (one single laser session) performed by the same surgeon in a standardized fashion. The same preoperative medical regimen was maintained during follow-up for all patients. Post-treatment assessments were scheduled at week 1 and months 1, 2, and 3. In order to account for possible influence of IOP fluctuation on laser outcomes, post-laser IOP values of the treated eye of each patient were also analyzed adjusting for IOP changes (between visits variation) of the untreated fellow eye (adjusted analysis). Pre and post-laser IOP values were compared using paired t-test. Factors associated with the magnitude of IOP reduction were investigated using multiple regression analysis.ResultsA total of 45 eyes of 45 patients were enrolled. Mean IOP was reduced from 20.8 ± 5.1 to 14.9 ± 2.9 mmHg at month 3 (p < 0.001). Adjusted success rate (defined as IOP reduction ≥ 20%) was 64% and mean percentage of IOP reduction was 23.1 ± 14.3% at last follow-up visit. Considering unadjusted post-laser IOP values, it was found a 20% greater absolute IOP reduction (median [interquartile range] 6 mmHg [4–7] vs 5 mmHg [3–7]; p = 0.04), with a success rate of 76%. Although baseline IOP was significantly associated with both adjusted and unadjusted post-laser IOP reduction, a stronger association was found when unadjusted IOP values were considered (p < 0.001 and R 2 = 0.35; p < 0.001 and R 2 = 0.67, respectively). Age, mean deviation (MD) index, central corneal thickness and type of glaucoma were not significant predictors (p ≥ 0.150).ConclusionsIn this group of patients with early OAG or ocular hypertension, our short-term results confirmed SLT as a safe and effective alternative for IOP reduction. Although better outcomes were found in eyes with higher preoperative IOP, this effect was mitigated when results were adjusted to the fellow untreated eye (to the influence of between visits-IOP fluctuations).

This pilot study of a neovascularization model using intravitreal injection of VEGF165 in pigmented rabbits showed that both doses of 10 and 20 μg were successful and effective in inducing vascular growth in the retina and anterior segment and can therefore be used for evaluating drug efficacy in future studies.