Eyeworld

EW GLAUCOMA 58 alternative to traditional glaucoma surgery," Dr. Moster noted. Reasons for impressive success rates include the small size of the implant and the less traumatic na- ture of the procedure, Dr. Moster suggested. "The EX-PRESS has particular appeal when there is a small but un- touched mobile area of conjunctiva in eyes that have been exposed to prior surgical procedures," she re- ported. Favorable results with tubes have been found in previous litera- ture. "The Tube versus Trabeculec- tomy Study (TVT) showed that at 12, 24, and 36 months of follow-up, there was no significant difference in the mean IOP between the tra- beculectomy and tube groups," Dr. Moster noted. "However, the overall success rate in the tube group (82%) was higher than that of the tra- beculectomy group (66%) at 36 months follow-up." Another study by Coupin et al on EX-PRESS implantation under a sclera flap found similar results to Dr. Moster's study, with an overall success rate of 86.9%, slightly higher than her study. "It should be noted that the baseline IOP in [the Coupin] study (22.9 mm Hg) was less than ours (27.7 mm Hg)," Dr. Moster said. Dr. Moster looks forward to re- search comparing the EX-PRESS to larger glaucoma drainage devices as well as to primary trabeculectomy. For now, other recent research has shown favorable results with the EX-PRESS implanted under a scleral flap. Aarthi Balashanmugam, M.D., University Eye Specialists, Chicago, used the EX-PRESS in this manner along with intraoperative 5- fluorouracil with good results, pub- lished as part of Posters on Demand at the 2009 ASCRS•ASOA Sympo- sium & Congress in San Francisco. The EX-PRESS was implanted in an African-American population with medically uncontrolled glau- coma in 14 eyes of 11 patients. IOP decreased from a mean 33.6+/– 9.4 mm Hg to 13.3+/–3.7 mm Hg at the last follow-up visit. Medications decreased from 4.4+/– 0.6 to 0.4+/–1.1 at the last visit. Both of these results were statistically sig- nificant. "No erosion or blockage of shunt, endophthalmitis or corneal decompensation [was] observed," Dr. Balashanmugam noted. EW Editors' note: Dr. Balashanmugam has no financial interests related to this re- port. Dr. Moster has financial interests with Alcon. Contact information Balashanmugam: aarthi_bala@hotmail.com Moster: marlenemoster@aol.com February 2011 April 2011 • Industry Leading Resolution • 100% Measurement Capability including dense cataracts • Automatic Alignment Detection • Simplified Personalization of Lens Constants • Unlimited patient data storage, recall, and transfer via USB Memory Stick Every purchase of an A-Scan Plus 4.20 comes with an on-site training program. Receive a Free Toric Marker with Purchase 3222 Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA 19355 • USA 800-979-2020 • 610-889-0200 • FAX 610-889-3233 • www.accutome.com Product #24-4200 Right On Target... The New A-Scan Plus ® 4.20 Right On Target... The New A-Scan Plus ® 4.20 Meeting the Needs of Your Premium IOL Patient Visit Us At ARVO Booth #520 With continued from page 57 EyeWorld factoid Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. More than 2 million Americans have glaucoma and another 2 million may have the disease and not know it Source: American Health Assistance Foundation

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