News Flashes (IGR 10-4 March, 2009)

• The amount of IOP-lowering was unrelated to the presence or frequency of disc hemorrhages. (Glaucoma Dialogue)

• A change in first-line treatment from topical medication to laser trabeculoplasty,is cost efficient. (Glaucoma Opinion)

• Mutations that predispose to abnormal processing of Amyloid Precursor Proteinin the brain (Alzheimer) also lead to changes in the retina that are associated with accelerated death of retinal ganglion cells. (ES)

• The immune system may have an important role in the development of NTG. (ES)

• Trabecular meshwork cells undergo apoptosis. (ES)

• There is good agreement between the number of RGCs estimated from SAP sensitivity and the number of RGC axons estimated from OCT RNFL thickness. (ES)

• The scleral contribution was identified as the origin of the artifacts for most cases of GDxVCC atypical birefringence. (ES)

• Longitudinal variability is the ‘yard stick’ by which a series of imaging tests are analyzed for progression. (ES)

• Transconjunctival flap suturing is a simple surgical technique to treat hypotony maculopathy. (ES)

• Administration of bevacizumab at the right time after surgery, can effectively reduce conjunctival vascularity with no evident signs of toxicity at 6 months. (ES)

• Transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (CPC) may be an alternative therapy for treatment of aqueous misdirection. (ES)

• Gender is associated with disc hemorrhages. (Glaucoma Dialogue)

• Awareness of glaucoma was improved, but knowledge about the disease and health seeking behavior were not after a multi-pronged awareness campaign.(ES)

• A significant rise in IOP does occur in upgaze in patients with Grave’s ophthalmopathy, but this rise is considerably smaller when taking central corneal measurements on upgaze. (ES)

• To be able to apply novel neuroimaging techniques to larger glaucoma populations, normative neuroimaging databases, accounting also for age, are needed. (ES)

• Hyperoxia is likely to overpower the vasodilatory effect of hypercarbia. (ES)

• Applying carbogen in retinal ischemic condition may be injudicious. (ES)

• There may be other therapeutic modalities beside IOP reduction, particularly inNTG patients. (ES)

• As we develop therapeutics to restore the RGC soma and axon, attention to the dendrite, nerve terminal and target in the brain is needed to provide a more complete framework with which to approach glaucoma therapies. (ES)

• Retinal neuroprotective properties of E2 and estrogen analogs warrant additional study as a potential new therapeutic option for the treatment of glaucoma. (ES)

• Retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and optic atrophy lack highly effective treatment with western medicine, alternative treatment options to potentially improve visual function may deserve more attention and further studies with robust design. (ES)

• While predictive models are a useful tool for the management of patients, theiruse cannot replace the clinical judgment of the healthcare professional. (ES)

• The role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of glaucoma is being increasinglycontemplated. (ES)