• Accuracy of combined GDx-VCC and matrix FDT in a glaucoma screening trial
  M. Tóth, P. Kóthy, P. Vargha and G. Holló
  Journal of Glaucoma 2007; 16: 462-470
  Abstract no. 834

"GDX-VCC and Matrix-FDT are complementary diagnostic techniques for glaucoma screening."

• Corneal thickness and relating factors in a population-based study in Japan: the Tajimi study
  A. Tomidokoro, M. Araie, A. Iwase; the Tajimi Study Group
  American Journal of Ophthalmology 2007; 144: 152-154
  Abstract no. 843

"The CCT in a Japanese population was associated significantly with gender, IOP, and corneal curvature but not with age."

• Aqueous humor formation and its regulation by nitric oxide: A mini review
  C.W. Do, C.W. Kong, C.Y. Chan, C. Lam and C.H. To
  Neuroembryology and Aging 2007; 4: 8-12
  Abstract no. 853

"The nitric oxide signaling cascade is thought to regulate the ion transport across the ciliary epithelium, and thereby reduce the rate of aqueous humor formation and IOP."

• Effects of refraction and axial length on childhood optic disk parameters measured by optical coherence tomography
  C. Samarawickrama, X.Y. Wang, S.C. Huynh, G. Burlutsky, F. Stapleton and P. Mitchell
  American Journal of Ophthalmology 2007; 144: 459-461
  Abstract no. 874

"Optic disk parameters in childhood are influenced by axial length, but not by refractive error."

• CJO Lecture 2007: Central corneal thickness, tonometry, and glaucoma risk - a guide for the perplexed
  J.D. Brandt
  Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology 2007; 42: 562-566
  Abstract no. 921

"CCT is an independent predictive factor for the development of glaucoma."

• Prospective study of alcohol consumption and the risk of primary open-angle glaucoma
  J.H. Kang, W.C. Willett, B.A. Rosner, S.E. Hankinson and L.R. Pasquale
  Ophthalmic Epidemiology 2007; 14: 141-147
  Abstract no. 984

"Alcohol consumption did not influence the risk of POAG"

• Infrared imaging technique may help demonstrate iris transillumination defects in blacks who show other pigment dispersion syndrome clinical signs
  D.K. Roberts and M.N. Wernick
  Journal of Glaucoma 2007; 16: 440-447
  Abstract no. 1006

"Digital infrared iris photography may help demonstrate abnormal iris tranilllumination defects among the darkly pigmented irides of blacks."

• Silicone oil pupillary block: an exception to combined argon-Nd:YAG laser iridotomy success in angle-closure glaucoma
  A.H. Zalta, N.S. Boyle and A.K. Zalta
  Archives of Ophthalmology 2007; 125: 883-888
  Abstract no. 1028

"Irididotomy closure is not uncommon in eyes with silicone oile pupillary block glaucoma."

• Optic nerve restoration: new perspectives
  N.D. Bull and K.R. Martin
  Journal of Glaucoma 2007; 16: 506-511
  Abstract no. 1064

"There is emerging interest in restoring function to the damaged glaucomatous optic nerve."

• Ab interno trabeculotomy with the trabectome surgical device
  S. Mosaed
  Techniques in Ophthalmology 2007; 5: 63-66
  Abstract no. 1105

"In recent experience with the ab interno trabeculotomy (Trabectome) procedure, intraocular pressure was reduced approximately 40% from baseline with a marked reduction in the need for intraocular pressure-lowering medications. No significant long-term complications were encountered. This novel technique may provide a minimally invasive surgical option for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma. Ab interno trabeculotomy (Trabectome) may provide a minimally invasive surgical option for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma."

• Cost of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma: a retrospective study of commercial insurance claims data
  P.P. Lee, L.A. Levin, J.G. Walt, T. Chiang, L.M. Katz, M. Dolgitser, J.J. Doyle and L.S. Stern
  Ophthalmology 2007; 114: 1241-1247
  Abstract no. 1153

"There is a substantial cost burden associated with POAG."

• Glaucoma in the United States and europe: predicting costs and surgical rates based upon stage of disease
  P.P. Lee, S.P. Kelly, R.P. Mills, C.E. Traverso, J.G. Walt, J.J. Doyle, L.M. Katz and L.R. Siegartel; Costs of Glaucoma Study Group
  Journal of Glaucoma 2007; 16: 471-478
  Abstract no. 1152

"Significant potential savings and reductions in annual healthcare burden are possible if patients are diagnosed and treated at earlier stages of glaucoma."

Extra Special Attentions from IGR 9-2

• Is this neuroprotective drug good for my glaucoma patients? Some key factors in clinical decision-making
  Goldberg I.
  Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology 2007; 42: 418-420
  Abstract no. 698

What will the place of neuroprotectants be in therapeutic strategies for glaucoma? This paper lays the foundation for the development of rational guidelines

• Surgical lowering of elevated intraocular pressure in monkeys prevents progression of glaucomatous disease
  Nickells RW, Schlamp CL, Li Y, Kaufman PL, Heatley G, Peterson JC, Faha B, Ver Hoeve JN.
  Experimental Eye Research 2007; 84: 729-736
  Abstract no. 807

“Improves our understanding of the experimental monkey chronic glaucoma model”

• Primary angle closure glaucoma: a developing world perspective
  Thomas R, Sekhar GC, Parikh R.
  Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 2007; 35: 374-378
  Abstract no. 405

An estimation of the healthcare burden of Primary Angle Closure in the developing countries

• Glaucoma screening: analysis of conventional and telemedicine-friendly devices
  Kumar S, Giubilato A, Morgan W, Jitskaia L, Barry C, Bulsara M, Constable IJ, Yogesan K.
  Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 2007; 35: 237-243
  Abstract no. 404

In remote and rural regions, screening for glaucoma on age, family history and telemedicine-based C/D and Visual Field assessment may be more effective than IOP measurements

• Should we treat the brain in glaucoma?
  Gupta N, Yücel YH.
  Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology 2007; 42: 409-413
  Abstract no. 450

As we expand our focus from IOP-lowering agents to neuroprotection, we may well find that we need to develop therapeutic strategies for the entire visual pathway.

• Visual functional changes during acute elevation of intraocular pressure
  Shou T.-D.
  Neuroscience Bulletin 2006; 22: 235-238
  Abstract no. 527

A review of functional changes in the entire visual system during experimental acute IOP elevation

• Progression of glaucoma associated with the sirsasana (headstand) yoga posture
  Gallardo M.J, Aggarwal N, Cavanagh H.D, Whitson J.T.
  Advances in Therapy 2006; 23: 921-925
  Abstract no. 521

Even if your patients do not practice Yoga every day, this is a reminder that there can be wide occupational or behavioural variations from the IOP values measured in a doctor’s office.

• The economic implications of glaucoma: A literature review
  Schmier J.K, Halpern M.T, Jones M.L.
  PharmacoEconomics 2007; 25: 287-308
  Abstract no. 809

Estimates of glaucoma-related costs and treatment cost-effectiveness vary widely between studies. Better estimates are critical for resource allocation and healthcare policy

• Glaucoma-causing myocilin mutants require the Peroxisomal targeting signal-1 receptor (PTS1R) to elevate intraocular pressure
  Shepard A.R, Jacobson N, Millar J.C, Pang I.-H, Steely H.T, Searby C.C, Sheffield V.C, Stone E.M, Clark A.F.
  Human Molecular Genetics 2007; 16: 609-617
  Abstract no. 467

A molecular explanation of the pathogenic mechanisms leading from a myocillin mutation to open-angle glaucoma

• Ocular disposition, pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of nanoparticle-formulated ophthalmic drugs
  Bu H.-Z, Gukasyan H.J, Goulet L, Lou X.-J, Xiang C, Koudriakova T.
  Current drug metabolism 2007; 8: 91-107
  Abstract no. 725

A review of alternatives to the common water-based eye-drop to facilitate the formulation of less soluble, better penetrating or longer acting drugs.

• From ocular hypertension to ganglion cell death: a theoretical sequence of events leading to glaucoma
  Nickells RW.
  Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology 2007; 42: 278-287
  Abstract no. 487

A review of pathogenic events leading in five stages from elevated IOP to neural tissue loss and scarring.

• Ocular drug delivery: molecules, cells, and genes
  Liu X, Brandt CR, Rasmussen CA, Kaufman PL.
  Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology 2007; 42: 447-454
  Abstract no. 735

Can it be that the eye is the ideal target organ for gene and cell-based therapy?

• Sodium 4-phenylbutyrate acts as a chemical chaperone on misfolded myocilin to rescue cells from endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis
  Yam GH, Gaplovska-Kysela K, Zuber C, Roth J.
  Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 2007; 48: 1683-1690
  Abstract no. 475

We knew that mutant, misfolded myocillin was the culprit in a number of open-angle glaucoma cases. Specific, causal treatments may now be in sight for them.