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Päivi Puska

Publications and source records attributed to Päivi Puska.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Progression of visual field defects and visual loss in trabeculectomized eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate progression of visual field (VF) defects and development of visual impairment (low vision and blindness) after trabeculectomy. METHODS: We evaluated retrospectively 138 eyes of 138 consecutive patients over 40 years of age with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or exfoliation glaucoma (EG) operated on by trabeculectomy without antimetabolites. The mean follow-up period was 3.5 years (range 2-5). In 83 eyes, pre- and postoperative VF measured by the same technique were compared to detect progression. Visual acuities (VA) were recorded as Snellen decimal notations. VA of <0.3 to 0.05 was defined as low vision and VA of <0.05 or VF constricted to less than 20 degrees in diameter as blindness. RESULTS: In 34 (41%) of 83 eyes with comparable fields, VF defects progressed because of glaucoma. In logistic regression analysis, severity of preoperative VF loss (P=0.0047) and use of preoperative oral anti-glaucomatous medication (P=0.047) correlated significantly with VF progression. In univariate analysis, also initial intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction after surgery (P=0.023) and IOP reduction from preoperative to last postoperative examination (P=0.036) were significantly smaller in eyes with VF progression. Defect progression did not, however, correlate significantly with the last IOP (P=0.58). Six eyes (4.3%) were blind due to glaucoma preoperatively and 14 eyes (10.1%) at the last follow-up. Visual impairment correlated with the severity of initial VF loss (P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Progression of VF defects and development of visual impairment due to glaucoma was fairly common despite trabeculectomy. Both were associated with severity of initial VF defect. In this series, no significant correlation appeared between defect progression and the last IOP, but association between stability of VF and the amount of IOP reduction after surgery indicate that a lower target IOP level particularly in eyes with initially severe VF defect would, however, be needed.

Adult↗

Penetrance and phenotype of the Thr377Met Myocilin mutation in a large Finnish family with juvenile- and adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To study the role of myocilin (MYOC) as a susceptibility gene for juvenile- and adult-onset open-angle glaucoma (JOAG and POAG, respectively). METHODS: In a six-generation Finnish family with JOAG and POAG, we performed thorough ophthalmologic characterization (including assessment of the visual fields by Octopus perimetry, nerve-fiber layer thickness by photography, and disc size by Heidelberg tomography) of 51 individuals. The coding region of MYOC was screened for mutations by PCR amplification and direct sequencing. RESULTS: We detected a C > T transition at codon 377 resulting in a substitution of a threonine residue for methionine (Thr377Met) in the olfactomedin-like domain of myocilin, segregating in the family. Of the 20 individuals heterozygous for the mutation, nine (45%) were glaucomatous and two (10%) had ocular hypertension (OHT). The mean age at diagnosis of glaucoma in these individuals was 34.3 years (range: 14-66 years). Moreover, three of these individuals suffered retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in one eye, while one individual without the mutation had RVO. CONCLUSION: Our results further support the evidence that the Thr377Met mutation in MYOC may represent a susceptibility allele for glaucoma. These findings may facilitate genetic counseling, and early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma. The possible interaction of factors contributing to RVO in conjunction with the Thr377Met mutation warrants further investigation.

Adolescent↗

Phacoemulsification in trabeculectomized eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate retrospectively risk indicators for cataract surgery and the effect of phacoemulsification on intraocular pressure (IOP) control in eyes that have undergone trabeculectomy. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective analysis of 138 eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or exfoliation glaucoma (EG) in 138 consecutive patients over the age of 40 years undergoing trabeculectomy with no antimetabolites performed by one surgeon. Of the 48 eyes (35%) undergoing a cataract operation during the follow-up period of 2-5 years, 46 were included in this analysis. Their IOP, glaucoma medication and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before cataract surgery and at the last follow-up were compared. Risk indicators for cataract surgery were analysed. RESULTS: Cataract operations were performed 5.1-58.1 months (median 14.4 months) after trabeculectomy. The mean length of follow-up after cataract surgery was 25.3 months (SD 12.9, median 24.8 months). Before cataract surgery, the mean IOP was 16.2 mmHg (SD 4.9) and the mean number of topical antiglaucoma medicines 0.8 (SD 1.0). At the most recent visit, mean IOP was 17.3 mmHg (SD 6.4) (p = 0.35), and the mean number of medicines was 1.3 (SD 1.1) (p = 0.0007). Of the 22 eyes in which treatment had been categorized as completely successful (IOP < or = 21 mmHg without other therapy) before cataract surgery, 13 (59%) had remained so. The number of failures (IOP > 21 mmHg, or more than one medication needed or further surgery performed) increased from 14 (30%) before surgery to 28 (61%) afterwards. The proportion of failures in the cataract surgery group was twice that in the no cataract surgery group (61% versus 31%). In a proportional hazards regression, only age (73.9 years [SD 9.4] and 68.1 years [SD 9.8] in patients with and without cataract surgery, respectively) proved to be a significant (p = 0.001) indicator for surgery. CONCLUSION: The results of this retrospective study on consecutive clinical cases of trabeculectomy indicate that cataract progression after trabeculectomy is mainly an age-related process. In more than half the eyes with good preoperative IOP control, this good control was maintained after cataract surgery. On the other hand, in some eyes cataract surgery may compromise IOP control even when surgery avoids the area of the bleb.

Aged↗

Peripapillary atrophy in the unilateral exfoliation syndrome.

PURPOSE: To compare the areas of peripapillary atrophy between fellow eyes in patients with unilateral exfoliation syndrome. METHODS: Topographic measurements for peripapillary atrophy and the optic nerve head with confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph were performed on 45 nonglaucomatous patients with unilateral exfoliation syndrome. The area of peripapillary atrophy was divided into an alpha and a beta zone. The areas of alpha and beta peripapillary atrophy and their angular extents around the disc were measured. The frequency distributions of the alpha and beta areas and their largest radial extents at different positions around the disc were calculated. RESULTS: An alpha area was detected in 84% of the exfoliative and 89% of the nonexfoliative fellow eyes, and a beta area in 31% and 42% of eyes, respectively. The exfoliative and the fellow nonexfoliative eyes did not differ in the sizes of the alpha (0.43+/-0.46 vs 0.33+/-0.18 mm(2), P=0.68) and beta (0.14+/-0.30 vs 0.17+/-0.34 mm(2), P=0.96) areas of peripapillary atrophy. The angular extents, the locations of the largest radial extent, and the frequency distributions of the alpha and beta peripapillary atrophy areas were similar in fellow eyes. CONCLUSION: Exfoliation syndrome itself is not a risk factor for peripapillary atrophy.

Aged↗

Exfoliation syndrome in Estonian patients scheduled for cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To examine the frequency of exfoliation syndrome (XFS) in Estonian patients scheduled for cataract surgery. METHODS: A series of 305 patients (mean age 71.5 +/- 8.6 years) scheduled for cataract surgery were examined for the presence of exfoliation syndrome, predominant type of lens opacification and intraocular pressure (IOP). RESULTS: Exfoliation material was detected in 108 (35.4%) patients, of whom 51 (47.2%) were bilaterally and 57 (52.8%) were unilaterally affected. In the bilaterally phakic patients exfoliation material was detected in 92 (30.2%) patients, of whom 51 (55.4%) were bilaterally and 41 (44.6%) were unilaterally affected. Intraocular pressure was higher in eyes with exfoliation than in eyes without it (19.2 +/- 6.5 mmHg and 17.1 +/- 3.8 mmHg, respectively; p = 0.006). Nuclear sclerosis predominated in eyes with XFS compared to those without XFS (57.6% and 36.9%, respectively). Cortical (7.6%) and subcapsular (7.6%) cataracts were less common in eyes with XFS than in eyes without XFS (16.9% and 20.2%, respectively). Mature cataract was found in 41.3% of all mixed types of cataracts. CONCLUSION: Exfoliation syndrome is common in Estonian patients. It was detected in 35.4% of the patients scheduled for cataract surgery.

Adult↗

Measuring intraocular pressure with the Pulsair 3000 and Rebound tonometers in elderly patients without an anesthetic.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of the new Rebound tonometer for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) in an unanesthetized eye; to test patient tolerance, measurement time, and accuracy compared with the Pulsair 3000 tonometer. METHODS: IOP was measured with the Rebound tonometer and the Pulsair 3000 tonometer without an anesthetic in 131 residents of two Finnish nursing homes. The measurement time and possible pain or discomfort experienced by the inhabitants was recorded. RESULTS: The mean differences in IOP readings between the two tonometers were 0.31 mmHg, SD 2.45 mmHg for the right eyes and 0.36 mmHg, SD 2.17 mmHg for the left eyes (P=0.28, multivariate analysis). The correlation constants between the tonometers were 0.84 (right eyes) and 0.80 (left eyes). The Pulsair 3000 caused more discomfort than the Rebound tonometer (36% vs 15%, P=0.01). With the Pulsair, 85%, and with the Rebound tonometer, 95% of the patients felt no pain ( P= 0.14). Measurement of both eyes with the Rebound tonometer took less time (55+/-22 s vs 138+/-55 s, P<0.001). The mean difference was 82 s and the 95% confidence interval of the difference was 66-98 s. CONCLUSION: Measurement of IOP with the Rebound tonometer without an anesthetic is a rapid and well-tolerated procedure. IOP readings of the two tonometers were within +/-1 mmHg in 52.5% of the measurements and within +/-2 mmHg in 71.7% of the measurements.

Adult↗

Effects of early postoperative complications and the location of trephined block on long-term intraocular pressure control after trabeculectomy.

BACKGROUND: Complications of trabeculectomy in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and exfoliation glaucoma (EG) were compared. The effects of complications and the location of the trephined tissue block on the long-term success were evaluated. METHODS: One hundred thirty-eight consecutive eyes with POAG or EG of patients over 40 years of age operated on by one surgeon by trabeculectomy without using antimetabolites were analyzed retrospectively. Early postoperative complications and any additional postoperative procedures were recorded and related to the final outcome. In 118 eyes the location of the trephined tissue block was defined in a light microscopic study as anterior or posterior. The success rates in these two groups were determined by Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and the complication rates were compared. RESULTS: Postoperative complications were equally common in POAG and EG, except for hyphema, which was significantly more common in EG than in POAG. Of the early complications, only insufficient filtration at the end of the 1st postoperative month was significantly associated with failure in the long term. The location of trabeculectomy did not significantly affect the early postoperative complications or the long-term success. CONCLUSIONS: Early postoperative complications after trabeculectomy were common, but the only significant predictor of failure was increased intraocular pressure at the end of the 1st postoperative month.

Adult↗

Long-term outcome of trabeculectomy in terms of intraocular pressure.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome, long-term results and contributing prognostic factors of trabeculectomy in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP) and to compare the results in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and exfoliation glaucoma (EG). METHODS: This study involved retrospective evaluation of 138 consecutive patients (138 eyes) with either POAG or EG. All patients had undergone primary trabeculectomy performed by the same surgeon between November 1994 and August 1996. Only one eye per patient was included. Operations performed with the use of antimetabolites were excluded. All patients were aged over 40 years and were white. Follow-up for all subjects lasted at least 2 years. Successful control of IOP was defined as achieving IOP < or = 21 mmHg without medication (complete success) or with a single topical medication (qualified success). Success rates were determined using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve, and risk factors were analysed with proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: According to the Kaplan-Meier survival curve, success rates (complete or qualified) were 82% at 1 year, 70% at 2 years, 64% at 3 years and 52% at 4 years. A total of 63% were complete successes at 1 year, 54% at 2 years, 45% at 3 years and 40% at 4 years. Complete success rates were significantly better in the POAG group than in the EG group. Proportional hazards regression analysis showed that the presence of EG and early postoperative IOP > 30 mmHg decreased the possibility of complete success, while a cataract operation performed during follow-up improved it. CONCLUSION: The IOP-reducing effect of trabeculectomy decreases gradually. After 4 years, 52% of operated eyes had IOP < or = 21 mmHg with or without a single topical medication. Diagnosis of EG implied a worse long-term outcome for trabeculectomy in terms of IOP.

Adult↗