Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026
07:11
Assessing Early Stage Open-Angle Glaucoma in Patients by Isolated-Check Visual Evoked Potential
Published on: May 25, 2020
7.7K
Long-term comparison using Ex-PRESS glaucoma shunt in black and white patients.
Jeffrey Freedman1, Sara Ferri2
1Department of Ophthalmology, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, N.Y..
Summary
Black and white patients with open-angle glaucoma treated with the Ex-PRESS glaucoma shunt show different initial failure patterns. While black patients experience early Ex-PRESS shunt failure, white patients experience later failure, leading to similar outcomes at two years.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Glaucoma research
- Surgical outcomes
Background:
- Open-angle glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
- The Ex-PRESS glaucoma shunt is a surgical device used to manage intraocular pressure (IOP).
- Racial disparities in glaucoma prevalence and progression are well-documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the clinical outcomes and failure patterns of the Ex-PRESS glaucoma shunt in black and white patients.
- To investigate potential differences in the efficacy and safety of the Ex-PRESS shunt based on race.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective comparative study design.
- Inclusion of 63 eyes from 50 black patients and 44 eyes from 34 white patients with open-angle glaucoma.
- Definition of success as IOP between 5-18 mm Hg with a 20% reduction from baseline, without additional glaucoma surgery.
Main Results:
- Mean follow-up was 29 months for black patients and 25 months for white patients.
- Initial success rates at 12 months were 77.6% for black patients and 95% for white patients (p=0.015).
- No significant difference in success rates was observed at 2 years (p=0.462).
Conclusions:
- Failure patterns of the Ex-PRESS glaucoma shunt differ significantly between black and white patients over time.
- Black patients tend to experience earlier shunt failure, while white patients experience later failure.
- Despite initial differences, long-term survival rates of the Ex-PRESS shunt become comparable between racial groups by two years.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
1.1K
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
1.1K
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
1.7K
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
1.7K
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
1.6K
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
1.6K