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Table 5. Comments and corresponding ratings for 42 clinical questions 1, 2 Clinical questions Comments from survey respondents 1. Is laser iridotomy effective in preventing acute angle-closure Laser iridotomy is important in preventing acute ACG/ PACG as the rate crisis and primary angle-closure glaucoma in patients with of progression in angle closure eyes is not known. Also in the future, an iridotrabecular contact, and normal intraocular pressure without answer to such a question may not be available due to ethical peripheral anterior synechiae? considerations It’s important Laser iridotomy is effective in preventing pupil block and not effective in preventing angle closure There is currently paucity of data regarding the natural history of angle closure disease, except for data from India (Vellore Eye Study). Current RCTs being conducted in Singapore and China will hopefully provide dependable biomarkers that would help determine which of the PACS eyes might go on to develop angle closure disease The data answers this already It is effective, at present we do not know how many with PACS will progress or develop acute crisis. In such a situation not all eyes with PACS will need PI Yes Yes Yes 2. Does routine monitoring of people with iridotrabecular contact Serial gonioscopy is very important for picking up early stages of PAC/ improve the identification of primary angle closure? PACG. It should be opportunistically and routinely done in all patients visiting the clinic, and also in patients on medical therapy who require change of medical therapy apparently for the lack of control of glaucoma Some people have pupil block at first and some have angle-closure at first This could be a potential waste of resources as only 22-28% of PACS would convert to disease and hence might not be practical in either first world nations or emerging economies. One should remember that the prevalence of angle closure glaucoma is about 2-3% and there are other eye diseases that warrant our attention I think the cost-effectiveness analysis of such an approach vis-a-vis the prevalence of the disease is an important factor to consider in such a research question Periodic indentation gonioscopy is needed in eyes with PACS Yes Yes 10/9/2012 Rating 8 7 9 10 10 10 8 10 7 10 6 5 9 10 8 8 Page 1 of 13 Clinical questions 3. Is prophylactic laser iridotomy more effective than routine monitoring in preventing acute angle-closure crisis and primary angle-closure glaucoma in patients who are primary angle-closure suspects when medication required may provoke pupillary block? 4. Is prophylactic laser iridotomy more effective than routine monitoring in preventing acute angle-closure crisis and primary angle-closure glaucoma in patients who are primary angle-closure suspects when symptoms present suggest prior acute angleclosure? 5. Is prophylactic laser iridotomy more effective than routine monitoring in preventing acute angle-closure crisis and primary angle-closure glaucoma in patients who are primary angle-closure suspects and have limited access to immediate ophthalmic care (e.g., the patient resides in a nursing facility, travels frequently to developing parts of the world, works on a merchant vessel)? Comments from survey respondents Yes Medications like alpha-2 agonist tend to cause mydriasis and consequently increase pupillary block. With the more frequent use of such a medication amongst general ophthalmologist as well as glaucoma fraternity and the lack of importance given to the procedure of gonioscopy, a prophylactic iridotomy may be more effective in preventing acute angle closure crisis and PACG Shown to a certain extend yet by leydecker (germany) decades ago At present the evidence is inconclusive It is very effective in preventing APAC, but not so effective in preventing chronic PACG. I think the question may be separated for APAC and chronic PACG Yes Yes Yes Any subject presenting with history of symptoms suggestive of an acute event should be considered to have PAC and managed with LPI as first line therapy, unless new evidence suggests otherwise With symptoms PI is needed It is very effective in preventing APAC, but not so effective in preventing chronic PACG. I think the question may be separated for APAC and chronic PACG Yes Yes Yes Relative indication for prophylactic iridotomy Such patients should be advised and undergo prophylactic LPI given the difficulty in access to appropriate ophthalmic care I have rated these questions as "0" based on the fact that we have strong consensus on these questions already and we may not need new research on these questions PI is better option It is very effective in preventing APAC, but not so effective in preventing chronic PACG. I think the question may be separated for APAC and chronic PACG Yes Yes 10/9/2012 Rating 6 8 9 7 8 7 10 8 1 10 8 7 10 8 10 1 0 10 8 8 10 Page 2 of 13 Clinical questions 6. Is informing primary angle-closure suspects patients who have not had a laser iridotomy about the danger of taking pupil dilation medicines (e.g., over-the-counter decongestants, motion-sickness medication, anticholinergic agents) effective in preventing acute angle-closure crisis? 7. Does informing primary angle-closure suspects patients who have not had a laser iridotomy about the symptoms of acute angle-closure crisis reduce the time to notify their ophthalmologist about symptoms and receive eye care services? 8. Is prophylactic peripheral laser iridoplasty after laser iridotomy effective in preventing primary angle-closure glaucoma and acute angle-closure crisis in eyes with plateau iris? 9. Is further therapy (iridoplasty, chronic miotic therapy, or other surgical procedures) effective in preventing primary angleclosure glaucoma and acute angle-closure crisis in eyes with recurrent high intraocular pressure after laser iridotomy when the pupil is dilated (plateau iris syndrome)? Comments from survey respondents Yes Difficult to inform the patient about the complete list of such medication. It would be rational to perform an iridotomy It has been demonstrated that routine dilatation has low risk of precipitating acute angle closure It is important part of patient education Yes Yes Yes Yes, in urban centres with easy access to emergency health care and availability of ophthalmologist it would be wise to inform the patients of the symptoms of acute ACG. in patients who do not have such an access it may be rational to perform an iridotomy Patient education and awareness are key to finding solutions to manage angle closure disease more effectively, given that the prevalence of sufferers is on the rise Yes Yes No Yes Given that there have been no RCTs to determine the efficacy of ALPI and that the natural history of plateau iris is not fully understood, AND that angle closure disease of mixed mechanisms, it would be important to answer this research question Not so frequent at least in mid europe Yes if not at least miotics should be used Yes Yes Yes Not effective. May require incisional surgery filtering surgery Other surgical procedures are not determined yet whether they also include trabeculectomy Chronic miotic therapy should be a last option for therapy in such patients, given that we would effectively be inconveniencing the patient. Extraction of visually significant cataract could be a possible solution Yes, otherwise there is always a risk of intermittent raise in IOP 10/9/2012 Rating 8 1 5 10 8 10 7 7 9 10 8 0 10 9 9 10 9 10 8 0 6 9 10 Page 3 of 13 Clinical questions 10. Is laser iridotomy effective in treating eyes with primary angle closure? 11. Is laser iridotomy effective in treating eyes with primary angle-closure glaucoma? 12. Does pre- and post-operative care (e.g., performing at least one IOP check within 30 minutes to 2 hours of surgery, and prescribing topical corticosteroids in the postoperative period) result in better outcomes in patients scheduled to undergo laser iridotomy or incisional iridectomy? Comments from survey respondents Yes Yes Yes It has been reported that LPI is not 100% effective in preventing increase in IOP and/or PAS progression Research data has answered this adequately already Yes Yes Yes No Laser iridotoomy by itself may not treat PACG but the residual glaucoma may be controlled with medication Although LPI would be first line therapy, its efficacy has been shown to be variable in eyes with extensive PAS and could lead to uncontrolled inflammation and IOP increase post procedure The answer to this is "in" already Simple iridotomy is inadequate PI is part of the treatment of PACG Yes, sometimes Yes Yes This question should be made in 4 questions separating pre-operative care, post-operative care, laser iridotomy and incisional iridectomy. When it is made in one question it is generalized all the situations in one condition which is very different Evidence exists for use of steroids or anti-inflammatory drugs usage and episodes of IOP spikes after LPI Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10/9/2012 Rating 8 10 8 9 10 10 8 10 8 8 8 10 7 10 5 8 8 5 0 10 10 8 10 8 Page 4 of 13 Clinical questions 13. Are preoperative miotics effective in facilitating laser iridotomy or incisional iridectomy? 14. Are perioperative medications effective in averting sudden intraocular pressure elevation after laser iridotomy or incisional iridectomy for patients who have severe disease? 15. Do follow-up evaluations (e.g., evaluation of the patency of iridotomy, IOP measurement, Gonioscopy, pupil dilation, and fundus examination) result in better outcomes in patients who undergo laser iridotomy or incisional iridectomy? 16. Is topical antihypertensive therapy effective in lowering intraocular pressure and preventing optic nerve damage after laser iridotomy in patients with primary angle closure or primary angle-closure glaucoma? Comments from survey respondents For incisional iridectomy when pupil is not miosis we could use other miotics substance to constrict the pupil during the surgery. So it is better to have this question in 2 forms, one is for laser iridotomy and another one for incisional iridectomy Anecdotal evidence might suggest that stretching the iris thin would be the appropriate approach, but an RCT would confirm it The question has relevance to whether it is applicable to sequential or isolated YAG iridotomy - evidence will be useful to apply in clinical practice It enables to perform PI with minimum energy and in incisional surgery prevents possible sector iridectomy Yes most of the time, No if the irides are thick Yes Yes Already answered Preoperative control of IOP is important, it helps in blunting the post laser IOP Yes Yes Yes Periodic gonioscopy and IOP and ONH assessment post LPI have been strongly recommended by AAO PPP and SEAGIG Guidelines, but not all ophthalmologists practice this Already known Gonioscopy performed too rare! Yes Yes Yes Yes Most studies have shown this to be effective; no IOP lowering medication currently available can prevent progression 100% Answered already Theoretically not sound… Yes, but a little Yes 10/9/2012 Rating 7 8 7 7 9 8 5 5 7 8 8 8 9 5 9 10 8 10 10 1 5 1 6 8 Page 5 of 13 Clinical questions 17. Is laser iridoplasty effective in opening the drainage angle and lowering the intraocular pressure when performed especially within 6 to 12 months of an acute attack? 18. Is surgical lysis of synechiae (goniosynechialysis) effective in opening the drainage angle and lowering the intraocular pressure when performed especially within 6 to 12 months of an acute attack? 19. How much of the trabecular meshwork needs to be open in order that chronic topical ocular hypotensive agents can be effective in managing elevated intraocular pressure and preventing optic nerve damage after laser iridotomy to expect a reasonable IOP reduction? 20. Is laser trabeculoplasty effective in managing elevated intraocular pressure and preventing optic nerve damage if sufficient open trabecular meshwork exists after laser iridotomy? Comments from survey respondents Yes Laser iridotomy alone is not helpful in lowering IOP after 6-12 months of an acute attack. Such patients generally require incisional glaucoma surgery Evidence collected already. Not sure Yes No Mechanical trauma may induce further synechiae It depends on the degree of PAS Yes Yes Yes No The mechansm of action of various antiglaucoma meidcation is very different. The quantification of IOP lowering effect of various medication with respect to the functioning of the trabecular meshwork after laser iridotomy cannot be done This approach is overly simplistic 180 degrees Not sure, angle may look open but may not be functional because of the previous attack. Probably at least 180 degrees At least 90 degrees of trabecular meshwork to needs to be open Over 90 degree Open doesn't mean functional. Optic nerve situation is another important parameter At least 180 degrees open Individual variation is very great More than a half 180 Laser trabeculoplasty may be effective after iridotomy but comparison between eyes may be difficult as some eyes even with obvious peripheral synechiae seem to respond to medical therapy (function well) and some eyes without PAS seem to have raised IOP. Till correct quantification of the histological structure of the TM is done it will be difficult to compare amongst the groups 10/9/2012 Rating 8 1 5 2 8 8 0 7 8 8 8 4 * 5 9 4 8 8 1 9 * 10 9 2 Page 6 of 13 Clinical questions 21. Is incisional surgery (trabeculectomy,tube shunt, or other procedures) effective in managing elevated intraocular pressure and preventing optic nerve damage after laser iridotomy? 22. Is cataract extraction alone effective in lowering intraocular pressure in primary angle-closure glaucoma patients? 23. Is medical therapy (e.g. topical beta-adrenergic antagonists, topical alpha2-adrenergic agonists, topical or systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, topical miotics, or systemic hyperosmotic agents) an effective initial treatment in lowering intraocular pressure to reduce pain and clear corneal edema in acute angleclosure crisis? Comments from survey respondents As long as the mechanism of increased intraocular pressure is caused by the closed angle, it is not wise to do the laser trabeculoplasty Current evidence suggests that trabeculoplasty is a temporizing measure only Some evidence already Not sure it may work Yes Yes No If the IOP is not getting controlled incisional surgery is required Yes Yes Yes Since the pathology lies at the trabecular meshwork level in PACG eyes, extracting the lens may initially give usefull IOP control, but in the long term, the IOP rises and patients may require glaucoma surgery It depends on the level of increased IOP or the number of antiglaucoma drugs used before the surgery Depends up on the severity of glaucoma. Mild and moderate PACG can be managed with cataract alone. In severe PACG combined approach is better If IOP over 35 mmHg, or over 3 antiglaucomatic medication. Cataract op alone is not adequate It depends, especially the optic nerve condition. A better optic nerve, the more likely cataract operation alone can solve the problem No No Much evidence already accumulated Known yet and performed widely Already info available To minimize the chances of optic disc damage it is important to reduce the IOP. Additionally it clears the cornea for further treatment Yes and No- depend on the case scenario. Yes if the IOP is < 30 mmHg and initial presentation is diagnosed early as lowering of IOP by medical means are safer than surgical method. No if the IOP is > 40 mmHg and the acute presentation are diagnosed much later whereby signs like synechiae has already present with very shallow anterior 10/9/2012 Rating 1 8 8 2 8 10 9 8 8 10 9 0 9 8 8 7 8 9 6 5 0 10 7 Page 7 of 13 Clinical questions 24. Is laser iridotomy soon after medical therapy effective in treating acute angle-closure crisis? 25. What is the effectiveness of miotics alone in opening the angle in acute angle-closure crisis? 26. Are systemic hyperosmotic agents with miotic therapy effective in decreasing IOP and opening the angle in acute angleclosure crisis? Comments from survey respondents chamber Yes, of course Yes Long answered Already info available Depending on the corneal condition. If corneal edema is severe, it's not easy to perform LI To eliminate the pupillary block PI is needed, having said so it may not be effective in all cases and iridoplasty may be required as an additional procedure to open up the angle Yes & No Yes- if the case is diagnosed early No- if there other signs of PAS or trabecular meshwork obstruction due to inflammation Yes Yes, it is Yes May not be very effective alone and until the raised IOP is reduced. Using miotics alone wastes precious time which a patient with acute ACG may not have It depends on how long the crisis has been existed For the early attack AACG Only when the IOP is under control it should be used. On an ischemic iris it may not be effective Constrict pupil and lower IOP It does not work well if the IOP is too high or within the iris posterior synechia Yes & No. Yes, if the presentation is early with IOP of < 30 mmHg. No, if IOP >30 mmHg and present with synaechial They are more effective to decrease the IOP but to open the angle it depends on the pathology whether it is apposition or synechial closure Not for everyone Yes & No Yes- if there are no systemic contraindication, early diagnosis and IOP< 38 mmHg No- if possible systemic contraindication with late diagnosis and IOP>40 mmHg Yes Yes 10/9/2012 Rating 10 8 8 0 6 10 7 9 10 10 2 5 3 4 8 8 7 10 6 7 8 10 Page 8 of 13 Clinical questions 27. Is corneal indentation (performed with a four-mirror gonioscopic lens, cotton-tipped applicator, or tip of a muscle hook) effective in breaking pupil block in acute angle-closure crisis? 28. Are topical hyperosmotic agents effective in clearing cornea edema such that a laser iridotomy can be performed in patients with acute angle-closure crisis? 29. Is anterior chamber paracentesis effective in clearing cornea edema such that a laser iridotomy can be performed in patients with acute angle-closure crisis? 30. Is laser peripheral iridoplasty (even with a cloudy cornea) effective in treating acute angle-closure crisis if a laser iridotomy cannot be successfully performed or the acute angle-closure crisis Comments from survey respondents May be effective, have no experience with the technique, but with the mechanism of pupillary block in place the moment the corneal indentation is relieved the IOP will revert to the preindentation stage. We see severe acute ACG in our centre and the patients come after 5 days to 1 month of acute attack Patient only tolerate the pain induced by above manipulation once May not work in all cases Not effective Yes, but only a little effective Yes- if no Posterior synaechia or PAS, No- If PS or PAS is already present To weak Still IOP reduction is required. In eyes with corneal edema with normal IOP definitely this trick will help Yes, when necessary Yes- if the corneal oedema is confine to epithelial oedema No- if the oedema involve stroma and endothelium & is due to endothelial insult because of the IOP Yes May be effective. But if one is planning to do a paracentesis one could also perform an iridectomy at the same sitting. Paracentesis will only shallow the anterior chamber further and thus increasing the iridolenticular contact and exacerbating the pupillay block and also aggravating the glaucoma The safety of this procedure needs to be evaluated Yes, and we often use it when the medicine does not work well There is a wound created Not a safe procedure Laser iridotomy should not be performed immediately follow paracentesis. Infection is a major concern. If the pressure is coming down, LI can be delayed one or two days later Yes Yes We have some evidence for this already Already info available If AC is very sharrow, it's not easy to perform safely 10/9/2012 Rating 2 3 2 6 2 7 2 4 5 8 9 1 5 8 5 2 5 8 8 7 0 6 Page 9 of 13 Clinical questions cannot be medically broken? 31. Is paracentesis effective in treating acute angle-closure crisis if a laser iridotomy cannot be successfully performed or the acute angle-closure crisis cannot be medically broken? 32. Is incisional iridectomy effective in treating acute angleclosure crisis if a laser iridotomy cannot be successfully performed or the acute angle-closure crisis cannot be medically broken? 33. Is simultaneous primary filtering surgery effective in treating acute angle-closure crisis when incisional iridectomy is required and extensive synechial closure is recognized or suspected? Comments from survey respondents Yes it opens up the angle but PI will be needed to relieve the pupillary block later The chance is similar to pupilloplasty Yes if PAS is not extensive Yes Yes Paracentesis alone is not effective but surgical iridectomy, the basic surgery of a glaucoma surgeon will be more helpful Again even though it works it is not a safe procedure Rating 8 1 8 8 8 0 4 Yes, when necessary Yes Yes Safer than a paracentesis in an eye with very high IOP A tarbeculectomy will be a better choice in this situation, if you are going to sent the patient to operating room Will likely worsen the acute attack as any surgical intervention will cause more inflammation Yes Yes Yes Very rarely. It is always easier to perform surgery with an iridotomy/ iridectomy in place in eyes with acute PACG. The possibility of devastating complications is less and the chamber is also relatively deeper for intraocular manipulations Cataract surgery is more preferable than filtering surgery Risk of failure is high in eyes with an acute event Feel this situation is so rare nowadays that a research study is not warranted for this and the clinician can make his/her judgment High risk High failure rate if it is done during the acute phase in spite of using MMC A two step approach is ideal Yes- trab do not work well in PACG if the eye is phakic Yes Yes 10/9/2012 5 8 8 7 9 9 10 8 8 1 1 8 5 5 8 2 8 8 10 Page 10 of 13 Clinical questions 34. Is cataract surgery more effective compared with surgical iridectomy in lowering postoperative medication requirements and decreasing complications in patients with angle-closure glaucoma or acute angle-closure crisis? 37. Is evaluation of the fellow eye of a patient with acute angleclosure crisis effective in lowering the risk of poor outcomes in future acute attacks in the fellow eye? Comments from survey respondents If the attack is early and was reverse early enough then if indentation gonioscopy shows opening of at least 180 degrees then cataract surgery is more likely to achieve our goal Chance of explosive choroidal hemorrhage Small percentage of patient may not respond to cataract surgery whereby PAS is extensive Yes Yes This would depend on the extent of synechial closure at presentation We have partial answers already I think trabeculectomy is not warranted in AAC or PACG unless there are real indications for that No, cataract surgery not effective for lowering IOP It really depends, especially the severity of cataract If extensive PAS is present then cataract surgery may not be effective. If the require targeted IOP is much lower then 2-3mmHg then cataract surgery is not effective Wouldn’t be doing trab in AAC Yes RCTs have shown that cataract surgery to be more effective in the immediate management of an acute event Seems to be a similar question with minor variation to a previous one It depends on the remaining open angles but if it is synechial closure. I think combined trabeculectomy and cataract is still the best No pi should tried in an eye that responded to treatment Yes Yes Assessing biomarkers that would help determine high risk cases would be a strong research question We know the answer to this 38. Is immediate laser peripheral iridotomy in the fellow eye 35. Is cataract surgery more effective compared with trabeculectomy in lowering postoperative medication requirements and decreasing complications in patients with angle-closure glaucoma or acute angle-closure crisis? 36. Is cataract surgery soon after acute angle-closure crisis is broken more effective in lowering intraocular pressure compared with routine follow-up after laser iridotomy in patients with high risk of developing uncontrollable IOP after acute angle-closure crisis? Well known since the 70s Other eye should be tackled during the treatment of the affected eye Yes Yes, of course As we know there is another option that is using miotics 10/9/2012 Rating 7 5 8 9 8 9 8 3 8 5 7 4 8 5 7 6 2 8 8 10 1 8 10 8 10 9 Page 11 of 13 Clinical questions effective in preventing acute attacks in patients with acute angleclosure crisis? 39. Is laser iridotomy in the fellow eye at the initial visit effective in preventing acute attacks if the eye in acute angle-closure crisis cannot have successful laser iridotomy because of poor visualization of the iris due to corneal edema? 40. Is chronic miotic therapy in the fellow eye effective in preventing acute angle-closure crisis in the fellow eye? Comments from survey respondents There would be ethical issues in delaying LPI for the fellow eye since it is known that there is increased risk to the fellow eye once the other eye has had an acute event We have long-standing evidence for this See Q37 If not tackled chances of patient not turning up to the follow up is very high Yes Yes 41. What is the relative effectiveness of laser iridotomy vs. chronic miotic therapy in preventing acute angle-closure crisis in the fellow eye? 42. What is the optimal interval of examinations to assess the response to laser iridotomy? We know the answer! Yes Yes Yes Chronic miotic therapy may paradoxically shallow the chamber and increase the pupillary block and exacerbate the glaucoma. Miotic therapy should not be instituted without iridotomy in PACS/ PAC/ PACG Laser iridotomy is a simple and effective method and chronic miotic therapy has proven disadvantages Too many side effects for chronic use in many patients Not recommended ,this can cause chronic angle closure Yes, but preventive laser PI is the first choice Yes, but it has more side effects Laser iridotomy is very effective I highly agree. Pilocarpine might even predispose the fellow eye to more shallowing Miotics can prevent acute attack (most of the times) but will lead in to PAS Laser PI is more effective LI is better LI is still needed One visit 1 week after the laser and 2nd visit after 4 weeks and 3rd visit after 3 months 1~2 weeks 4 to 6 weeks 24 hours later, one week, one month and 3 months 10/9/2012 Rating 5 5 5 10 8 10 5 10 8 10 1 0 2 0 8 2 10 9 0 8 10 9 10 8 8 10 Page 12 of 13 Clinical questions Comments from survey respondents 2 weeks 2 weeks For a really pupillary block, one or two hours later. Slit lamp examination, mesurement of IOP, gonioscopy, UBM, AS-OCT 1 week One day Rating 8 8 10 10 7 * *No judgment 1 Question number corresponds to Questionnaire I numbering 2 Possible ratings were 0 - 10 where 0 = “not important at all” and 10 = “highly important” 10/9/2012 Page 13 of 13