his feasibility trial was undertaken by Guillermo Avalos, MD and his group from 1996-1997 in Guadalajara, Mexico on 170 eyes.

In this group 8 eyes were not receiving medications of any kind pre-treatment. Of the remainder 33 were on a beta blocker; 68 were on a beta blocker + pilocarpine; 24 were on a beta blocker, pilocarpine and adrenergic; 44 were on a beta blocker, pilocarpine, adrenergic, and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. 47 eyes had had previous ALT.

Of the entire group, 19 eyes went on to require filtering procedures; 5 of these had capsular exfoliation and 1 had recessed angle due to trauma. The other eye with recessed angle achieved a reduction of IOP to <14 mm Hg (from 23).

Feasibility PNT Trial (Avalos)

Eyes (N)

170

POAG

161

Pigmentary Glaucoma

2

Exfoliative Glaucoma

5

Traumatic (recessed angle)

2

Mean age

65.3

 Mean follow-up in months

23.5

Pre-treatment IOP range (mm Hg)

19-36

Post-treatment IOP range (mm Hg)

13-32

Mean pre-treatment IOP (mm Hg)

23.4

Mean post-treatment IOP (mm Hg)

17.1

Mean IOP drop (mm Hg)

6.3

9.2% of patients were still off medications with controlled IOP and no further VF changes after 40 months. 5.4% of eyes achieved an IOP reduction ranging from 7-14 mm Hg. At mean follow-up of 23.5 months, 34 eyes remained on 1 medication; 33 on 2; 14 on 3; and 31 on 4 medications.

 Medications  Initial       post-PNT (patients)  
 Beta blocker alone3334
 BB + pilocarpine6833
 BB + pilo + adrenergic2414
 BB + pilo + adr + diamox  4431

© Leo D. Bores, MD - 2002