Abstract
Purpose
Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is characterised by neovascularisation of the angle and therefore elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). This results in progressive optic neuropathy and loss of visual acuity. Treatment aims to reduce IOP in order to prevent optic nerve damage. A systematic review was completed synthesising results from randomised control trials (RCTs) comparing interventions for the management of NVG and their efficacy and safety.
Methods
Data was sourced from Web of Science, Embase and Medline after 1st January 2000. The primary outcome measures were mean IOP at follow-up and success rate. The secondary outcomes included mean IOP lowering medications and total complications. A meta-analysis was completed on comparative studies using Revman (version 5.4).
Results
For the two studies comparing Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) + pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) vs AGV + PRP + intra-vitreal bevacizumab (IVB), there was no difference in mean IOP or odds of success from the meta-analysis. From the 4 studies examining the utilisation of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF), one study showed lower mean IOP at 1 (p = 0.002) and 3 months (p = 0.033) for IVB vs sham injection. In the 2 studies studying transcleral diode laser (TDL), there were no significant findings. From the 4 studies looking at trabeculectomy (trab), lower mean IOP at 6 (p = 0.001), 9 (p = 0.01), 12 (p = 0.02) and 18 months (p = 0.004) was shown for intra-vitreal ranibizumab (IVR) + PRP + visco-trabeculectomy vs IVR + PRP + trab, and a significantly lower mean IOP was present in the Baerveldt group vs trab at 6 months (p = 0.03). In the 2 studies investigating the AGV, there was a lower mean IOP at 1 month (p = 0.01) in the AGV + triamcinolone (TCA) group. The risk of bias was low for 4 studies, high for 4 studies and 6 studies had some concerns.
Conclusion
This is the first meta-analysis of RCTs in the management of neovascular glaucoma. The lack of high-quality evidence contributes to the lack of consensus in managing NVG. Our results highlight modern treatment strategies and the need for better powered RCTs with long-term follow-up in order to establish optimal treatment modalities and true patient outcomes.
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Introduction
Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a form of secondary glaucoma characterised by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and neovascularisation of the angle, culminating in damage to the optic nerve. It arises secondary to posterior segment ischaemia. Causes include central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), central retinal artery obstruction (CRAO), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR) and ocular ischaemic syndrome (OIS) [1]. Initial neovascularisation is due to stimulation of angiogenesis secondary to retinal ischaemia [2]. This results in the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and neovascularisation of the iris [3]. This obstructs the iris and anterior chamber iridocorneal angle, eventually leading to angle-closure glaucoma with raised IOP [3,4,5].
The disease often leads to complete loss of vision and therefore early diagnosis and management is essential.
Clinically, NVG has the following features: neovascularisation of the iris (NVI), neovascularisation of the angle (NVA) and raised IOP. On slit-lamp examination NVI is visible as thin vessels, tortuous in nature, arranged in a non-organised pattern. These vessels are found on the iris surface and near the pupillary margin [1]. Corneal oedema may be present depending on degree of IOP increase. On gonioscopy, the iridocorneal angle can be open initially; as the disease progresses, the angle develops neovascularisation; this ultimately leads to complete angle closure [2].
Management of NVG focuses on reducing IOP and inhibiting the neovascular drive. Initially, this is in the form of topical and systemic ocular antihypertensive medications; however, the mainstay of treatment remains pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) and anti-VEGF injections to manage retinal ischaemia and neovascularisation [6]. These treatments have varying degrees of success depending on factors such as aetiology and severity of disease.
Surgical intervention is often required in cases where medical management fails to adequately control IOP to prevent optic nerve damage. These surgical techniques aim to either decrease inflow with continuous or pulsed laser cyclophotocoagulation or enhance drainage with a fistula [7]. Glaucoma drainage devices such as the Ahmed glaucoma valve, Paul’s tube and Preserflo microshunt have been utilised in the management of raised intraocular pressure in the context of NVG [8]. However, NVG in itself is a risk factor for failure of these devices particularly, in subjects presenting with poor visual acuities preoperatively or postoperative raised IOP [9]. The neovascular drive similarly impacts success rates for trabeculectomy (Trab); however, the use of antimetabolites such as mitomycin C, as an adjunct, has led to improved rates of success [10].
Delayed presentation and diagnosis of NVG is an issue due to it being a late presentation of the primary systemic or ocular disorder [11] and has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic [12]. Deferring medical attention in patients with underlying retinal ischaemia may lead not only to increased incidence, but increased severity of NVG at diagnosis. This systematic review will aim to analyse outcomes and efficacy of treatment reported in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for the management of NVG.
Methods
Search strategy
This review was registered on PROSPERO, ID: CRD42021298021. Web of Science, Embase and Medline were all systematically searched for studies published between 1st January 2000 and 31st December 2021 (Appendix A) and were reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) criteria (Fig. 1). Duplicates were removed before the articles were screened through a two-stage process by two independent authors (SR, GN). Initially, both authors, SR and GN, screened all articles from the search separately by title and secondly by abstract using Rayyan software [13]. Disputes at this stage regarding inclusion and exclusion were discussed between both authors and settled by consensus. Next, the full articles were read and evaluated against the eligibility criteria. Disputes regarding inclusion and exclusion of articles were again discussed between all authors and settled by consensus. In instances where consensus could not be reached, advice was sought from a third reviewer (ASA). Reference lists of all included studies were also screened to identify additional studies.
PRISMA flowchart of studies identified, screened and included
Data extraction
Data from included studies was extracted into a data collection table. Information extracted from the studies included the study design, study population demographics (inclusion criteria), sample size and population characteristics (age, gender and ethnicity), the definition and measure for the outcome as well as results relevant to our review, which included mean IOP, mean number of IOP lowering medications, complications and success rates. In addition, we contacted corresponding authors of studies to request additional data from analysis referred to in the methodology, but not reported in the manuscript.
Data extraction was completed by 2 authors (SR and GN) independently for all 14 RCTs and was assessed for accuracy and completion to ensure all relevant data was accurately captured. Any discrepancies were discussed, and a third reviewer (ASA) was consulted when consensus could not be established.
Eligible studies
All RCTs that compared treatments for neovascular glaucoma were included. Non-English studies were excluded unless there was an English translation available at the time of search. Studies involving living human participants comprising and between the dates 1st January 2000 and 31st December 2021 were included to reflect modern practice. Studies involving non-neovascular phenotypes of glaucoma were excluded, as were in vitro and non-human studies.
Eligible participants
Eligible participants were male or female adult patients, over the age of 18, with neovascular glaucoma of any underlying aetiology undergoing treatment with any intervention for neovascular glaucoma for IOP lowering intent.
Eligible interventions and comparators
The intervention and comparators comprised of a variety of treatments and procedures aimed to treat neovascular glaucoma. These included shunts such as the Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV), high-pressure AGV (High AGV), express implant and the Baerdveldt implant. There were also laser treatments such as transcleral diode laser (TDL) and pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP), as well as anti-VEGF treatments: intra-vitreal afilibercept (IVA), intra-vitreal ranibizumab (IVR) and intra-vitreal bevacizumab (IVB). Studies also investigated combination of surgical, medical and laser treatments: high-pressure AGV (high AGV) + partial Tenon’s capsule resection (PTCR), AGV + mitomycin C (MMC), AGV + 5-fluoruracil (5-FU), AGV + PRP, AGV + PRP + IVB, AGV + triamcinolone (TCA), PRP + IVB, PRP + IVR + viscotrabeculectomy (Vtrab), PRP + IVR + Trab, Trab + 1.25 mg intra-cameral bevacizumab (ICB), Trab + 2.5 mg ICB, Trab + PRP + intra-vitreal conbercept (IVC) and Trab + PRP + IVR and trabeculectomy alone (Table 1).
Outcome measures
The primary outcome measures were mean IOP at 1 month, 6 months, 12 months, 24 months and at the final follow-up as well as success rates at final follow-up. Secondary outcomes were mean IOP lowering medications at 1 month, 6 months, 12 months, 24 months and at the final follow-up as well as the total number of complications throughout the entire follow-up period. The definition for success rates for studies varied and can be found in Table 2.
Assessment of risk of bias and quality of effect
The risk of bias assessment was carried out with the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool for randomised-controlled trials [14]. The quality of our effect estimates was assessed using the GRADE rating system [15].
Data analysis
The interventions and comparators were compared via a narrative synthesis. Continuous variables (mean IOP and mean IOP lowering medications) were measured by the mean with standard deviation; categorical variables (success rate) were measured by percentages and have been presented in tables and figures.
A quantitative meta-analysis using Review Manager (RevMan [Computer Program]. Version 5.4, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2020) was carried out for 2 studies that compared the same interventions [16, 17] to compare mean IOP and success rates. For the studies included in the meta-analysis, complete success, as defined in both studies, respectively, was used as the success rate. Studies that contained data with disparate outcomes were not included in the meta-analysis; instead, these were discussed in the narrative synthesis.
Results
Search results
Overall, 14 RCTs were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The initial search yielded a total of 363 studies. After removal of duplicates, 274 articles were screened by title and abstract against the inclusion criteria. This resulted in 37 articles that underwent full text screening. From these, 14 were included in this systematic review for both quantitative and qualitative analysis. In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a flow diagram for the results of the study selection procedure is shown in Fig. 1.
Study characteristics
Search criteria included all studies meeting the inclusion criteria, between the date ranges of 1st January 2000 and 31st December 2021. This resulted in a total of 687 patients and 690 eyes undergoing various surgical and medical interventions for NVG. The mean age for all patients was 60.5 ± 7.3 years of age and the mean follow-up was 15.2 ± 9 months (Table 1).
Two studies compared AGV + PRP with AGV + PRP + IVB [16, 17]. Four studies looked at the addition of anti-VEGF. One study was by Wittstrom et al. (2012) which compared PRP with PRP + IVB and another 2 studies [18], one by Inatani et al. (2021) and another by Yazdani et al. (2009), compared sham injection with IVA or IVB, respectively [19, 20]. Guo et al. (2021) compared Trab + PRP + IVC vs Trab + PRP + IVR [21].
Two RCTs investigated TDL against other surgical interventions, Express Implant [22] and AGV [23]. Tokumo et al. (2021) compared Trab vs the Baerveldt shunt [24] and Elwehidy et al. (2019) compared IVR + PRP + Trab with IVR + PRP + visco-trabeculectomy (Vtrab) [25]. Two more studies investigated trabeculectomy treatment; Sisto et al. (2007) compared Trab + MMC with Trab + 5-FU [26] and Gupta et al., (2009) compared Trab with either 1.25 mg of ICB vs 2.5 mg ICB [27]. Finally, Teixeria et al. (2012) compared AGV with AGV + TCA [28] and Susanna Jr et al. (2003) compared AGV with high-pressure AGV (High AGV) + Partial Tenon’s capsule resection (PTCR) [29] (Table 1).
Risk of bias
All studies were evaluated for risk of bias by two independent authors (SR and GN) with the Cochrane ROB 2.0 tool [30]. Any disputes were settled following a discussion. Four studies had a low risk of bias [16, 19, 20, 27]. From the remaining 10 studies, 6 had some concerns [17, 18, 21, 23, 26, 28] and 4 had a high risk of bias [22, 24, 25, 29] (Table 3).
AGV + PRP vs AGV + PRP + IVB
Success rates
Complete success at the final follow-up was used for meta-analysis. No statistical difference was observed between the 2 interventions (OR = 0.31, 95% CI [0.04, 2.15] p = 0.23) (Fig. 2). The success rates for one study were defined as IOP < 21 mmHg and > 10 mmHg with no further IOP lowering medication or surgery as complete success, and with IOP lowering medications as qualified success [16]. For the second study, IOP < 21 mmHg with or without IOP lowering medications was deemed one criteria of success and this was used in the meta-analysis. The other criteria for success were IOP reduction of > 30% from baseline [17].
Meta-analysis of complete success rates at final follow-up. AGV, Ahmed glaucoma valve; PRP, pan-retinal photocoagulation; IVB, intra-vitreal bevacizumab; SD, standard deviation; CI, confidence interval
Mean IOP
IOP at common time points, 6 months and 12 months were analysed. There was again no statistical significance between both interventions at 6 months and 12 months (MD = 5.90, 95% CI [− 6.30, 18.10], p = 0.34) and (MD = 5.29, 95% CI [− 7.48, 18.42], p = 0.43) (Fig. 3, 4 and Table 4).
Meta-analysis of Mean IOP at 6-months follow-up. AGV, Ahmed glaucoma valve; PRP, pan-retinal photocoagulation; IVB, intra-vitreal bevacizumab; SD, standard deviation; CI, confidence interval
Meta-analysis of mean IOP at 12-months follow-up. AGV, Ahmed glaucoma valve; PRP, pan-retinal photocoagulation; IVB, intra-vitreal bevacizumab; SD, standard deviation; CI, confidence interval
Mean IOP lowering medication
Only Arcieri et al. (2015) reported mean number of IOP lowering medications at follow-up so a meta-analysis could not be carried out (Table 5). A significant difference in IOP lowering medications was only shown at 18-month follow-up, 1.67 ± 0.65 for AGV + PRP vs 1.14 ± 0.69 for AGV + PRP + IVB (p = 0.0002).
Complications
Throughout the follow-up periods, both studies reported complications. Mahdy et al. (2013) reported 41 complications in the AGV + PRP group and 14 in the AGV + PRP + IVB group. Of the complications reported, the ones that were common to both studies are reported here. The AGV + PRP group had 85% occurrence of hyphema, 5% of tube exposure, 10% choroidal effusion, 30% shallow/flat anterior chamber (AC), 15% hypotony and 5% phthisis bulbi. The AGV + PRP + IVB group had 20% of hyphema, 0% tube exposure, 5% choroidal effusion, 25% shallow AC, 0% phthisis bulbi and 10% hypotony (Table 6). Similarly, Arcieri et al. (2015) also reported numerically greater complications in the AGV + PRP group, 15 compared to 9 in the AGV + PRP + IVB group (Table 2). There was a 30% rate of hyphema, 20% choroidal effusion, 5% flat/shallow AC, 10% corneal oedema, 0% tube exposure and 5% retinal detachment for the AGV + PRP group. In contrast, the AGV + PRP + IVB had 10% hyphema, 15% choroidal effusion, 5% flat AC, 5% corneal oedema, 5% tube exposure and 0% retinal detachment (Table 6).
The utilisation of anti-VEGF therapy
Success rates
All four studies [18,19,20,21] did not report success rates.
Mean IOP
Inatani et al. (2021) reported mean IOP at weeks 1, 2, 5, 9 and 13 but no standard deviation or p-values were reported apart from week 1 where the mean IOP was 31.8 for the sham group and 24.5 for the IVA group, p = 0.0644. A similar study that compared sham injection vs IVB showed significantly lower IOP for IVB at 1 month (Table 4) and 3 months (35.2 ± 10.7 vs 25.1 ± 20, p = 0.033) [20]. Mean IOP in another study comparing PRP vs PRP + IVB showed no difference between PRP and PRP + IVB at all follow-up time points [18] (Table 4). Similarly, Guo et al. (2021) which compared Trab + PRP + IVC vs Trab + PRP + IVR did not show any significant difference between mean IOP at all follow-up time points.
Mean IOP lowering medication
A number of IOP lowering medications were not significantly different at all follow-up times in the study by Wittstrom et al. (2012). The same is true for Guo et al. (2021). Yazdani et al. (2009) did not report statistical significance and Inatani et al. (2021) did not report the number of IOP lowering medications (Table 5).
Complications
Wittstrom et al. (2012) and Yazdani et al. (2009) did not report complications (Table 2). Inatani et al. (2021) had a total of 20 complications in the sham injection group and 13 in the IVA group (Table 2). In the sham group, there was 11.1% punctate keratitis, 11.1% eye pain, 3.7% conjunctival haemorrhage, 3.7% injection site pain, 7.4% constipation and 7.4% headache compared with 7.4% punctate keratitis, 0% eye pain, 7.4% conjunctival haemorrhage, 7.4% injection site pain, 11.1% procedural pain, 3.7% constipation and 3.7% headache in the IVA group (Table 6). Guo et al. (2021) reported 15 complications in the Trab + PRP + IVC which consisted of 8.75% for hyphema, 2.5% for choroidal detachment and 7.5% for shallow AC. In the Trab + PRP + IVR group, there were 20 complications which consisted of 11.25% for hyphema, 5% for choroidal detachment and 8.75% for shallow AC (Tables 2, 6).
Transcleral diode laser vs other surgical interventions
Success rates
The definition of success was IOP < 21 mmHg with the same or improved BCVA on one study [23] and the definition of complete success was IOP < 22 mmHg and no further treatment in the second study [22]. Choy et al. (2018) showed a non-significant success rate of 63% in the TDL group and 42% in the Ahmed valve group, whereas Wagdy et al. (2020) showed a complete success rate in the TDL group compared with Express Implant group of 44.4 vs 50%, respectively. The qualified success was 41.7 vs 38.9% for Express vs TDL (Table 2).
Mean IOP
The difference in IOP at final follow-up between TDL and the AGV was not significant [23] (Table 4). Similarly, throughout the 12-month follow-up in the study by Wagdy et al. (2020), there was no significant difference between IOP at all follow-up time points.
Mean IOP lowering medications
Wagdy et al. (2020) did not report results on IOP lowering medication whereas Choy et al. (2018) did and showed a non-significant difference in IOP lowering medications at final follow-up between TDL and the AGV (Table 5).
Complications
Regarding complications, Choy et al. (2018) only reported complications for the AGV group which was a total of 11. These complications comprised 8% intraoperative haemorrhage, 8% corneal decompensation, 17% over-filtration, 8% encapsulated bleb, 17% implant exposure, 8% rapid cataract progression and 25% phthisis bulbi (Table 6). In the other study, the TDL group had a total of 5 complications and the Express Implant group had a total of 6 [22]. The TDL group reported 5.5% of hyphema, 11.1% increased IOP and 11.1% hypotony whereas the Express group reported 8.3% for hyphema, 16.66% for increased IOP and 25% for hypotony (Table 6).
Trabeculectomy
Success rates
There was a complete success rate, defined as IOP < 21 mmHg with no further IOP lowering medications or surgeries, of 52% in the IVR + PRP + Trab group and 53.8% in the IVR + PRP + VTrab [25]. Qualified success in this study was 28% for the Trab group and 30.8% in the Vtrab group and defined as IOP 6–21 mmHg with IOP lowering medications. Neither was significant [25]. In another study, Trab had a success rate, defined as IOP < 22 mmHg with no further surgeries and no decrease in BCVA, of 61.6%, and the Baerveldt group had a success rate of 59.1% which were also not significantly different [24] (Table 2). When comparing Trab + MMC with Trab + 5-FU, there was an overall success rate, IOP > 21 mmHg with or without topical treatment, of 54.5% for the MMC group vs 55.5% for the 5-FU group [26]. The study by Gupta et al. (2009) did not report success rates.
Mean IOP
During all follow-up times, there was a significantly lower mean IOP at 6 months (Table 4), 9 months (18 ± 1.5 vs 17.19 ± 1.6 mmHg), 12 months (Table 4) and 18 months (18.19 ± 2.0 vs 19.92 ± 2.6) for the Vtrab group [25]. The study by Tokumo et al. (2021) showed a significance in mean post-operative IOP at 6 months only for the Baerveldt group (Table 4). Gupta et al. (2009) and Sisto et al. (2007) did not report a difference in the IOP at all follow-up time points (Table 4).
Mean IOP lowering medication
There was no difference in the mean number of IOP lowering medications between the Baerveldt and Trab groups [24]. However, Elwehidy et al. (2018), Gupta et al. (2009) and Sisto et al. (2007) did not report results on IOP lowering medication (Table 5).
Complications
There were a total of 31 complications in the Baerveldt group and 23 in the trabeculectomy group [24]. In the study by Tokumo et al. (2021), there was a total of 49 complications in the Baerveldt group which consisted of 34.7% hyphema, 26.1% choroidal detachment, 17.3% shallow AC, 17.3% tube occlusion, 13% vitreous haemorrhage, 4.3% conjunctival leakage and 0% endophthalmitis. In the Trab group, there were 42 complications which consisted of 33.3% hyphema, 14.8% choroidal detachment, 7.4% shallow AC, 11.1% vitreous haemorrhage, 11.1% conjunctival leakage and 3.7% endophthalmitis (Table 6). In the Elwehidy study, they were 84.6% for hyphema, 3.8% shallow AC, 3.8% hypotony, 3.8% choroidal detachment, 30.76% for Descemet membrane split, 15.38% IOP spike and 7.7% for progression of cataract in the Vtrab group and 16% for hyphema, 80% filtering bleb, 20% encapsulated bleb, 4% blebitis, 12% shallow AC, 12% hypotony, 8% choroidal detachment, 20% IOP spikes and 24% for progression of cataract in the Trab group (Table 6).
Gupta et al. (2009) reported 5 (11% hyphema, 0% failure, cataract 11%, hypopyon 0% and 33% for posterior synechiae) and 8 complications (0% hyphema, 10% for failure, 20% cataract, 10% hypopyon and 40% for posterior synechiae) for Trab + ICB 1.25 and Trab + ICB 2.5, respectively. Sisto et al. (2007) reported 14 complications in the Trab + MMC group, 54.5% hyphema and 9.1% cataract, and 22 in the Trab + 5-FU group, 88.8% hyphema, 22.2% corneal epithelial defects and 11.1% band keratoplasty (Tables 2 and 6).
AGV vs other interventions
Success rates
For AGV vs AGV + TCA, the complete and overall success rates were not significantly different. The AGV group had a complete success rate of 64 vs 77.8% and an overall success rate of 76 vs 77.8% [28]. The definition for complete success in this study was IOP < 21 mmHg and > 6 mmHg using < 2 IOP lowering medications and overall success was the same definition but any number of IOP lowering medications (Table 2). Susanna Jr et al. (2003) defined success as IOP between 4 and 22 mmHg and at least 30% reduction in IOP ± IOP lowering medication. Using this definition, 77.7% of the patients in the AGV group had a successful procedure compared to 70.4% in the High AGV + PTCR which was deemed not significant (Table 2).
Mean IOP
Only at the 1-month follow-up was there a significant lower mean IOP post-operatively in the AGV + TCA group [28] (Table 4). Whereas for the study carried out by Susanna Jr et al. (2003), there was no significant difference in the mean IOP at all follow-up time points (Table 4.)
Mean IOP lowering medications
There was no difference in the mean number of IOP medications at any follow-up time point [28] and Susanna Jr et al. (2003) did not report the mean number of IOP lowering medications (Table 5).
Complications
The total number of complications in the AGV group was 26 [28]. They involved 4% loss of light perception, 4% phthisis bulbi, 4% corneal decompensation, 22% hyphema, 22% hypotony, 11% serous choroidal detachment, 11% vitreous haemorrhage and 7% tube obstruction. For AGV + TCA, there were 23 complications which consisted of 5% loss of light perception, 5% phthisis bulbi, 9% corneal decompensation, 5% haemorrhagic choroidal detachment, 18% hyphema, 32% hypotony, 9% serous choroidal detachment, 0% vitreous haemorrhage and 5% tube obstruction (Table 6).
In the other study [29], there were 28 reported complications in the AGV group (0% retinal detachment, 25% hypotony, 17.9% flat AC, 3.6% tube exposure, 3.6% plate exposure, 3.6% tube blockage, 17.9% serous choroidal detachment, 0% endophthalmitis or vitreous haemorrhage, 28.6% hyphema and no phthisis bulbi). In contrast, there was 29 (3.4% retinal detachments, 17.2% hypotony, 13.8% flat AC, 6.9% tube exposure, 3.4% plate exposure, 3.4% tube blockage, 10.3% serous choroidal detachment, 3.4% endophthalmitis, 3.4% vitreous haemorrhage, 20.7% hyphema, 3.4% phthisis bulbi) in the High AGV + PTCR group (Table 2 and 6).
GRADE analysis
GRADE analysis was carried out for each of the 4 outcomes. Results are presented in Table 7. Overall GRADE rating was low for success rate and moderate for mean IOP, mean number of IOP lowering medications and total complications.
Discussion
Summary of results
In the past 21 years, only 2 RCTs comparing treatments for NVG were eligible for meta-analysis. They showed no mean difference between IOP at 6 and 12 months as well as similar odds for success between AGV + PRP and AGV + PRP + IVB [16, 17]. Regarding anti-VEGF and its utilisation, one study from four showed lower mean IOP at 1 (p = 0.002) and 3 months (p = 0.33) for IVB vs sham injection [20]. From the four studies investigating trab, lower mean IOP was present for IVR + PRP + Vtrab vs IVR + PRP + trab at at 6 (p = 0.001), 9 (p = 0.01), 12 (p = 0.02) and 18 months (p = 0.004) [25]. Also, there was lower mean IOP at 6 months (p = 0.03) for the Baerveldt group vs trab [24]. In the two studies investigating AGV, there was a lower mean IOP at 1 month (p = 0.01) in the AGV + TCA group [28]. For the two papers studying TDL, neither had significant results.
Previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Previous systematic reviews have used data from prospective and retrospective cohort studies as there are few RCTs on the management of this disease. One previous systematic review evaluated the surgical treatment of NVG with 7 non-randomised studies [7]. Schomak and colleagues compared glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs) with cyclophotocoagulation (also known as TDL) as well as AGV with trabeculectomy. They showed that GDDs and cyclophotocoagulation had similar IOP lowering efficacy (WMD = − 3.63; CI [− 8.69, 1.43]; p = 0.16) but cyclophotocoagulation had greater rates of failure and loss of light perception (RR = 0.64, CI [0.41, 0.99], p = 0.05 & (RD = − 0.15, CI [− 0.25, − 0.05], p = 0.004) [7]. In our review, two studies compared GDDs, AGV [23] and Express [22], with TDL. Just as the meta-analysis showed similar IOP lowering efficacy, both of these studies did not show a difference in mean IOP at follow-up, but there was a greater percentage of success for TDL vs AGV [23]. Schomak et al. (2019) also stated that the AGV had greater IOP lowering efficacy compared with Trab (WMD = 0.78; CI [− 2.29, 3.85], p = 0.62) but a higher failure rate (RR = 2.25, CI [1.14, 3.71], p = 0.02).
Two previous systematic reviews have also been conducted that looked at the clinical outcomes of AGV with or without IVB [30, 31]. Zhou et al. (2015) concluded that there was a similar IOP lowering efficacy between AGV and AGV + IVB (WMD = 3.30; 95% CI 1.21 to 7.80, p = 0.152), a greater complete success rate in the AGV + IVB group and that the reduction in IOP lowering medications was similar between both groups (WMD = 0.28; 95% CI − 0.03 to 0.59, p = 0.077). The second systematic review showed similar results in that success rate was greater in the AGV + IVB group and that in this group, the incidence of complications such as hyphema, vitreous haemorrhage and hypotony was lower [31]. Both reviews included non-randomised studies as well as RCTs. Comparing these results to our meta-analysis, the RCTs show no mean difference between IOP at 6 and 12 months as well as similar odds for success between AGV + PRP and AGV + PRP + IVB [16, 17]. Furthermore, only at 18 months was there a lower number of IOP lowering medications for the AGV + PRP + IVB group [17]. The difference between our meta-analysis and those carried out by Zhou et al. (2015) and Hwang et al. (2015) is that we only included RCTs whilst both other authors included non-randomised studies as well. This highlights the need for more RCTs investigating treatments for NVG as they generate a higher quality of evidence.
With other systematic reviews’ results showing that the addition of anti-VEGF medications can improve clinical outcomes in patients with NVG [30, 31], this poses the question are they beneficial only as adjuncts or as sole interventions. A Cochrane review in 2020 [32] identified 4 studies, of which 1 was an ongoing study, evaluating anti-VEGF for the treatment of NVG. Three of those studies [17, 19, 22] have been included in this review; however, Jiang et al. (2015) was not as there was no English translation at the time of search and the article was published in Mandarin. Our review identified 2 studies that compared sham injection with anti-VEGF, IVB [20] or IVA [19]. However, a meta-analysis could not be carried out due to both not reporting success rates and no standard deviations being reported by Inatani et al. (2021). The results showed that Yazdani et al. (2009) reported lower mean IOP for IVB vs sham injection at 1 and 3 months but a non-significant IOP at 6 months. On the other hand, Inatani et al. (2021) did not report p-values and therefore conclusions regarding the IOP lowering efficacy of IVA could not be made. The results suggest that anti-VEGF does provide significant IOP lowering in neovascular glaucoma, but similar to our situation where a meta-analysis could not be conducted, the Cochrane review also identified that a meta-analysis could not be carried out because there were very few RCTs with large heterogeneity between them; instead, a narrative synthesis was done, similar to our review.
A review of literature
Both the AGV and Baerveldt implant have been discussed in this review. However, in recent years, there have been large pivotal randomised studies that have investigated the use of these implants over a longer time period. Two of these studies are the AGV Baerveldt Comparison (ABC) study [33] and the AGV vs Baerveldt (AVB) study [34]. The ABC study demonstrated that the Baerveldt was more effective in long-term IOP control but had similar rates of failure to the AGV. There was a subset of 57 NVG patients of which 29 were allocated to AGV and 28 to the Baerveldt group. For both groups, failure and success rates were reported. The failure was 66%, complete success 3% and qualified success 31% for the AGV group and 71%, 21% and 7% for the Baerveldt group, respectively. The AVB study reviewed 5-year treatment outcomes and concluded lower mean IOP and glaucoma medications in the Baerveldt group, higher failure in AGV group and similar visual acuity and success rates between both groups. Two hundred and thirty-eight patients were enrolled in this study. Fifty, 21%, of participants enrolled had neovascular glaucoma with 28 allocated to the AGV group and 22 to the Baerveldt group. However, different to the ABC study, there was no sub-group analysis carried out. Although the ABC study had some sub group analysis for success and failure, the sub group analysis of other outcomes is missing. Our inclusion criteria were studies investigating NVG patients only and the purpose of these studies was not to investigate the management of NVG. A suggestion for future reviews could be to investigate all glaucoma studies and try tease out data from NVG sub-group analyses, but with the vast number of trials in the literature, this would be extremely time-consuming for the amount of data available.
Limitations
Overall, the main limitation is the significant paucity of well-constructed RCTs in the management of this disease. Current practice seems to be based on case series, expert opinions and non-randomised studies rather than well-designed clinical trials. Similarly, anti-VEGF treatments are also widely used for the treatment of NVG but Simha et al. (2020) was unable to draw definitive conclusions from their review of RCTs. In addition, there is a need for studies to have longer-term follow-ups. Many studies report short-term outcomes but long-term IOP control is necessary as glaucoma is a life-long disease. This has not only been identified in this systematic review but previous reviews too.
Furthermore, there is the limitation of publication bias in our study as well as heterogeneity between studies in the criteria for success. The majority of studies in our review accepted success as IOP < 21–22 mmHg and/or no further interventions to reduce IOP, but as can be seen in Table 2, the definition of success varied between studies. The heterogeneity highlighted here was present between the studies included in the meta-analysis. In order to deal with this, a standard outcome measure of complete success was utilised as it was used by most RCTs. Additionally, a random effects model was used for meta-analysis and appropriate statistical analysis, I2, was used which reported results of 77%, 97% and 93% for outcome measures for AGV + PRP vs AGV + PRP + IVB, respectively. However, given the limitations for the majority of trials, only a narrative synthesis was completed.
Recommendations
To truly appreciate relationships, efficacy and safety, a universal NVG core outcome set is required. This should clearly define success and failure alongside provide reporting guidance on vital outcomes (e.g. mean IOP/mean IOP reduction and mean number of IOP lowering medications), common complications (e.g. hyphema, tube exposure or even hypotony) and baseline ocular demographic details. Standardised follow-up time-points that include long-term follow-up (1 week, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 months at a minimum) should be encouraged. A unison method of reporting will support in determining true treatment effect sizes in the future.
Agreement
Our results suggest an absence of consensus and variability of evidence, which is likely the cause for variance in practice seen between ophthalmologists when treating this disease. We believe a combination of VEGF suppression and shunt-based procedure would be beneficial to those requiring surgical intervention, with cyclodiode therapy used as an alternative adjunct—showing good IOP reduction (not without its own risks and sight threatening complications). More recent literature on the utilisation of surgical micro-shunts in the treatment of secondary glaucoma has shown promising results [35]. Further work must be done to look at the potential role of interventional glaucoma and long-term outcomes in patients with neovascular glaucoma. Finally, additional work must be done to determine the most suitable time for implementation of medical therapy such as anti-VEGF; this can potentially be done with the utilisation of information gained through omics work done on vitreous concentration studies. This information can be hypothetically used to risk stratify individuals whilst identifying those with the most aggressive forms of disease and likely poor outcomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, from our search, only 14 RCTs were published in the last 2 decades and the majority of them compared different treatments. Not all studies reported the desired outcomes of mean IOP lowering medications and success rates. Due to the large heterogeneity between studies, a meta-analysis could only be carried out between 2 studies and a narrative synthesis had to be carried out for the remaining 12 studies. This significant heterogeneity in methods highlights that there is still no established optimal medical or surgical treatment of choice as well as processes of risk stratifying patients. Our results highlight that there is a great need for RCTs with large numbers of participants and extensive follow-up in order to meta-analyse data and clarify the best treatments for NVG. Ideally, a core outcome set is needed so that trials can then be combined and a meta-analysis performed. Moreover, studies should group together patients with the same underlying aetiology as this may modify the effectiveness of treatment.
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Conceptualisation: Obeda Kailani, Saajan Ramji, Gurnoor Nagi, Abdus Samad Ansari; data curation: Saajan Ramji, Gurnoor Nagi, Abdus Samad Ansari; formal analysis: Saajan Ramji, Gurnoor Nagi; investigation: Saajan Ramji, Gurnoor Nagi, Abdus Samad Ansari; methodology: Obeda Kailani, Saajan Ramji, Gurnoor Nagi, Abdus Samad Ansari; project administration: Obeda Kailani; supervision: Obeda Kailani, Abdus Samad Ansari; validation: Obeda Kailani, Abdus Samad Ansari; visualisation: Obeda Kailani, Saajan Ramji, Gurnoor Nagi, Abdus Samad Ansari; writing—original draft: Obeda Kailani, Saajan Ramji, Gurnoor Nagi, Abdus Samad Ansari; writing—review and editing: Obeda Kailani, Saajan Ramji, Gurnoor Nagi, Abdus Samad Ansari.
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Ramji, S., Nagi, G., Ansari, A.S. et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials in the management of neovascular glaucoma: absence of consensus and variability in practice. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 261, 477–501 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-022-05785-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-022-05785-5