Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) was recently developed and has become a crucial tool in clinical practice. AS-OCT is a noncontact imaging device that provides the detailed structure of the anterior part of the eyes. In this review, the author will discuss the various clinical applications of AS-OCT, such as the normal findings, tear meniscus measurement, ocular surface disease (e.g., pterygium, pinguecula, and scleromalacia), architectural analysis after cataract surgery, post-LASIK keratectasia, Descemet’s membrane detachment, evaluation of corneal graft after keratoplasty, corneal deposits (corneal dystrophies and corneal verticillata), keratitis, anterior segment tumors, and glaucoma evaluation (angle assessment, morphological analysis of the filtering bleb after trabeculectomy, or glaucoma drainage device implantation surgery). The author also presents some interesting cases demonstrated via AS-OCT.

Purpose: To compare long-term surgical outcomes in exfoliative glaucoma (XFG) versus primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) after primary trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C. Methods: This retrospective, case-control study included 32 eyes of XFG and 64 eyes of POAG matched by propensity score analysis. Surgical success was defined according to 3 different criteria: (1) intraocular pressure (IOP)<18 mm Hg and IOP reduction ≥20% without medication; (2) IOP<15 mm Hg and IOP reduction ≥25% without medication; and (3) IOP<18 mm Hg and IOP reduction ≥20% with or without medication. Cumulative probabilities of success were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and risk factors of surgical failure were analyzed. Results: Cumulative success rates were 84.4% at 1 year and 19.9% at 5 years for XFG, and 82.3% and 64.7%, respectively, for POAG by criterion A. Complete success rates were significantly lower for XFG than for POAG by criteria A and B. However, qualified success, as determined by criterion C, did not show a statistically significant difference. Postoperative hyphema was more frequent for XFG. The risk factors associated with surgical failure were a young age (<60 y; hazard ratio=2.58, P=0.047, criterion A) and exfoliation syndrome (hazard ratio=3.01, 2.96, P=0.006, 0.005, criteria A and B). Conclusions: Although trabeculectomy for XFG had success rates similar to POAG at 1 year, XFG showed poorer long-term IOP control from 2 years postoperatively. This study indicates that it is more difficult to achieve long-term low target IOP control in eyes with XFG than in eyes with POAG after trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes that decompose extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. MMPs are thought to play important roles in cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, migration, apoptosis, and host defense. MMPs are distributed in almost all intraocular tissues and are involved in physiological and pathological mechanisms of the eye. MMPs are also associated with glaucoma, a progressive neurodegenerative disease of the eyes. MMP activity affects intraocular pressure control and apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells, which are the pathological mechanisms of glaucoma. It also affects the risk of glaucoma development based on genetic pleomorphism. In addition, MMPs may affect the treatment outcomes of glaucoma, including the success rate of surgical treatment and side effects on the ocular surface due to glaucoma medications. This review discusses the various relationships between MMP and glaucoma.