New Insight into Outflow Patterns in Glaucoma

In this interview from AAO 2019, Dr. Ron Fellman discusses his recent work assessing outflow patterns in glaucoma. Outflow, he explains, is not well understood and is not easy to measure. He and his team initially observed the episcleral venous fluid wave, a blanching of blood at the episclera that is caused by a washout wave of balanced salt solution. In a more recent paper, he described the patterns of outflow in patients with iStents or who have undergone trabectome surgery. The findings reveal a limited circumferential flow in the canal and an inferonasal flow pattern outside of the canal—findings that support decades of laboratory work.

Relevant Financial Disclosures: None