Complications: Hypotony

Abstract

As much as glaucoma specialists desire low intraocular pressure (IOP) in their patients, the ocular effects of an IOP that is too low present an even greater risk to vision. Indeed, hypotony has profound effects on the function and structure of the eye. Hypotony is typically defined as an IOP less than 6 mmHg; however, some eyes tolerate this pressure without any untoward effects while others develop hypotony maculopathy with decreased vision. Penetrating glaucoma surgery (such as a trabeculectomy or a drainage device implant) is one of the more common causes of hypotony, and therefore, hypotony should always be discussed during informed consent. Nonpenetrating surgery is much less likely to induce hypotony, although it may also be less likely to achieve a very low target pressure. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.