Trabeculectomy: a follow up study

Abstract

The results of 123 trabeculectomy on various types of glaucomas were analysed in terms of the hypotensive effects and incidence of the immediate and late complications. Fifty-eight eyes (30 with primary open angle glaucoma, 22 with primary angle closure glaucoma and 6 with capsular glaucoma) were followedup for more than 6 mth and the average period of postoperative followup was 13 mth. In 81% of the 58 eyes, I.O.P. was kept below 20mmHg with or without medication during the followup period. The rate of success in pressure control was significantly higher in those cases which underwent trabeculectomy as the initial procedure as compared with those which had it as the secondary procedure. The rate of success in pressure control was 94% in the former and 65% in the latter. When performed as the initial surgery, trabeculectomy gave the higher rate of success in pressure control in comparison with Scheie's operation which was performed in the authors' department previously (x2-test, P<0.01), the rate of success of the Scheie's operation being only 69%. Shallow anterior chamber occurred in 23% and lasted for more than one wk in 7% of all trabeculectomy. Following Scheie's operation, shallow anterior chamber was noted in 51% and lasted for more than one wk in 17%. The incidence of shallow anterior chamber was significantly less following trabeculectomy as compared with Scheie's operation (x2-test, P<0.01). Hyphema occurred in 29% of trabeculectomy and in 33% of Scheie's operation. There were a few malignant glaucomas and choroidal detachments after both trabeculectomy and Scheie's operation. Formation of filtration bleb was noticed in 83% after trabeculectomy and in 90% after Scheie's operation. Because of higher success rate of pressure control and lower incidence of shallow anterior chamber, trabeculectomy is evaluated as more preferable than Scheie's operation.