title: Filtration surgery in black patients: early results in a West Indian population.
abstract: We reviewed the early results of 80 filtration procedures when used as the initial surgical treatment in a Saint Lucian West Indian black population with primary open angle glaucoma. Two techniques were used: trabeculectomy under a scleral flap with fornix-based conjunctival flap (Group 1) and full thickness posterior lip sclerectomy with limbal-based conjunctival flap (Group 2). Postoperatively, with an average follow-up of six months, Group 2 had significantly lower intraocular pressures, reduced glaucoma medication requirements, and increased cystic bleb formation. Vision did not differ significantly between the two groups postoperatively, although two Group 1 patients developed progressive glaucomatous visual loss. Complications were slightly more frequent in Group 2. The results of this study suggest that a full thickness sclerectomy technique merits consideration as the initial filtration procedure of choice in West Indian blacks with advanced open angle glaucoma.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D012590:Sclera / Q000601:surgery; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000601:surgery; D014900:West Indies