Effect of mitomycin C and fluorouracil-supplemented trabeculectomies on the anterior segment.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether there is increased risk to the corneal endothelium when mitomycin C is used in trabeculectomy surgery instead of fluorouracil, and whether these agents play a role in accelerating cataract formation.


METHODS
We analyzed the corneal endothelium and the lens preoperatively and postoperatively in 30 eyes of 21 patients who underwent either a fluorouracil- or mitomycin C-supplemented trabeculectomy.


RESULTS
No significant differences were found between these two groups in the rate of cataract progression, magnitude of endothelial cell loss, or appearance of endothelial cell morphologic characteristics. Endothelial cell loss accounted for approximately 7% to 8% of the preoperative counts in both groups. In addition, four (27%) of 15 eyes in each group showed evidence of cataract progression as graded by the Lens Opacities Classification System II.


CONCLUSIONS
Fluorouracil- and mitomycin C-supplemented trabeculectomies cause similar changes in the lens and corneal endothelium.
Dreyer
E B
EB
Glaucoma Consultation Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Mass., USA.
Chaturvedi
N
N
Zurakowski
D
D
D000368:Aged; D000869:Anterior Eye Segment / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced; D002452:Cell Count; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014130:Trabeculectomy / Q000379:methods*
D016685:Mitomycin; D005472:Fluorouracil