Glaucoma after macular hole surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to report incidence and to assess risk factors of postoperative glaucoma in patients with stage 3 idiopathic macular hole treated with pars plana vitrectomy, removal of posterior hyaloid membrane, and perfluoropropane gas tamponade.


METHODS
The author performed a retrospective chart review and statistical analysis of risk factors of postoperative glaucoma by using chi-square statistics, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression.


METHODS
Forty consecutive patients with stage 3 idiopathic macular hole who were operated on between January 1994 and December 1995 were studied.


METHODS
A pars plana vitrectomy, removal of posterior hyaloid membrane, and 14% perfluoropropane gas tamponade were done to all patients.


METHODS
Preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure measurements were performed.


RESULTS
Twenty-one (52%) of 40 patients experienced transient intraocular pressure elevation to more than 30 mmHg. Nine (22%) had pressure elevation within 2 to 4 hours, 6 (15%) in 24 hours, and 6 (15%) in 1 week after surgery. Three patients, including one with a history of preoperative ocular hypertension, required extended topical antiglaucoma medication. Factors of age, race, gender, lens status, preoperative intraocular pressure (all preoperative intraocular pressure were 25 mmHg or less), and success in closure of macular hole were not to any statistically significant degree associated with postoperative pressure elevation.


CONCLUSIONS
Glaucoma is a significant complication after stage 3 macular hole surgery even without adjunctive therapy. Usually happening within the first postoperative week, elevation of intraocular pressure in most cases is transient and can be controlled by medication. However, extended medication might become necessary in some cases.
Chen
C J
CJ
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216, USA.
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects
D005466:Fluorocarbons; C042852:perflutren