Long-term results after filtering surgery with limbal-based and fornix-based conjunctival flaps.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the long-term results of filtering surgery using either a limbal-based or fornix-based flap.


METHODS
From 1985 to 1988, 90 eyes of 81 glaucoma patients undergoing filtering surgery were included in a prospective randomized clinical trial. They were alternately operated on with either a limbal-based or fornix-based conjunctival flap. The authors evaluated the functional and morphologic long-term results of 34 eyes (18 fornix based, 16 limbal based) after a minimum follow-up of 6 years. Intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, visual field, intensity of symptoms due to dry eyes, and corneal overlap of the filtering bleb using planimetry were reexamined.


RESULTS
No statistically significant difference of IOP reduction, deterioration of visual acuity, deterioration of visual field, sicca score, or corneal overlap of the filtering bleb was found between the limbal-based and fornix-based groups. There was no correlation between corneal overlap of the filtering bleb and the sicca score.


CONCLUSIONS
The long-term results of fornix-based and limbal-based filtering surgery did not show a statistically significant difference.
University Eye Hospital, Freiburg, Germany.
C
C
Auw-Haedrich
J
J
Funk
T G
TG
Boemer
D000368:Aged; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000601:surgery*; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology; D018463:Filtering Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields