Non-penetrating trabeculectomy for open angle glaucoma.
BACKGROUND
Non-penetrating trabeculectomy is used as the surgical intervention for open angle glaucoma. It has advantage of creating gradual filtration through the thin trabeculo-Descemet membrane to reduce markedly the postoperative complications typical for penetrating operation. We described our experience of the non-penetrating trabeculectomy for open angle glaucoma.


METHODS
This is a retrospective study of 28 eyes of 28 patients with primary open glaucoma (POAG). Non-penetrating trabeculectomy was performed by one surgeon from July 1998 to March 2000. Examinations were performed preoperatively and postoperatively in 1 and 7 days and 1, 3, 6, 12 and 21 months.


RESULTS
The mean follow-up was 12.5 +/- 6.3 months (S.D.). The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 27.8 +/- 6.7 mmHg. The mean postoperative IOP was 11.5 +/- 6.2 mmHg in 1 day and 15.7 +/- 5.8 mmHg in 1 week, and it remained stable in the following 12 months. IOP of 71.3% (20/28) of the eyes could be controlled below or equal to 21 mmHg with no or only topical antiglaucoma medication. There were only few postoperative complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Non-penetrating trabeculectomy is efficient in controlling intraocular pressure of open angle glaucoma. No entering the anterior chamber diminishes the postoperative complications typical of the penetrating trabeculectomy.
Shyong
M P
MP
Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 201, Sec. 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan. MPShyong@vghtpe.gov.tw
Chou
J C
JC
Liu
C J
CJ
Chen
M J
MJ
Chiou
S H
SH
Hsu
W M
WM
Liu
J H
JH
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014130:Trabeculectomy / Q000009:adverse effects