Five year results of viscocanalostomy.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively study the success rate and complications of viscocanalostomy, a non-penetrating glaucoma surgery.


METHODS
Prospective non-randomised consecutive case series of 57 eyes (57 patients) with medically uncontrolled primary and secondary open angle glaucoma. Viscocanalostomy was performed on all participants with injection of viscoelastic in the surgically created ostia of Schlemm's canal as well as in the scleral bed, the superficial scleral flap was loosely sutured. Intraocular pressure, visual acuity, and number of goniopunctures were measured.


RESULTS
The mean follow up period was 34.1 months. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 24.6 mm Hg; while the mean postoperative IOP was 5.6 mm Hg at day 1 and 13.9 mm Hg at 36 month. Patients who achieved IOP below 21 mm Hg with or without medication were 90% at 60 months, complete success rate (IOP<21 mm Hg without medication) was 60% at 60 months. 21 patients (37%) needed Nd:YAG goniopuncture postoperatively to control raised IOP, mean time for goniopuncture application was 9.4 months, mean pre-goniopuncture IOP was 20.4 mm Hg and mean postgoniopuncture IOP was 12.6 mm Hg (p <0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Viscocanalostomy appears to be a promising modification of filtering surgery.
Shaarawy
T
T
Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules Gonin, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
Nguyen
C
C
Schnyder
C
C
Mermoud
A
A
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D018463:Filtering Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology