Treatment of intracameral fibrinous membranes with tissue plasminogen activator.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of intracameral tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in the treatment of severe fibrinous membranes that do not respond to anti-inflammatory treatment.


METHODS
In this technique, 0.1 mL of aqueous was aspirated, followed by injection of 0.1 mL (25 microg) of tPA into the anterior chamber in 15 patients with severe fibrinous membranes that developed after pars plana vitrectomy (n = 6), cataract extraction (n = 4), combined cataract and glaucoma surgery (n = 2), trabeculectomy (n = 1), and endophthalmitis (n = 2). The clearance of fibrinous membranes and changes in visual acuity and in intraocular pressure were observed.


RESULTS
Patients were treated 2 to 10 days postoperatively (mean, 5.6 +/- 0.57 days). Complete fibrinolysis was observed in all cases. The mean time for clearance of fibrin was 7.73 +/- 2.73 hours. A temporary increase in intraocular pressure was noted in two cases.


CONCLUSIONS
In this technique, intracameral injection of 25 microg of tPA is both effective and safe in the treatment of severe fibrinous membranes that do not respond to anti-inflammatory treatment.
Erol
Nazmiye
N
Osmangazi University Medical Faculty, Department of Ophthalmology Eskisehir, Turkey.
Ozer
Ahmet
A
Topbas
Seyhan
S
Yildirim
Nilgün
N
Yurdakul
Sumru
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D018916:Blood-Aqueous Barrier; D005260:Female; D005337:Fibrin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005342:Fibrinolysis; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D012008:Recurrence; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014792:Visual Acuity
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D005337:Fibrin; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator