The surgical management of chronic hypotony due to uveitis.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate surgery in chronic hypotony secondary to uveitis.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of six patients operated for chronic hypotony (< or =5 mmHg) of at least 1 month's duration. Surgery involved removal of all traction and membranes on the ciliary processes. Use of oil was limited to patients with atrophic ciliary processes.


RESULTS
The average postoperative follow-up was 24 months (12-43). The average pressure increase was 7 mmHg at 6 months. Four of six uveitis patients had significantly increased vision.


CONCLUSIONS
Improved vision, and a sustained pressure rise are possible in hypotonous uveitis. The presence of ciliary processes is necessary. However, they do not need to be intact.
Department of Ophthalmology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1105 AZ, The Netherlands. m.d.desmet@amc.uva.nl
M D
MD
de Smet
F
F
Gunning
R
R
Feenstra
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D033401:Microscopy, Acoustic / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D015814:Ocular Hypotension / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012160:Retina / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014605:Uveitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology