Long-term results of Molteno implant insertion in cases of chronic angle closure glaucoma.
BACKGROUND
This study was undertaken to provide data on the long-term results of cases of chronic angle closure glaucoma with additional risk factors treated by Molteno implants between 1985 and 2004 at Dunedin Hospital, New Zealand.


METHODS
A prospective non-comparative case series followed 21 eyes (17 patients) for a mean of 5.7 years (range 1.3-16.3 years) in terms of intraocular pressure, visual acuity and subsequent procedures.


RESULTS
Insertion of a Molteno implant has controlled the intraocular pressure at 21 mmHg or less in 100% of cases at 5 years after surgery, the probability of control being 0.95 (95% CI 0.91-0.99). The mean number of hypotensive medications reduced from 2.04 (SD 0.92) preoperatively to 1.40, 0.64 and 0.66 at 1, 2 and 5 years, respectively. The mean visual acuity improved from 6/18 preoperatively to 6/12 at 1 year and declined to 6/13.5 at 2 and 5 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Insertion of Molteno implants was a safe and effective procedure in the management of complex cases of chronic angle closure glaucoma.
Deokule
Sunil P
SP
Eye Department, Dunedin Hospital, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Molteno
Anthony C B
AC
Bevin
Tui H
TH
Herbison
Peter
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015812:Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018465:Molteno Implants; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology