Purpose: To evaluate the two-years minimum follow-up results of a
recently described trabeculectomy technique (Ophthalmology 1997; 104:
1237-1241), which is performed through a 1.75 mm incision, and minimizes trauma
to Tenon´s capsule.
Methods: A
prospective evaluation of small-incision trabeculectomy avoiding Tenon´s
capsule was performed of 41 eyes (39 patients). All eyes had 2 years minimum
follow-up. 23 eyes also had 3 years follow-up. 5-FU was used intra and/or
postoperatively in patients with high risk for failure. Success was defined as
IOP < 16 mmHg with more than 30% reduction of the preoperative IOP.
Results: Intraocular pressure decreased from 35.53 + 10.41 mmHg
preoperatively to 10.53 + 3.45 mmHg at two years (p<.001), and 11.09 +
3.03 mmHg at three years (p<.001). 5-FU was used in 22 eyes. Success was
achieved in 39/41 eyes (95.12%) at two years, two of them with medication.
Complications included immediate postoperative conjunctival leakage (9 eyes),
shallow anterior chamber (6 eyes), choroidal detachment (3 eyes) and epithelial
keratopathy (1 eye). No loss of more than one line of visual acuity was found,
except for two eyes that required cataract extraction.
Conclusions: Small incision trabeculectomy avoiding Tenon´s capsule was
safe and effective in achieving an IOP < 16 mmHg at two years.