Purpose: To evaluate the level of the intra- ocular pressure /IOP/ and glaucoma therapy during two years after trabeculectomy /TE/ with releasable sutures /RS/.
Methods: In a retrospective study, IOP and glaucoma therapy in 40 patients with primary open glaucoma /POAG/ were evaluated. Patients underwent TE with two RS on both eyes performed with the identical surgical approach and by the same surgeon.
Results: Two years after the surgery we noted a significant decrease of IOP / p less 0,0001 / and reduction of glaucoma medication / p less 0,0001 /. There was no difference of IOP and glaucoma therapy between the first and second operated eye. The IOP was usually stabilized in 2-3 months after the surgery. The best achieved results were seen in patients where one or none RS was removed. In 26 eyes where both RS were removed 11 eyes /42,3%/ did not require further therapy. However, 15 eyes /57,3%/ required additional instillation therapy to meet the target pressure.
Conclusion: Early extraction of RS affects positively the late level of IOP.