Influence of deep scleral flap size on intraocular pressure after deep sclerectomy

Abstract

Purpose: To study the effect of several morphometric characteristics of the deep scleral flap on intraocular pressure (IOP) control after deep sclerectomy.

Methods: The authors conducted a nonrandomized prospective study of 56 eyes of 51 patients who underwent deep sclerectomy alone or combined with phacoemulsification. A reticulated hyaluronic acid implant was used in all cases. The surface, volume, and weight of the dissected deep scleral flap were measured and recorded. The correlation between these parameters and the postoperative IOP was evaluated at 6 and 12 months postoperatively.

Results: Forty-nine eyes (87.50%) achieved an IOP of 21 mmHg or less without treatment, and the need for medication was decreased significantly (p<0.001) at 12 months postoperatively. The authors found a significant inverse correlation between the mean postoperative IOP at 6 months and the surface, volume, and weight of the deep scleral flap, but not at 12 months postoperatively.

Conclusions: Greater weight, surface area, and volume of the deep scleral flap dissected during deep sclerectomy achieve significantly lower postoperative IOPs in the early postoperative period.