Management of neovascular glaucoma with panretinal photocoagulation, intravitreal bevacizumab, and subsequent trabeculectomy with mitomycin C

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of using intravitreal bevacizumab, panretinal photocoagulation, and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C in the management of neovascular glaucoma.

Patients and methods: The study included 17 eyes of 15 patients with neovascular glaucoma. Panretinal photocoagulation was performed combined with intravitreal bevacizumab injection (1.25 mg in 0.05 mL). A fornix-based conjunctival flap trabeculectomy with intraoperative mitomycin C (0.4mg/mL for 3min) was then performed.

Results: The causes of neovascular glaucoma included: diabetic retinopathy (10 eyes), central retinal vein occlusion (5 eyes), and branch retinal vein occlusion (2 eyes). Complete regression of iris neovascularization after intravitreal bevacizumab injection and panretinal photocoagulation occurred in 14 eyes (82.4%). After trabeculectomy with mitomycin C, mean intraocular pressure was reduced from 42.9±4.2 mm Hg preoperatively to 15.1±2.2, 16.3±2.0, and 19.7±2.1 mm Hg at first week, first month, and sixth months postoperatively, respectively. This reduction was statistically significant (P<0.05). The mean number of antiglaucoma medications used before surgery was 2.8±0.4 (range: 2 to 3) that decreased to 0.8±0.6 (range: 0 to 3) after surgery. Postoperative hypotony (intraocular pressure 7 mm Hg) was observed in 17.6% (3 of 17 eyes), conjunctival dehiscence in 5.9%, shallow anterior chamber in 11.8%, hyphema in 23.5%, choroidal detachment in 11.8%, and epithelial corneal erosions related to applications of mitomycin C in 1 eye (5.9%).

Conclusions: Trabeculectomy with intraoperative mitomycin C after an adjunctive treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab and panretinal photocoagulation is a good treatment modality in the management of eyes with neovascular glaucoma.