[Trabeculectomy for normal-tension glaucoma]

Abstract

We prospectively investigated the postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) level, visual prognosis, and complications of trabeculectomy with adjunctive mitomycin C in normal-tension glaucoma. The subjects were 42 eyes of 29 patients who underwent surgery with 0.2 mg mitomycin C as an adjunct and were followed for 12-30 months (mean: 20.6 months). The preoperative IOP was 11-18 mmHg with a mean (+/- standard deviation) of 13.9 +/- 1.5 mmHg. The IOP decreased to 4-16 mmHg with a mean (+/- standard deviation) of 7.9 +/- 2.6 mmHg. The magnitude of the IOP reduction ranged from -1 to 10 mmHg with a mean of 6.0 mmHg. The number of eyes receiving ocular hypotensive medication decreased remarkably from 32 eyes preoperatively to 2 eyes postoperatively. The visual field deteriorated postoperatively in 2 eyes (4.8%) whose IOP was around 8 and 9 mmHg, respectively. Cataract progressed in 8 eyes (19.0%) and hypotonous maculopathy developed in 5 eyes (11.9%). Because the postoperative IOP level is close to the IOP value that is allegedly beneficial in preserving visual function in normal-tension glaucoma, the surgery is worth further consideration as a potent treatment for the disease.