CLINICAL-EXPERIENCE OF TRABECULOTOMY FOR THE SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF ANIRIDIC GLAUCOMA

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of i nitial trabeculotomy in the patient with aniridic glaucoma. Design: Cl inical charts were reviewed. Participants: Twenty-nine eyes of 16 pati ents with aniridia were studied. Intervention: Glaucoma surgery was pe rformed. As an initial procedure, trabeculotomy was performed in 12 ey es, other surgery was performed in 17 eyes (trabeculectomy, 5; gonioto my, 5; other, 7). Main Outcome Measures: Success was defined as an int raocular pressure (IOP) of 21 mmHg or lower, and no further surgery wa s performed. Results: Ten (83%) of 12 eyes obtained IOP control after first (6 eyes) or second (4 eyes) trabeculotomy with a mean follow-up period of 9.5 years, Five eyes maintained visual acuity of 20/40 to 20 /200, No serious complications were found after trabeculotomy. Three ( 18%) of 17 eyes were controlled with the first glaucoma surgery other than trabeculotomy (goniotomy, trabeculectomy, trabeculectomy combined with trabeculotomy, and Molteno implant). Good IOP control was obtain ed in 8 (47%) of 17 eyes after several surgeries with a mean follow-up period of 10.4 years. Four of 17 eyes became phthisical. Conclusion: This study suggests that trabeculotomy is the preferred initial operat ion for uncontrolled glaucoma with aniridia.