LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF PRIMARY GLAUCOMA TRIPLE PROCEDURE WITH ADJUNCTIVE 5-FLUOROURACIL

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term effect of adjunctive subconjunctiva l 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the filtration outcome of primary glaucoma triple procedure (PGTP) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients . Methods: Seventy-four POAG patients were randomly assigned to PGTP a lone (36 patients) or PGTP with adjunctive subconjunctival 5-FU (5.0 /- 1.3 injections of 5 mg each, total of 24.8 mg) (38 patients). After surgery, the patients were examined at regular intervals for intraocu lar pressure (IOP), visual acuity, medical therapy requirements, and c omplications. Surgical success was defined as IOP less than or equal t o 20 mmHg on postoperative medication II without additional glaucoma s urgery. Results: Over an average follow-up (+/-SD) of 45.3 +/- 25.0 mo nths, both 5-FU and control groups maintained significant improvement of IOP control and visual acuity. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the 5-FU and control groups with resp ect to postoperative IOP, number of glaucoma medications, visual acuit y outcome, and success rate overall or in selected patients with one o r more of the risk factors for filtration failure. Conclusions: The us e of low-dose subconjunctival 5-FU (mean dosage of 24.8 mg in 5.0 +/- 1.3 injections) as an adjunct did not significantly improve the long-t erm filtration outcome of PGTP in POAG patients.