Short-term effect of mitomycin-C augmented trabeculectomy on axial length and corneal astigmatism

Purpose: To evaluate the short-term effect of trabeculectomy with adjunctiv e mitomycin-C (MMC) on corneal astigmatism and axial length. Setting: Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, Department of Ophthalmol ogy, Seoul, Korea. Methods: Eighteen consecutive eyes of 16 patients having trabeculectomy wit h adjunctive MMC were prospectively analyzed. Intraocular pressure (IOP) an d axial length were evaluated preoperatively and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months pos toperatively, Postoperative changes in corneal astigmatism were evaluated u sing vector analysis. Results: The overall mean induced astigmatism showed with-the-rule change u p to 3 months postoperatively followed by an against-the-rule shift, The me an axial length was significantly less postoperatively and changed througho ut the 12 month follow-up, There was a positive correlation between postope rative axial length and IOP. Eyes with higher preoperative IOP had a greate r decrease in axial length after trabeculectomy with MMC. Conclusion: The induced corneal astigmatism after trabeculectomy with MMC w as long lasting, although less than that in previous studies. The change in axial length after surgery was significant, especially in eyes with a high preoperative IOP, The decrease in axial length persisted throughout the fo llow-up.