Long term follow-up of primary trabeculectomy for infantile glaucoma

T Fulcher, J Chan, B Lanigan, R Bowell, M O’Keefe

Background: The treatment for infantile glaucoma is surgical. Treatment options include goniotomy, trabeculotomy, combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy, and trabeculectomy.

Methods: Patients who had a follow up of 5 years or longer after primary trabeculectomy were examined to determine the long term stability in infantile glaucoma.

Results: In eyes with primary infantile glaucoma 92.3% achieved control of their glaucoma with a single trabeculectomy; 100% achieved control with two trabeculectomies; 85.7% of eyes with secondary infantile glaucoma achieved control with a single trabeculectomy. There were no serious complications experienced in either group.

Conclusion: Primary trabeculectomy is a safe and successful operation for infantile glaucoma.

Published courtesy of: Br J Ophthalmol 1996; 80: 499-502

Correspondence to: Mr Michael O’Keefe, The Children’s Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland