[Influence on tear film of postoperative 5-fluourouracil and intraoperative mitomycin C in glaucoma filtration surgery].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of tear film functions due to the use of postoperative 5-fluourouracil (5-Fu) and intraoperative mitomycin C (MMC) in glaucoma filtration surgery.

METHODS

71 eyes of 71 refractory glaucoma patients were followed up after filtration surgery. They were divided into 3 groups. The 5-Fu and MMC groups consisted of 24 and 17 eyes respectively. The other 30 eyes that underwent the surgery without any use of antimetabolic agents were in the control group. The observed symptoms included ocular foreign body sensation, dryness, photophobia, itching and discharge. The available criteria were conjunctival congestion, fluorescein and rose bengal staining on the cornea and conjunctiva, break-up time of tear film and Schirmer's test.

RESULTS

The ocular symptoms and signs were manifest and tear film functions were significantly decreased in 5-Fu group (P < 0.05). No significant difference between MMC and the control was seen, except that the dry feeling was significantly intensive in MMC group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The postoperative use of 5-Fu after glaucoma filtration surgery leads to tear film abnormalities apparently.