Non-penetrating deep sclerectomy and collagen implant surgery in glaucoma patients with advanced field loss.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to determine the medium term intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effects and the potential complications of non-penetrating deep sclerectomy and collagen implant (DSCI) surgery in glaucoma patients.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

54 eyes of 52 patients with medically uncontrolled open angle glaucoma with advanced field loss underwent DSCI under topical anaesthesia. Follow-up period was 24 months.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative IOP was 24.7 +/- 6.2 mmHg and decreased to 15.1 +/- 4.0 mmHg at 24 months (p = 0.0068). During the follow- up period, 36 of 54 eyes (66%) received no topical antiglaucomatous medications. In 18 eyes, monotherapy with topical beta blockers (Betaxolol HCl) was added to the regimen. At last visit, only two patients (3.8%) had IOP greater than 18 mmHg. We did not detect any additional optic disc changes, visual field or visual acuity defects postoperatively. Detailed slit-lamp examination revealed no anterior segment complications regarding the probable complications of trabeculectomy. None of the patients developed surgery related cataract. As a complication, we diagnosed one case of self-limited, shallow choroidal detachment.

CONCLUSION

DSCI appears to provide considerable medium term IOP decrease with few postoperative complications without deteriorating visual acuity. Owing to our medium term results, we believe that DSCI could be a valuable alternative to trabeculectomy especially in cases of advanced medically uncontrolled open angle glaucoma.