Ultrasound biomicroscopy in the diagnosis of supraciliochoroidal fluid after trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: To report supraciliochoroidal effusion after trabeculectomy with the use of ultrasound biomicroscopy.

METHODS

In a prospective study, 28 eyes of 19 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma that underwent trabeculectomy were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively by ultrasound biomicroscopy.

RESULTS

Four eyes showed a hypoechogenic suprachoroidal space that remained stable for 6 months postoperatively. These four eyes had intraocular pressures of 11 mm Hg or less on no antiglaucoma medications and without signs of choroidal detachment.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound biomicroscopy proved to be a useful method of detecting, after trabeculectomy, supraciliochoroidal fluid without clinically detectable choroidal detachment. This fluid may signify an iatrogenic cyclodialysis during surgery or, less likely, subclinical ciliochoroidal detachment.