Mitomycin-C in laser sclerostomy: benefit and complications.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

The authors studied the effect of topical mitomycin-C administration on the maintenance of filter function and intraocular pressure (IOP) following laser sclerostomy.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Twenty-six patients with a presumed high risk of episcleral scarring were treated intraoperatively with topical mitomycin-C (0.5 mg/ml) for 3 to 5 minutes. Their IOPs were monitored for at least 2 years. The IOP data of these patients were compared with the results for 46 patients who underwent the identical procedure without antimetabolite.

RESULTS

IOPs below 23 mm Hg were achieved in 70% of the mitomycin-C-treated patients. Compared with the non-mitomycin-C group, the rate and duration of early postoperative hypotony was significantly increased in the mitomycin-C-treated group.

CONCLUSION

Mitomycin-C is useful for maintaining successful filter function in patients with unfavorable prognoses. However, severe and persistent hypotony may occur.