Assessment of corneal decompensation in eyes having undergone molteno shunt procedures compared to eyes having undergone trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: To compare the incidence of corneal decompensation after Molteno shunt to trabeculectomy.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of the corneal status of 55 patients with primary open angle glaucoma. We compared 24 eyes of 24 patients who underwent Molteno tube shunt placement (Group 1) to fifteen eyes of 14 patients with multiple surgical procedures, including a trabeculectomy (Group 2). We also compared Group 1 to 28 eyes of 17 patients who underwent only one trabeculectomy (Group 3).

RESULTS

The three groups were similar with respect to age, sex, and intraocular pressure (IOP). The average follow-up time from the last surgery in Group 1 was 17.9 months (1-90 months), 22.4 months (2-63 months) in Group 2, and 19.6 months (1-37 months) in Group 3. The average number of surgeries was 3.0 (1-4) in Group 1 and 2.53 (1-4) in Group 2. The surgeries included trabeculectomy, cataract extraction, combined procedures, penetrating keratoplasty, pars plana vitrectomy, and scleral buckle. The incidence of corneal edema was 50% (12/24)in Group 1, 6.7% (1/15) in Group 2, and 0% in Group 3 (0/28). The average time to corneal decompensation was 21 months in Group 1 (1-120 months) and 15 months in Group 2.

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing Molteno shunt placement have a higher rate of corneal decompensation compared to patients undergoing trabeculectomy.