[Extra-trabeculotomy and trabeculectomy in treatment of primary infantile glaucoma].

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness and complication of extra-trabeculotomy and trabeculectomy in the treatment of primary infantile glaucoma.

METHOD: Patients with primary infantile glaucoma and having undergone either of the two procedures from Jan, 1992 - June, 1996 were selected. Among them, group one (30 patients, 51 eyes) underwent extra-trabeculotomy, while group two (26 patients, 46 eyes) underwent trabeculectomy.

RESULTS

The success rates in group one were 92.2% at the time of discharge and 87.5% during follow-up (mean 26.3 months); the rates in group two were 73.9% and 62.9% (mean 28.1 months) respectively, the differences being significant (P < 0.05). In group one, there was no severe complication, while in group two, two cases had vitreous prolapse.

CONCLUSION

Extra-trabeculotomy is more efficacious and safer than trabeculectomy in the treatment of primary infantile glaucoma. It should be the first choice in the treatment of primary infantile glaucoma.