Micro-invasive 360-degree suture trabeculotomy after successful canaloplasty – one year results.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to analyse the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering and drug-sparing effect of micro-invasive 360-degree suture trabeculotomy after successfully performed canaloplasty.

METHODS

This retrospective interventional study included patients with open angle glaucoma or secondary forms of glaucoma, suffering from insufficient IOP level after previously conducted canaloplasty. To enhance the IOP-lowering canaloplasty effect, all patients underwent micro-invasive 360-degree suture trabeculotomy as a conjunctiva-sparing ab interno approach for circumferential trabeculotomy. This was achieved by introducing end-gripping forceps into the anterior chamber with topical anaesthesia, and grasping and extracting the canaloplasty suture through the trabecular meshwork under gonioscopic visualisation. Main outcome measures were IOP reduction and the number of IOP-lowering medications after 3 and 12 moths. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were documented systematically.

RESULTS

In total, 88 eyes of 88 patients were included. Mean IOP reduction after micro-invasive 360-degree suture trabeculotomy at month 3 was 37.5 % (from baseline 22.8 ± 6.7 mmHg to 14.3 ± 3.1 mmHg, p < 0.01) and 41.2 % after 12 months (from 22.8 ± 6.7 mmHg to 13.4 ± 2.3 mmHg, p < 0.01). The number of IOP-lowering medications decreased significantly from a mean of 2.7 ± 1.4 to 1.3 ± 1.4 after 3 months, and 1.6 ± 1.2 after 12 months. No serious complications were observed. However, mild or moderate retrograde bleeding from the collector channels was present in 25 % of eyes that resorbed spontaneously in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Micro-invasive 360-degree suture trabeculotomy represents a simple and safe minimal invasive ab interno technique to postoperatively enhance the IOP-lowering and drug-sparing effect of canaloplasty.