comparative results of viscotrabeculotomy and classical trabeculotomy in congenital glaucoma in a longer-term follow-up

Purpose: To evaluate the results of previously described viscotrabeculotomy technique and to compare them with those of conventional trabeculotomy in longer-term follow-up. Material and Method: This retrospective study included the eyes of 64 patients who underwent either viscotrabeculotomy (group 1) or conventional trabeculotomy (group 2) between February 1992 and April 2011. Group 1 consisted of 58 eyes of 34 patients who underwent viscotrabeculotomy surgery and group 2 consisted of 51 eyes of 30 patients who underwent conventional trabeculotomy. 3 patients (5 eyes) in group 1 and 2 patients (3 eyes) in group 2 left the follow-up for some reasons. At the last visit, group 1 comprised 53 eyes of 31 patients and group 2 comprised 48 eyes of 28 patients. Outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), antiglaucomatous medications, horizontal corneal diameter, and success rate. Results: Success rates in group 1 at 12, 36, 60, 72, 96, 120 months, and at the last visit were 93.10%, 91.30% 89.30%, 87.00%, 84.90%, 83.00%, and 83.00%, respectively. The success rates in group 2 at the above-mentioned follow-up visits were 72.50%, 68.60%, 68.60%, 66.10%, 66.00%, 64.50%, and 62.50%, respectively. The success rate in group 1 was statistically significantly higher than in group 2 at the last visit (p=0.027). IOP and anti-glaucomatous medications at each follow-up examination were lower in group 1 compared to group 2, and these differences were with statistical significance (for each, p<0.05). Horizontal corneal diameters did not differ between the two groups in the postoperative follow-up. Discussion: Viscotrabeculotomy has been found safer and more effective than classical trabeculotomy in longer-term evaluation. Viscodissection of the trabecular meshwork, viscodilation of the Schlemm’s canal, keeping away the lips of trabeculotomy incision, and possibly prevention of postoperative hemorrhage and fibroblastic proliferation by means of high-viscosity sodium hyaluronate are the possible factors that play an important role in the overall success of this procedure. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2013; 43: 380-4