advertisement
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of pars plana filtration with multiple laser perforation of the uvea in neovascular glaucoma patients following proliferative diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: In 18 eyes of 13 patients, after a fornix-based conjunctival incision, two 9 x 3 mm, thin, rectangular scleral flaps were created 3-6 mm posterior to the limbus. The remaining layers of sclera under each flap were removed. The exposed uvea was irradiated at a mean of 60.6 spots with an argon laser just to the point of perforation. After the posterior chamber fluid escaped, the flaps were sutured. RESULTS: The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 36.4 ± 9.0 mmHg. After an average follow-up of 16.6 ± 5.9 months, the mean final postoperative IOP was 16.6 ± 4.4 mmHg. The postoperative IOP was below 21 mmHg in three (16.7%) of the 18 eyes without medication, in 14 (77.8%) on anti-glaucoma eye drops, and in 16 (88.9%) on anti-glaucoma eye drops and an oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. Snellen visual acuity improved by more than two lines in seven of the 18 eyes, worsened by this amount in three, and remained within baseline ±2 lines in eight. CONCLUSION: This procedure is an effective treatment for neovascular glaucoma patients following proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Dr. F. Mabuchi, Department of Ophthalmology, Yamanashi Medical University, 1110 Shimokatou, Tamaho-cho, Nakakoma-gun, Yamanashi-ken 409-3898, Japan
9.4.5.1 Neovascular glaucoma (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.4 Glaucomas associated with other ocular and systemic disorders > 9.4.5 Glaucomas associated with disorders of the retina, choroid and vitreous)
12.10 Cyclodestruction (Part of: 12 Surgical treatment)