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Abstract #6552 Published in IGR 3-2
Should antiproliferatives be used in filtering surgery of normal tension glaucoma?
Alm ABritish Journal of Ophthalmology 2001; 85: 638-639
In this editorial, the author discusses a paper by Membrey et al. on their experience with filtering surgery with and without antiproliferatives in so-called normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). This was a retrospective analysis. The original authors concluded that there was a 50% reduction of relative risk of progression in patients with an intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction of at least 30%. Furthermore, although the mitomycin C (MMC) group had the best IOP reduction, the 5-FU group fared better because of late complications. The present author notes that medical treatment is rarely successful in producing a reduction of IOP in the order of 30% in NTG. Therefore, if the progression rate is such that there is a threat to the quality of vision of the patient, a filtering procedure may be considered. Based on the results of Membrey et al., the choice, according to this author, should be for 5-FU. However, the ideal drug to enhance the changes of a permanent effect of fistulizing surgery is not yet on the market.
Dr A. Alm, Department of Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, University Hospital, S-701 85 Uppsala, Sweden. Albert.Alm@nc.uas.iul.se
Classification:
12.8.10 Woundhealing antifibrosis (Part of: 12 Surgical treatment > 12.8 Filtering surgery)
