Transconjunctival suturing of the scleral flap for overfiltration with hypotony maculopathy after trabeculectomy.

Journal: Canadian Journal Of Ophthalmology. Journal Canadien D'ophtalmologie
Published:
Abstract

Objective: To assess the efficacy of transconjunctival suturing of the scleral flap in improving hypotony maculopathy resulting from overfiltration after trabeculectomy.

Methods: Retrospective review. Methods: 35 eyes of 33 patients. Methods: Patients underwent transconjunctival scleral flap suturing for hypotony maculopathy following trabeculectomy using mitomycin C. The scleral flap was sutured through the conjunctiva as an outpatient clinic procedure using a spatulated needle with a 10-0 nylon suture.

Results: The average age of the patients was 67.5 (SD 4.80, range 39-83) years, and 52% patients were male. The average duration of hypotony prior to transconjunctival suturing of the flap was 108.0 (SD 68.3) days. The median intraocular pressure (IOP) before suturing was 3 mm Hg, and the median IOP 6 months after the procedure was 9 mm Hg (p < 0.0001). The median best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before transconjunctival suturing of the scleral flap was 20/100, and the median BCVA 6 months after the procedure was 20/30 (p < 0.0001). Compared with visual acuity before suturing the average gain in BCVA was 4.9 (SD 0.8) lines.

Conclusions: Transconjunctival suturing of the trabeculectomy scleral flap is an effective treatment to raise IOP and improve visual loss from hypotony maculopathy after trabeculectomy with overfiltering blebs.

Authors
Laurence Letartre, Ahmed Basheikh, Jean-louis Anctil, Béatrice Des Marchais, Annie Goyette, Oscar Kasner, Caroline Lajoie