Objective: To evaluate the long-term success of trabeculectomy with mitomycin C for glaucoma after vitreoretinal surgery with silicone oil insertion.

Methods: Prospective evaluation of patients who underwent trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (superior or inferior site) for glaucoma after vitreoretinal surgery. Parameters examined included intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, and glaucomatous neuropathy status, preoperatively and at multiple follow-up visits postoperatively till 12 months. Success, both absolute (IOP <21 mmHg) and qualified (IOP <21 mmHg with the use of medications and/or needling), was determined at each follow-up visit.

Results: Nineteen patients with mean age of 29 ± 16 years had a mean untreated baseline IOP of 42.5 ± 10.66 mmHg, which reduced to 23.82 ± 7.58 at 1 year (P = 0.008). Preoperative decimal visual acuity was 0.12 ± 0.21, which worsened to 0.07 ± 0.08 at the final follow-up (P = 0.81). Total success rate was 36.9% at the end of 1 year, whereas absolute success rate was only 15.8%. Duration between vitreoretinal surgery and silicone oil removal, preoperative IOP, or site of surgery did not determine success rate.

Conclusions: Twelve-month success rate for trabeculectomy with mitomycin C in glaucoma after vitreoretinal surgery with silicone oil insertion is lower than reported for most refractory glaucomas.