Intermediate Term Follow-up of Intraocular Pressure after Mitomycin-C Augmented Viscocanalostomy in Young Asian Patients with Glaucoma

Purpose: The goal of glaucoma surgery is to decrease intraocular pressure with minimal complications. Non-penetrating glaucoma surgeries have recently been advocated to decrease possible postoperative complications; however, their
intraocular pressure lowering effects are still questionable. Since mitomycin-C
has been shown to increase the success rate of glaucoma filtration surgery,
we assessed the efficacy and postoperative complications of mitomycin-C augmented viscocanalostomy in young Asian patients with glaucoma.

Patients and Methods: Thirty two eyes of 25 young patients (younger than 40 years) who underwent mitomycin-C augmented viscocanalostomy to lower intraocular pressure were enrolled in this study. Best-corrected visual acuity, anterior chamber status, intraocular pressure, and fundus examinations were compared before and after surgery.

Results: With a minimal follow-up of 15 months, it was noted that the mean intraocular pressure decreased from 30.2 mm Hg preoperatively to 9.0 mm Hg on the second postoperative day, 9.6 mm Hg after 1 month, 16.6 mm Hg after 6 months, and 17.2 mm Hg at the last follow-up. Complete success rate, defined as an intraocular pressure lower than 21 mm Hg without medication, was 69.6% at the last follow-up. Qualified success, defined as an intraocular pressure lower than 21 mm Hg with or without medication, was 91.3%.

Conclusion: Mitomycin-C augmented viscocanalostomy appears to provide reasonable control of intraocular pressure at intermediate term follow-up in young Asian patients with glaucoma.

Asian J Ophthalmol 2001;3(2):3-5