Nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy versus trabeculectomy in bilateral primary open-angle glaucoma.

Abstract

To establish the efficacy and safety of nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy versus trabeculectomy in primary open-angle glaucoma. Prospective randomized trial. Thirty-nine patients (78 eyes) with bilateral primary open angle glaucoma were included in the study. Eyes were randomly assigned to receive deep sclerectomy in one eye and trabeculectomy in the other eye. Mean intraocular pressure (IOP), postoperative medications, visual acuity, success rate, and complications. At 12 months, mean IOP reduction was 12.3 +/- 4.2 (sclerectomy) versus 14.1 +/- 6.4 mmHg (trabeculectomy) (P = 0.15), and an IOP </= 21 mmHg was achieved in 36 (92.3%) and 37 eyes (94.9%) (P = 0.9), respectively. Complications included three (7.7%) flat/shallow anterior chambers and one (2.6%) hypotony (trabeculectomy), whereas internal iris incarceration was encountered in two eyes (5.1%) (sclerectomy). Deep sclerectomy may provide comparable IOP reduction with fewer complications in management of primary open angle glaucoma.