Long-term follow up of clear cornea trabeculectomy

We evaluated the long-term results of Cairns' clear cornea "trabeculectomy" performed on the Glaucoma Service of the Wills Eye Hospital in six patients with serious glaucoma. Although postoperative pressures initially were lower in all six, these lower pressures were not maintained. Pressure in three of the patients finally was controlled only after instituting medical treatment, including carbonic anhydrase inhibitors in two. The operation failed in the other three, two of whom underwent further surgeries. We conclude that Cairns' clear cornea trabeculectomy, in itself, is not adequate to control intraocular pressure in cases of serious glaucoma.