Comparison of trabeculectomy and trabeculectomy with amniotic membrane transplantation in the same patient with bilateral glaucoma

AIM: To observe effects of trabeculectomy with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) in controlling postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with medically uncontrolled glaucoma.METHODS:This study included adult patients with requiring bilateral glaucoma surgery. Each patient underwent trabeculectomy (Non-AMT group) in one eye and with AMT (AMT group) in the other eye according to randomized principle. Success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP)<21mmHg without any anti-glaucoma medications at 24 months follow-up. The two groups were compared in terms of IOP, complications and success rate.RESULTS: Thirty-four eyes of 17 patients were investigated in this study. There was no statistically signifcant difference in pre-operative IOP between the two groups. The mean IOP was lower in AMT group compared with Non-AMT group on follow up months 12, 18, and 24.Postoperative complications were more frequent in Non-AMT group (35.3%, 6/17) compared with AMT group (5.9%, 1/17). The success rate of surgery was 88.2% (15/17) in Non-AMT group and 100% (17/17) in AMT group.CONCLUSION: Trabeculectomy with AMT is an effective procedure to reduce IOP and complications, thereby improving surgical success rates.