Clinical results of fornix-based trabeculectomy with a scleral tunnel

PURPOSE: To evaluate retrospectivery the efficacy and safety of fornix-based trabeculectomy with a scleral tunnel. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied the records of 204 eyes of 156 patients who underwent fornix-based trabeculectomy with mitomycin C as their primary surgery between 2000 and 2002 and had a follow-up period of 6 months or more. A 3.5 or 4 mm rectangular double scleral flap incision was made and a scleral tunnel was fashioned by removing the second flap to allow the aqueous to flow into the fornix side. RESULTS: The mean intraocular pressure was significantly decreased from 22.2 +/- 7.8 (mean +/- standard deviation) mmHg to 12.4 +/- 3.9 mmHg 2 years after surgery (p < 0.0001). When the target pressure was defined as 15 mmHg, the 2-year survival rate using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was 69.1 %. Early wound leakages occurred in 16 eyes (7.8%) and additional sutures were needed on 13 eyes. The visual acuity of 22 eyes (11.0%) decreased by at least 2 lines. CONCLUSION: Although there are some complications specific to trabeculectomy, fornix-based trabeculectomy with a scleral tunnel appears to be an effective method of decreasing intraocular pressure.