Trabeculectomy v thermosclerostomy. A five-year follow-up
R. A. Lewis and C. D. Phelps
Thirty-seven eyes with open-angle glaucoma were treated by trabeculectomy
and 34 eyes were treated by thermosclerostomy. Thermosclerostomy lowered
intraocular pressure to a slightly greater extent than trabeculectomy;
however, the average difference was not statistically significant except
for the second year. After five years, IOPs were less than 22 mm Hg without
additional medications or surgery in 24 (65%) of eyes undergoing
trabeculectomy and in 14 (41%) of eyes undergoing thermosclerostomy. When
eyes were included that were treated with medication or additional glaucoma
or cataract surgery, over 90% of eyes in each group had an IOP less than 22
mm Hg. Visual acuity declined frequently in both groups, and progression of
cataract was the most common cause. Loss of visual acuity occurred much
more frequently in patients who were older than 60 years than in younger
patients.
