A Prospective Study to Evaluate Intravitreous Ranibizumab as Adjunctive Treatment for Trabeculectomy in Neovascular Glaucoma

INTRODUCTION The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) as adjunctive treatment for trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (TMC) in neovascular glaucoma (NVG). METHODS This is a prospective study of 15 eyes from 14 consecutive patients with NVG carried out between December 2008 and December 2009. Each eye received IVR (0.5 mg/0.05 ml) 1 week before TMC. Trabeculectomy was performed with fornix-based conjunctival flap method. After TMC, additional panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), subconjunctival five fluorouracil injection, and bleb needling may be performed if indicated. The primary outcome measures were post-TMC intraocular pressure (IOP) and numbers of anti-glaucoma medication. The secondary outcome measures included of the recurrence of neovascularization at iris (NVI) and complications. RESULTS Six eyes underwent adequate PRP before IVR but iris rubeosis still persisted. All eyes showed regression of NVI within 1 week after IVR. After TMC, mean IOP was significantly decreased from 37.9 mmHg preoperatively to 15.6 mmHg postoperatively (P < 0.001). Intraoperative hyphema was observed in four eyes. Thirteen eyes had controlled IOP (<21 mmHg) at last visit among which only one eye needed anti-glaucoma medication. Two eyes were considered as failure and needed further intervention. Visual acuity was maintained or improved in eight eyes. Recurrent NVI was not detected. All patients were symptom-free at last visit. Mean follow-up was 39 weeks. CONCLUSION IVR is an effective treatment adjunctive to TMC for NVG. The occurrence of intraoperative complications was low and the short-term outcomes after trabeculectomy were favorable.