Persistent hypotony after primary trabeculectomy with mitomycin C

Purpose: To describe the clinical findings and treatment modalities of persistent hypotony following primary trabeculectomy with mitomycin C. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 9 eyes with persistent hypotony, which was defined as intraocular pressure less than or equal to 5 mmHg for more than 2 months. Results: Mean hypotony duration was 7.4 months (standard deviation (SD) ± 6.7 months, range 2 to 23 months). Associated findings included choroidal detachment (2 eyes) and maculopathy (5 eyes). All patients who developed maculopathy were relatively young (mean age = 37 years old, SD ± 16, range 18 to 79 years). Treatments included bandaged contact lens, autologous blood injection, phacoemulsification, resuturing of the scleral flap, scleral patch graft, and Simmons’ shell. After treatment, intraocular pressure (IOP) raised in all patients (mean final IOP = 11.1 mmHg, SD ± 3.5). On the first day of hypotony, the mean IOP was 3 mmHg (SD ±1.7). At the last follow up, visual acuity (VA) was unchanged in 3 eyes, worsened in 2 eyes (by 2 Snellen lines), and improved (by 1 to 4 Snellen lines) in 4 eyes. Of those eyes whose VA improved, 3 had undergone phacoemulsification. Conclusion: Hypotony after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C can be reversed with possible improvement in vision. Hipotonia persistente depois de trabeculectomia primária com mitomicina C