Long-term evaluation of efficacy and safety of deep sclerectomy in uveitic glaucoma.

PURPOSE To assess long-term efficacy and safety of deep sclerectomy (DS) in uveitic glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-three consecutive eyes (21 patients) with uveitic glaucoma underwent DS with mitomycin C and implant. Goniopuncture (GP) was done for uncontrolled postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP). RESULTS Mean (± SD) follow-up was 33.2 (± 19.8) months. IOP was reduced from a mean preoperative value of 37.2 to postoperative value of 14.7 mmHg (p < 0.0001). Complete success was achieved in 24/33 eyes (72.7%); qualified success was obtained in 7/33 eyes (21.2%). Neodymium:YAG GP was performed in 12 eyes. Postoperative complications included cataract progression in 9 eyes, transient hypotony in 6 eyes, shallow choroidal effusions in 4 eyes, hypotony with persistent maculopathy in 1 eye, hyphema in 1 eye, and decompression retinopathy in 1 eye. CONCLUSION DS is safe and effective in patients with uveitic open-angle glaucoma. However, laser goniopuncture is frequently needed to improve the outcome.