Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy as a primary surgical option for glaucoma in Fuchs uveitis syndrome: A case series

BACKGROUND

Fuchs uveitis syndrome (FUS) is a chronic intraocular inflammatory disease. It can lead to glaucoma which can be intractable to both medical and surgical treatment. In the present report, we describe our experience with GATT as a primary surgical option in the treatment of glaucoma secondary to FUS.

RESULTS

Four consecutive patients with FUS-associated glaucoma underwent GATT in a single institution. Case 1 was a 28-year-old pseudophakic male with a preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) of 43 mmHg had unsuccessful circumferential cannulation; his IOP remained high after GATT and received trabeculectomy followed by Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation to control IOP. Although IOP was stable following AGV, he required descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty due to persistent corneal decompansation. He had a stable IOP of 12 mmHg over 21 months. Case 2 was a 42-year-old male with preoperative IOP of 35 mmHg and posterior subcapsular cataract had 360-degree GATT combined with phacoemulsification; his IOP reduced to 14 mmHg over 18 months. Case 3 was an 52-year-old pseudophakic male with a preoperative IOP of 28 mmHg had 360-degree GATT; his IOP remained stable at 10 mmHg over 18 months. Case 4 was an 47-year-old pseudophakic female with a preoperative IOP of 39 mmHg had 360-degree GATT; her IOP remained stable at 14 mmHg over 12 months.

CONCLUSION

GATT may be used as an initial approach in secondary glaucoma due to FUS. But, further evidence is still warranted to better ascertain the usefulness of GATT in this specific patient population.

Comparison of clinical outcomes between gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy and trabeculectomy in advanced-stage pseudoexfoliation glaucoma

PURPOSE

To compare clinical outcomes between gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) and trabeculectomy (TRAB) in patients with advanced-stage pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG).

METHODS

This comparative study comprised 62 patients who underwent GATT (N = 31) or TRAB (N = 31) for advanced-stage PEXG. Primary outcome was cumulative probability of surgical success at the end of 12-month follow-up. Success was determined as intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction ≥ 30% from baseline, IOP between 6 and 18 mmHg and IOP upper limits for IOP < 15 mmHg and < 12 mmHg, separately. Secondary outcomes were IOP reduction, antiglaucoma medication (AGM) use, and complications in the study.

RESULTS

Age, sex, cup/disc ratio, mean deviation, pattern standard deviation, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness did not significantly differ between the groups (p > 0.05 for all). The probability of cumulative surgical success at the end of 12 months was similar between the two groups for IOP < 15 mmHg and < 18 mmHg but significantly higher after TRAB (92.0%) than GATT (82.5%) for IOP < 12 mmHg (log-rank test p = 0.035). Percentage of IOP reduction from baseline was similar between the groups (53.1 ± 18.6% in GATT group and 53.0 ± 16.6% in TRAB group, p = 0.98) at the end of 12 months. No significant difference in the mean number of AGM was present at the 12-month visit (1.3 ± 1.4 in GATT and 1.1 ± 1.4 in TRAB, p = 0.65).

CONCLUSION

At the end of 12 months, IOP reduction rate was similar between GATT and TRAB. Cumulative surgical success was higher after TRAB than GATT for IOP < 12 mmHg.