[Results and complications after deep sclerectomy]

As nonperforating glaucoma surgery, deep sclerectomy seems to offer the advantage of fewer complications than the classic trabeculectomy during the first weeks after surgery.

In this prospective study, 74 eyes of 56 patients received deep sclerectomy. The mean follow-up time was 9.5 +/- 5.8 months. Twelve eyes were treated intraoperatively with additional mitomycin C and 11 eyes had combined cataract procedures. The deep sclerectomies were performed without using material of high viscosity or a collagen implant.

The mean preoperative pressure of 24.8 +/- 9 mmHg could be lowered to 16.1 +/- 5.9 mmHg (P < 0.0001). The number of glaucoma medications was reduced from 2.2 +/- 1.1 to 0.6 +/- 1.0 substances. Thirty-eight percent of the eyes needed glaucoma medication again. Complications included chorioidal detachment (n = 9), temporary hyphema (n = 6), and delayed pressure reduction (n = 2).

Deep sclerectomy as nonpenetrating glaucoma surgery lowers the intraocular pressure as well as standard trabeculectomy. Its complication rate is very low during the early postoperative weeks. The number of patients who still need glaucoma medication seems to be higher than after trabeculectomy.