Complications of 5--fluorouracil after trabeculectomy

Trabeculectomy has a very high success rate, however, certain eyes are known to be at high risk of failure due to scarring of the conjunctival bleb. Such eyes include those with a previous failed filter, eyes with glaucoma secondary to uveitis and neovascularisation and the eyes of children and young adults. Trabeculectomy is generally accepted to have less successful results in patients of African race although good results are reported from some centres. The effectiveness of treatment with 5-fluorouracil in improving the results of trabeculectomy has been established in a number of pilot studies and clinical trials. Early studies used 100 mg of 5-fluorouracil in divided doses. Serious complications were recorded and lower dose regimes have been advised to improve the safety of the technique. Similar success in improving the chance of success to trabeculectomy has been found with doses of 40 mg with a lower incidence of side effects. We report complications associated with the use of 5-fluorouracil in a total dose of 50 mg in a group of 49 eyes undergoing trabeculectomy and postoperative 5-fluorouracil and describe the previously unreported increased incidence of thin cystic blebs in these eyes.