Effect of sodium hyaluronate on trabeculectomy filtration blebs

A prospective, randomized study was carried out to investigate the effect of 1% sodium hyaluronate on the formation and function of trabeculectomy filtration blebs. Using a standardized operation, a group of patients had sodium hyaluronate introduced below the scleral and conjunctival flaps. In a control group the operation was done without sodium hyaluronate. Analysis of anterior chamber depth, postoperative intraocular pressure and the size and appearance of the bleb was carried out. The results showed that the use of sodium hyaluronate gives a significantly deeper postoperative anterior chamber but also suggested that it results in a filtration bleb which tends to be thinner walled and loculated.