[Viscocanalostomy: preliminary clinical results]

Filtration surgery has shifted in the past 20 years to a nonperforating surgery to reduce complications. The purpose of this study was to assess the short-term clinical results and complications of viscocanalostomy.

In a prospective and nonrandomized study, 107 consecutive eyes of 67 patients who underwent viscocanalostomy were analyzed. The surgeon conducted postoperative care. The minimal follow-up was 1 year, with a mean follow-up of 13.1 months (range, 12-18 months). The criteria for success were defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) less than 21 mmHg without treatment.

The mean preoperative intraocular pressure was 28.3 mmHg while the mean postoperative intraocular pressure was 5.4 mmHg on the first day and 10.2 mmHg at 13 months. The rate of patients who had intraocular pressure below 21 mmHg with or without treatment was 98% at 13 months. The complete success rate without treatment was 80% at 13 months. Seven cases of ocular hypotony lasting more than 1 month were noted.

Viscocanalostomy is a promising procedure because in the short term it provides good tonometric results in glaucomatous patients without the complications of trabeculectomy. However, it remains a technique with a learning curve.