Reoperations for Complications Within 90 Days After Glaucoma Surgery

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Glaucoma surgery aims to lower intraocular pressure and prevent vision loss.
• Postoperative complications can necessitate reoperation, impacting patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the rate and indications for reoperations within 90 days following various glaucoma surgeries.
• To compare reoperation rates between trabeculectomy and tube shunt procedures.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series of adult patients undergoing glaucoma surgery (tube shunt, trabeculectomy with mitomycin C, trabectome, cyclophotocoagulation).
• Analysis of postoperative complications requiring reoperation within 90 days.
• Data collected from June 2015 to August 2017 at a single institution.

Main Results:

• A total of 622 procedures were performed. Reoperations within 90 days occurred in 2.4% of patients (15/622).
• Trabeculectomy with mitomycin C had a 2.5% reoperation rate; tube shunt procedures had a 3.1% rate.
• Common indications included bleb leaks and tube shunt issues (exposure, retraction, encapsulation). No reoperations were needed for trabectome or cyclophotocoagulation.

Conclusions:

• Early postoperative reoperations within 90 days after glaucoma surgery are infrequent.
• Wound leaks and tube shunt complications are primary drivers for early reoperation.