Late Choroidal Effusion after Phacoemulsification in Eyes with Previous Trabeculectomy

To present 5 cases of late choroidal detachment occurring spontaneously in pseudophakic glaucomatous eyes with previous trabeculectomy before cataract surgery. We discuss the causes, risk factors, frequency, diagnostic methods, differential diagnosis, and treatment of this disease.

In the presented 5 cases the choroidal effusion is proved by ophthalmoscopy and echography. Late choroidal detachment occurs after phacoemulsification 6 months at the earliest and 9 years at the latest (mean period 2.5 years) in glaucomatous eyes with previous trabeculectomy. To prove choroidal detachment we accomplished routine ophthalmological examination including medical history, visual acuity, tonometry, examination of anterior segment (AS) and fundus. We have done B-scan echography using А/В Ocular Ultrasound Aviso Quantel Medical.

One of the patients had hemorrhagic detachment confirmed by B-scan echography, the other four patients had serous detachment. The examined patients had the glaucomatous disease for 10.4±6.11 years (mean±SD). Mean age at the time of choroidal effusion diagnosis was 76.8±7.6 years (68-87 years). The period between the trabeculectomy and the following phacoemulsification was 6±3.08 years (from 1 to 9 years). All patients received anti-glaucomatous topical therapy, including carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, before the occurrence of the effusion. In all cases conservative treatment with corticosteroids and cycloplegics was enough to overcome the detachment and restore visual acuity.

Late choroidal effusion after phacoemulsification in eyes with previous trabeculectomy is associated with an application of unjustified powerful hypotensive topical medications after cataract surgery associated with an additional reduction of intraocular pressure in most cases.