Combined Visco-Trab operation: A dual filtration pathway for management of advanced glaucoma-midterm results

To study midterm efficacy and safety of combined Visco-Trab operation for management of advanced glaucoma.

168 eyes of 148 patients with advanced glaucoma had Visco-Trab operation (a merge of both viscocanalostomy and trabeculectomy operations). Mean follow-up was 29.1 ± 22.2 months. Criteria of success were intraocular pressure (IOP) of 14 mmHg or less with or without glaucoma medications, with no devastating complications, loss of light perception, or additional glaucoma surgery.

IOP, number of glaucoma drops, and visual field mean deviation were significantly reduced (11.9 ± 5.6 mmHg, 0.7 ± 1.2, and 14.2 ± 6.3 dB, compared to preoperative values of 24.4 ± 9.9 mmHg, 2.8 ± 1.4, and 17.3 ± 6.3 dB, respectively). Success was reported in 136 of 168 eyes (81%) without (100 eyes, 59.5%) or with (36 eyes, 21.5%) glaucoma medications. A functioning bleb was seen in 2/3rd of eyes; diffuse (59 eyes, 35%) and thin ischemic (54 eyes, 32%). Predictors for failure to achieve the target IOP included previous ocular (p = 0.01) or glaucoma (p = 0.04) surgery, number of preoperative glaucoma medications (p = 0.029), and severity of glaucoma (p = 0.058).

Combined Visco-Trab operation proved safe and effective, on midterm follow-up, in reducing IOP to the proposed target level in eyes with severe glaucoma via enhancing internal and external filtration.