Limbal trephination: a twenty-year follow-up

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Interventions
• Glaucoma Management

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.
• Chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG) and chronic angle-closure glaucoma (CACG) are prevalent forms requiring effective management.
• Limbal trephination is a surgical technique used in glaucoma treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of limbal trephination in different patient demographics and glaucoma types.
• To identify patient factors associated with successful limbal trephination outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing limbal trephination.
• Stratification of results based on age groups (under 35, 35-49, 50+).
• Categorization of glaucoma types including COAG, CACG, and secondary glaucoma, with specific attention to inflammatory associations.

Main Results:

• Excellent outcomes observed in patients aged 35 and above, particularly in the 50+ age group.
• High success rates noted for chronic open-angle and chronic angle-closure glaucoma.
• Poor results were documented in younger patient cohorts (<35 years).
• Significantly worse outcomes were seen in patients with secondary glaucoma, especially when linked to ocular inflammation.

Conclusions:

• Limbal trephination is a highly effective surgical option for older adults (50+) with chronic open-angle and chronic angle-closure glaucoma.
• Age and the presence of secondary glaucoma, particularly inflammatory types, are critical factors influencing limbal trephination success.