Results and complications of limbal trephination and subscleral trephination (trabeculectomy)

Limbal trephinations on 395 eyes were followed postoperatively for six months to 19 years. Excellent results were obtained in patients over the age of 35, particularly those in the 50 and older age group, with chronic open-angle and chronic angle-closure glaucoma. Results were poor in younger age groups and in those with secondary glaucoma, particularly where it was associated with inflammatory disease. A review of 78 limbal trephinations in individuals over 55 and 77 trabeculectomies (67 under age 55 and ten over age 55) indicated that in younger age groups the overall results were nearly the same with trabeculectomies as with limbal trephination but the subscleral operation is probably safer, especially in younger people with longer life expectancy, and permits freer use of contact lenses postoperatively.