Postoperative prognostic indicators following trabeculectomy

We evaluated prognostic indicators for long-term filtration from the ocular examination within the first three months following primary trabeculectomy without antimetabolite therapy. We found that in patients who were more easily controlled at one year postoperatively (intraocular pressure < or = 16 mmHg and using 0-2 medications), compared to those who were more difficult to control (> 16 mmHg or on three medications), the intraocular pressure became significantly different between groups at three months and the number of glaucoma medications at eight weeks postoperatively. More easily controlled patients had greater bleb elevation by one month and extent of bleb formation at two weeks postoperatively. The presence of microcysts, anterior chamber depth, and avascularity did not differ between the two groups. This study suggests that differences in the ocular examination exist within the first three months following trabeculectomy which reflect the postoperative intraocular pressure control at one year.