The use of 5-fluorouracil in glaucoma filtration surgery

Failure of glaucoma filtration surgery usually results from scarring at the surgical site. Studies have shown that fibroblast proliferation plays an important role in scar formation which results in a mechanical barrier to filtration (Gressel, Parris, & Folberg, 1984). Fibroblasts are immature collagen-producing cells which proliferate at the site of chronic inflammation. The antimetabolite 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) can inhibit fibroblast activity. Over the past ten years, the adjunctive use of 5-FU in filtration surgery has met with increased success and is particularly indicated in those patients at greatest risk of filtration failure.