[Simultaneous failure of trabeculectomy and sclerotomy using laser holmium: YAG]

We present a case of a bilateral chronic open-angle glaucoma in a 74 year old woman, operated on the right eye by conventional trabeculectomy and the left eye by holmium laser ab externo sclerostomy. Both filtering blebs remained elevated and functional for 18 months. After this follow-up period, both blebs simultaneously collapsed and intra-ocular pressure rose again. This case shows that a late conjunctival scarring process, depending on a non surgical factor, may still be encountered after Holmium: YAG laser sclerostomy just as after standard trabeculectomy despite reduced conjunctival tissue trauma.