Regression of rubeosis iridis after trabeculectomy combined with mitomycin-C

The authors report two cases in which severe rubeosis iridis regressed after trabeculectomy with intraoperative application of mitomycin-C. Several days after the operation, the vessels were no longer perfused. Only white, empty, "ghost" vessels were visible. This phenomenon was observed in one case with well-controlled intraocular pressure (IOP) after surgery, as well as in a case in which IOP rose again to high preoperative values. The authors conclude that the regression of the rubeosis may be caused by a local, intraocular pharmacologic side effect of mitomycin-C, not by the drop in IOP alone.