Visual function following trabeculectomy: effect on corneal topography and contrast sensitivity

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Outcomes
• Corneal Physiology

Background:

• Trabeculectomy is a common surgical procedure for glaucoma management.
• Understanding transient visual function changes post-surgery is crucial for patient care.
• Refractive error, contrast sensitivity, and corneal topography are key visual parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of refractive error, contrast sensitivity, and corneal topography on visual function after trabeculectomy.
• To determine the role of these factors in transient visual changes.
• To assess the recovery of visual function post-trabeculectomy.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 13 patients undergoing standardized trabeculectomy.
• Preoperative and 1, 4, 12-week postoperative measurements of visual acuity, refractive error, and contrast sensitivity.
• Computerized video-keratography analysis, including estimated corneal visual acuity.

Main Results:

• Visual acuity decreased in 8/13 patients at 1 week post-surgery; contrast sensitivity remained stable.
• Mean central corneal astigmatism increased by 1.4 diopters.
• By 12 weeks, visual acuity and corneal topography returned to near preoperative levels in most patients.

Conclusions:

• Corneal topographic alterations contribute to temporary visual acuity reduction following trabeculectomy.
• These visual disturbances are generally transient.
• Full recovery of visual function and corneal topography is typically observed within 12 weeks.