Effect of Trabeculodescemetic Window Perforation in Deep Sclerectomy on Intraocular Pressure in Primary Congenital Glaucoma.

INTRODUCTION

Primary congenital glaucoma causes vision loss if intraocular pressure is uncontrolled. Nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy is effective in treating primary congenital glaucoma. However, the effects of inadvertent trabeculodescemetic window perforation remain unclear.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients with primary congenital glaucoma who underwent nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy between 2014 and 2021. The perforation group had intraoperative trabeculodescemetic window perforations; the non-perforation group did not. The primary outcome was intraocular pressure between the groups over 15 months. The secondary outcomes included surgical success and complications.

RESULTS

The study included 74 eyes of 44 patients. The cohort comprised 31 perforated and 43 non-perforated eyes. Both groups showed significant intraocular pressure reduction without significant between-group differences in complete (68 vs. 77%), qualified (19 vs. 9%), or failed (13 vs. 14%) treatments. The median intraocular pressure decreased from 39 to 14 mmHg in the perforation group and 35 to 12 mmHg in the non-perforation group. Of the 74 treated eyes, 68 (92%) showed no complications.

CONCLUSIONS

An inadvertent trabeculodescemetic window perforation during nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy for primary congenital glaucoma did not significantly affect intraocular pressure outcomes compared to non-perforated cases over 15 months. Nonpenetrating deep sclerectomy reduced intraocular pressure regardless of intraoperative perforation in patients with primary congenital glaucoma. Perforation of the trabeculodescemetic window was associated with a low incidence of postoperative complications.