Delayed corneal epitheliopathy after antimetabolite-augmented trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE

The authors describe the first case of delayed antimetabolite-related corneal epithelial toxicity after trabeculectomy and its successful treatment with limbal stem cell transplantation.

METHODS

A 73-year-old woman underwent trabeculectomy with intraoperative mitomycin C. After surgery she received six 5-mg injections of subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) adjacent to the bleb.

RESULTS

The patient had a functioning trabeculectomy and clear cornea until 30 months after surgery, at which time she developed a nonhealing superior corneal epithelial defect. After 4 months of conservative medical management, an autologous limbal stem cell transplantation was performed. The epithelial defect resolved completely within 1 week of limbal stem cell transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed corneal epithelial toxicity may be a late complication of antimetabolite-augmented trabeculectomy.