Illuminated microcatheter significantly lowers IOP in trabeculotomy

Circumferential trabeculotomy performed with an illuminated microcatheter causes a significant reduction in IOP in glaucoma patients, according to a study featured in the Journal of Glaucoma.

Dr C.A. Girkin et al., Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA, conducted a retrospective chart study on 11 eyes from 7 patients with primary or secondary congenital or juvenile glaucoma.

All patients underwent circumferential trabeculotomy with an illuminated microcatheter and eyes with six or more months of IOP data were included in the study. An IOP of lower than 21 mmHg was considered a success and a 30% IOP reduction without the use of IOP-lowering medications was also considered a success.

Mean IOP was 33.8±6.3 preoperatively and 18.3±3.5 at the final postoperative follow-up visit. Qualified success was demonstrated in 90.1% of eyes and unqualified success was reported in 81.8% of eyes. There were no long-term surgical complications.