Long-term follow-up of zonulo-hyaloido-vitrectomy for pseudophakic malignant glaucoma

PURPOSE: To report long-term follow-up of zonulo-hyaloido-vitrectomy (ZHV) via anterior approach for pseudophakic malignant glaucoma refractory to medical treatment. DESIGN: Noncomparative case-series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 9 patients who sought treatment for aqueous humor misdirection refractory to medical treatment were reviewed. All patients underwent anterior vitrectomy, hyaloido-zonulectomy, and peripheral iridectomy (PI) via an anterior approach. Main outcome measures were preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, intraocular pressure, medications, slit-lamp examination, and fundus findings. RESULTS: 10 eyes of 9 patients (7 female, 2 male) who underwent ZHV for refractory pseudophakic malignant glaucoma between 2003 and 2010 were included in this case-series. The mean age of patients was 77.4 ± 9.0 years, mean follow-up duration 50.2 ± 27.2 months. Recurrence of malignant glaucoma was noted in 40% (four cases) after a successful ZHV on long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: An anterior segment surgeon can treat malignant glaucoma refractory to medical treatment successfully by vitrectomy, hyaloido-zonulectomy, and PI. This can be done via an anterior approach and patients require long follow-up to rule out a relapse despite a successful outcome in the short term.