The role of trabeculectomy in enhancing glaucoma patient's quality of life

PURPOSE: Is to control intraocular pressure (IOP) (up to 21 mmHg), to decrease medical treatment after trabeculectomy and to slow down or stop progression and deterioration in visual fields in glaucoma patients. METHODS: A retrospective study. The charts of all trabeculectomies done in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Skåne University Hospital, Sweden during 2010 were retrospectively evaluated. The study was performed during fall 2012, so the longest follow-up is almost 2 years. RESULTS: In total, 38 patients (21 males and 17 females) underwent trabeculectomy. The IOP was measured in both visits (pre- and post-operative); with a difference of −15.49 mmHg (−50.09%) respectively, showing a very highly statistical significance (P < 0.001). The amount of antiglaucoma drops was measured before and after the trabeculectomy, of average 3.5 drops and 1.2 drops, respectively. Showing a −2.30 difference (−66.41%), illustrating a very highly statistical significant value (P < 0.001). From 36 patients, 17 patients (45%) took Diamox before trabeculectomy, whereas 19 patients (50%) did not. After the trabeculectomy, only 1 patient (3%) took Diamox and 35 patients (92%) stopped taking Diamox, showing a very highly significant statistical value (P < 0.001). The visual field was measured for 13 patients showing a difference of −13.22 (−21.86%) before and after the trabeculectomy. CONCLUSION: Trabeculectomy showed very high statistical significant results regarding IOP reduction and decrease in the amount of topical and systemic antiglaucoma medications.