Microcatheter-assisted circumferential trabeculotomy in primary congenital glaucoma

PURPOSE: To study circumferential trabeculotomy for congenital glaucoma using Glaucolight illuminated microcatheter. METHODS: This was a prospective, uncontrolled, consecutive interventional study of 25 eyes of 25 patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) underwent circumferential trabeculotomy done with an illuminated microcatheter through a period of 18–24 months in ophthalmology department, faculty of medicine, Minia University, Egypt. Patients’ data of 12 months’ follow-up were recorded. The primary target was the mean intraocular pressure (IOP) study in which complete success was defined as an IOP ≤21 mm Hg and at least a 30% reduction without the use of antiglaucoma drugs and a qualified success when medications were used to reach this aim. The secondary target was studying the corneal diameter and cup disc ratio change. RESULTS: The mean IOP (mm Hg) was reduced from 27.28 ± 3.46 preoperatively to 17.50 ± 5.09 at the final postoperative visit (P < 0.001). The mean follow-up period length was (18 months). A qualified success rate was reached to 88%, complete success in 76% and failure in 12%. No serious surgical complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Circumferential trabeculotomy accomplished by an illuminated microcatheter achieved a significant IOP lowering with either qualified or complete success in most of eyes with no significant ocular complications and it can be the first option in pediatric PCG surgery.