Trabeculectomy with mitomycin C in the treatment of pediatric glaucoma

Objective To evaluate the effect and safety of trabeculectomy with mitomycin C(MMC) in the treatment of pediatric glaucoma. Methods Thirty-two cases (32 eyes) aged 3 to 14 years with glaucoma who underwent trabeculectomy with MMC were included. Mean follow-up time was 18.07±5.81 months (range, 6-40 months). The postoperative intraocular pressure (lOP), visual acuity and complications were evaluated. Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis was used to estimate the probability of success.Results Relative successful IOP control was defined as 6 mmHgfinal IOP≤21mmHg, with or without antiglaucoma medications and without further glaucoma surgery or svere complications. The 6-, 12- and 24-month life-table success rates were 85.47% (n=32), 76.32%( n=25 )and 64.29%(n=12 )respectively. Complications were flat anterior chamber in 6 eyes, thin filtering blebs in 5 eyes,bleb leak 3 eyes, cystic bleb 2 eyes, hypotony 2 eyes, blebitis 1 eye, cataract 1 eye and retinal detachment 1 eye. Conclusion Trabeculectomy with MMC may be useful in the management of childhood glaucoma. However, bleb thinning and bleb- related infection after MMC surgery, and additional problem can be anticipated with longer follow-up.