Surgical outcomes of microcatheter-assisted trabeculotomy as a secondary procedure in patients with primary congenital glaucoma

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of illuminated microcatheter-assisted trabeculotomy as a secondary procedure in patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). METHODS: This retrospective case series included patients with PCG who underwent trabeculotomy using an illuminated microcatheter with the intent of catheterizing the full circumference of Schlemm's canal in a single procedure. Success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤21 mmHg, with or without the use of glaucoma medications. Clinical examination data were collected for up to 36 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Surgery was performed on 16 eyes of 16 patients. The mean patient age was 75.1 ± 69.4 months (range: 4.0–216.0 months). Complete catheterization was achieved in 11 of the 16 eyes (69%), whereas partial catheterization was achieved in five of the 16 eyes (31%). All eyes had previously undergone surgery for PCG. The mean follow-up duration was 20.3 ± 9.0 months (range, 12.0–36.0 months). IOP was reduced from a mean of 31.8 ± 6.6 mmHg preoperatively to 15.6 ± 3.7 mmHg at the final follow-up (P < 0.001). The mean preoperative number of glaucoma medications was 3.9 ± 0.5, which was reduced to 1.1 ± 1.6 at the final follow-up (P = 0.001). Ten (62.5%) of the 16 eyes did not require glaucoma medication by the final follow-up. Early transient postoperative hyphema occurred in six eyes (37.5%). No other complications were noted. All corneas were clear at the final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Ab externo circumferential trabeculotomy using an illuminated microcatheter may be safe and effective as a secondary surgical option for children with PCG after unsuccessful glaucoma surgery.