This work aimed to study the effect of long-term IOP fluctuation on the VF progression eight years post-trabeculectomy in Asian eyes.

The present study was a retrospective analysis of 8-year post-trabeculectomy data. VFs were analyzed using Progressor software. Outcome measures included mean slope for VF per year, number of progressing points, and mean slope for advancing points per year.

One hundred twenty-seven subjects completed an 8-year follow-up with ≥five reliable VFs and ≥eight 6-monthly IOP measurements. The mean age was 61.8±9.6 years. Post-operatively, the mean IOP was 14.2±2.8 mm Hg, and the mean IOP fluctuation was 2.53±1.20 mm Hg. Higher IOP fluctuation was associated with a greater mean slope for the field, several progressing points, and VF progression as defined by ≥ one progressing end. Greater mean IOP reduction post-trabeculectomy was associated only with a lower mean slope for advancing points per year. There was no significant effect of intra-operative 5-FU compared with placebo for all outcome measures.

The study concluded that in post-trabeculectomy Asian eyes with well-controlled IOP, higher long-term IOP fluctuation may be associated with more significant VF progression.

Reference: https://bjo.bmj.com/content/104/12/1690

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