Abstract:AIM: To evaluate the 2-year efficacy and safety of ab interno trabeculectomy with the Trabectome in Chinese primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational study and included POAG patients with or without visually-significant cataracts. The Chinese patients were enrolled from three glaucoma centers and a group of comparable Japanese POAG patients was analyzed from our international Trabectome database. The patients received Trabectome or a combined surgery with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. The primary outcome was intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction. Secondary outcomes included reduction of glaucoma medications, surgical complications, and success at 2y. Success was defined as: 1) IOP≤21 mm Hg and at least 20% IOP reduction from baseline after 3mo at any two consecutive visits; 2) no additional glaucoma surgery required. RESULTS: A total of 42 Chinese POAG patients from three glaucoma centers were enrolled. Twelve patients underwent Trabectome surgery combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation while the remainder underwent Trabectome surgery alone. Thirteen patients had a history of failed glaucoma surgery and were considered as complicated cases. In China data, the mean preoperative IOP was 21.4±1.23 mm Hg. The Trabectome lowered IOP to 17.9±1.8 mm Hg at 2y (P=0.05). The number of glaucoma medications also decreased significantly from a baseline of 2.0±0.9 to 1.1±0.8 at 2y post-surgery (P=0.04). The overall 2-year success rate was 78%, with patients undergoing combined surgery having a higher success rate compared with those undergoing Trabectome surgery alone (100% vs 76%). In Japan data, the mean preoperative IOP was 20.8±7.7 mm Hg. The Trabectome lowered IOP to 12.20±2.0 mm Hg at 2y. The number of glaucoma medications also decreased significantly from a baseline of 2.1±0.9 to 3.4±0.6 at 2y post-surgery. In all patients, no major complications were seen. CONCLUSION: Surgery with the Trabectome appears to be an efficient and safe procedure in Chinese POAG patients in the long-term.
