Long-term results of pars plana vitrectomy combined with filtering surgery for neovascular glaucoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of vitrectomy combined with filtering surgery for neovascular glaucoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-one eyes with neovascular glaucoma underwent pars plana vitrectomy combined with filtering surgery between January 1995 and December 2003. Thirteen eyes (10 cases) had neovascular glaucoma secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy and 8 eyes (8 cases) had neovascular glaucoma secondary to central retinal vein occlusion. The initial intraocular pressures ranged from 21 to 70 mm Hg with full medication. All cases were observed for more than 12 months after the last surgery and the ophthalmic records were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 19 eyes (90.5%) had intraocular pressures of less than 21 mm Hg with or without antiglaucoma eye drops, whereas 18 eyes (85.7%) had a stable or improved visual acuity.

CONCLUSION: Vitrectomy combined with filtering surgery is considered to be an effective treatment for neovascular glaucoma to maintain the visual function for a long period.