Trabeculectomy over Consecutive Bilateral Trabeculectomy in lbadan,

ABSTRACT

A retrospective study of 26 patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral trabeculectomy over a 5 year period was reviewed. Advantages of simultaneous bilateral trabeculectomy include a shorter stay inhospitaJ compared to consecutive bilateral trabeculectomy: as well as a single general anaesthetic if required and this reduces the risk of re-exposure to anaesthetic agents within a short time. The turn-around time in theatre is also improved compared with separate operations. Preoperatively 20 of the patients (77%) were on two or more antiglaucoma therapy 69% of the patients (J.8patients)spent 7days in hospital, from admission to discharge, the normal duration of hospital stay for unilateral trabeculectomy. Only 31% spent over one week, none stayed in hospital beyond two weeks. Postoperative complications occured in 8 eyes (15.4%) but none led to blindness. Visual outcome was good In these patients asnone had reduced visionpostoperatively compared topreoperatively, 3 eyes had an improvement in visual acuity postoperatively.