Our Summary
This study looked at the effectiveness and safety of a type of eye surgery called goniotomy (GT) for patients with glaucoma, who had previous unsuccessful surgeries. The study followed patients for a year after their GT to assess changes in eye pressure, vision quality, use of pressure-lowering eye drops, and any side effects.
38 eyes from 34 patients who had one or more prior surgeries were included in the study. After a year, about 42% of the eyes had complete success (meaning eye pressure was maintained at a safe level without the need for medication), and about 79% had qualified success (meaning eye pressure was maintained at a safe level but with the help of medication).
Before the surgery, the average eye pressure was quite high and patients were using an average of three different eye drops to manage it. A year after the surgery, the average eye pressure had dropped significantly (43.2% reduction; very statistically significant) and the use of pressure-lowering eye drops had also decreased significantly.
The most common side effects were bleeding in the eye (13.2%), a temporary increase in eye pressure (7.9%), and swelling in the cornea (5.2%). Interestingly, older age was found to increase the chances of surgical success.
In conclusion, GT appears to be a safe and effective procedure for patients with glaucoma who had previous unsuccessful surgeries.
FAQs
- What is the success rate of goniotomy (GT) in patients who had unsuccessful previous glaucoma surgeries?
- What are the most common side effects of goniotomy (GT) surgery for glaucoma?
- How does goniotomy (GT) surgery affect eye pressure and the use of pressure-lowering eye drops in glaucoma patients?
Doctor’s Tip
A doctor may advise a patient considering glaucoma surgery to discuss their options with their healthcare provider and ask about the potential benefits and risks of goniotomy. They may also recommend regular follow-up appointments after surgery to monitor eye pressure and vision quality. Additionally, the doctor may suggest considering factors such as age and previous surgical history when deciding on the best treatment approach.
Suitable For
Patients who are typically recommended glaucoma surgery are those who have not had success with other treatments such as medication or laser therapy, and who have high eye pressure that is not well controlled. In particular, patients who have had previous unsuccessful surgeries may be good candidates for glaucoma surgery like goniotomy. Older patients may also have a higher chance of success with glaucoma surgery.
It is important for patients to discuss their individual situation with their eye doctor to determine if glaucoma surgery is the best option for them.
Timeline
Before glaucoma surgery, a patient may experience high eye pressure, vision loss, and the need for multiple eye drops to manage the condition. They may also have undergone other unsuccessful surgeries in the past.
After glaucoma surgery, such as goniotomy, the patient may experience a significant reduction in eye pressure, improved vision quality, and a decrease in the need for pressure-lowering eye drops. Some common side effects of the surgery may include bleeding in the eye, temporary increases in eye pressure, and corneal swelling.
Overall, the surgery is found to be safe and effective in reducing eye pressure and improving the management of glaucoma in patients who have had prior unsuccessful surgeries. Older age was also found to be a factor that may increase the chances of surgical success.
What to Ask Your Doctor
Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about glaucoma surgery include:
- What are the potential risks and complications associated with goniotomy surgery?
- How long is the recovery period after goniotomy surgery?
- Will I still need to use eye drops to manage my eye pressure after the surgery?
- How likely is it that the surgery will be successful in maintaining safe eye pressure levels?
- Are there any specific factors about my individual case that may affect the success of the surgery?
- How experienced are you in performing goniotomy surgery?
- What alternative treatment options are available for my glaucoma?
- How often will I need to follow up with you after the surgery?
- Are there any specific post-operative care instructions I should follow to ensure the best outcome?
- What should I do if I experience any concerning symptoms or side effects after the surgery?
Reference
Authors: Lin F, Nie X, Shi J, Song Y, Lv A, Li X, Lu P, Zhang H, Jin L, Tang G, Fan S, Weinreb RN, Zhang X. Journal: J Glaucoma. 2023 Nov 1;32(11):942-947. doi: 10.1097/IJG.0000000000002301. Epub 2023 Sep 4. PMID: 37725785