Comparison of Hypotensive Effect of Endotrabeculoectomy and Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty

Abstract

Hypotensive effect of endotrabeculectomy was compared with that of selective laser trabeculoplasty in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). We evaluated 44 patients (44 eyes) with POAG. In the first group (23 patients), endotrabeculectomy (trabecular ablation through the angle of anterior chamber) was performed, and in the second group (21 patients) the patients underwent selective laser trabeculoplasty. When comparing the intraocular pressure (IOP), it was found that the difference between preoperative and postoperative IOP was significant up to 6 months of follow-up in both groups (p < 0.05), however, hypotensive effect in the first group was more pronounced (7.58 vs. 1.55 mmHg, respectively). When comparing the number of hypotensive medications used before and after glaucoma surgery, it was found that the difference in patients of the first group was significant throughout the observation period (p = 0.028), while in patients of the second group there was no significant difference from the 3rd month of observation. The number of topical drugs to reduce IOP decreased by 1.44 in the first group (p < 0.05) and by 0.33 in the second group (p = 0.109). Endotrabeculectomy, as well as selective laser trabeculoplasty, showed significant hypotensive effect in patients with POAG within 6 months of observation, however, hypotensive effect of endotrabeculectomy significantly overweighted that of SLT. Keywords: endotrabeculectomy, selective laser trabeculoplasty, intraocular pressure, primary open-angle glaucoma.