Pars plana vitrectomy, endolaser coagulation of the retina and the ciliary body combined with silicone oil endotamponade in the treatment of uncontrolled neovascular glaucoma.

PURPOSE: Neovascular glaucoma develops on a background of ischemic ocular pathologies, such as diabetic eye diseases or central retinal vein occlusion. Development of neovascular membranes in the chamber angle leads to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Since cyclodestructive therapy or drainage surgery often fails, we have examined intense antiproliferative surgery as a treatment for advanced neovascular glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients with uncontrolled neovascular glaucoma (mean IOP 45.5 mmHg) subsequent to central retinal vein occlusion or advanced diabetic retinopathy underwent antiproliferative surgery, which comprised pars plana vitrectomy, panretinal laser treatment and direct laser coagulation of the ciliary processes, followed by silicone oil tamponade. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 1 year and as long as 3 years.
RESULTS: One week following surgery the IOP was normal, ranging from 8 to 21 mmHg, in 52% of eyes (15/29). After 3 months the IOP was normal in 50% (16/32); after 6 months, in 59% (16/27); and after 1 year, in 72% (18/25). Of the 10 eyes that lost all sight after the surgery, 7 eyes had a history of central retinal vein occlusion. Hypotony was observed in 6% of the eyes (2/32) 3 months after surgery; after 6 months hypotony was present in 15% (4/27), and after 1 year hypotony was present in 12% (3/25).
CONCLUSIONS: The theoretical premise of our surgical intervention (antiproliferative surgery) is that laser treatment interrupts the self-enhancing pathway of retinal ischemia, release of proliferative factors and increase in intraocular pressure. The silicone oil endotamponade prevents postoperative complications and supports the rapid regression of rubeosis iridis by separating the anterior from the posterior segment.