INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have demonstrated that the intraocular pressure peak obtained after water-drinking test is similar to the one after diurnal intraocular pressure curve. The aim of this study is to assess the intraocular pressure peaks, the amplitude of variation of intraocular pressure after the water-drinking test in patients submitted to a non penetrating deep sclerectomy, evaluating its capacity to avoid large intraocular pressure fluctuations in post-operative period. METHOD: Ninety-seven eyes of ninety-seven patients were enrolled and divided in 5 groups: group I--20 non-glaucomatous individuals, group II--21 glaucomatous patients with no treatment, group III--15 glaucomatous patients under medical treatment (timolol 0.5% + dorzolamide in fixed combination), group IV--21 glaucomatous patients after non penetrating deep sclerectomy, and group V--20 glaucomatous patients after trabeculectomy. The water-drinking test was then applied to everyone and the authors have compared and analyzed the results, concerning the initial intraocular pressure, intraocular pressure peaks and intraocular pressure amplitude of variation. RESULTS: Mean age (+/- standard deviation) was 58.9 +/- 13.4 years. Mean initial intraocular pressure, mean intraocular peak and mean amplitude were, respectively: in group I: 13.9/15.8/1.9; in group II: 17.5/26.0/8.4; in group III: 14.2/18.6 4.3; in group IV: 12.3/14.1/1.7; in group V: 10.0/11.6/1.6. There was no statistical difference, concerning the intraocular pressure amplitude of variation, among the following groups: I, IV and V. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The intraocular pressure variations after the water-drinking test are similar in non-glaucomatous individuals and in patients submitted to a penetrating filtering surgery, (trabeculectomy) or a non penetrating technique (deep sclerectomy). The water-drinking test demonstrated that these two filtering procedures are safe and efficient in avoiding intraocular pressure peaks and large fluctuations in glaucomatous patients.
INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have demonstrated that the intraocular pressure peak obtained after water-drinking test is similar to the one after diurnal intraocular pressure curve. The aim of this study is to assess the intraocular pressure peaks, the amplitude of variation of intraocular pressure after the water-drinking test in patients submitted to a non penetrating deep sclerectomy, evaluating its capacity to avoid large intraocular pressure fluctuations in post-operative period. METHOD: Ninety-seven eyes of ninety-seven patients were enrolled and divided in 5 groups: group I--20 non-glaucomatous individuals, group II--21 glaucomatouspatients with no treatment, group III--15 glaucomatouspatients under medical treatment (timolol 0.5% + dorzolamide in fixed combination), group IV--21 glaucomatouspatients after non penetrating deep sclerectomy, and group V--20 glaucomatouspatients after trabeculectomy. The water-drinking test was then applied to everyone and the authors have compared and analyzed the results, concerning the initial intraocular pressure, intraocular pressure peaks and intraocular pressure amplitude of variation. RESULTS: Mean age (+/- standard deviation) was 58.9 +/- 13.4 years. Mean initial intraocular pressure, mean intraocular peak and mean amplitude were, respectively: in group I: 13.9/15.8/1.9; in group II: 17.5/26.0/8.4; in group III: 14.2/18.6 4.3; in group IV: 12.3/14.1/1.7; in group V: 10.0/11.6/1.6. There was no statistical difference, concerning the intraocular pressure amplitude of variation, among the following groups: I, IV and V. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The intraocular pressure variations after the water-drinking test are similar in non-glaucomatous individuals and in patients submitted to a penetrating filtering surgery, (trabeculectomy) or a non penetrating technique (deep sclerectomy). The water-drinking test demonstrated that these two filtering procedures are safe and efficient in avoiding intraocular pressure peaks and large fluctuations in glaucomatouspatients.