Outcome of viscodilation and tensioning of Schlemm's canal for uveitic glaucoma.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of circumferential viscodilation and tensioning of Schlemm's canal (canaloplasty) in the treatment of uveitic glaucoma (UG).

Design: Pilot, retrospective, noncomparative case series.

Participants: Nineteen uveitic eyes of 15 patients with UG.

Methods: The main outcome measure was surgical success. Secondary outcome measures included intraocular pressure, usage of ocular hypotensive medication, visual acuity, and sight-threatening complications. Patients were included when UG could not be controlled despite maximum tolerated medical therapy. Exclusion criteria were peripheral anterior synechiae and previous glaucoma surgery.

Results: Mean follow-up time from canaloplasty was 2.6 ± 1.1 years. Mean intraocular pressure decreased from 30.4 ± 8.4 mm Hg preoperatively to 13.8 ± 5.0 mm Hg at last follow-up (p < 0.001). The mean number of ocular hypotensive medications decreased from 3.7 ± 0.8 preoperatively to 0.4 ± 1.0 at last follow-up (p < 0.001). At last follow-up, the complete success, qualified success, and failure rates were 73.7%, 10.5%, and 15.8%, respectively. No canaloplasty-related permanent sight-reducing complications occurred. Preoperative best corrected visual acuity decreased more than 1 Snellen line in 1 eye due to exacerbation of uveitis 18 months postoperatively.

Conclusions: Canaloplasty appears to be a relatively safe and effective initial surgical intervention in UG.