Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the success and complication rates of trabeculectomies performed by ophthalmology residents, under the supervision of attending physicians, at an inner city training hospital.
Methods: :
A retrospective analysis of resident-performed trabeculectomies at Washington Hospital Center from 2006 to 2008 was performed. Pre- and post-operative data for 50 eyes in 44 patients were evaluated.
Results: :
The average follow-up period was 18.6 +/- 11.4 months and follow-up periods ranged from 6 months to over 2 years. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and average number of glaucoma medications were examined at Day 1, Week 1, Month 1, Month 3, Month 6, Year 1 and Year 2. Visual acuity remained stable in 31 eyes (62%), improved in 12 eyes (24%), and decreased in 7 eyes (14%). Intraocular pressure decreased from 23.1 +/- 6.6 mm Hg preoperatively to 14.5 +/- 2.9 mm Hg at last follow up (P<0.001). The number of medications required decreased from 3.2 +/- 0.9 preoperatively to 0.7 +/- 0.7 at last follow up (P<0.001). In addition, postoperative complications were analyzed. One eye (2%) developed uveitis and three eyes (6%) required subsequent glaucoma surgery due to bleb failure. There were no cases of endophthalmitis or phthisis.
Conclusions: :
Results of this study suggest that trabeculectomies performed by ophthalmology residents at an inner city training hospital can have a high success rate under attending physician supervision.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications • trabecular meshwork