Long-Term Results After Filtering Surgery With Limbal-Based and Fornix-Based Conjunctival Flaps

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare the long-term results of filtering surgery using either a limbal-based or fornix-based flap. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1985 to 1988, 90 eyes of 81 glaucoma patients undergoing filtering surgery were included in a prospective randomized clinical trial. They were alternately operated on with either a limbal-based or fornix-based conjunctival flap. The authors evaluated the functional and morphologic long-term results of 34 eyes (18 fornix based, 16 limbal based) after a minimum follow-up of 6 years. Intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, visual field, intensity of symptoms due to dry eyes, and corneal overlap of the filtering bleb using planimetry were reexamined. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference of IOP reduction, deterioration of visual acuity, deterioration of visual field, sicca score, or corneal overlap of the filtering bleb was found between the limbal-based and fornix-based groups. There was no correlation between corneal overlap of the filtering bleb and the sicca score. CONCLUSION: The long-term results of fornix-based and limbal-based filtering surgery did not show a statistically significant difference.