Management of coexisting corneal disease and glaucoma by combined penetrating keratoplasty and trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The management of coexistent corneal disease and uncontrolled glaucoma continues to be a challenging clinical situation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of combined penetrating keratoplasty and trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken to review the records of nine patients who had corneal edema and high intraocular pressure managed by simultaneous penetrating keratoplasty and trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C.

RESULTS: The nine patients had an average pre-operative intraocular pressure of 26 mm Hg (range 17 to 41 mm Hg) and associated corneal edema. The average postoperative intraocular pressure at last follow-up was 19 mm Hg (range 5 to 53 mm Hg). Three patients needed additional procedures. Six of nine patients had intraocular pressures judged to be adequately controlled (11 +/- 5 mm Hg, range 5 to 18 mm Hg) throughout the postoperative period (average follow-up 16 months). Grafts remained clear in seven patients. The grafts failed in two cases in which additional glaucoma surgery was necessary.

CONCLUSION: Combined penetrating keratoplasty and trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C should be considered for selected patients with uncontrolled glaucoma and corneal disease who have sufficient conjunctiva for a filtering procedure.