Purpose: To evaluate the short-term effect of trabeculectomy with adjunctive mitomycin-C (MMC) on corneal astigmatism and axial length.
Setting: Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul, Korea.
Methods: Eighteen consecutive eyes of 16 patients having trabeculectomy with adjunctive MMC were prospectively analyzed. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and axial length were evaluated preoperatively and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Postoperative changes in corneal astigmatism were evaluated using vector analysis.
Results: The overall mean induced astigmatism showed with-the-rule change up to 3 months postoperatively followed by an against-the-rule shift. The mean axial length was significantly less postoperatively and changed throughout the 12 month follow-up. There was a positive correlation between postoperative axial length and IOP. Eyes with higher preoperative IOP had a greater decrease in axial length after trabeculectomy with MMC.
Conclusion: The induced corneal astigmatism after trabeculectomy with MMC was long lasting, although less than that in previous studies. The change in axial length after surgery was significant, especially in eyes with a high preoperative IOP. The decrease in axial length persisted throughout the follow-up.