Comparison of Trabeculectomy Outcomes Performed by Residents in Training and Ophthalmologists.

PRCIS: Resident-performed trabeculectomies present higher intraocular pressure and lower complete success rate at 1 year. PURPOSE: To compare the 1-year outcomes of ab externo trabeculectomy between residents in training and staff ophthalmologists. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included all consecutive eyes submitted to ab externo trabeculectomy between January 2015 to June 2020. A 1-year complete success rate was considered using all the following criteria: intraocular pressure (IOP)≤21 mm Hg and ≥6mm Hg without ocular hypotensive medications; IOP reduction≥30%; without loss of light perception, phthisis bulbi, and further glaucoma surgery (excluding suture lysis and bleb needling). RESULTS: One hundred and ten eyes from 99 patients were included. Thirty percent (n=33) of the trabeculectomies were performed by residents. There were no significant preoperative differences between groups, apart from age at surgery, which was higher in the residents' group (72.39±6.83 vs. 62.00±15.07 years, P<0.001), and visual field index (Humphrey Field Analyzer), which was lower in the ophthalmologists' group (51.81±34.74% vs. 32.04±33.83%, P=0.013). IOP at 1-, 3-, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery was significantly higher in the resident's group (P<0.05). Resident-performed trabeculectomies achieved a significantly lower complete success rate when compared with the ophthalmologists' group (39.39% vs. 64.94%, P=0.013). The overall rate of the postoperative complications and reintervention did not differ between groups, but the occurrence of a shallow anterior chamber was more frequent in the residents' group (15.15% vs. 4.05%, P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Resident-performed trabeculectomies present significantly higher postoperative IOP levels and a lower complete success rate when compared with staff ophthalmologists. It is, therefore, fundamental to adopt strategies to change this gap, improve patient safety, and strengthen resident confidence.

Traumatic Cyclodialysis Cleft Treatment Combined with Cataract Surgery: An Original Triple Procedure.

INTRODUCTION: To describe a "triple" surgical procedure, which combined traumatic cataract extraction by phacoemulsification with gas endotamponade and cyclocryotherapy in the successful treatment of a traumatic cyclodialysis cleft. METHODS: A 44-year-old man who suffered severe left eye blunt trauma with an elastic band developed a 4-hour extent cyclodialysis cleft with consequent hypotony. After 7 weeks of persistent hypotonic maculopathy unresponsive to medical treatment, and with an evolving traumatic cataract, the patient underwent cataract surgery combined with intravitreal gas endotamponade (20% SF6) and cyclocryotherapy. RESULTS: Two weeks after the procedure the intraocular pressure increased to 12 mmHg and remained steady during the next 14 months of follow-up. Hypotonic maculopathy resolved and successful closure of the cyclodialysis cleft was confirmed by gonioscopy and ultrasound biomicroscopy. CONCLUSION: Gas endotamponade and cyclocryotherapy constitute a promising option in the treatment of cyclodialysis clefts unresponsive to medical therapy. In our case, this minimally invasive technique was innovatively combined with cataract surgery. Despite early postoperative intraocular inflammation, a successful outcome was achieved.