Changes in choroidal area following trabeculectomy: Long-term effect of intraocular pressure reduction.

Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate changes in the macula and peripapillary choroidal area at one year after trabeculectomy in order to determine the effect of intraocular pressure (IOP) changes.MethodsThis prospective longitudinal study examined 30 eyes of 30 patients with glaucoma that was uncontrolled by medical therapy. At 1 day before and at 1 year after the trabeculectomy surgery, macular and peripapillary choroidal images were recorded by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). Luminal and interstitial areas were converted to binary images using the Niblack method. Factors influencing the macular choroidal and peripapillary area were examined by multivariate analysis.ResultsAfter trabeculectomy, the mean IOP was 10.8±3.2 mmHg compared to 17.8±7.2 mmHg at baseline (P ConclusionsIOP reductions after trabeculectomy led to increases in the macular and peripapillary choroidal areas for at least 1 year postoperative. Increases in the interstitial areas were the primary reason for observed changes in the choroidal area after trabeculectomy.