BACKGROUND: Currently, safe and effective surgical treatment of malignant glaucoma is still under investigation. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of ciliary ring incision combined with modified partial pars plana vitrectomy in the treatment of malignant glaucoma. The technique is particularly useful in the treatment of “phakic” patients with malignant glaucoma, especially those who wish to preserve the natural lens.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 13 cases (16 eyes) of malignant glaucoma in which patients underwent ciliary ring incision combined with modified partial pars plana vitrectomy based on follow-up data collected from May 2004 to March 2017. The data we analyzed included postoperative best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior chamber depth (ACD), optic cup changes, and surgical complications; some patients underwent visual field tracking. The mean follow-up period was 33.1±10.6 (range, 19–46) months.

RESULTS: A statistically significant number of eyes had improved visual acuity 1 year after surgery compared with the preoperative difference (Z=–3.853, P=0.000). Increases in the mean anterior chamber depth and decreases in the mean IOP measured at the 1-week and the 1-year follow-ups were also statistically significant. There were no serious complications during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS: Ciliary ring incision combined with modified partial pars plana vitrectomy for malignant glaucoma not only provided a clear and reliable intraoperative vitrectomy channel, but it also caused less disturbance of intraocular tissue structure and fewer complications. It also has the advantage of preserving the lens and avoiding further damage to the anatomy in the anterior segment of the eye.

Keywords: Glaucoma, Models, Anatomic, Vitrectomy