Sinusotomy Without Scleral Resection: Externalization of Schlernm's canal

Lee, Sang Hyup

Abstract

A new method of sinusotormy is one that opens the outer wall of Schlemm's canal by subscleral incision only, and without resection of the scleral tissue. The procedure is considerably less traumatic, less dangerous and safer compared with the other filtering surgeries. Sinusotorrlies were performed to the 21 eyes of 16 patients with primary open angle glaucoma between 10 and 50 years of age. Consequently the IOP lowered below the level of 20 mmHg in 20 of 21 eyes. In 14 eyes the IOP was controlled without any medication, in 5 eyes, with the aid of one eye drops, and in one eye, with 2 kinds of eye drops. But, the IOP did not drop in one eye despite the combined use of 2 kinds of eye drops and an oral agent. The reduction of IOP was prominent after the operation and the average reduction was 12.1 mmHg. The cases with high preoperative IOP, big C/D ratio, and durable conjunctival bleb showed more evident reduction of IOP than the cases without such features. One eye was complicated by collapse of the anterior chamber postoperatively.