Trabeculotomy Using the Kahook Dual Blade for Exfoliation Glaucoma and Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: Comparison of Outcomes According to Incision Range

Prcis: Large amount of trabeculotomy with Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) confers better intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering.

Purpose: We compared the postoperative outcomes of trabeculotomy using the KDB in patients with exfoliation glaucoma (EXG) and primary open angle glaucoma between the 120-degree incision and the 210- to 240-degree incision groups.

Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the postoperative outcomes of trabeculotomy performed using the KDB in 101 eyes with EXG and primary open angle glaucoma, who received 120- and 210- to 240-degree incisions at Kumamoto University Hospital between April 25, 2018, and August 11, 2021. Kaplan-Meyer survival curves were used to assess the outcomes. Surgical failure was defined as IOP ≥21 mm Hg (criterion A) and ≥19 mm Hg (criterion B), or an IOP ≤4 mm Hg in either criterion and the need for additional glaucoma surgery.

Results: In total, 64 and 37 eyes were included in the 120 and 210- to 240-degree groups, respectively. The 210- to 240-degree group had a higher 1-year success rate compared with the 120-degree group, both when considering all eyes and when considering only those with EXG (P<0.05).

Conclusions: In trabeculotomy with KDB, a 210- to 240-degree incision was more effective than a 120-degree incision in lowering IOP in EXG cases.