Primary Tube vs. Trabeculectomy Study: 3-Year Outcomes

In this interview from AGS 2019, Drs. Steven Gedde and James Brandt share the 3-year outcomes and complications from the primary tube versus trabeculectomy (PTVT) study. This multi-center randomized clinical trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tube shunt surgery and trabeculectomy with mitomycin c. Eligible patients were between the ages of 18 and 85 years old, had pressure between 18 and 40 mmHg while on maximum tolerated therapy and had not previously undergone incisionial ocular surgery. The 1-year results were previously published in the May 2018 issue of Ophthalmology. By the 3-year follow-up, they found that the mean IOP was lower in the trabeculectomy group than the tube group at all assessed time points. Preoperative IOP was the only baseline factor that appeared to influence surgical failure. Drs. Gedde and Brandt hope that this additional information will help physicians provide patients with better, individualized treatment.

Relevant Financial Disclosures: None