Fornix-based versus limbal-based conjunctival flaps in initial trabeculectomy with postoperative 5-fluorouracil: four-year follow-up findings.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of fornix-based conjunctival flap versus limbal-based flap in initial trabeculectomy with postoperative 5-fluorouracil. METHODS: 29 patients (58 eyes) with bilateral primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to have a fornix-based conjunctival flap in one eye and a limbal-based flap in the other, followed by subconjunctival injection of 5-fluorouracil. RESULTS: Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) 2 years after treatment was 12.9 +/- 12.25 mmHg in eyes with fornix-based conjunctival flaps and 13.1 +/- 16.81 mmHg in eyes with limbal-based conjunctival flaps. At 4 years, mean IOP was 14.7 +/- 9.61 mmHg in eyes with fornix-based conjunctival flaps and 15.1 +/- 7.29 mmHg in eyes with limbal-based conjunctival flaps. Cumulative success at 4 years (IOP < 21 mmHg) was 89.6% in eyes with fornix-based conjunctival flaps versus 86.2% in eyes with limbal-based conjunctival flaps with medications. Cystic leaking blebs occurred in two cases, both with limbal-based flaps. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of limbal- and fornix-based conjunctival flaps in initial trabeculectomy with postoperative 5-fluorouracil was not significantly different; however, in this study cystic leaking blebs were encountered only in eyes with limbal-based conjunctival flaps.

Immunodiagnosis of ocular chlamydial infection.

The diagnostic roles of enzyme immunoassay and indirect immunofluorescence tests were studied in 99 patients with various grades of active trachoma and in 72 patients with inactive trachoma. Normal individuals and patients with non-specific chronic conjunctivitis were used as a control group. Chlamydial antigens were detected in the conjunctival swabs from a large proportion of patients with severe or moderate trachoma. Cases with 'antigen-negative' but clinically severe trachoma showed presence of specific IgG in the blood, thus indicating that serological tests may complement the ELISA test for the detection of chlamydia in infected tissues. The nature of cellular reaction in the conjunctiva seems to be related to the severity of trachoma and presence of the infective organism. 'Antigen-negative' trachoma thus represents either an error of diagnosis or limited sensitivity of currently available immunologic techniques, or a predominantly hypersensitivity state triggered by transient tissue parasitism. Recombinant DNA technology and chronobiologic study of infiltrating lymphocytes are likely to provide some insight in such cases.