Long‐term effects of trabeculectomy on visual field progression across two centres in the United Kingdom: A 10 year follow‐up

Purpose Trabeculectomy is the most commonly performed surgical procedure for the treatment of glaucoma in the UK. The overarching aim is to achieve good IOP control, and thereby halt or slow further visual field loss. We aim to analyse whether trabeculectomy is successful in achieving long‐term visual field stability. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on consecutive patients who underwent a trabeculectomy between 2001 and 2010 at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth and the Queen Elizabeth hospital, Birmingham under the care of two specialists (JK and PS). Only eyes with at least five years of follow‐up post‐operatively, as well as visual fields before surgery and at least 5 years after were included. Patient demographics and comorbidities, intraocular pressures before and after surgery, visual field information prior to surgery and at the most recent follow‐up were collated and analysed. Results 146 eyes of 110 patients met the eligibility criteria. Median follow‐up time was 10.0 years (range 5–17.5 years) and median visual field progression per year was −0.12 dB. 69% (n = 101) achieved stable visual fields post op (MD loss/year 1 dB/year). Median IOP reduction at final follow‐up compared to before surgery was 47% (median final IOP was 11 mmHg). Eyes that achieved good IOP control (