Changes in refraction and optical aberrations after glaucoma surgery
Aim. To compare the effect of penetrating and non-penetrating glaucoma procedures on the refraction and surgically induced aberrations. Patients and methods. 34 patients (34 eyes) with early, moderate, and advanced glaucoma were enrolled in the study. The patients were subdivided into two groups. Group 1 included 13 patients who underwent standard deep sclerectomy. Group 2 included 21 patients who underwent non-penetrating deep sclerectomy. Results. Changes in the refraction were observed in both groups but to a variable degree. Glaucoma surgical procedures which affect ocular fibrous tunic inevitably result in refractive changes, however, the degree of these changes depends on the type of the surgery. Surgically induced aberrations reduce visual acuity and increase visual fatigue thus prolonging postoperative visual rehabilitation. Conclusions. Penetrating glaucoma procedures (such as deep sclerectomy) induce significant early post-op refractive changes which reduce to a minimum after 3 months. Minimally invasive non-penetrating deep sclerectomy induces mainly higher order aberrations which less affect visual quality and promote faster visual rehabilitation.