AIM: To observe the medium-long-term efficacy of trabeculectomy in the treatment of pigmentary glaucoma(PG).

METHODS: The clinical data of 38 patients(51 eyes)who were diagnosed with PG and received trabeculectomy at the Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University from January 2010 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The postoperative follow-up ranged from 3 to 144mo. The intraocular pressure(IOP), visual acuity and refractive status were analyzed, complications were recorded and surgical efficacy was evaluated.

RESULTS: The average preoperative use of IOP lowering drugs was 2.90±0.12, with a mean IOP of 18.89±7.40mmHg. The IOP at 3d, 1, 3, 6mo, 1a after surgery and the last follow-up visit were 14.68±5.08, 13.99±2.95, 14.25±2.50, 14.36±2.83, 14.33±2.66, 14.94±1.95mmHg, respectively, and postoperative IOP was significantly lower at all time points than that before surgery(P<0.05), while there was no significant difference at all time points after surgery(P>0.05). During the follow-up period, the visual acuity of all patients was stable, and no endophthalmitis or malignant glaucoma occurred. At the last follow-up, the complete success rate was 90%, the qualified success was 8%, and the failure rate was 2%.

CONCLUSION: Trabeculectomy is a safe and effective treatment method for PG, which can effectively control the IOP, and stabilize the visual acuity and relieve the reverse pupil block.