AIM: To analyze the outcomes in uveitic activity and intraocular pressure(IOP)control after trabeculectomy for uveitis with uncontrolled IOP.

METHODS: The medical records of consecutive uveitic glaucoma patients undergoing trabeculectomy between October 2006 to March 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Uveitic activity, frequency of recurrence, steroid dependence, and intraocular pressure control were compared with paired t-test before and after trabeculectomy.

RESULTS: In 29 eyes from 29 patients, 90% of eyes were on topical steroids at the time of trabeculectomy. The mean age was 58.3±14.0 years old with a pre-operative IOP of 35.7±8.9mmHg. The mean follow up time was 35.2±18.7mo. There was a reduction of anterior chamber activity grading of 0.4±0.6(P<0.01)at 3mo post-operatively. The uveitis recurrence rate was significantly reduced by 2.3±2.1 episodes/year(P<0.01)during the follow-up period. The mean 1y post-trabeculectomy IOP was 13.1±4.5mmHg with 44.8% of eyes with IOP≤21mmHg without medication.

CONCLUSION: Uveitic activity and IOP control improved after trabeculectomy with a lower success rate to primary glaucomas. Trabeculectomy may be considered as a possible early intervention of active uveitis with high IOP for pressure and uveitic activity control.