The aim of glaucoma surgery is to lower the pressure in the eye. The outcome of glaucoma surgery can be affected by the rate at which the surgical wound heals. Beta radiation has been proposed as a rapid and simple treatment to slow down the healing response. It is applied during the operation using a radioactive applicator which emits beta rays which have only a very local penetration to a depth of less than one millimetre. The intensity of the emission from the applicator (usually Strontium-90) determines the duration it is applied to the surgical site in order to deliver the required dose of radiation which effectively prevents scar tissue formation.
We found four trials that randomised 551 people to trabeculectomy with beta irradiation versus trabeculectomy alone. People who had trabeculectomy with beta irradiation were less likely to have an eye pressure that was too high one year after surgery compared to people who had trabeculectomy alone. However, people who had beta irradiation had an increased risk of cataract after surgery.
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Wprowadzenie
The outcome of glaucoma surgery can be affected by the rate at which the surgical wound heals. Beta radiation has been proposed as a rapid and simple treatment to slow down the healing response.
Cele
To assess the effectiveness of beta radiation during glaucoma surgery (trabeculectomy).
Metody wyszukiwania badań
We searched CENTRAL (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group Trials Register) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 3), MEDLINE (January 1950 to March 2012), EMBASE (January 1980 to March 2012), the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) (www.controlled-trials.com), ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov) and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en). There were no date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials. The electronic databases were last searched on 26 March 2012.
Kryteria doboru badań
We included randomised controlled trials comparing trabeculectomy with beta radiation to trabeculectomy without beta radiation.
Zbieranie i analiza danych
We collected data on surgical failure (intraocular pressure > 21 mmHg), intraocular pressure and adverse effects of glaucoma surgery. We pooled data using a fixed-effect model.
Główne wyniki
We found four trials that randomised 551 people to trabeculectomy with beta irradiation versus trabeculectomy alone. Two trials were in Caucasian people (126 people), one trial in black African people (320 people) and one trial in Chinese people (105 people). People who had trabeculectomy with beta irradiation had a lower risk of surgical failure compared to people who had trabeculectomy alone (pooled risk ratio (RR) 0.23 (95% CI 0.14 to 0.40). Beta irradiation was associated with an increased risk of cataract (RR 2.89, 95% CI 1.39 to 6.0).
Wnioski autorów
Trabeculectomy with beta irradiation has a lower risk of surgical failure compared to trabeculectomy alone. A trial of beta irradiation versus anti-metabolite is warranted.
