Stabilization of flat anterior chamber after trabeculectomy with Healon5

A 64-year-old phakic patient had a trabeculectomy complicated by complete shallowing of the anterior chamber 10 days postoperatively. Despite repair of a conjunctival wound dehiscence and reformation of the anterior chamber with sodium hyaluronate 3.0%-chondroitin sulfate 4.0% (Viscoate), he had a flat anterior chamber again the following day with 360 degrees of pupillary synechias and lens-to-cornea touch. Sodium hyaluronate 2.3% (Healon(R)5) instilled through a paracentesis at the slitlamp lysed the synechias, stabilized the anterior chamber, facilitated filtration, and prevented complications from hypotony. The unique properties of Healon5 allowed for a conservative and less invasive approach in the management of this particular complication. (C) 2002 ASCRS and ESCRS.