Abstract:

Scar tissue deposition, which results in fibrosis of the formatted functional structures such as bleb, is the most frequent cause of glaucoma operation’s failure. Although antifibrotic agents such as mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil have significantly improved the efficacy of the operation, concerns remain regarding the potential increases in postoperative complications. Various novel or newer pharmacological substances have been developed in recent years with different ways to modulate the wound healing after the surgery, of which cross-linked or reticulated hyaluronate appears particular attractive. It is suggested that the mechanisms of scare formation-minimizing effect of cross-linked or reticulated hyaluronate are largely attributed to its space-occupying and inherent anti-inflammatory properties directly and indirectly, and the cross-linked format confers it with a slower degrading time. The preliminary results of its clinical application in glaucoma surgery are promising in term of both controlling intraocular pressure and decreasing postoperative complications.