Results of a New Technique for Implantation of Nonrestrictive Glaucoma Devices

Objective: To describe and present results of an original technique for nonvalved glaucoma implants. Patients and methods: Thirty-five eyes of 34 patients with aggressive and/or advanced glaucomas of different causes were included. A Baerveldt implant was used in all cases, using an absorbable ligature that had been titrated to allow fow from day 1, but avoiding hypotony. Intraocular pressure (IOP) during the first 8 weeks, final IOP, visual acuity and complications were analyzed. Results: Mean preoperative IOP was 42.8 mm Hg (range: 24-64 mm Hg). IOP was 14.4, 17.2, 18.6, 19 and 16.4 mm Hg during the 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 postoperative weeks. Mean final IOP was 13.8 ± 4.25 mm Hg, a 67.8% reduction, after a mean follow-up time of 13 months (range: 8-29 months). Twenty-nine eyes (82.9%) had complete success, two had qualifed success (5.7%) and four were failures (11.4%). Choroidal detachments and transient tube obstructions were the most frequent complications. Conclusion: Titrated ligature of Baerveldt tubes was effective for controlling IOP during both the early and late postoperative phases in eyes with severe glaucomas. How to cite this article: Arismendi GEO, del Pilar Peña Valderrama C, Albis-Donado O. Results of a New Technique for Implantation of Nonrestrictive Glaucoma Devices. J Current Glau Prac 2013;7(3):130-135.