title: Glaucoma drainage devices: state of the art.
abstract: Glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs) create an alternate aqueous pathway by channeling aqueous from the anterior chamber through a long tube to an equatorial plate, inserted under the conjunctiva, which promotes bleb formation. GDDs are being used more frequently in the treatment of glaucoma, both as the primary procedure of choice and following failure of trabeculectomy operations. This article outlines the current concepts involving different GDDs, surgical techniques and a review of the current literature. In addition, the importance of the biomaterial and its implications for the success of the operation are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Tulane University Medical Center, Glaucoma Service, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. rayyala@tulane.edu
authors.forename: Ramesh S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Ayyala
authors.forename: Jessica Laursen
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Nurettin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sahiner
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004867:Equipment Design; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery*; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants; D006801:Humans; D014130:Trabeculectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials