Phacoemulsification in patients with Baerveldt tube shunts.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of phacoemulsification in glaucomatous eyes with functioning Baerveldt tube shunts.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.


METHODS
This retrospective analysis followed 9 eyes of 8 patients with functioning Baerveldt tube shunts who had clear corneal phacoemulsification. Intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications, corneal thickness, visual acuity, and additional glaucoma surgery were measured.


RESULTS
The mean follow-up was 21 months +/- 3 (SD) (range 17 to 25 months). The mean change in IOP and the number of glaucoma medications used did not significantly change at 1 month (P>.19), 1 year (P>.17), or the last follow-up (P>.17). At the last examination, 2 eyes had IOP increases of 2 to 4 mm Hg, 3 eyes had no change, and 4 eyes had decreases of 4 to 7 mm Hg. Intraocular pressure increased in 1 eye at 8 months and required a tube shunt revision. No eye developed corneal decompensation. Visual acuity improved in 8 eyes; the mean improvement was 4 +/- 3 Snellen lines.


CONCLUSIONS
In most cases, phacoemulsification in glaucomatous eyes with a functioning Baerveldt tube shunt improved vision and maintained control of IOP.
Erie
Jay C
JC
Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. erie.jay@mayo.edu
Baratz
Keith H
KH
Mahr
Michael A
MA
Johnson
Douglas H
DH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents