[Intermediate-term outcome of glaucoma drainage devices].
OBJECTIVE
To study the intermediate-term results of glaucoma drainage devices (DDG) with respect to control of intraocular pressure (IOP), control of glaucoma, and maintenance of pre-operative visual acuity.


METHODS
This was a retrospective cohort study of 86 eyes in 77 patients in whom a DDG was implanted, using descriptive statistics and survival analysis.


RESULTS
Success was achieved in 53 eyes (61.6%), complete (without treatment) in 34 eyes (39.5%) and qualified (needing treatment) in 19 eyes (22.1%). In the 33 eyes where the DDG treatment was unsuccessful, poor IOP control occurred in 13 eyes - (15.1%), and complications occurred in 20 eyes (23.2%) resulting in a severe reduction or loss of visual acuity (plate exposure, suprachoroidal hemorrhage, retinal detachment). IOP control was obtained in 66 eyes (76.7%), 47 of them without treatment (54.6%), although on 13 occasions the overall treatment failed due to complications occurring. Despite IOP control, glaucoma progression occurred in 7 eyes (8.1%). Preoperative vision was maintained in 46 eyes (53.5%), but decreased by 3 or more lines in 20 eyes (46.5%); bullous kerathopathy was the most frequent cause of the worsening. Loss of light perception occurred in 21 eyes (24.4%) and 4 eyes (4.6%) were eviscerated.


CONCLUSIONS
DDG are an effective surgical option for control of IOP when conventional surgery has a poor prognosis, but they are associated with an increased risk of serious complications and loss of visual acuity in a significant proportion of cases.
Merino-de-Palacios
C
C
Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, España.
Gutiérrez-Díaz
E
E
Chacón-Garcés
A
A
Montero-Rodríguez
M
M
Mencía-Gutiérrez
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery*; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome