Adverse vitreoretinal outcomes of glaucoma drainage devices based on verified and unverified financial claims data.
OBJECTIVE
To determine adverse vitreoretinal outcome rates after glaucoma drainage device (GDD) surgery.


METHODS
Medical records from the Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital with financial claims from 1991 to 2005 for GDD surgery coded for endophthalmitis, choroidal hemorrhage, or retinal detachment were reviewed. Cumulative incidences were calculated before and after verifying claims with chart review.


RESULTS
GDD surgery was performed in 2,661 eyes. Thirty-three cases of endophthalmitis were identified, with 10 attributable to GDD (1-, 5-, and 10-year cumulative incidences: 0.22%, 0.43%, and 0.83%, respectively). Forty cases of choroidal hemorrhage were identified, with 20 attributable to GDD (1-, 5-, and 10-year incidences: 0.81% for all time points). Rhegmatogenous retinal detachments developed in 148 eyes, with 42 attributable to GDD (1-, 5-, and 10-year incidences: 1.25%, 2.02%, and 2.67%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
This study's complication rates compare favorably with those previously reported. The use of claims data without chart review verification may result in overestimated event rates.
Michael R
MR
Banitt
William J
WJ
Feuer
Joyce C
JC
Schiffman
Richard K
RK
Parrish
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002832:Choroid Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016208:Databases, Factual; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery*; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007345:Insurance Claim Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology