Modern concepts in antiglaucomatous implant surgery.

BACKGROUND

Antiglaucomatous implant surgery is a continously evolving field in glaucoma treatment.

METHODS

A literature search with the terms "glaucoma implant surgery", "aqueous shunts" and "glaucoma drainage devices" was carried out, especially giving prominence to innovative surgical developments in glaucoma implant surgery and to recently established clinical evidence on traditional shunt surgery.

RESULTS

Episcleral glaucoma drainage devices have recently proven their efficacy in large studies. Longterm data about their clinical efficacy and their risk/safety profile are sufficiently available. New antiglaucomatous devices try to target alternative drainage routes, for example trabecular or uveoscleral outflow. Valid longterm data from prospective randomized clinical trials are not available for these devices as yet.

CONCLUSIONS

Although valid data on clinical application of the new glaucoma implants are not available as yet, profound knowledge about their theoretical concept and their practical management is obligatory for all glaucoma clinicians.