Effect of shunt type on rates of tube-cornea touch and corneal decompensation after tube shunt surgery in uveitic glaucoma.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of tube shunt type [Ahmed (AGV) versus Baerveldt (BGI)] on the frequency of tube-cornea touch and corneal decompensation after tube shunt surgery.

METHODS

This retrospective comparative study included 145 eyes of 130 patients with uveitic glaucoma who underwent AGV (75 eyes) or BGI (70 eyes) implantations. Electronic medical records were reviewed to document demographic factors, intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, frequency of tube-cornea touch, corneal decompensation, and need for subsequent corneal transplantation.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 27.7±3.3 months for AGV and 32.8±3.8 months for BGI (p=0.30). Tube-cornea touch was observed in 5 eyes after BGI and 1 eye in the AGV group (p=0.08). The BGI group reported a significantly higher rate of corneal decompensation (9 versus 0; p=0.001) and transplantation (6 versus 0; p=0.01) compared to the AGV group. Previous trabeculectomy was a significant risk factor for corneal complications in eyes undergoing BGI implantation (odds ratio [OR]= 8.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.78-37.45, p=0.007).

CONCLUSION

Similar rates of tube-cornea touch were observed in both shunt types; BGI shunts were associated with a greater incidence of corneal complications and transplantation as compared to AGV in this retrospective series of uveitic glaucoma cases.