Clinical experience with urgent tube shunt implantation through the ciliary sulcus in phakic eyes

To review the clinical course and outcomes of 3 phakic, ischemic, and inflamed eyes in which we performed urgent tube shunt implantation through the ciliary sulcus without lensectomy.

This is a retrospective interventional case series. Three eyes of 3 diabetic patients with uncontrolled severe neovascular glaucoma, shallow anterior chambers with closed angles and poor view to the posterior segment, where concomitant lensectomy was not recommended due to uncontrolled uveitis and ischemia, underwent tube shunt implantation through the ciliary sulcus. Main outcome measures were surgical complications, especially injury to the crystalline lens, and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP).

No surgical complications, including injury to the crystalline lens, have occurred. We used surgical modifications to allow sufficient visualization of the sulcus area to avoid injury to the crystalline lens during scleral tunneling and tube insertion through the ciliary sulcus. Postoperatively, the uveitis, ischemia, and vision have improved and IOP was controlled throughout follow-up. Cataract surgery with pupilloplasty was performed in one eye a year later with no complications and no interruption to IOP control.

Based on our small and limited retrospective study, and under unusual circumstances, urgent tube shunt implantation through the ciliary sulcus may be considered in phakic eyes with severely uncontrolled IOP, shallow anterior chambers and poor view to the posterior segment, and when concomitant lensectomy is not recommended. We advise the use of appropriate surgical modifications by experienced glaucoma surgeons to prevent intraoperative complications. Further and larger studies are needed to evaluate the safety of this surgical option.