Results of the Baerveldt® Glaucoma Implant for Neovascular Glaucoma Patients

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Baerveldt® glaucoma implant (BGI) for eyes with neovascular glaucoma (NVG). Methods: This was a retrospective study. Thirty-five eyes (31 patients) diagnosed with refractory NVG at Toyama University Hospital were enrolled from January 2012 to December 2015. All patients underwent BGI and were followed up for more than 6 months. Results: The mean age of patients was 62.7±13.9 years old. The mean postoperative follow-up periods was 22.0±12.7 months. The mean preoperative IOP was 35.5±9.6 mmHg and the mean postoperative IOP at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 month were 12.7±5.9, 12.8±3.7, 12.2±3.3, 13.1±3.3, 15.0±1.4 mmHg respectively. Postoperative visual acuity was not significantly improved. Complications were Hoffmann Elbow erosion in 2 patients who needed additional surgery. The success rate at one year was 82.7%. Postoperative intervention was not required. Conclusion: BGI surgery should be considered a useful treatment to lower the IOP for NVG.