Silicone Tube Miniature Drainage Device Implanted under Scleral Flap for the Surgical Treatment of Glaucoma

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a silicone tube miniature drainage device implanted under scleral flap for the surgical treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

This is a non-randomized prospective study. Patients with a minimum follow-up of 12 months were analyzed. Demographic information, preoperative and postoperative data including intraocular pressure (IOP), number of medications and complications were recorded.

A total of 33 eyes of 33 patients were included in the analysis. Mean postoperative follow-up was 29.5 ± 6.9 months (range 18-50 months). The mean preoperative IOP was 25.8 ± 7.3 mmHg and decreased to 14.9 ± 4.3, 14.2 ± 3.4 and 14.9 ± 3.3 mmHg at 1 year, 2 years and last follow-up after surgery. The number of medications was decreased from 3.1 ± 1.3 preoperatively to 0.2 ± 0.7, 0.4 ± 0.9 and 0.4 ± 1.0 at 1 year, 2 years and last follow-up, respectively, after surgery. Only six (18.2%) patients used glaucoma medications at last visit. The complete success rates were 87.9% and 78.6%, respectively, at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. The operation-related complications were rare.

The silicone tube miniature drainage device implanted under the scleral flap was found to be a relatively safe and effective surgery for the treatment of POAG. Longer follow-up periods and larger sample sizes are expected.