Outcomes of Baerveldt Glaucoma Drainage Devices in Pediatric Eyes

In children, Baerveldt implants showed 84% success at 1 year, but decreased to 32% at 8 years. Age, race, and glaucoma type were not risk factors for failure. Concurrent intraocular surgery was associated with complications.

Evaluate success and risk factors for failure and complications of Baerveldt glaucoma implants in children.

Retrospective case series of children who underwent Baerveldt implant placement (2012-2019 by single surgeon) with ≥1 year follow-up. Ocular examination and surgical details were collected. Failure defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) <5 mm Hg or >21 mm Hg for 2 consecutive visits, need for IOP related surgery, or visually significant complication.

One hundred-six eyes of 76 patients underwent 110 Baerveldt placement at median 6.4 years. Baerveldt placement was combined with additional procedures in 49% with vitrectomy most common (30%). Success of first Baerveldt (per patient) was 64% at final follow-up (median 4.7 y). One-, 5-, and 8-year survival rates were 84%, 60%, and 32%, respectively. There was no difference (P=0.97) in survival between first Baerveldt and all Baerveldt surgeries. Failure of first Baerveldt was not associated with sex, age, ethnicity, prior IOP-lowering surgery, concurrent intraocular surgery, or glaucoma type. Complications occurred in 14% and were associated with concurrent surgery. Twenty-six percent required additional IOP-lowering surgery. At final follow-up, IOP and glaucoma medications were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). Eyes underwent an average of 3.8±2.3 ocular surgeries and 3.0±2.0 glaucoma surgeries.

Baerveldt implants showed good success initially, but survival rates declined over time. No risk factors for failure of first implanted Baerveldt were identified. Concurrent surgery was associated with complications. Majority of eyes required multiple surgeries to achieve IOP control and preserve vision.