Effect of the prolene ripcord suture on the baerveldt tube position: A case study

A 42 year old Afro-Caribbean man underwent Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant (BGI) surgery for silicone oil induced glaucoma. Three months following initial surgery, the 3-0 prolene ripcord suture was removed. Anterior segment OCT demonstrates the position of the intracameral portion of the tube before and after the 3/0 prolene stent suture (PSS) removal. Ex-vivo experiments further demonstrate the variation in tube position using straight vs curved segments of 3/0, 4/0 and 5/0 PSS passed through the BGI lumen. Glaucoma tube surgeons should consider how the rigid nature of the prolene stent suture could influence the position of non-valved tubes within the eye, both during tube implantation and after prolene suture removal.