Outcomes of the Paul Glaucoma Implant in Refractory Secondary Glaucoma

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Paul Glaucoma Implant (PGI) surgery in patients with secondary glaucomas.

Retrospective chart review of adult patients with medically recalcitrant secondary glaucoma who underwent PGI implantation at a single tertiary center between August 2022 and June 2023. The primary outcome measure was surgical success. Surgical success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) between 6 and 21 mmHg with a ≥20% reduction compared to baseline (with or without medications) with no need for implant removal, further glaucoma reoperation, or development of vision-threatening complications at 1 year of follow-up. The secondary outcomes were IOP, glaucoma medication numbers, visual acuity, and surgical complications.

Thirty eyes of 30 patients were identified. Nine patients (30%) had neovascular glaucoma, and 9 patients (30%) had silicone-oil-induced glaucoma. At 12 months postoperatively, 28 eyes (93.3%) fulfilled the success criteria. The mean IOP at 12 months was 15.2 ± 4.6 mmHg compared to the mean baseline IOP of 32.6 ± 10 mmHg (p < 0.001). A significant reduction in the mean number of glaucoma medications at 12 months compared to the baseline was observed. The complication rate was 13.3% (4 eyes), with most complications being mild and transient.

The PGI demonstrated favorable efficacy and safety profiles in the management of medically uncontrolled secondary glaucomas.