Purpose
To report the surgical outcomes of tube-shunt coverage using sterile, gamma-irradiated cornea allograft (VisionGraft, Tissue Bank International Inc., Baltimore, MD).
Methods
In this retrospective study, medical records of patients who underwent glaucoma tube-shunt surgeries using cornea allograft at the Wills Eye Hospital between 12/1/2012 and 8/31/2013 were reviewed. Demographic characteristics, tube-shunt type and location were recorded. Evidence of graft thinning or tube erosion were reviewed and documented at 1 day, 1 week, and then 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively.
Results
Thirty-six eyes of 34 patients were enrolled in the study. Mean ±SD age was 69±13 years. The mean ±SD follow-up time was 4.7±2.0 months. The type of tube-shunts were Ahmed M4 (77.7%), Baerveldt 350 (8.4%), Baerveldt 250 (8.4%) and Ahmed FP7 (5.5%). Tube-shunts were placed superotemporally (52.8%), inferotemporally (25%), superonasally (13.9%) and inferonasally (8.3%). The allografts were stable during the follow-up period with no evidence of immunological reaction, infection or exposure.
Conclusions
Cornea allograft appears to be safe and effective tube-shunt coverage material. There are cosmetic advantages for cornea allograft, especially for inferior tubes and functional advantages including ease of suture lysis for Baerveldt tube-shunts. Further study is warranted in order to evaluate long-term outcomes of this cornea allograft.
Keywords: 765 wound healing •
421 anterior segment •
462 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications