Purpose:
Analysis of complications, reoperations and intraocular pressurecontrol (IOP) in pediatric patients following glaucoma shuntimplantation at a single institution over 14 years.
Methods:
Retrospective chart review of patients receiving tube shuntimplantation between 1992 and 2006. The study consists of 31patients (43 eyes). Average patient age at surgery was 4 years(2 months to 13.5 years); average length of follow-up was 3years, (3 months to 13.3 years).
Results:
Twenty-nine eyes (67%) had IOP controlled after tube shunt placement.Of these, 23 eyes (53%) were controlled without any additionalsurgery for IOP control. Thirty-four eyes (79%) needed reoperationsdue to post operative complications whereas only 10 eyes (23%)needed reoperations for IOP control.
Conclusions:
Rates of reoperation for both IOP control and non-IOP complicationsare higher than in adult patients. Successful control of IOPis less than adult series, but are similar to published seriesin pediatric patients. Glaucoma tube shunt surgery is effectiveand useful in treating refractory glaucoma, but reoperationfor IOP control and other complications is frequent.
Keywords: intraocular pressure • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications