Comparison Between Absorbable and Non Absorbable Scleral Implants in Deep Sclerectomy (T-Flux and SK-Gel) - Mid-Term Results

Abstract

Purpose:: The intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effects of deep sclerectomy (sometimes in conjunction with a cataract operation) with different scleral implants (T-Flux, Polytech ophthalmologie GmbH, Rossberg; or SK-Gel, Fa. Corneal®, Bamberg) were investigated.

Methods:: In a retrospective study 116 patients with medically uncontrollable primary open angle glaucoma underwent non-penetrating deep sclerectomy with or without a cataract operation. 81 patients received T-Flux implants (group 1) and 35 patients received SK-Gel implants (group 2). Examinations were carried out directly before and directly after operation, as well as after 6 weeks and one year post operation.

Results:: The IOP in group 1 was pre-op 17.8 ± 4.9 mmHg and one year post operation 12.7 ± 2.4 mmHg (p<0.05). In group 2 the IOP was pre-op 20.1± 5.9 mmHg and one year after operation 13.0 ± 2.3 mmHg (p<0.05). The number of anti-glaucomic eye drops in group 1 was pre-op 2.3 ± 1.3 and one year post operation it was 0.4 ± 0.9 (p<0.05). In group 2 pre-op there were 2.6 ± 1.2 eye drops used and one year post operation 0.5 ± 0.9 (p<0.05). The number of subsequent operations needed during the course of the year to reduce pressure was 13.6% in group 1 and 17.1% in group 2. The number of postoperative YAG-goniopunctures after 12 months was 39.5% in group 1 and 54.3% in group 2. No significant differences for any of the investigated parameters were found between the two implants. In addition, there was no difference seen between deep sclerectomy performed alone (57.8% of the patients) or in conjunction with a cataract operation (42.2% of the patients).

Conclusions:: Short- and mid-term IOP lowering effects in deep sclerectomy with scleral implants were quite satisfying no matter which implant was used.

Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications