Effectiveness and safety of sulcus fixation of Baerveldt glaucoma implants in glaucomatous eyes in patients who underwent multiple intraocular surgeries.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical success of sulcus fixation of Baerveldt glaucoma implant (BGIs) in special reference to corneal damage.

Methods: This observational prospective cohort study included 24 patients who underwent a median of 3.0 previous intraocular surgeries and sulcus fixation of BGIs for the first time. The intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of ocular hypotensives used, corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), and logMAR-converted best-corrected visual acuity (VA) of each patient were measured preoperatively and postoperatively until 12 months after surgery. Surgical success was evaluated after 12 months based on the reduction of IOP (5-21 mmHg and > 20% reduction), corneal damage (postoperative development of decompensation, unmeasurable ECD, or ECD reduction of > 20%), loss of light perception, and need for additional surgeries.

Results: Surgical success was noted in 16 (66.7%) patients when corneal damage was included as a failure criterion, whereas surgery was successful in 21 (87.5%) patients when solely judged using IOP control similarly as previous clinical trials. The median IOP decreased from 27.5 mmHg preoperatively to 14.5 mmHg postoperatively (P < 0.0001). The number of ocular hypotensives was significantly reduced postoperatively (P < 0.0001). The median postoperative ECD reduction was only 0.15%, although ECD could not be measured during follow-up or it was significantly reduced by > 20% in six patients. VA was not significantly reduced after surgery. Adverse effects were observed in 15 patients (62.5 cumulative %).

Conclusion: Sulcus fixation of BGIs may be effective and safe in patients with glaucomatous eyes who underwent multiple prior intraocular surgeries.