Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the experience with a glaucoma implant in complicated glaucoma, designed in collaboration with the Institute of Polymers in Prague. Methods: In a multicentric retrospective study 91 eyes of 86 patients with otherwise uncontrollable glaucoma underwent GSI implantation in four departments.
The implant of medical silicone consists of a tube with an internal diameter of 0,4 mm, connected to a round lens-shaped episcleral plate 169mm2, covering the tube orifice from above. The indications were infantile glaucoma (14 eyes), traumatic glaucoma (14 eyes), various secondary glaucomas in 12, primary open-angle glaucoma in 11, neovascular and after PPV in 10 eyes each, usually after unsuccessful previous surgery.
Results: The average follow-up time was 20,5 months (SD +- 19,5). Postoperative intraocular pressure at the last control was 6-22 mmHg in 56 eyes (50,95 %).
Life table analysis showeda cumulative probability of 494%(at least qualified success). Long-term hypotony was seen in 6 eyes.
Conclusions: The GSI is comparable with similar tube shunts but is much less expensive. In vitro experiments are planned to improve the construction of the implant and its results.