A ten-year study of Baerveldt glaucoma drainage device in an Australian paediatric population.
Liu Cindy Yue-Ying, Lee Allister Sebastian, Chiang Mark Yu-Ming
AI Summary
This 10-year study found Baerveldt glaucoma drainage devices effectively control IOP long-term in Australian children, especially post-cataract surgery, offering a reliable option for refractory childhood glaucoma.
Abstract
Background
Childhood glaucoma is a rare condition that presents a significant management challenge often requiring surgical intervention. This study evaluates the epidemiology, efficacy and safety profile of Baerveldt glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs) in an Australian paediatric population over ten years.
Methods
A retrospective review of all patients under 18 years who underwent anterior chamber Baerveldt 101-350 implantation between January 2014 and January 2024 in an Australian tertiary referral centre was conducted. Patient characteristics, ocular examination and surgical details were collected. Survival rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.
Results
Eighty-one Baerveldt GDDs were inserted in 80 eyes of 63 children at median 4.0 years. Prior glaucoma surgery was documented in 48.1% of cases. The most common indication was refractory glaucoma following cataract surgery (38.8%). A significant reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication requirement was observed at final follow-up (p < 0.001), with 36.3% of eyes requiring no glaucoma medications. The one-, five- and ten-year survival rates were 90.1%, 71.1% and 62.9% respectively. Twenty GDDs failed, predominantly due to elevated IOP. Complications occurred in 12.3% of cases with the most common being hypotony (4.9%) followed by tube retraction (3.7%).
Conclusion
Baerveldt 101-350 GDDs can provide effective long-term IOP control with a favourable safety profile. We noted a higher proportion of patients with glaucoma following cataract surgery in comparison to previous studies. Outcomes of this large single surgeon series compare favourably with existing literature and support the use of Baerveldt GDDs as a reliable option in childhood glaucoma refractory to other approaches.
MeSH Terms
Shields Classification
Key Concepts5
The most common indication for Baerveldt 101-350 implantation in an Australian paediatric population was refractory glaucoma following cataract surgery (38.8%).
Baerveldt glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs) achieved a significant reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication requirement at final follow-up (p < 0.001) in an Australian paediatric population, with 36.3% of eyes requiring no glaucoma medications.
The one-, five-, and ten-year survival rates for Baerveldt 101-350 glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs) in an Australian paediatric population were 90.1%, 71.1%, and 62.9% respectively, with 20 GDDs failing predominantly due to elevated IOP.
Complications occurred in 12.3% of cases following Baerveldt 101-350 implantation in an Australian paediatric population, with the most common being hypotony (4.9%) followed by tube retraction (3.7%).
Eighty-one Baerveldt glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs) were inserted in 80 eyes of 63 children at a median age of 4.0 years in an Australian tertiary referral centre between January 2014 and January 2024.
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