Cutting Edge Glaucoma - Issue 2

Abstract Purpose: Cataract surgery has been reported to adversely affect the IOP control in eyes with the glaucoma drainage implant (GDI). One reason might be the flow of lens debris/viscoelastic mate- rial through the GDI tube into the bleb. This pilot study was conducted to determine the clinical results of a novel technique for temporary occlusion of the GDI tube with an iris retractor hook during phacoemulsification. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 15 patients (control group) who underwent phacoemulsifica- tion between January 2005 and December 2010 and 17 patients (treatment group) who under- went phacoemulsification with the hooked tube technique between January 2011 and April 2016 with a minimum 1-year follow-up. Results: The IOP remained within 4 mmHg of the preoperative level in all eyes of the treatment group. Three eyes exhibited IOP spikes (≥ 10 mmHg) among controls. The mean postoperative IOP at 1 month was statistically significantly increased in the control group compared with the treatment group ( P = 0.040). The number of antiglaucoma medications at 3 and 6 months was significantly increased in the control group (1.4 ± 1.1 vs. 1.7 ± 1.1; P = 0.041, 1.4 ± 1.1 vs. 2.3 ± 1.2; P = 0.017, respectively). After phacoemulsification, there was a significant increase in the mean number of antiglaucoma medications used at 6 months in the control group compared with the treatment group ( P = 0.049). In both groups, one eye developed corneal decompensation. Cataract Surgery in Patients with Glaucoma Drainage Implants: The Hooked Tube Technique JuhaVälimäki J. Välimäki (  ) Department of Ophthalmology, Päijät-Hämeen Central Hospital, PHHYKY, Keskussairaalankatu 7, 15850 Lahti, Finland e-mail: juha.valimaki@phhyky.fi