[Long-term experience with glaucoma silicone implants in a multicenter study].

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 169 mm2, 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 showed a 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.