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Abstract #6541 Published in IGR 3-2
Late endophthalmitis associated with glaucoma drainage implants
Gedde SJ; Scott IU; Tabandeh H; Lun KKM; Budenz DL; Greenfield DS; Flynn HW JrOphthalmology 2001; 108: 1323-1327
OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical course of a series of patients who had late endophthalmitis develop after glaucoma drainage implant (GDI) surgery. DESIGN: A noncomparative, interventional, consecutive case series. PARTICIPANTS: Four patients were identified with late endophthalmitis associated with Baerveldt glaucoma implants. METHODS: The medical records of all patients with endophthalmitis associated with a GDI treated at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute or University of Florida between January 1st, 1987 and December 31st, 1999, were review retrospectively. Patients with culture-positive endophthalmitis diagnosed more than one month after GDI surgery were included in this series. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity and intraocular pressure (IOP). RESULTS: Late endophthalmitis associated with Baerveldt glaucoma implants developed seven weeks to two years postoperatively. Exposure of the GDI tube was present in all cases. The implant was removed in three of four patients. Visual acuity worsened from preinfection level in two of the four cases. IOP was controlled at last follow-up in all patients, although replacement of the explanted GDI was required in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Late endophthalmitis may occur after GDI surgery. Exposure of the GDI tube seems to represent a major risk factor in these injections. To prevent this potentially devastating complication, the authors recommend prophylactic surgical revision with a patch graft in all cases in which there is an exposed GDI tube.
Dr S.J. Gedde, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, 900 NW 17th Street, Miami, FL 33136, USA
Classification:
12.8.2 With tube implant or other drainage devices (Part of: 12 Surgical treatment > 12.8 Filtering surgery)
12.8.11 Complications, endophthalmitis (Part of: 12 Surgical treatment > 12.8 Filtering surgery)
