Visual outcomes and risk factors of uveitis cataract eyes after phacoemulsification and manual small-incision cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To examine the visual outcomes and risk factors of uveitis cataract eyes after phacoemulsification and manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS). SETTING: Tertiary-care eye hospital in southern India. DESIGN: Retrospective interventional case series. METHODS: Of the uveitis eyes operated for cataract surgery between 2017 and 2020, eyes with a minimum of 6 months postoperative follow-up were included. Eyes with ocular trauma, lens subluxation, lens-induced uveitis, or retinal detachment-induced uveitis were excluded. Demography, visual acuity, intraoperative and postoperative records, and surgical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: 191 eyes of 191 patients with a mean age of 51.7 ± 14.4 years were included. Phacoemulsification was performed in 134 eyes, and 57 eyes underwent MSICS. Synechiolysis and pupil-expanding maneuvers were required in 74 eyes (38.7%). No differences were noted in the rates of complications between phacoemulsification and MSICS eyes, except at 1 year, where higher rates of posterior capsular opacification and vitritis were noted in MSICS eyes ( P = .018). The visual outcomes of eyes that underwent MSICS and phacoemulsification were comparable ( P = .463). In 12 eyes (13.5%), improvement in vision was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows phacoemulsification may be a preferred technique in uveitis cataracts, given the lesser incidence of postoperative complications. Patients should be counseled for realistic expectations.

Incidence, outcomes, and risk of surgical failure after development of early hypotony following Aurolab aqueous drainage implant surgery.

Purpose: To report the incidence, outcomes, and risk of surgical failure after early postoperative hypotony following Aurolab Aqueous Drainage Implant (AADI) surgery for adult and pediatric refractory glaucoma. Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent AADI between January 2013 and March 2017 with a minimum of 2-years follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Early postoperative hypotony was defined as IOP ≤5 mmHg within the first 3 months after AADI. Surgical failure of AADI was defined as IOP >21 mmHg or reduced <20% below baseline on two consecutive follow-up visits after 3 months, IOP ≤5 mmHg on two consecutive follow-up visits after 3 months, reoperation for glaucoma or a complication, or loss of light perception vision. Results: Early postoperative hypotony was seen in 15/213 eyes (7%) in the adult group and in 6/101 eyes (6%) in the pediatric group. The onset of hypotony was significantly earlier in the pediatric group (median = 39 days post AADI, IQR = 20-58 days) compared with adult eyes (median = 51 days post AADI, IQR = 30-72 days) (P = 0.02). Eyes with early postoperative hypotony did not have an increased risk of cumulative surgical failure as compared with eyes without hypotony in both adult (33.3% vs. 23.7%; P = 0.48) and pediatric (33.3% vs. 13.7%; P = 0.16) refractory glaucoma. All eyes recovered from hypotony, though one adult eye developed retinal detachment and one pediatric eye developed corneal decompensation and lost vision. Conclusion: Early postoperative hypotony was an infrequent complication post AADI and occurred earlier in pediatric eyes. Early postoperative hypotony did not increase risk of surgical failure up to 2 years.

Intermediate-term outcomes of the Aurolab aqueous drainage implant in neovascular glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To assess the outcomes of the non-valved Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) in neovascular glaucoma (NVG). METHODS: Data of consecutive patients with NVG who underwent AADI and had a minimum follow-up of 2 years were included. The primary outcome measure was the cumulative rate of surgical failure defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) >21 mm Hg or reduced <20% below baseline, IOP ≤5 mm Hg, reoperation for glaucoma or a complication, or loss of light perception vision. RESULTS: We included 85 eyes of 85 patients with NVG, with a mean age of 61.2±9.3 years. The most common aetiologies were proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n=43) and central retinal vein occlusion (n=24). The mean IOP decreased from 36.8±12.5 mm Hg at baseline to 15.8±7.5 mm Hg at 2-year follow-up (p<0.001) and the number of IOP-lowering medications reduced from 3.4±0.8 to 1.5±1.1 (p<0.001). The cumulative rate of failure increased from 3.1% (95% CI 1.1% to 11.8%) at 1 year to 33.8% (95% CI 20.4% to 52.5%) at 2 years. Multivariable analysis showed that eyes with open angles had a lower risk of failure (HR 0.17, 95% CI 0.10 to 1.03, p=0.09). The logarithm of minimum angle of resolution visual acuity declined from 0.98±0.7 to 1.8±1.0 at 2 years (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Approximately one-third of NVG eyes that received the AADI failed after 2 years of follow-up similar to other series. Early AADI implantation at the open angle stage of NVG may yield better results.

Short-term surgical outcomes of twin-site combined phaco-emulsification and mitomycin-C augmented trabeculectomy in pseudo-exfoliation glaucoma versus primary open-angle glaucoma.

Purpose: To compare the short-term outcomes of combined phaco-emulsification with posterior chamber intra-ocular lens and mitomycin augmented trabeculectomy in patients with pseudo-exfoliation glaucoma (PXFG) versus primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: A total of 144 eyes of 144 patients were enrolled in this prospective interventional comparative study, 72 each of which had PXFG and POAG, respectively. All patients underwent twin-site combined phaco-trabeculectomy at a tertiary eye center in India between December 2017 and December 2018 and were followed up for a period of 12 months. The main outcome measures were intra-ocular pressure (IOP), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), total surgical time, rate of intra-operative and post-operative complications, and the number of ocular hypotensive medications needed. Success rates were determined via Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results: The mean age was 63.9 ± 7.9 years in the POAG group and 66.4 ± 6.8 years in the PXFG group (P - 0.04). The baseline BCVA, IOP, and cup-disc ratio were comparable between two groups. Intra-operative complications and post-operative outcomes were comparable between the two groups. There was a significant drop in anti-glaucoma medications in both groups. Six patients, three (4.2%) in each group, were lost to follow-up after 6 months. Three patients (4.2%) in PXFG needed additional glaucoma intervention for controlling IOP, one patient needed a non-valved glaucoma drainage device, and two patients required diode cyclo-photocoagulation within the follow-up period. Conclusion: Patients with PXFG had a longer surgical time than POAG. Similar success and complication rates were observed following combined twin-site phaco-trabeculectomy in both POAG and PXFG at 1 year. Combined glaucoma surgery resulted in good IOP control, improvement in BCVA, and lower requirement of ocular hypotensives in both the groups.

Intermediate-term outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and Aurolab aqueous drainage implant in eyes with refractory glaucoma and coexistent cataract.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of non-valved Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) surgery combined with phacoemulsification in eyes with refractory glaucoma and coexistent cataract. METHODS: Included patients of 18 years or older who underwent combined AADI-Phacoemulsification from June 2015 to January 2017 with at least 12 months of consecutive follow-up. The best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and the number of IOP-lowering medications were recorded at baseline, 2 weeks, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Cumulative probability of success was defined as IOP < 18 mmHg or 30% reduction from the baseline at two consecutive postoperative visits after 3-months. Loss of light perception or reoperation for uncontrolled glaucoma or a complication was considered failure apart from IOP criteria. RESULTS: Seventeen eyes of 17 patients with a mean follow-up of 22.6 ± 4.0 months were included. Baseline IOP and ocular hypotensive drugs reduced significantly from 27.9 ± 7.6 mmHg to 14.0 ± 3.0 mmHg (p < 0.001) and 3.24 ± 0.7 to 1.33 ± 1.1 (p = 0.001), respectively, at 24 months. Cumulative probability of qualified success was 71.4% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 40.6-88.2%) at 3 months and was maintained from 6 months onwards at 64.3% (95% CI 34.3-83.3%), up to 2 years. Intravitreal steroid was injected in one eye (5.9%) of chronic cystoid macular edema, and tube repositioning was done in another for focal corneal decompensation. CONCLUSIONS: Combined AADI-Phacoemulsification surgery is a safe and effective option in providing favorable visual and IOP outcomes at an affordable cost in eyes with refractory glaucoma and coexistent cataract.

Management of a recurrent encapsulated bleb with a cost-effective non-valved glaucoma drainage device.

Despite the advancements in the surgical management of glaucoma, childhood glaucoma remains a challenging surgical disease worldwide. An early adolescent boy with primary congenital glaucoma, status after glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation, on maximum medical therapy, was presented with a swelling in the superotemporal orbital region. The patient had undergone an uneventful GDD implantation 2 years prior to presentation. A similar swelling, which was diagnosed to be a Tenon's cyst, had been excised on three earlier occasions. Given that the repeat capsular excision would also have the same likelihood of failure, and poor intraocular pressure control, a non-valved, cost-effective Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI, Aurolab, Madurai, India) implantation was done inferonasally. In this patient, AADI proved to be a safe and effective alternative for the known GDDs.

Cataract surgery risk stratification in phacoemulsification and manual small incision cataract surgery in a teaching hospital.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a system that objectively assesses the risk of cataract surgery complications performed with phacoemulsification and manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) techniques. METHODS: The study was a retrospective comparative interventional case series. Electronic medical records of consecutive eyes that underwent cataract surgery from January 2019 to December 2019 were evaluated. Patient's demographic data and preoperative risk factors were identified, and cataract was categorized as per Lens Opacities Classification System (III). Cataract eyes were grouped into normal cataract cases (G1) and complex cataract cases (G2 and G3), based on the risk factors. The rate of complications in each group and the rate of each complication were calculated and compared. RESULTS: The overall rate of anyone complication was 2.2% with 2.3% in G1, 1.0% in G2 and 3.9% in G3 (p < 0.001). MSICS technique, mostly used for complex cases (54.2%), reported a higher complication rate than the phacoemulsification technique (2.9% vs 1.4%, p < 0.001). However, the complication rates among the normal and complex cases were similar (2.3% vs 2.2%, p = 0.376). The total posterior capsular tear rate was 1.1% with no vitreous loss in nearly 1 in eight eyes. CONCLUSION: A preoperative risk stratification system is crucial for obtaining informed consent and better allocation of cases to surgeons based on their expertise to minimize intraoperative complications.

Outcomes of manual small incision cataract surgery and phacoemulsification in eyes with chorioretinal coloboma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate outcomes of manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) and phacoemulsification in eyes with chorioretinal coloboma. SETTING: Tertiary eye center, South India. DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: Electronic medical records of 71 patients with chorioretinal coloboma undergoing cataract surgery from January 2017 to December 2019 were evaluated. Demographics, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), slitlamp biomicroscopy findings, grade of cataract, type of coloboma and associated posterior segment pathology, outcomes of different surgical techniques and risk factors for poor visual outcomes, and intraoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 78 eyes studied, 53.9% eyes achieved visual outcome of 20/40 or greater and 20.5% eyes achieved CDVA less than 20/200. For the MSICS group, the median preoperative CDVA was 1.78 (interquartile range [IQR] 1.08 to 2.60) logMAR), which improved to 0.60 (IQR 0.30-1.08) logMAR postoperatively. In phacoemulsification group, the CDVA improved from 0.78 (IQR 0.60-1.00) logMAR to 0.18 (IQR 0.18-0.30) logMAR. Statistically significant visual improvement was noticed in both groups (P < .001 in both). However, eyes that underwent phacoemulsification showed better visual recovery (P < .001). The mean age at presentation was 49.7 ± 10.8 years. MSICS was the most commonly performed surgery (61.54%), and 62 eyes had uneventful cataract surgery. Twelve eyes in MSICS group and 4 eyes in phacoemulsification group had intraoperative complications. Poor visual outcome was associated with male sex, microcornea, hard cataracts, and macular involvement of coloboma. CONCLUSIONS: MSICS is an alternative to phacoemulsification in colobomatous eyes with advanced cataract. Hard cataract and microcornea were risk factors for intraoperative complications. Significant postoperative improvement in CDVA was noticed in both macula involved and macula not involved groups.

Outcomes of Glaucoma Drainage Device Implantation and Trabeculectomy With Mitomycin C in Glaucoma Secondary to Aniridia.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI; Aurolab) placement and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC) in patients with glaucoma secondary to aniridia. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative interventional case series. METHODS: This study included patients with congenital aniridia who underwent AADI implantation or trabeculectomy with MMC. Surgical failure was defined as IOP > 21 mm Hg or reduced <20% from baseline, IOP ≤ 5 mm Hg, reoperation for glaucoma or a complication, or loss of light perception vision. RESULTS: A total of 30 eyes of 30 patients underwent surgical treatment, including 18 eyes that received an AADI and 12 eyes that had a trabeculectomy with MMC. The cumulative probability of failure at 2 years was 11.1% (95% CI = 2.9%-37.6%) in the AADI group and 58.3% (95% CI = 33.5%-84.8%) in the trabeculectomy group (P = .05, log-rank). At 2 years, IOP (mean ± SD) was 14.1 ± 2.8 mm Hg in the AADI group and 19.6 ± 6.6 mm Hg in the trabeculectomy group (P = .02), and the number of glaucoma medications was 1.7 ± 0.9 in the AADI group and 2.2 ± 0.8 in the trabeculectomy group (P = .25). Surgical complications developed in 1 patient in each treatment group (P = .65). Cataract surgery was performed in 5 (42%) patients in the trabeculectomy group and no patients in the AADI group (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Placement of an AADI resulted in lower IOP and a higher rate of surgical success compared to trabeculectomy with MMC in eyes with glaucoma associated with aniridia. Cataract extraction was more frequently required after trabeculectomy with MMC than AADI implantation.

A comparative study on endothelial cell loss in nanophthalmic eyes undergoing cataract surgery by phacoemulsification.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the endothelial cell loss (ECL) in nanophthalmic eyes and age-matched controls undergoing cataract surgery by phacoemulsification and also to identify the risk factors influencing the endothelial cell density (ECD). This was a prospective comparative interventional case series. Methods: We enrolled 19 nanophthalmic eyes (study group) and 42 age-matched cataract controls (control group) undergoing phacoemulsification after meeting the inclusion criteria. Ocular parameters like best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, pachymetry, specular microscopy, and slit lamp findings were noted preoperatively and at month 1 and 3 postsurgery. All nanophthalmic eyes underwent cataract surgery with concomitant prophylactic posterior sclerostomy. Results: The median percentage endothelial loss in nanophthalmic eyes was 4.0 (IQR 0-23.5), 7.4 (IQR 1.0--22.4) at 1 and 3 months postoperatively compared to 6.3 (IQR 1.7-14.1) and 6.4 (IQR 2.6--12.1) in age controlled normal eyes (P = 0.94, P = 0.46, respectively). Linear regression analysis showed increasing age as the only variable influencing the percentage decrease in corneal ECD in the study group (P = 0.001). Nanophthalmic eyes with ACD <2.5 mm had a significantly greater reduction in ECD at 3 months postcataract surgery compared to baseline (P = 0.039). Visual outcomes and IOP reduction in the study group with ACD >2.5 mm were significantly better postcataract surgery (P = 0.02 and P = 0.002, respectively). Conclusion: The percentage of ECL in nanophthalmic eyes undergoing phacoemulsification is equivalent to normal eyes. However, in the nanophthamic eyes with AC depth <2.5 mm, the percentage cell loss was significantly higher warranting the need for extensive intraoperative care. Increasing age was found to be the only significant risk factor influencing the ECD in short eyes.

Comparison of outcomes between Aurolab aqueous drainage implant placed in the superotemporal versus inferonasal quadrant.

AIM: To determine the outcomes of Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) placed in the superotemporal versus the inferonasal quadrant in adult eyes with refractory glaucoma. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of eyes that had AADI placement and completed a minimum of 2-year follow-up. The choice of the quadrant was at the surgeon's discretion and mainly depended on the amount of scarring and conjunctival mobility. The cumulative failure rate of the AADI was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) >21 mm Hg or not reduced by 20% below baseline on two consecutive follow-up visits after 3 months, IOP ≤5 mm Hg on two consecutive follow-up visits after 3 months, reoperation for glaucoma or a complication, or loss of light perception vision. RESULTS: We included 84 eyes with AADI in the inferonasal quadrant versus 69 eyes in the superotemporal quadrant. A significant drop in IOP was seen in both groups (18.4±10.4 mm Hg in the inferonasal group vs 17.7±11.1 mm Hg in the superotemporal group; p=0.63) at 3-month follow-up and this was maintained until last follow-up. Best-corrected visual acuity, IOP, number of IOP-lowering medications and complications were similar between the two groups at all time points. The cumulative success rate at 2-year follow-up without IOP-lowering medications was 57.1% (47.1%-68.1%) in the inferonasal group and 50.7% (39.8%-63.1%) in the superotemporal group (p=0.47). CONCLUSIONS: Inferonasal AADI placement appears to be an equally safe and effective surgical option compared with superotemporal AADI placement and may be helpful in certain clinical situations.

Incidence and Outcomes of Hypertensive Phase Following Aurolab Aqueous Drainage Implant Surgery in Adults with Refractory Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To report the incidence and outcomes of hypertensive phase (HP) following Aurolab Aqueous Drainage Implant (AADI) (Aurolab) surgery in adults with refractory glaucoma. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. METHODS: All eyes that received the AADI and had a minimum of 2-year follow-up were identified, and data of patients who had intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤21 mm Hg at 6 weeks (ie, the time at which the tube-ligature suture dissolves) were used for statistical analysis. HP was defined as IOP >21 mm Hg during the first 3 months after the release of the tube ligating suture (with or without medications) in the absence of tube obstruction. RESULTS: A total of 200 eyes were included in the study, and HP was seen in 64 eyes (32%) with a peak IOP (mean ± SD) of 29.6 ± 7.8 mm Hg and peak incidence at 2-3 months after surgery. HP resolved within 3 months of its onset in 60 of the 64 eyes (94%) with additional IOP-lowering medications. The cumulative success rates were 71.8% (95% CI = 59.3%-81.2%) in HP eyes and 76.4% (95% CI = 68.7%-82.7%) in non-HP eyes (P = .23). Unadjusted Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that eyes experiencing HP had a marginally higher risk of failure (HR = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.6-2.1), but this relationship was not statistically significant (P = .61). CONCLUSIONS: A third of eyes that underwent AADI placement experienced HP. HP was successfully managed with additional IOP-lowering medications in a majority of cases and did not have a significant influence on long-term success rate.

Surgical Outcomes of Superotemporal Versus Inferonasal Placement of Aurolab Aqueous Drainage Implant in Refractory Pediatric Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: We sought to describe the outcomes of the Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) placed in the superotemporal (ST) versus the inferonasal (IN) quadrant in pediatric eyes with refractory glaucoma. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative interventional case series. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients ≤18 years of age who underwent AADI implantation and completed a minimum of 2-year follow-up. The choice of the quadrant depended upon the amount of scarring and conjunctival mobility. Cumulative success at 2 years was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤21 mm Hg or reduced by ≥20% below baseline on 2 consecutive follow-up visits after 3 months, IOP ≤5 mm Hg on 2 consecutive follow-up visits after 3 months, reoperation for glaucoma or a complication, or loss of light perception vision. RESULTS: A total of 144 patients (144 eyes) underwent AADI placement, including 48 eyes (33%) in the IN and 96 eyes (67%) in the ST quadrants. The IOP was significantly higher in the IN group (17.5 ± 7.4 mm Hg vs 13.7 ± 6.2 mm Hg, P = .005) with a greater number of medications (1.5 ± 1.0 vs 0.8 ± 0.9, P = .001) after 2 years of follow-up. Cumulative success rates at 2 years were 50.7% (95% confidence interval 35.4%-63.9%) in the IN group and 65.6% (95% confidence interval 56.5%-75.7%) in the ST group (P = .15). Complications occurred more frequently in the IN group, with significantly more tube exposure (12% vs 0%, P = .05). CONCLUSIONS: Placement of the AADI in the ST quadrant has better IOP-related outcomes and is a safer surgical option in pediatric eyes compared with the IN quadrant. It may be prudent to avoid AADI in the IN quadrant in children unless the ST location is not a viable option.

Aurolab Aqueous Drainage Implant With and Without Scleral Patch Graft in Refractory Adult and Pediatric Glaucomas: A Comparative Study.

PURPOSE: To compare the 2-year outcomes of eyes that received the Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) with and without a scleral patch graft. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative interventional case series. METHODS: Eyes with AADI and a minimum of a 2-year follow-up were included. Eyes that underwent implantation before January 2016 had surgery with a scleral patch graft covering the distal end of the tube, whereas those that were implanted after this period underwent surgery using a needle-generated scleral tunnel without the patch graft. The cumulative failure of the AADI was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) >18 mm Hg or not reduced by 30% below baseline on 2 consecutive follow-up visits after 3 months. RESULTS: We included 215 adult eyes (n = 147 with patch graft, n = 68 without patch graft) and 111 pediatric eyes (n = 73 with patch graft, n = 38 without a patch graft). The mean IOP in eyes without the patch graft was higher at 1 month in adult eyes (before, 27.5 ± 14.1 vs after, 22.3 ± 11.1; P = .01) but not in pediatric eyes (14.3 ± before, 5.8 vs after, 17.8 ± 11.0; P = .39); there were no differences in IOP, vision, number of antiglaucoma medications, and complications between groups at all other time points. None of the eyes without the patch graft experienced tube exposure. Cumulative success rates at 2 years in adults (66.2% vs 63.9%, respectively; P = .85) were similar to those in children (77.2% vs 71.9%, respectively; P = .83) with both techniques. CONCLUSIONS: AADI placed without a scleral patch graft is as safe and effective as AADI placed with a patch graft in pediatric and adult refractory glaucomas.

Intermediate-term outcomes of Aurolab aqueous drainage implant in refractory paediatric glaucoma.

AIM: To report the intermediate-term outcomes of Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) surgery in paediatric eyes with refractory glaucoma. METHODS: Case records of patients below 18 years, who underwent AADI surgery between 2012 and 2015 with >2 years follow-up, were analysed. The intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, number of antiglaucoma medications, complications and resurgery if any were recorded at baseline, day 1and then at months 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 and at the last visit. Failure was defined as IOP >18 mm Hg or not reduced by at least 30% below baseline, IOP ≤5 mm Hg on two consecutive follow-up visits after 3 months, reoperation for a complication or loss of light perception vision. RESULTS: 101 eyes of 101 patients were included with a mean age of 10.4±4.7 years at the time of surgery and a mean follow-up of 40.9±15.1 months. Glaucoma following cataract surgery was the most common type of glaucoma (n=31, 30%), followed by primary congenital glaucoma (n=29, 29%). The cumulative probability of failure was 15.8% (95% CI 10.1% to 24.5%) at 1 year, 22.7% (95% CI 15.7% to 32.2%) at 2 years, 42.5% (95% CI 32.6% to 53.9%) at 3 years and 62.1% (95% CI 49.5% to 74.8%) at the 4 years time point. CONCLUSION: The AADI showed excellent success until 2 years after surgery in paediatric eyes after which failure rates increased. Further prospective studies with longer follow-up are required to evaluate the long-term success of the AADI for paediatric glaucomas.

Intermediate-term outcomes of pars plana tube insertion of Aurolab aqueous drainage implant for refractory glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To report the safety and efficacy of parsplana tube insertion of Aurolab aqueous drainage implant(AADI) in patients with refractory glaucoma. METHODS: Charts of patients with refractory glaucoma who underwent AADI via the parsplana route between June 2014 and June 2018with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were retrospectively reviewed. Success was defined as complete when the intraocular pressure (IOP) was ≥5 and18 mmHg or IOP reduction was >30%from baseline without antiglaucoma medication (AGM) andas qualified if requiring additional AGMs. RESULTS: The study included 63 eyes of 63 patients with a mean age of 36.1±20.6 years and a mean follow-up of 19.7±15.7 months. Glaucoma postvitreoretinal surgery was the the most common aetiology (22 eyes, 35%). The mean IOP reduced from 36.6±10.7 mmHg to15.7±8.2 (57.1%), 15.02±7.3 (60%) and 17.2±8.5 mmHg (53%)at 6 months and 1 and 2 years, respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that the cumulative probabilities of failure were 8% (95% CI4.3% to 22.4%) at 6 months, 23% (95%CI12.8% to 38.6%) at 1 year, 30% (95%CI17.4% to 45.9%) at 18 months and 47% (95% CI13.4% to 64.9%) at the 2 years time points.Vitreous blocking tube tip was noted up to 8% of eyes on follow-up. CONCLUSION: Pars plana AADI insertion is a useful procedure for the control of IOP in patients with refractory glaucoma.

Intermediate-Term Outcomes of an Affordable Aqueous Drainage Implant in Adults with Refractory Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of Aurolab Aqueous Drainage Implant (AADI) (Aurolab, Madurai, India) surgery in adults with refractory glaucoma. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Patients 18 years of age or older who underwent AADI surgery between January 2012 and December 2015 for refractory glaucoma with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. METHODS: Case records of eligible patients were evaluated for demographics, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and indication for AADI surgery. The intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of antiglaucoma medications (AGMs) were recorded at baseline, at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months, and at the last visit after 24 months if any from the case files. Complications during or at any time point after surgery were also recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cumulative failure rate of the AADI was defined as IOP > 18 mmHg or not reduced by 30% below baseline on 2 consecutive follow-up visits after 3 months, IOP ≤ 6 mmHg on 2 consecutive follow-up visits after 3 months, reoperation for glaucoma, or loss of light perception vision. RESULTS: A total of 158 eyes of 158 patients with a mean age of 45.4±17.4 years and mean follow-up of 41.9±14.7 months were included in the analysis. Secondary open-angle glaucoma (n = 71, 45%) was the most common form of glaucoma. The mean preoperative IOP was 34.7±9.9 mmHg with 3.2±0.7 AGMs. At 1 year, the mean IOP decreased to 15.10±6.7 mmHg with 1.5±1.1 medications, and this was maintained at 2 years. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that the cumulative probability of failure was 9.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.8-15.2) at 1 year, 27.8% (95% CI, 21.5-35.5) at 2 years, 38.9% (95% CI, 31.1-47.8) at 3 years, and 50.1% (95% CI, 40.5-60.6) at 4 years. Forty-seven complications were observed in 38 eyes (24%), most of which were transient and did not require surgical intervention. The AADI tube exposure (n = 1), retraction (n = 1), plate exposure (n = 1), and plate displacement (n = 1) were seen rarely. CONCLUSIONS: The AADI appears to have good efficacy and safety for managing eyes with refractory glaucoma. Longer follow-up studies are required to determine long-term cumulative failure rates.