Combined pars plana glaucoma drainage device placement and vitrectomy using a vitrectomy sclerotomy site for tube placement: a case series

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study is to report the safety and efficacy pars plana glaucoma drainage devices with vitrectomy using one sclerotomy sites for tube placement in patients refractory glaucoma. Methods Retrospective case series 28 eyes who underwent combined device between November 2016 September 2019 at Massachusetts Eye Ear. Main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), medication burden, best corrected visual acuity, complications. Statistical tests performed R included Kaplan-Meier analyses, Wilcoxon paired signed-rank tests, Fisher tests. Results Mean IOP decreased from 22.8 mmHg 11.8 1.5 years ( p = 0.002), mean burden 4.3 2.1 0.004). Both significantly lower all follow-up time points. probability achieving 5 < ≤ 18 least 20% reduction preoperative levels was 86.4% 1 year 59.8% years. At their last visit, three (10.7%) achieved complete success as above without medications, 14 (50.0%) qualified medications. Hypotony observed eye (3.6%) prior 3 months postoperatively 0 after months. Visual acuity unchanged or improved 23 (82.1%) follow-up. Two had a decrease > 2 lines. required subsequent vitrectomies obstruction, transient hypotony. Conclusions results are promising, resulting significant medication-burden reductions through postoperative additional risk Inserting into an existing site may potentially save surgical by obviating need create another suture ports.