Long-term Follow-up of a Case of Gold Shunt Surgery for Refractory Silicone Oil–induced Glaucoma

PURPOSE To report the first case of gold shunt surgery for treatment of silicone oil-induced refractory glaucoma in a tertiary care academic center, with 5-year follow-up. DESIGN The study design is a case report. PARTICIPANTS The participant was a patient who underwent gold shunt surgery. METHODS Institutional Research Ethics Board approval for the study was obtained. A diabetic patient was referred for refractory glaucoma with a history of proliferative diabetic retinal detachment, and surgery with silicone oil. She was uncontrolled on maximal medical therapy and following informed consent, gold shunt surgery was performed. Ocular outcomes and number of medications were reviewed over a 5-year period. RESULTS Following uncomplicated surgery, intraocular pressure was reduced from 41 to 14 mm Hg, and the number of medications was reduced from 4 to 1. Glaucomatous optic neuropathy remained stable. CONCLUSIONS Gold shunt surgery in this challenging case of silicone oil refractory glaucoma provided long-term intraocular pressure control and reduced need for medication over a 5-year period.