Objectives: To report the results obtained from glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation in patients with aniridia-related glaucoma and to review the literature.
Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed 6 patients who underwent GDD implantation for glaucoma secondary to congenital aniridia between April 2001 and February 2015. Data on age at surgery, gender, laterality, surgeries before GDD implantation, GDD model, concomitant ocular disorders, visual acuity, and intraocular pressure (IOP) values before and at 1 and 12 months after GDD implantation, medications, follow-up period, findings during last visit, complications, and course of disease were collected.
Results: Mean age at surgery was 16.00±12.31 years (range 5-37 years). Mean IOP was 33.00±12.11 (range 22-50) mmHg just before the GDD implantation with a mean of 3.5±1.2 medications. Mean IOP 1 month after implantation was 16.33±4.22 (range 12-24) mmHg with a mean of 1.5±0.8 medications; at 12 months, mean IOP was 19.50±4.76 (range 15-26) mmHg with 3.0±0.8 medications. At the last follow-up visit, IOP was 21.16±4.07 (range 16-26) mmHg with a mean of 3.33±0.51 medications. Mean follow-up was 19.16±8.8 (range 12-36) months. Surgical success rates were 83.3%, 66.6%, and 50.0% at 1 month, 12 months, and the last visit, respectively.
Conclusion: GDD implantation was effective in controlling aniridic glaucoma with a success rate of 83.3% at 1-month follow-up and 66.6% at 1-year follow-up. Therefore, it should be considered as an initial surgical treatment for aniridic glaucoma; the clinician should be alert for concomitant ocular disorders.
Keywords: congenital aniridia; glaucoma; Aniridia-related glaucoma; glaucoma drainage devices.