Posters

An innovative adjustable GDD for the treatment of glaucoma: report on the first clinical results of the eyeWatch

Poster Details

First Author: A. Mermoud SWITZERLAND

Co Author(s):    A. Villamarin   S. Roy   N. Stergiopulos              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To report the first surgical cases of a continuously adjustable glaucoma drainage device (AGDD) in glaucoma surgery combined with seton tubes.

Setting:

Tube surgeries are often followed with multiples post-operative complications including ocular hypo or hyper-tension, corneal decompensation, strabismus, bleb encapsulation. Glaucoma Center Montchoisi, Allinges, Lausanne, Switzerland

Methods:

Prospective, mono-centric, clinical study. After conventional placement of a seton tube, the AGDD was inserted under a scleral flap through a paracenthesis. The implant is inserted into the anterior chamber using a 25G opening and after securing the device body, the device is connected to the drainage tube. A magnetic system allows opening or closing the system offering a precise adjustment of the intraocular pressure (IOP). During the entire postoperative follow-up, the IOP can be managed by adjusting the outflow resistance using the eyeWatch system, thus preventing the early postoperative hypotony. The main outcomes were mean IOP and postoperative complications.

Results:

5 patients were operated, with a mean follow-up of 4 ± 2 months, so far. The mean baseline IOP was 31.8±19.2 mmHg. For 4 patients, the adjustable GDD was placed under a scleral flap, while one patient, a scleral patch (Tutoplast) was placed above the device. The mean postoperative pressure after a week was 7.2±4.7 mmHg and after 3 months was 13.5±9.2.Only one patient is taking an anti glaucoma medication. None of the patients experienced complications so far.

Conclusions:

The new adjustable GDD eyeWatch can be easily implanted during glaucoma surgery to better address the hypotony phase encountered after placement of a seton tube. The system allows for opening or closing the tube with a “tap-like” mechanism. Apart from offering a precise pressure control, the beak of the implant entering the anterior chamber has a much smaller diameter compared to the classic seton tubes. This should prevent the late corneal decompensation often seen after tube implantation.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE