Background and objective: To determine the efficacy of surgical revision of glaucoma shunt implants in patients with advanced glaucoma.
Patients and methods: The records of 13 patients who underwent revision of their shunt implants were retrospectively reviewed.
Results: Surgical success was achieved in: 3 of 3 patients (100%) with drainage tube malposition or extrusion; 1 of 6 patients (17%) with occlusion of the intracameral portion of the drainage tube; and 1 of 4 patients (25%) with elevated intraocular pressure secondary to fibrous capsule formation over the implant.
Conclusions: Surgical revision of glaucoma shunt implants is a useful procedure in patients who develop tube malposition or extrusion. Surgical revision is much less effective in patients with tube occlusion or fibrous capsule formation. Failure of the shunts due to recurrent fibrosis is commonly observed.