Use of e-PTFE Membrane for Glaucoma Drainage Surgery

Ahn, Byung Heon; Kim, Chang Sik; Kim, Yong Baek

Abstract

A new glaucoma drainage implant, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene(e-PTFE) membrane implant, and e-PTFE-silicone tube implant were used in 11 eyes of 11 patients with recalcitrant glaucomas including neovascular glaucoma. After an average follow-up of 13 months, intraocular pressures(IOPs) decreased to the level ranging from 10 to 20mmHg in all the eyes. Five patients were not on antiglaucoma medication. Four patients required one beta blocker and/or pilocarpine. The remaining two patients still required the maximum tolerated medical therapy and were considered to have a failed drainage surgery. A temporary obstruction of the drainage tube occurred in 2 eyes with neovascular glaucoma which developed a minimal hyphema and fibrinous aqueous after surgery. Postoperative hypotony and shallow anterior chamber developed in 4 eyes, but their situations were not dangerous. The patients each had a filtration bleb postequatorially after surgery. These blebs disappeared one to seven months later. In spite of the presence of a filtration bleb, 7 eyes developed an increased IOP temporarily. The required conjunctival incision for installation of an e-PTFE drainage implant was less than 90 degrees and the overall surgical procedures seemed to be simple.