Ab interno implantation of glaucoma drainage devices tubes in the posterior chamber

Abstract

Background: Glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation in the anterior chamber are associated with corneal complications. We describe a novel technique to implant GDD tubes in the posterior chamber of pseudophakic eyes. Methods: Ten patients with glaucoma who required GDD tube implantation were included. Results: The new technique begins with the passage of one of two straight needles existing at each end of a 10–0 Polypropylene suture through the GDD tube. A 23-gauge needle then is inserted at an angle 180° away and passed from the anterior to the posterior chamber and finally through the sclera. The two suture straight needles from the 10–0 Polypropylene suture are positioned in the lumen of the 23-gauge needle. The 23-gauge needle is then extracted from the eye by passing the 2 needles through the lumen. The suture remains inside the posterior chamber, and the tube is inserted into the posterior chamber by pulling on the suture from the other side. No intra-operative complications were found such as bleeding, vitreous tube placement, bent tubes, etc. Conclusions: This surgical procedure to implant a tube into the posterior chamber of the pseudophakic eyes is uncomplicated and facilitates the insertion of the flexible tube into the posterior chamber. This eliminates the tendency of the tube to enter the vitreous as the tube is always placed in the posterior chamber away from the cornea.