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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2018  |  Volume : 66  |  Issue : 12  |  Page : 1820-1824

Outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery in eyes with pre-existing glaucoma drainage devices


1 Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Vitreoretinal Services, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
2 Department of Glaucoma, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Netralaya, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Date of Submission01-Apr-2018
Date of Acceptance22-Aug-2018
Date of Web Publication19-Nov-2018

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Parveen Sen
Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Vitreoretinal Services, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_438_18

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  Abstract 


Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery in eyes with preplaced glaucoma drainage device (GDD) with respect to intraocular pressure (IOP) control as well as success of retinal detachment (RD) surgery. Methods: It is a retrospective case series. The case records of patients who underwent RD surgery after GDD implantation from 2000 to 2014 were screened. The demographic data, ocular examination findings at all visits, details pertaining to retinal detachment and its repair, and the postoperative course was documented. Results: Twelve patients were included in study. The mean age of patients was 24.3 years (median 11 years; range 3-72 years). Male: Female ratio was 3:1. Mean duration between GDD and RD was 24 months (4 days-91 months). Of the ten eyes that underwent surgery, nine eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy, and in one eye scleral buckling was done. GDD was removed only in one eye. At final follow-up, retina was attached with controlled IOP in 6 (60%) eyes, of which 5 (50%) had improvement in best corrected visual acuity. Conclusion: Pars plana vitrectomy was required in almost all cases for the management of RD in eyes with preplaced GDD. Retinal reattachment with good IOP control could be achieved in 60% of eyes. Removal of the drainage device was not essential for the effective management of the RRD in most cases. With multidisciplinary approach, close follow-up and timely intervention, vision can be preserved along with glaucoma control and successful retinal reattachment.

Keywords: Glaucoma, glaucoma drainage devices, retinal detachment


How to cite this article:
Sharma U, Panda S, Balekudaru S, Lingam V, Bhende P, Sen P. Outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery in eyes with pre-existing glaucoma drainage devices. Indian J Ophthalmol 2018;66:1820-4

How to cite this URL:
Sharma U, Panda S, Balekudaru S, Lingam V, Bhende P, Sen P. Outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery in eyes with pre-existing glaucoma drainage devices. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2018 [cited 2024 Mar 29];66:1820-4. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2018/66/12/1820/245628



Glaucoma is a vision threatening condition, and glaucoma drainage devices (GDD) occupy an important place in the surgical management of glaucoma that is refractory to medications and trabeculectomy.[1] In tube versus trabeculectomy study, the cumulative probability of failure during 5 years of follow-up was 29.8% in the tube group and 46.9% in the trabeculectomy group.[2] The success rates of GDD in management of refractory glaucomas have been noted from 63% to 93% at first year and from 30% to 50% after 5 years.[3],[4],[5],[6],[7],[8],[9],[10],[11],[12],[13] Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) after GDD implantation is a known complication[14] The incidences of RRD attributable to GDD at 1, 5, and 10-years are reported to be 1.25%, 2.02%, and 2.67%, respectively.[15] RRD following GDD may not be necessarily related to GDD surgery and its management is a challenge. RRD after GDD implantation may occur in isolation in eyes with predisposing factors such as lattices, vitreous prolapse, vitreous incarceration, retinal dialysis after pars plana tube placement, or in association with choroidal detachments and suprachoroidal hemorrhage, as a result of postoperative hypotony.[16] The challenges faced are decision of vitrectomy versus scleral buckling (SB), placement of the encircling band without disturbing the function of the GDD, and choice of tamponading agent. There are very few studies describing the outcome of RRD in eyes following GDD surgery.[17],[18] Aim of this study is to evaluate the management of cases with GDD presenting with RRD and their surgical outcomes.


  Methods Top


A retrospective review was undertaken to evaluate the surgical outcomes in eyes that underwent RRD surgery following GDD implantation. Case records of patients who underwent GDD from 2000 to 2014 were screened. The patients who developed RRD post implant were included in the study. The demographic data, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), results of anterior segment and posterior segment examination at all visits using slit lamp, and indirect ophthalmoscopy were noted. Details pertaining to RRD and the surgical procedure carried out to repair it were noted. The details of the surgical method for the insertion of the GDD as well as retinal detachment repair is explained below.

Surgical method of glaucoma drainage device insertion

A corneal traction suture was placed (at 12 o' clock position for GDD planned superiorly and 6 o' clock for GDD planned inferiorly) to improve exposure in the working quadrant. A limbus-based conjunctival opening was made 5–6 mm behind the limbus to allow adequate exposure for insertion of the plate. The drainage device was anchored between 2 recti muscles with the anterior edge approximately 8–10 mm posterior to the limbus. Once the implant was appropriately positioned, the plate was secured to the globe with 2 non-absorbable sutures (9–0 nylon sutures). After the plate was anchored to the globe, tube was secured to the sclera a few millimeters anterior to the plate with a 9–0 monofilament nylon suture. The tube was inserted into the anterior chamber (AC) just anterior and parallel to the iris or behind it in pars plana. The tube was covered with partial thickness corneal or scleral patch graft to prevent its erosion through the conjunctiva. The patch graft was secured to the globe with interrupted sutures at the four corners by using 9–0 monofilament suture (Ethilon, Ethicon US). After the patch graft placement, the conjunctiva and tenon layers were pulled over the plate, tube, and patch graft and secured into place with 8–0 polygalactin suture (Vicryl, Ethicon US).

Surgical technique of retinal detachment surgery

Out of the 12 patients with RRD, ten underwent surgery. The other 2 patients were not willing for surgery and were lost to follow-up. These 2 patients were excluded from the final analysis. Decision regarding SB versus pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) was made depending upon the number, location, and extent of retinal break and the presence and severity of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). PPV was performed in nine eyes, while one eye was treated with SB. For PPV, complete vitrectomy with posterior vitreous detachment was done. Membrane peeling and sub retinal gliotic band removal followed by endolaser and intraocular tamponade was done. Precautions while sclerotomy placement and closure were taken so as not to disturb the GDD implant site. Encircling band (240) was used along with PPV in one case only. In this eye, GDD removal was done to make place for the encirclage.

SB was done in one case using 279 explant in the area of the retinal breaks inferiorly with trans-scleral cryotherapy to the retinal breaks. Encirclage was not placed so as to avoid disturbing the GDD implant site. Careful conjunctival closure was done at the end of surgery.

Successful outcome was defined by 3 criteria:

  1. Anatomical success –Attached retina at final follow-up
  2. Functional success –Attached retina with either improvement or maintenance of BCVA at the time of final follow-up
  3. Successful IOP control – The cases having anatomical attached retina with IOP less than 21 mm Hg with or without antiglaucoma medications (AGMs).


Data regarding BCVA, IOP, number of IOP lowering medications used, and postoperative complications were retrieved from the records of all patients at each visit following RD surgery.


  Results Top


Out of 656 patients who underwent GDD surgery from 2000 to 2014, 12 patients developed RRD post implant. Ahmed Glaucoma valve (New World Medical, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA) was used in 11 eyes and Aravind Aqueous Drainage Device (Aurolab, Madurai, India) in one eye.

The mean age of patients was 24.3 years (median 11 years; range 3–72 years). Male: Female ratio was 3:1. [Table 1] depicts the preoperative characteristics of patients with RRD at presentation. Five eyes had congenital glaucoma, and four eyes were diagnosed with secondary glaucoma. The causes of secondary glaucoma included trauma in three eyes and uveitis in one eye. Mean duration between insertion of GDD and presentation of RRD was 24 months (median 7.5 months; range 4 days-91 months). Varying degree of severity of PVR was found in three eyes. One eye presented with superior dialysis, one eye presented with superior breaks, one eye had break in inferotemporal quadrant, and one eye presented with multiple breaks in temporal quadrant. In eight eyes, break could not be localized.
Table 1: Preoperative findings (n=12)

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Two patients did not undergo surgical intervention and were lost to follow-up. These were excluded from the final analysis. [Table 2] summarizes the details of RRD surgery, postoperative events, and the anatomical and visual outcome after surgery. Of nine eyes undergoing vitrectomy, silicone oil was used as endotamponading agent in eight eyes; while octa-fluoro cyclo propane (C3F8) was used in one eye. The GDD was retained in nine eyes. In one case undergoing vitrectomy, where encircling band was placed, the GDD was removed during RD surgery.
Table 2: The surgical details of retina detachment repair and postoperative outcome (n=10)

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Postoperatively, 6 patients had attached retina. One patient who underwent SB, presented with recurrence of retinal detachment and subretinal fluid and gliosis. Out of 9 patients who underwent PPV, 6 patients had successfully reattached retina. One patient in whom C3F8 was used, presented with recurrent retinal detachment at 28 months.

Average BCVA after RD surgery (+1.8 Log Mar, SD +0.95 Log Mar) was better than the average BCVA on presentation with RD (+2.2 Log Mar, SD +1.0 Log Mar). Out of 6 patients with successful anatomical outcome, BCVA was improved in three eyes, while it was stable in three eyes.

In postoperative period, out of 6 patients who had achieved successful anatomical outcome, raised IOP was found in 5 patients, of which 2 cases were managed conservatively with AGMs. One patient had shallow AC with hypotony at first postoperative week and was managed with anterior chamber reformation in the immediate postoperative period. Further, in this case, increase in IOP was seen that was managed by silicone oil removal along with endocyclophotocoagulation. Endocyclophotocoagulation was done through parsplana route along with vitreoretinal procedure under local anesthesia with a diode laser probe. Silicone oil migration in AC causing tube blockade and raised IOP was found in three eyes. It was managed conservatively in 2 cases with IOP under control with AGMs. In one case, oil tap and endocyclophotocoagulation 1 month after RRD surgery was done as IOP could not be controlled with AGMs. GDD replacement was done in 2 patients. In one eye, tube blockage was seen owing to the presence of silicone oil in the AC resulting in elevated IOP refractory to AGM; oil tap was attempted along with tube re-positioning, diode cyclophotocoagulation, and YAG membranectomy; however, finally an additional GDD was required 19 months following RD surgery in the same eye. One eye that underwent GDD removal, a reimplantation was done 46 months later for elevated IOP.

The mean duration of follow-up was 24 months (median 24 months; range 8–42 months). At the final follow-up, 60% eyes achieved anatomical success, 50% achieved functional success, and 60% had successful IOP control.


  Discussion Top


This study evaluates the management of RRD in eyes with pre-existing GDD in terms of IOP control and anatomical success. In contrast to other studies done on eyes with non-valved implants, in majority of eyes in our study valved glaucoma implant was used.

RRD following GDD may not be necessarily related to GDD surgery. Majority of patients in our study had history of trauma, and other intraocular procedures prior to surgery which in itself are a risk factor for RRD.

In our study, the interval of RRD from GDD surgery ranged from 4 days to 91 months with 50% of the patients presenting within 6 months of GDD implant surgery. In the study by Waterhouse et al.,[17] 70% patients presented within 4 months. Benz et al.[18] reported the interval between glaucoma surgery and RRD to range from 1–74 months.

The goals of the treatment strategies for the management of RRD following GDD implantation are to achieve retinal reattachment without disturbing the drainage of aqueous through the tube and maintaining IOP control. In our series, 60% achieved anatomical attachment of retina which is comparable to 56% success rate reported by Waterhouse et al.[17]

In our series, all cases except one (90% of eyes) were treated with PPV. One case which had break in inferior quadrant was treated with SB though the surgery was not successful. Waterhouse et al.[17] noted increased risk of recurrence of RD in the eyes that had undergone SB. Most of the cases in our study had complicated RD that are more likely to need PPV with silicone oil than SB. In addition, PPV reduces the necessity of disturbing the GDD. However, 8/9 cases needed silicone oil as tamponade. In the series by Waterhouse et al.,[17] the primary RD repair was done with PPV in 16/17 patients, and the rate of redetachment was similar (3/10) to our series. Moreover, the use of silicone oil as endotamponade had better outcome as compared to the gas. Higher rate of recurrent RD in cases with gas tamponade was because of PVR.

In 8 out of 9 cases undergoing PPV, repair of RD could be done without encirclage. One patient underwent placement of an encircling buckle requiring removal of the GDD. Need to remove encirclage have been noted by Benz et al.[18] as well in eyes needing encirclage. Decision to place encirclage was taken in our case because of very young age of the patient (3 years). Complete removal of vitreous specially at the base would be difficult in such young eyes, so encirclage was considered necessary to support the vitreous base.

Although the mean BCVA after RD surgery (+1.8 Log Mar) was better than the BCVA on presentation of RD (+2.2 Log Mar), the visual acuity gain was limited by other pre-existing comorbidities and glaucomatous damage. Majority of patients in our study had history of other intraocular procedures including penetrating keratoplasty in 2 eyes and comorbidities that itself is a risk factor for RRD and poor visual outcome. Poor visual outcome in our case series could be attributed to pthisis (n = 2), inoperable retinal detachment (n = 2), glaucomatous optic atrophy (n = 1), epiretinal membrane formation (n = 1), and corneal opacity (n = 1). Of six eyes that had successful anatomical outcome, one eye had deterioration of vision due to advanced glaucoma. Waterhouse et al.[17] also described post RD surgery complications such as intractable glaucoma (1/16), pthisis bulbi (6/16), and recurrent RD (7/16).

In the current series, out of 6 patients who had attached retina, IOP was raised in 5 patients and needed additional anti-glaucoma medications or procedures such as cyclophotocoagulation, GDD replacement at some point of time during follow-up. In early postoperative period, oil blocking the tube was cause of raised IOP in 2 patients and was treated with oil tap, whereas in late postoperative period, 2 patients needed GDD replacement. In series by Benz et al.,[18] for 2 patients, valves were removed in postoperative period due to hypotony, whereas in current series only one patient had early postoperative hypotony and could be managed by AC reformation. None of our patients needed valve removal due to hypotony. This may be because of the fact that Ahmed drainage device which is a valved one was used in the current series in 90% patients, whereas in other studies Molteno or Baerveldt implants were used which are non-valved implants.[17],[18] These may have higher chances of postoperative hypotony.

Although our study is limited by its retrospective nature and small sample size, it does provide some useful insights into this “niche” group of patients. PPV gives better results as compared to SB; encircling band is avoided and in cases where it is necessary, it is prudent to remove the pre-existing device and reimplant it postoperatively as per the postoperative IOP, silicone oil is the preferred tamponade agent in these eyes.


  Conclusion Top


Managing a case of RRD in glaucomatous eye with pre-existing GDD is very challenging. Most of these cases require PPV that can help to reattach the retina as seen in 60% of our cases. GDD removal is not necessary. Multidisciplinary approach and multiple surgical interventions are necessary to salvage these eyes. Need for meticulous and prolonged follow-up must be discussed with patients. With careful surgical maneuvers, close follow-up and timely intervention, vision can be preserved along with glaucoma control and successful retinal attachment in eyes that develop RRD following GDD implantation.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.



 
  References Top

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Benz MS, Scott IU, Flynn HW Jr., Gedde SJ. Retinal detachment in patients with a preexisting glaucoma drainage device: Anatomic, visual acuity, and intraocular pressure outcomes. Retina 2002;22:283-7.  Back to cited text no. 18
    



 
 
    Tables

  [Table 1], [Table 2]


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