glaucoma drainage device

glaucoma drainage devices

OPHTHALMOLOGY

An implanted device used to create an alternate aqueous pathway from the anterior chamber, by channeling aqueous (humor) out of the eye through a tube to a subconjunctival bleb or to the suprachoroidal space, which is usually connected to an equatorial plate under the conjunctiva.

Indications GDDs are used to treat glaucoma unresponsive to drugs and trabeculectomy.

GDDs are the device of choice in certain conditions–e.g., neovascular glaucoma, iridocorneal endothelial–ICE syndrome, penetrating keratoplasty–PKP with glaucoma, and glaucoma post-retinal detachment surgery.

Complications Hypotony, tube obstruction, tube retraction.

Reference http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1208066-overview