What is a baerveldt shunt?
The Baerveldt shunt is a glaucoma drainage device that is implanted into the eye to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) by draining aqueous humor fluid. Aqueous humor is not the same as tears — in patients with glaucoma, the buildup of aqueous humor fluid causes high intraocular pressure (IOP) that can damage vision.
What is a tube shunt?
Tube-shunt surgery (seton glaucoma surgery) involves placing a flexible plastic tube with an attached silicone drainage pouch in the eye to help drain fluid (aqueous humor) from the eye. This type of surgery is usually done after a trabeculectomy that failed.
How does the Ahmed glaucoma valve work?
The Ahmed valve is one type of aqueous shunt implantation that drains the aqueous humor fluid from inside the eye to a small capsule (often called bleb) behind the eyelid. Draining the fluid continuously by this method reduces pressure on the optic nerve and can prevent further loss of vision.
How long does a tube shunt last?
In terms of when to expect outcome data, completing the trial and analyzing the data will take a few years, because second tube shunts often fail three to five years out.
What is a baerveldt tube made of?
The nonvalved Baerveldt drainage device is constructed entirely of medical grade silicone. Its episcleral plate is available in different surface areas of between 200 and 500 mm2. The Baerveldt implant contains a silicone tube that is 32 mm in length and attaches to the anterior surface of the plate.
What is an aqueous shunt?
An aqueous shunt or tube is a tiny device that is used to decrease the pressure inside the eyes of people with high eye pressure or uncontrolled glaucoma (see photographs below). The device is put into the eye during an operation that allows excess aqueous humour (fluid inside the eye) to drain.
What does a tube shunt look like?
The shunt is shaped like a miniature computer mouse with a tube at the end of it. The tube portion enters the front of the eye, or anterior chamber, while the “mouse” or “plate” portion of the implant sits on the surface of the eyeball and is covered by the eyelid.
How long does a Baerveldt implant last?
They are often preferred over trabulectomy because there is a lower risk of infection and low eye pressure called hypotony. Studies show that if Baerveldt implants are still functioning successfully after five years, most continue to function long after that as well.
Where is the Ahmed valve placed?
The tube is surgically inserted into the front part of the eye allowing the aqueous fluid from inside the eye to slowly drain through the tube and into the reservoir which is placed on the outside of the eye under the conjunctiva. The fluid is then naturally absorbed by the surrounding tissue.
How long does Ahmed valve last?
Here we present very long–term (maximum of 190 months) follow-up clinical results on patients with refractory glaucoma with Ahmed glaucoma valve implants.
Is coffee bad for glaucoma?
Caffeine can increase eye pressure, which is problematic for patients with glaucoma because it’s the primary factor that causes the disease to develop. Glaucoma develops when fluid builds up in the front part of the eye and increases pressure on the optic nerve.
What is a aqueous shunt?
What is a Baerveldt Shunt?
Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant (Shunt) The Baerveldt implant is a tube that is placed into the anterior chamber (fluid filled space between the iris and cornea) of the eye that shunts the aqueous humor from the eye.
How effective is the Baerveldt Shunt for glaucoma?
The Baerveldt glaucoma implant (shunt) has a successful record of treating glaucoma that has not been well controlled with glaucoma ocular medications and laser treatment (selective laser trabeculoplasty). The shunt is being used more commonly as the primary surgical treatment for glaucoma.
What is a Baerveldt implant?
The Baerveldt implant is a tube that is placed into the anterior chamber (fluid filled space between the iris and cornea) of the eye that shunts the aqueous humor from the eye.
Is double vision a concern with a tube shunt?
With all tube shunt procedures, we have to worry about diplopia or double vision because these tubes do involve the muscles. In this case he doesn’t have any vision in his other eye, so diplopia is not a concern and that’s one of the reasons I made the decision to go with the large implant.