Glaucoma Surgery- Implant Devices
Some of the implant devices used are the Ahmed and Baerveldt. They are named after their inventors.
Glaucoma Surgery
Surgery is used in the treatment of glaucoma to lower the pressure in the eye. It is done when you are taking the highest dose of your medicines and the pressure in your eye is still too high. You are at risk for permanent damage to your optic nerve and vision.
The goal of surgery is to lower the pressure in the eye by making a new channel to drain the fluid from inside the eye. The body’s own healing response is to form a scar, which can close the new drainage channel over time. Often an implant is used in a patient who has had surgery (trabeculectomy) that has failed, or in a patient who has a form of glaucoma prone to scar.
What Is an Implant Device and How Does It Work?
The implant device looks like a plastic plate attached to a tube. The tube is placed in the front part of the eye and fluid can flow from the eye through the tube under the plate which is placed behind the eye. The plate holds a space between the tissues on the surface of the eye where the fluid can collect and be absorbed by the body.
Implant Surgery
Before surgery, you are given an IV (needle in the vein of the arm). Drugs to help you relax are given through the IV. Drops are put in the eye before the surgery. The eye and the area around it are numbed so that you feel no pain in your eye.
The eye and skin will be cleaned with a yellow cleaning liquid. A protective sheet will be draped over your face. The surgeon will make a cut in the conjunctiva (the thin outer cover of the eye). The implant device is placed on the sclera (white part of the eye) about halfway back on the eyeball and is stitched down. Part of the device may pass under some of the muscles of the eye. A small hole is made where the clear cornea (front of the eye) meets the sclera. The tip of the implant tube is tucked into this hole and remains inside the front part of the eye. A patch of tissue will cover the tube where it lays on the white of the eye. In some cases, the tube’s tip may be tied off for the first few days to weeks after it is put in. The doctor will decide when to open the tube. This depends on how your eye heals. The hole in the conjunctiva is sewn shut. When the tube is opened, the fluid inside the eye will flow through the tube to the space made by the plate between the conjunctiva and sclera. The body will absorb this fluid.
Implant surgery takes about 2 hours. A patch is placed over the eye, and a metal shield is placed over the patch. Once the IV line has been removed from your arm and you feel well enough, you can return home.
Surgery using an implant device is most often a success. Three years later, about 60% of implants are working, though most patients need medicines as well. The body’s scarring response can still cause problems even with an implant device. A thick cyst can form around the plate, which can prevent drainage of the eye fluid. Sometimes drugs can be used to prevent scar tissue from forming. The doctor will decide if this is needed. This will depend on your age, if you have had eye surgery before, and how severe your glaucoma is.
What Are the Risks?
- The most common risk is that the new drain works too little or too much. If the drain works too little, the pressure in the eye remains too high and further treatment is needed to lower the pressure. You and the doctors will see each other often to adjust your medicines, push on the eye, or remove the tie that may close the implant tube for a while after surgery. If the new drain works too well, fluid may build up behind the retina (inner lining of the eye) and may cause a loss of vision for a short time. You may need to have a second surgery to refill the eye and correct the problem.
- With an implant device, the tube which leads from the front of the eye to the plate and the plate itself are covered with eye tissue during the operation. Over time, the tube or plate may wear through the tissue. If this happens, you may need to have it repaired. This is not a common problem, but you should call your doctor if you notice any change in the way your eye looks.
- The tissue around the plate may also get thick and scarred. If this happens, the fluid cannot absorb, so the eye pressure may go up. You may need further treatment to correct the problem.
- The implant device may be placed under some of the muscles in your eye. If the tissues thicken and scar around the plate or if the device itself is too thick, the muscles can be pushed out of place. You may notice double vision if this occurs. You may need special glasses or a second surgery to correct your vision.
- The tube is carefully placed in the front of the eye during the surgery. You may be able to see its tip if you look very closely, though it should not be noticed by others. If the tip of the tube touches the cornea (front surface of the eye) it may cause damage. If the tip touches the lens of the eye, it may form a cataract. It is rare for this to happen.
- Your vision might not be as sharp after your surgery. This should last only a short time. Rarely (less than 5% of cases), vision may be reduced permanently. A very rare complication is that you could go blind as a result of surgery, or much rarer still, to die during surgery.
Before the Surgery
You will have a physical before the day of surgery to make sure that it is safe for you to have an operation. This exam may include blood tests, an EKG (heart tracing), and a chest x-ray.
You should stop taking blood thinners, aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®, Nuprin®, Medipren®), naprosyn (Aleve®), anti-inflammatory arthritis medicines, or cold pills with these drugsone week before the surgery since they can cause bleeding. You should check with your own doctor for advice on stopping these drugs. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is fine to take for headache or pain.
A nurse will call you the day before surgery to tell you what time to arrive and to answer any questions you may have.
After the Surgery
The patch and shield will stay on the eye for the first day and night. You will see the doctor the next day and on a regular basis after that time. You will be given medicine to help the eye heal and to prevent swelling and infection. You should stop the glaucoma medicine you were taking in the eye that had surgery. You will be told when to restart them, if needed. Keep using the glaucoma medicines you may have been taking in the other eye.
Glasses or the eye shield should be worn at all times for the first few weeks. The eye shield should be worn at night to protect the eye. Do not do any physical activity which makes you strain or hold your breath. Do not lift over 15 to 20 pounds. Do not bend over from the waist; bend at the knees to reach low objects. You may resume sexual activities when you are comfortable. Be careful for the first few weeks.
Call the Eye Clinic right awayat (608) 263-7171 if you have
- a sudden decrease in vision.
- increased pain or discharge in the eye.
- a large increase in redness or swelling.
- nausea or vomiting.
The phone is answered 24 hours every day, 7 days a week. After hours, you will reach the paging operator. Ask for the ophthalmology resident on call. If you have any questions or concerns, please call.
If you live out of the area, call 1-800-323-8942.
The Spanish version of this Health Facts for You is #6578.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 07/12/2011
Copyright © 07/12/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#5085
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