A new analysis of 38 studies involving over 1,000 eyes suggests that glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs) are effective surgical options for people with uveitic glaucoma, a challenging form of glaucoma linked to eye inflammation. The overall success rate was about 65%, meaning most eyes achieved adequate pressure control with or without additional medications. Complete success, requiring no extra drugs, occurred in about 36% of cases.
Different devices showed different strengths. The Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) led to the greatest drop in eye pressure, while the Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant (BGI) was associated with a greater reduction in the number of pressure-lowering drops needed after surgery. However, complications were common: about 23% of eyes with an AGV had high pressure after surgery, and about 18% had low pressure (hypotony).
This review pools data from many studies, but the quality of evidence is moderate. The results may vary because of differences in study designs, patient groups, and surgical techniques. Also, there is little information on newer devices like the PAUL Glaucoma Implant.
For patients with uveitic glaucoma, these findings suggest that GDDs are a reasonable surgical choice, but the choice of device should be personalized based on individual needs and risk factors. Talk to your eye doctor about which option might be best for you.
