One tube for all: 1-year outcomes after transition to Paul glaucoma implant at a tertiary centre

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect and success rate of Paul glaucoma implant (PGI) in refractory glaucoma after changing practice pattern from Ahmed and Baerveldt tubes to PGI. Methods: A prospective observational study of the first 50 consecutive PGI surgeries at a single Danish tertiary centre from January 2022 to October 2023. Primary endpoints were IOP and success rates after 12 months. Secondary endpoints were the use of IOP-lowering medications and complications. All cases had a risk of failure for traditional glaucoma surgery (neovascular glaucoma, oil-filled eye or uveitis). Results: Preoperative IOP was 29.9 ± 8.6 mmHg and the mean number of topical IOP-lowering medications used was 3.4 ± 0.76 with 14 cases of systemic acetazolamide. Twelve months after surgery IOP was reduced to 11.4 ± 3.1 mmHg and complete success rate with (a) IOP≤21 mmHg was achieved in 43%, (b) IOP≤18 mmHg in 43%, (c) IOP≤15 mmHg in 41% and (d) IOP≤12 mmHg in 33%. Qualified success rate (on topical glaucoma medications) was achieved in (a) 96%, (b) 94%, (c) 86% and (d) 71% of the cases. The number of topical IOP-lowering medications was 0.9 ± 0.9 after surgery and 47% were medication free. Early (<3 months) and late (>3 months) complications were observed in 22% and 16% of patients respectively. Conclusion: This study indicates that PGI provides a good IOP-lowering effect after 12 months in a population with risk factors for failure for traditional glaucoma surgery.