PARS-PLANA BAERVELDT TUBE INSERTION WITH VITRECTOMY IN GLAUCOMAS ASSOCIATED WITH PSEUDOPHAKIA AND APHAKIA

PURPOSE: We reviewed the course of intraocular pressure, visual acuity , and complications in patients with shallow anterior chambers or vitr eous prolapse who underwent insertion of glaucoma drainage tubes throu gh the pars plana (after a complete posterior vitrectomy). METHODS: Th irteen patients (13 eyes) with uncontrolled glaucoma associated with s hallow anterior chamber or vitreous prolapse and aphakia or pseudophak ia underwent pars plana Baerveldt tube insertion after vitrectomy. RES ULTS: In 11 eyes the intraocular pressure was less than or equal to 15 mm Hg at a minimum follow-up of one year; the other two eyes underwen t additional glaucoma surgery. Two of the 11 eyes with controlled intr aocular pressure had limitation of ocular motility postoperatively. No retinal complications had occurred in any of the 13 eyes. CONCLUSION: This technique of combined pars plana vitrectomy and pars plana inser tion of a Baerveldt tube provides intraocular pressure control in eyes with shallow anterior chamber or vitreous prolapse and glaucoma assoc iated with pseudophakia or aphakia.