KRUPIN DISK IMPLANTATION FOR COMPLICATED GLAUCOMAS

Background: The Krupin Eye Valve with Disk (Krupin disk) is a glaucoma shunt that incorporates a slit valve intended to minimize early posto perative hypotony. Methods: The medical records of all patients who ha ve undergone Krupin disk implantation at the Doheny Eye Institute betw een July 1990 and December 1992 (25 eyes of 25 patients) were reviewed . Results: Intraocular pressure (IOP) was reduced from a mean of 36.1 +/- 11.5 mmHg to 15.3 +/- 7.5 mmHg at follow-up intervals of 4 to 19 m onths (mean, 13.2 months). On the first postoperative day, IOPs ranged from 0 to 40 mmHg. In two eyes (8%), the IOP was less than 6 mmHg, an d in five eyes (20%) the IOP was more than 21 mmHg. Serous choroidal e ffusion and/or choroidal hemorrhage occurred in seven patients (28%). Six- and 12-month life-table success rates (6 less than or equal to IO P less than or equal to 21 mmHg) were 84% and 66%, respectively. Concl usion: The Krupin disk lowers IOP in most patients; however, the prese nce of a slit valve does not eliminate either early postoperative hypo tony with its attendant complications or early IOP spikes.