PRIMARY VALVE MALFUNCTION OF THE KRUPIN EYE VALVE WITH DISK

Purpose: To examine the management and possible causes of primary valv e malfunction of the Krupin eye valve with disk. Methods: The authors reviewed the results of 113 patients undergoing implantation of the Kr upin eye valve with disk and identified eight patients with primary va lve malfunction requiring surgical revision. Results: Valve revision i nvolved manipulation (n = 1 case), explantation of the malfunctioning valve and implantation of a new valve (n = 2), and amputation of the v alve (n = 5). Six of eight patients had final intraocular pressures of <21 mmHg on one or no medications at a mean interval of 15.9 months ( range 5-36) after surgical revision. Transient postoperative hypotony was noted in three patients and chronic hypotony with loss of light pe rception in one patient. One explanted valve was examined and found to have partially fused leaflets.Conclusions: Surgical revision in cases of primary valve malfunction of the Krupin eye valve with disk may be accomplished relatively safely with an acceptable level of postoperat ive complications. ?he etiology of primary valve malfunction may be re lated to the sterilization process and prolonged storage before implan tation.