PURPOSE: To describe focal obstruction of drainage tubes by kinking at the
scleral entry site after pars plana insertion.
METHODS: Case study.
RESULTS: Three eyes of three patients underwent uncomplicated placement of
a Baerveldt implant into the vitreous cavity at the time of pars plana vitr
ectomy. Intraocular pressure remained increased after the procedure without
evidence of flow. Surgical exploration and modification of the tube placem
ent resulted in immediate intraocular pressure reduction. Compression of th
e tube at the scleral entry site was confirmed intraoperatively in all eyes
by ultrasound biomicroscopy.
CONCLUSION: Kinking of the tube at its scleral entry site should be recogni
zed as a possible cause of increased intraocular pressure without bleb form
ation after pars plana insertion of a glaucoma drainage implant. (Am J Opht
halmol 2001;132:413-414. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reser
ved.).