Baerveldt shunt lowers IOP

Baerveldt shunts effectively lower IOP in eyes with anterior uveal melanoma (AUM) undergoing anterior segment irradiation.

An investigation, led by Dr Eamon Sharkawi, Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules-Gonin, Université de Lausanne, Switzerland, including 31 eyes with uncontrolled IOP. Each patient underwent anterior segment proton beam radiotherapy (PBRT) and Baerveldt shunt implantation.

Postoperative assessments were conducted on day 1, weeks 1, 3, 6, 9 and months 3, 6, 9 and 12 annually thereafter. IOP that was 21 mm Hg or less was defined as a surgical success, as well as 20% reduction from baseline.

Mean preoperative IOP was recorded at 3.10 mm Hg and mean IOP at the last visit was 15.0 mm Hg. The surgical success rate was 86% after using glaucoma medications. Of the eyes studied, four had minor postoperative complications but there were no local tumour recurrences, systemic metastases or no enucleations caused by ocular hypertension.

The abstract can be found in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.