Our Experience in Applying the National Polymer Microshunt in Refractory Glaucoma Surgery

Abstract

Purpose. To analyze the outcomes of the national polymer microshunt implantation in refractory glaucoma surgery and to show its efficacy and safety. Patients and methods. We analyzed the results of treatment of 90 patients (90 eyes) with refractory glaucoma. All patients were divided into two groups: main group and comparison group. The patients in the main group (44 eyes) were implanted with the national polymer microshunt (Reper-NN). The patients in the comparison group (46 eyes) were implanted with Ex-PRESS. Control criteria in the postoperative period included visometry, tonometry by Maklakov, computed perimetry. The examinations were performed preoperatively, at discharge, in a month, in six months and later postoperatively.Results. When implanting the national polymer microshunt we reached the significant decrease in the intraocular pressure in the postoperative period in comparison with the preoperative level. The implantation outcomes of the national polymer microshunt and Ex-PRESS were comparable in efficacy and safety. The easy implantation and special construction of the national polymer microshunt provided with the sufficient efficacy and safety in refractory glaucoma surgery and allowed recommending its further application in the clinical practice.Conclusion. The use of Reper-NN microshunt is effective and safe method of treating refractory glaucoma. The implantation of this shunt may be the method of choice both in primary and secondary refractory glaucoma surgery. The least price of Reper-NN microshunt in comparison with the foreign analogue allows this surgery to be more available for patients with refractory glaucoma.

Keywords

• refractory glaucoma
• open-angle glaucoma
• polymer microshunt
• ex-press shunt
• tonometry
• intraocular pressure
• glaucoma surgery