Paul Versus Baerlveldt Implant

To compare two glaucoma drainage devices (GDD): PGI vs BVT implants, for the treatment of refractive glaucoma.

There are no studies comparing the results of intraocular pressure (IOP) Paul Implant (PGI) vs Baervedlt (BVT). 

Review of glaucoma patients, with decompensated intraocular pressure (IOP) under full medical therapy and indication for a GDD. The main outcome was IOP reduction at day 1, at one month and at three months postoperative. 

35 GDD were reviewed (10 BVT, 25 PGI). Mean postoperative IOP was 26.1, 11.5, 15.2 and 12 in BVT at day 1, month 1, month 3 and month 6. In PGI, it was 14, 15, 14.7 and 15.5, respectively (p=0.005, 0.01, 0.75, 0.04). The average number of drops six months after surgery in the PGI was 2.7 and in BVT it was 2 (p=0.3). There was 3 case of hypotony in PGI and 3 in BVT (p=0.3). BVT required 9 postoperative procedures (7 suturolysis, 2 reformation of the anterior chamber with viscoelastic), while PGI required 2 (removal of prolene suture from the tube) (p=0.0005). 

Both implants were effective in reducing IOP 3 months after the surgery. PGI seems safer because it has a small risk of hypotony and less post operative procedure.