Objective: To describe a novel glaucoma drainage device fashioned from a scleral buckle and nasolacrimal silicone tube. Method: This is a case report and a description of a surgical technique. Results: A 6-year-old boy with congenital glaucoma who underwent 2 failed filter surgeries had medically uncontrolled intraocular pressures (IOP). Due to limited funds for a second glaucoma drainage device, the author utilized a portion of a scleral buckle and nasolacrimal silicone tube – the same raw materials used in the Schocket implant – to fashion a novel, non-valved glaucoma shunt that was implanted in the patient’s eye. Post-operatively, IOP was 8-10mmHg. This was sustained for 12 months without the need for supplemental anti-glaucoma medications. Postoperative complications included tube migration resulting in localized corneal decompensation and cataract formation. Conclusion The alternative GDD made from a portion of a scleral buckle and silicone tube may be an effective and economical alternative to the GDDs available in the market.
congenital glaucoma

OBJECTIVE: To identify the glaucoma clinical practice patterns among the members of the Philippine Glaucoma Society (PGS) from 2015 to 2016 using an online survey. METHODS: An online link was sent to each consenting PGS member which directed them to two poll sites. These sites asked questions about demographics and their preferred clinical practice patterns. Frequency and percent distributions were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: There was a high response rate from PGS members at 97% (42 out of 43 members). More than half of respondents (51%, n=22) defined glaucoma as glaucomatous optic neuropathy with an evident visual field loss. IOP was routinely measured by 90% (n=38) of the respondents with majority preferring to use the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) (98%, n=41). Gonioscopy was done on all new patients by all PGS members but only 62% did regular gonioscopy on follow-up consultations. Most of the respondents relied on the 90D lens (88%) to assess the optic nerve. Visual field examination (VFE) was routinely requested by all respondents. Pachymetry and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) were used sparingly at only 43% and 12% respectively. Appositional angle closure was addressed by performing laser iridotomy with majority of the respondents preferring a site that is covered by the upper eyelid (57%). Prostaglandin analogues were the top choice as first-line monotherapy for eyes with open-angle glaucoma. Majority of the respondents (55%) opted to do laser trabeculoplasty (LTP) as an adjunct to medical therapy. Mitomycin-C was the preferred intraoperative antimetabolite for trabeculectomy by 98% (n=41). Ahmed (71%, n=30) was the more favored glaucoma drainage device (GDD) by our respondents over Baerveldt (19%, n=8). CONCLUSION: This survey showed majority of the glaucoma practices of PGS members appear to adhere to the current clinical practice guidelines.
Philippines ; Glaucoma ; Tetrahymenina ; Surveys and Questionnaires