Risk factors for exposure of Baerveldt glaucoma drainage implants: a case-control study

Background Glaucoma drainage implant exposure is one of the serious complications after glaucoma drainage implant surgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risk factors for exposure of the device after implantation of a Baerveldt glaucoma drainage implant. Methods This is a retrospective review of the medical records of all patients who underwent Baerveldt glaucoma drainage implant surgery at the Hiroshima University Hospital between April 1, 2012 and October 31, 2016, and who were followed for at least 6 months after surgery. We examined the risk factors for implant exposure based on data obtained from the medical records, with a particular focus on the differences in implant models. Results A total of 80 eyes from 80 patients were identified; all patients were Japanese. In this study, the rate of Baerveldt glaucoma drainage implant exposure was 15.0% (12 of 80 eyes). The exposure rate for the BG 102-350 tended to be higher than that for the BG 101-350 and BG 103-250 (p = 0.092; adjusted odds ratio = 3.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.82-13.58). In the patients who had diabetic mellitus, the BG 102-350 showed a significant risk of implant exposure (p = 0.038; adjusted odds ratio = 15.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-202.59). Conclusions In Baerveldt glaucoma drainage implant surgery in patients with diabetes, using the BG 102-350 was associated with greater risk of implant exposure compared with using the BG 101-350 or BG 103-250.