Deep sclerectomy with SkGel implant: 5-year results

Purpose: To evaluate the results of deep sclerectomy with SkGel at 3 and 5 years. Materials and Methods: This retrospective trial comprised 200 eyes with open angle glaucoma having a 3-year follow-up, 97 having a 5-year follow-up. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and slit-lamp examination were recorded at baseline and at follow-up visits. Visual field (VF) testing was repeated every 6 months. Results: Mean IOP decreased from 21.01 +/- 5.56mm Hg before surgery to 13.13 +/- 2.24mm Hg at 36 months and from 20.61 +/- 5.50 to 12.85 +/- 1.84 mm Hg at 60 months (P < 0.0005). At 3 and 5 years, complete success rates (IOP <= 16 mm Hg without medications) were 67.50% and 64.95%, partial success rates were (IOP <= 16 mm Hg with medications) 21.50% and 24.74%, and failure rates were (IOP > 16 mm Hg) 11% and 10.31%, respectively. VF testing revealed stable mean deviation and corrected pattern standard deviation values at 3 and 5 years (P > 0.05). At 3 years, success rate was greater if goniopuncture was performed within 3 months after surgery (P = 0.022). Complications of the surgery were not observed after gonio-punctures. Conclusions: Deep sclerectomy with SkGel provides stable control of IOP and VF.