Childhood Glaucoma: Long-term Outcomes of Glaucoma Drainage Device Implantation within the First Two Years of Life.

PRéCIS:: Glaucoma drainage device implantation within the first 2 years of life yields an overall success rate of 59.0% at 5 years. It is safe and requires a relatively low number of post-operative interventions.To evaluate the long-term outcomes of the treatment of childhood glaucoma with glaucoma drainage devices (GDD) within the first two years of life.43 children (60 eyes) having undergone GDD implantation within the first two years of life at Moorfields Eye Hospital between 07/2005 and 11/2014 were included in this retrospective case series. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were created for the evaluation of surgical success. Log-Rank analysis was performed for the detection of risk factors for failure.Overall success rates at 1, 5 and 7 years after surgery. Surgical success: intraocular pressure ≥5▒mmHg/≤21▒mmHg, no further glaucoma surgery required, non-occurrence of loss of perception of light or devastating complications.Median duration of follow-up: 48.0 months. Median age at surgery: 11.5 months. 73% of children were White. Most common types of glaucoma: Primary congenital glaucoma ((PCG); 67%), glaucoma following cataract surgery (18%), anterior segment dysgenesis (10%). Overall success: 93%, 59% and 59%, respectively. There were no differences in the survival rates as a function of PCG/non-PCG, gender, and removal of intraluminal stent suture. Mean number of general anesthesia (GA) during the first postoperative year: 1.8.GDD implantation within the first two years of life is effective and safe. The low number of GA required during the first postoperative year could help to reduce the burden placed on children and carers. Further research is required to directly compare the efficiency of GDD implantation with other surgical options.