Long-term efficacy of the Baerveldt 250 mm2 compared with the Baerveldt 350 mm2 implant.

Objective: To investigate the long-term surgical outcomes of the Baerveldt 250 mm2 versus Baerveldt 350 mm2 glaucoma drainage implants (GDIs) (Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Park, IL) in the treatment of refractory glaucoma.

Methods: Comparative case study. Methods: A total of 89 consecutive eyes in 86 patients treated at Dean McGee Eye Institute between January 2006 and December 2008. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patient data from the following postoperative visits: 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, and every 3 months thereafter. Postoperative complications were also recorded. The mean follow-up time was 40 months (range, 2-78 months) for the Baerveldt 250 mm2 group and 31 months (range, 3-75 months) for the Baerveldt 350 mm2 group. Methods: The primary outcome measure was surgical success. Secondary outcome measures included visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and number of medications.

Results: There was no difference in surgical success (P=0.98). No significant differences were observed in VA measured using the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) scale, IOP, and number of medications at the last visit (P=0.09, 0.23, and 0.82, respectively). Complication and failure rates were comparable (P=0.82 and 0.64, respectively).

Conclusions: With a mean follow-up of 40 and 31 months, no differences in surgical success, VA, IOP, number of medications at the last visit, and complication/failure rates were noted between the Baerveldt 250 mm2 and 350 mm2 GDIs, respectively. The size of the GDI may not be associated with surgical outcomes.