Calcula-se que em 2010 havia provavelmente 60,5 milhões de pessoas com glaucoma, com aumento previsto para 79,6 milhões em 2020; a cegueira bilateral por glaucoma era detectada em 8,4 milhões de pessoas, em 2010, e com aumento estimado para 11,2 milhões em 2020. Dispositivos especiais foram desenvolvidos para reduzir a pressão intraocular em pacientes com glaucoma refratário, chamados implantes de filtragem. A taxa de sucesso destes implantes é relativamente baixa, e sabe-se que elas continuam a diminuir ao longo do tempo. Para evitar as falhas produzidas pela cicatrização de tecido em torno dos implantes, foram feitas tentativas de drenagem do humor aquoso para diferentes locais, tais como o sistema venoso, saco lacrimal, os seios paranasais e fórnice conjuntival. Revendo o tratamento atual da hidrocefalia, uma técnica de derivação a partir da câmara anterior para o peritônio foi desenvolvida. A técnica cirúrgica desenvolvida é uma modificação da técnica atualmente utilizada por neurocirurgiões para o tratamento de hidrocefalia. Apresentamos o primeiro caso operado com esta técnica.

In 2010, there were estimated to be approximately 60.5 million people with glaucoma. This number is expected to increase to 79.6 million by 2020. In 2010, there were 8.4 million people with bilateral blindness caused by glaucoma, and this number is expected in increase to 11.2 million by 2020. Filtering implants are special devices that have been developed to reduce intraocular pressure in patients with refractory glaucoma. The success rate of these implants is relatively low, and they continue to fail over time. To avoid failure caused by the formation of scar tissue around the implants, attempts have been made to drain the aqueous humor to various sites, including the venous system, lacrimal sac, sinuses, and conjunctival fornix. Recently, a system to shunt aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the peritoneum has been developed. The surgical technique involved in this system is a modification of the technique currently used by neurosurgeons for the treatment of hydrocephalus. We present the first case operated using this technique.

PURPOSE: A microdevice for the treatment of refractory glaucoma is presented. The underlying concepts, its mechanisms of action and the surgical technique for implanting are explained and the results are analyzed. The microdevice was developed and the surgeries were performed at the Maldonado-Bas Eye Clinic (Cordoba, Argentina), under the rules established in the protocol approved by the provisions of the National Administration of Drugs, Food and Medical Technology 430/7. File No.:1-47-25-649-07-1. METHODS: In a prospective study, following the protocol, 16 eyes with refractory glaucoma were included and operated. Intraocular pressure <21mmHg with or without additional medication was considered successful. The follow-up was one year. Averages, percentages and their 95% confidence bands were calculated. Analysis of variance for repeated measures was used to compare averages. RESULTS: The average preoperative intraocular pressure was 32.81 mmHg, SD ± 10.94 mmHg in a range of 14 to 50 mmHg. The average post-surgical intraocular pressure at one year was 12.43 mmHg, SD ± 2.85 mmHg in a range of 7 to 19 mmHg. The difference between the pre-and post-surgery average intraocular pressure was 20.38 mmHg. The number of successes was 14 eyes (87.5%, confidence interval (CI) 95% 61.6% - 98.6%). The number of failures was two eyes (12.5%, CI 95% 1.43% - 38.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the microdevice is successful for the treatment of refractory glaucoma.

OBJETIVO: Se presenta un microdispositivo para el tratamiento del glaucoma refractario. Se explican los conceptos con los que fue desarrollado, su mecanismo de acción, la técnica quirúrgica para implantarlo y se analizan los resultados obtenidos. Realizado en la Clínica de ojos Maldonado-Bas (Córdoba- Argentina), bajo la reglamentación establecida en el protocolo aprobado por disposición de la Administración Nacional de Medicamentos, Alimentos y Tecnología Médica 430/7. Expediente:1-47-25-649-07-1. MÉTODOS: En un estudio prospectivo, según la reglamentación del protocolo se incluyeron e intervinieron 16 ojos con glaucoma refractario. Se consideró éxito presión intraocular <21mmHg con o sin medicación adicional. El seguimiento fue de un año. Se calcularon promedios, porcentajes y sus bandas de confianza del 95% según estuviera indicado. Para comparar promedios se empleó Análisis de la Varianza para mediciones repetidas. RESULTADOS: El promedio de la presión intraocular pre-quirúrgica fue de 32,81 mmHg, SD ± 10,94 mmHg con un rango entre 14 y 50 mmHg. La presión intraocular post-quirúrgica promedio al año fue de 12,43 mmHg, SD ± 2,85 mmHg con un rango entre 7 y 19 mmHg. La diferencia entre el promedio de la presión intraocular pre y pos-quirúrgica fue de 20,38 mmHg. El número de éxitos fue de 14 ojos (87,5%; IC95% 61,6% - 98,6%). El número de fracasos fue de dos ojos (12,5%; IC95% 1,43% - 38,4%). CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados demuestran que el microdispositivo es eficaz para el tratamiento del glaucoma refractario.