What is a baerveldt shunt?
The Baerveldt shunt is a glaucoma drainage device that is implanted into the eye to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) by draining aqueous humor fluid. Aqueous humor is not the same as tears — in patients with glaucoma, the buildup of aqueous humor fluid causes high intraocular pressure (IOP) that can damage vision.
How long does baerveldt shunt last?
Unfortunately, this effect may last 5 to 10 years (or more or less) and then another procedure or a revision of the surgery will have to be done to maintain an acceptable eye pressure.
How long does a glaucoma tube shunt last?
In terms of when to expect outcome data, completing the trial and analyzing the data will take a few years, because second tube shunts often fail three to five years out.
What is a shunt for glaucoma?
Tube-shunt surgery (seton glaucoma surgery) involves placing a flexible plastic tube with an attached silicone drainage pouch in the eye to help drain fluid (aqueous humor) from the eye. This type of surgery is usually done after a trabeculectomy that failed.
What is aqueous shunt?
An aqueous shunt or tube is a tiny device that is used to decrease the pressure inside the eyes of people with high eye pressure or uncontrolled glaucoma (see photographs below). The device is put into the eye during an operation that allows excess aqueous humour (fluid inside the eye) to drain.
What happens after shunt surgery for glaucoma?
After surgery, your eye may be sore, and it may feel like there is something in it, like an eyelash. The drops may burn when you put them in, and your eye may water or tear a lot. These symptoms are common but usually are mild, and improve for most people after 1-2 days.
Can you feel a tube shunt?
Can a shunt be turned off?
Trained practitioners can easily switch the shunt function on and off (“on-off shunts”) without the need for any device-specific equipment.
What should you avoid with a VP shunt?
However, people with LP shunts should avoid any activity which involves twisting at the waist, as this can dislodge the shunt.
- Martial arts. Any activity that involves being grabbed around the neck is not advised, as the shunt tubing in the neck can crack.
- Rugby.
- Gymnastics and dance.
- Water sports.
- Golf.
- Other activities.
Where is a glaucoma shunt placed?
The tube is carefully inserted into the front chamber of the eye, often just in front of the iris (the colored part of the eye). The fluid drains through the tube, into the area around the back end of the plate. The fluid collects here and is drained through the eye’s natural drainage system.
What is a shunt?
A shunt is a hollow tube surgically placed in the brain (or occasionally in the spine) to help drain cerebrospinal fluid and redirect it to another location in the body where it can be reabsorbed.
What is aqueous shunt implantation?
An aqueous shunt is a device which is implanted into the eye and improves the drainage of the fluid out of the eye. This page describes how the shunt works to treat glaucoma and the surgery involved.