Glaucoma Tube Outcomes with and without Anti-VEGF in Patients with Age-related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

PurposeTo compare glaucoma tube outcomes of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) eyes receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) injections versus dry AMD eyes and no anti-VEGF. DesignRetrospective clinical cohort study. ParticipantsPatients with wet AMD and a history of anti-VEGF within a year prior or after stand-alone glaucoma tube surgery and eyes with dry AMD and no history of anti-VEGF with at least 6 months of follow-up. Eyes with neovascular glaucoma or anti-VEGF for reason other than wet AMD were excluded. MethodsA Kaplan-Meier analysis compared survival for wet versus dry AMD eyes. Failure was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) >21 mmHg or <20% IOP reduction from baseline or IOP ≤5 mm Hg for two consecutive post-operative visits starting at month three, additional glaucoma surgery, or no light perception. Complete success was defined as no failure or medications at final follow-up. Hypertensive phase was defined for valved tubes as IOP >21 mmHg within three months of surgery after a reduction to <22 mmHg during the first post-operative week. Intraocular pressure, percent reduction in IOP, number of glaucoma medications, and early (<1 year) and late (>1 year) complications were compared through five years. Main Outcome MeasuresSurvival analysis, IOP, number of medications ResultsBaseline IOP, number of medications, or tube type were not significantly different between wet (n=24) and dry AMD eyes (n=54). No wet AMD eyes failed versus 10 (18%) dry AMD eyes (P=0.03). Five-year survival was estimated as 100% for wet AMD and 72% for dry AMD (P=0.04). Wet AMD eyes had lower IOP (10.6 vs 12.7 mmHg, P=0.05), greater IOP reduction (60% vs 49%, P=0.04), fewer medications (1.2 vs 2.1, P=0.02), and more complete success (50% vs 15%, P=0.001) at final follow-up (32 versus 36 months, P=0.42). Fewer wet than dry AMD eyes experienced hypertensive phase (0/10 (0%) versus 4/10 (40%), P=0.04). There were no significant differences in early or late complications. ConclusionsExposure to anti-VEGF may influence post-operative wound healing and capsule formation which may improve glaucoma tube surgical outcomes. Prospective data is needed to consider perioperative administration of anti-VEGF for glaucoma tube surgery.