Complications Related to Implants Used in Anterior Bleb Forming Glaucoma Surgery: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract

Purpose
To make an account of published implant-related complications (IRC) by a systematic review of the literature.
Methods
A systematic search of Pubmed and Scopus databases and Google Scholar engine was performed with selection criteria to detect
papers on IRC. We excluded unrelated papers and reviewed selected ones. We considered papers that did not explicitly state about
occurrence or not occurrence of IRC as non-IRC reporting. Main outcome measures were the number of papers reporting on
complications, IRC, and types of IRC.
Results
After the search, selection, and addition, we studied 109 papers. Incidence of IRC was 4.5%, half required explantation. While
26 implant studies found IRCs (23%), 13 case reports on surgical complications, 8 (61.5%) of them reported IRC. Frequent
complications were conjunctival erosion, blockage of the tube, migration to anterior chamber or damage to surrounding tissues.
Conclusion
Most papers did not report on IRC. Length or nature of studies may skew finding IRC. The incidence of IRC was 4.5%. Hard
and sharp implants carry a greater risk of IRC and explantation.