Aqueous shunt devices are advanced and highly effective surgical implants used to manage intraocular pressure in patients unresponsive to medical or laser treatments for glaucoma.
The shunt redirects flow of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to a reservoir or location outside the eye, alleviating intraocular pressure. Surgery takes around an hour to do and is performed gently under local anaesthesia. Extra drops may be required in the recovery period which can take upto 6 weeks, however most people get back to routine activities within a week. The benefits of controlling glaucoma and preserving sight far outweigh the small risks involved, and optimal outcome is ensured by regular clinic visits during the post-operative period.
There are four types of devices available: PAUL Implant, Baerveldt Tube, Ahmed Valve and Ahmed ClearPath. The choice of device depends on the status of your eye and glaucoma. I offer treatment with all four devices, and will individualise treatment choice depending on your unique requirements for a successful outcome.