SKGEL® implant versus T-Flux® implant in the contralateral eye in deep sclerectomy with phacoemulsification: long-term follow-up.

Purpose: To intraindividually compare the efficacy and safety of the SKGEL(®) implant versus the T-Flux(®) implant in deep sclerectomy.

Methods: In a retrospective analysis 17 patients were identified who underwent combined phacoemulsification-deep sclerectomy and implantation of SKGEL(®) in one eye and T-Flux(®) in the contralateral eye.

Results: In eyes with SKGEL(®) the IOP decreased from 20.6+7.3 mm Hg to 14.8+5.3 mm Hg (-5.8 mm Hg or -28.1%), and in eyes with T-Flux(®) from 19.9+7.2 mm Hg to 14.7+3.3 mm Hg (-5.2 mm Hg or -26.1%, no statistically significant difference, p >0.05). Antiglaucoma medications with either implant decreased from initially 2.0+0.8 to 0.3+0.7. A qualified success was found in 17/17 eyes with T-Flux(®) and in 16/17 eyes with SKGEL(®). Complete success was achieved in 14/17 eyes with T-Flux(®) and in 13/17 eyes with SKGEL(®).

Conclusions: The IOP-lowering effect and safety of SKGEL(®) and T-Flux(®) seem to be comparable.