Descemet’s Membrane Detachment in a Corneal Graft After Removal of a Baerveldt Shunt Intraluminal Stent

Karlo Marco DR. Claudio, MD; Rainier Victor A. Covar, MD, MMed; Ruben Lim Bon Siong, MD; Patricia Anne C. Concepcion, MD

Authors

Karlo Marco DR. Claudio, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines, Manila; Department of Ophthalmology, Rizal Medical Center, Pasig City Author
Rainier Victor A. Covar, MD, MMed Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines, Manila; Department of Ophthalmology, Rizal Medical Center, Pasig City Author
Ruben Lim Bon Siong, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines, Manila; Eye Institute, St. Luke’s Medical Center, Quezon City Author
Patricia Anne C. Concepcion, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines, Manila; Department of Ophthalmology, Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, San Fernando, La Union Author

Keywords:

Descemet's membrane detachment, corneal transplant, Baerveldt

Abstract

Objective: We reported a case of Descemet's membrane detachment (DMD) following ripcord removal of a Baerveldt shunt in a post-corneal transplant eye, and the interventions done.

Method: This is a case report.

Results: A 65-year-old male with multiple surgeries (phacoemulsification, two corneal transplants, and Baerveldt shunt implantation) in the right eye developed increased intraocular pressures, prompting removal of the intraluminal stent (ripcord) of the shunt. This was complicated by hypotony and DMD. Ripcord reinsertion and viscoelastic injection were performed to reattach the Descemet's membrane (DM) but failed. 0.1mL of 14% perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas was injected into the anterior chamber that successfully reattached the DM with return to pre-operative best-corrected visual acuity after 1 week.

Conclusion: Injection of an expansive gas (C3F8) was effective in repairing a corneal graft DMD in an eye with a Baerveldt shunt.