We report the case of a 69-year-old female who underwent a Baerveldt implant placement for severe-stage primary open-angle glaucoma and developed a bacterial infection of the conjunctiva and abscess of the scleral patch graft with subsequent tube exposure. The infection was identified 3 weeks postoperatively and a topical antibiotic was immediately initiated. A concurrent systemic staphylococcal infection was discovered by an outside physician and oral cephalexin was initiated. Despite antibiotic treatment, the conjunctival erosion progressed, and tube revision was required. Culture of the abscess revealed coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. As alluded to above, the patient also had multiple abscesses on the skin that cultured positive for Staphylococcus aureus. To our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus causing an early postoperative abscess of the scleral patch graft following glaucoma drainage device placement.

IMPORTANCE: The purpose of this case report is to evaluate risk factors associated with post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) ocular hypotony compared to post-CABG ischemic optic neuropathy. OBSERVATIONS: The patient described here is a single case at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center, from July 2016. This case demonstrates the rare incidence of acute post-CABG ocular hypotony and vision loss in a patient with prior history of optic atrophy. Both vision loss and hypotony resolved completely to baseline without intervention within 3 days postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Severe anemia and large fluctuations in central venous pressure and blood pressure can occur in any patient undergoing CABG surgery. These hemodynamic shifts can cause transient ischemia to pressure controlling systems such as the ciliary body and reduce episcleral venous pressure. Other risk factors for acute hypotony in the setting of CABG surgery also include the use of hypertonic agents, cardiopulmonary bypass, and intravenous anesthesia.

Importance

The loss of vision following Boston Keratoprosthesis (BKPro) surgery due to glaucoma occurs at a high frequency as diagnosis and management of glaucoma after this procedure pose challenges.

Objective

To compare visual outcomes in patients undergoing Boston Keratoprosthesis surgery with and without prior or concurrent glaucoma surgery.

Design, setting, and participants

This is a retrospective, observational cohort study of patients who underwent Boston Type I Keratoprosthesis surgery. 19 eyes of 18 patients who had undergone BKPro and met the inclusion criteria were identified. Twelve eyes received BKPro with prior or concurrent glaucoma surgery (Group 1), and seven eyes were identified undergoing BKPro surgery without prior or concurrent glaucoma surgery (Group 2).

Main outcomes and measures

Main outcome included best corrected visual acuity at each follow up.

Results

In Group 1, mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) within a year of BKPro surgery was 20/100 (range 20/40 to Count Fingers (CF); n = 12) and mean BCVA at 1 year from BKPro surgery was 20/115 (range 20/30 to CF; n = 12). 7 out of 12 patients retained or had improved BCVA at 1 year follow up after BKPro implantation, and 5 out of 12 patients had mild BCVA worsening. In Group 2, the mean BCVA within a year of BKPro surgery was 20/140 (ranging from 20/25 to hand motion vision (HM); n = 7) and mean BCVA at 1 year from BKPro surgery was Count Fingers (range 20/60 to Light Perception (LP); n = 6). 4 out of 6 patients lost significant vision at one year after BKPro.

Conclusions and relevance

BKPro patients with early glaucoma surgical intervention retained vision significantly better compared to patients with late or no intervention. Our preliminary findings support the recommendation for concurrent or pre-emptive glaucoma surgical intervention in patients undergoing BKPro implantation.

Importance

The loss of vision following Boston Keratoprosthesis (BKPro) surgery due to glaucoma occurs at a high frequency as diagnosis and management of glaucoma after this procedure pose challenges.

Objective

To compare visual outcomes in patients undergoing Boston Keratoprosthesis surgery with and without prior or concurrent glaucoma surgery.

Design, setting, and participants

This is a retrospective, observational cohort study of patients who underwent Boston Type I Keratoprosthesis surgery. 19 eyes of 18 patients who had undergone BKPro and met the inclusion criteria were identified. Twelve eyes received BKPro with prior or concurrent glaucoma surgery (Group 1), and seven eyes were identified undergoing BKPro surgery without prior or concurrent glaucoma surgery (Group 2).

Main outcomes and measures

Main outcome included best corrected visual acuity at each follow up.

Results

In Group 1, mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) within a year of BKPro surgery was 20/100 (range 20/40 to Count Fingers (CF); n = 12) and mean BCVA at 1 year from BKPro surgery was 20/115 (range 20/30 to CF; n = 12). 7 out of 12 patients retained or had improved BCVA at 1 year follow up after BKPro implantation, and 5 out of 12 patients had mild BCVA worsening. In Group 2, the mean BCVA within a year of BKPro surgery was 20/140 (ranging from 20/25 to hand motion vision (HM); n = 7) and mean BCVA at 1 year from BKPro surgery was Count Fingers (range 20/60 to Light Perception (LP); n = 6). 4 out of 6 patients lost significant vision at one year after BKPro.

Conclusions and relevance

BKPro patients with early glaucoma surgical intervention retained vision significantly better compared to patients with late or no intervention. Our preliminary findings support the recommendation for concurrent or pre-emptive glaucoma surgical intervention in patients undergoing BKPro implantation.