Incidence of Blepharoptosis after Pars Plana Baerveldt 350 Glaucoma Implant Surgery by a Single Surgeon

Purpose: To investigate the incidence of postoperative blepharoptosis and clinical risk factors for blepharoptosis after pars plana Baerveldt 350 glaucoma implantation (BGI) by a single surgeon for refractory glaucoma. Methods: Twenty-four patients (30 eyes) who underwent pars plana BGI for refractory glaucoma at Toyama University Hospital between November 2019 and February 2021 were included. Patients with a preoperative margin reflex distance-1 (MRD-1) of ≥2 mm were included in the study, and a decrease in MRD-1 of ≥2 mm at 6 months postoperatively was defined as blepharoptosis. Results: The mean MRD-1 decreased significantly from 3.2 ± 0.6 mm preoperatively to 2.4 ± 1.1 postoperatively (p < 0.01). Postoperative ptosis developed in 8 eyes (26.7%). A comparison of the ptosis (n = 8) and nonptosis (n = 22) groups showed a significant difference in the history and number of previous filtration surgeries (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively). Those with previous filtration surgery had a higher risk of blepharoptosis after pars plana BGI compared with those without previous filtration surgery (OR: 6.43; 95%confidence interval: 1.03-40.26; p = 0.04). Conclusion: Pars plana BGI is a risk factor for postoperative blepharoptosis. Particular attention should be paid to eyes that have undergone previous filtration surgery.