Glaucoma Drainage Devices: Corneal Edema Risk

Glaucoma Drainage Devices: Corneal Edema Risk

August 27, 2025 Dr. Jennifer Chen Health

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Glaucoma Drainage Devices Linked to Higher Risk of Corneal Edema

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Compared with trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs) were found to increase the risk of corneal edema in patients having surgery to address their glaucoma according to a new study in Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology1. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) and Xen stents were preferable alternatives to offer lower risk of complications.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness around the world2, affecting approximately 2.2% of the global population1.The number of people with glaucoma in the US is expected to increase to 111.8 million by 2040, making it an important area of concern when it comes to assessing best practices for treating the condition. Intraocular pressure (IOP) is the target for glaucoma treatment with all methods of surgical interventions aimed at lowering IOP.

Glaucoma drainage devices had a higher probability of leading to corneal edema compared with other forms of glaucoma surgery. | Image credit: Africa Studio – stock.adobe.com

This study aimed to assess the risk of developing corneal edema, a prominent complication of ocular surgery defined by an irreversible edema beginning 1 month after surgery, after a patient has had a GDD, Xen stents, or MIGS compared with trabeculectomy.

All patients who had undergone a glaucoma surgery by a single surgeon at the Kingston Health Sciences Center in Kingston, Canada, between January 2005 and august 2024 were eligible for the retrospective study. Any adult eyes with open angle glaucoma, at least 1 surgery for glaucoma, and more than 3 months of follow-up were included.Patients were excluded if they had corneal edema prior to their surgery or had…

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. This damage often results from abnormally high pressure in your eye. While most people with glaucoma experience no early symptoms, if left untreated, it can lead to vision loss and blindness. There are several types of glaucoma, including:

  • Open-angle glaucoma:
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