Almost two-thirds of all corneal transplant procedures at the University of Toronto are partial thickness procedures. A failed graft was found to be the most common indication for full-thickness transplants. Fuchs' dystrophy was the most common indication for a partial-thickness approach, most often treated by DSAEK. Longitudinal data are needed to determine whether partial-thickness surgeries will improve graft survival and reduce the need for regraft.

The aim of this study is to report a case of gold shunt surgery for uncontrolled, low-tension glaucoma with good central vision, after having a previously failed trabeculectomy and tube shunt surgeries. The patient was receiving maximum medical glaucoma therapy of four different types with intraocular pressure of 17 mm Hg prior to gold shunt surgery. Five years later, intraocular pressure is well controlled in the low teens without the need for ocular medications, and glaucoma is stable following gold shunt surgery.

Purpose:To report the first case of gold shunt surgery for treatment of silicone oil–induced refractory glaucoma in a tertiary care academic center, with 5-year follow-up.Design:The study design is a case report.Participants:The participant was a patient who underwent gold shunt surgery.Methods:Institutional Research Ethics Board approval for the study was obtained. A diabetic patient was referred for refractory glaucoma with a history of proliferative diabetic retinal detachment, and surgery with silicone oil. She was uncontrolled on maximal medical therapy and following informed consent, gold shunt surgery was performed. Ocular outcomes and number of medications were reviewed over a 5-year period.Results:Following uncomplicated surgery, intraocular pressure was reduced from 41 to 14 mm Hg, and the number of medications was reduced from 4 to 1. Glaucomatous optic neuropathy remained stable.Conclusions:Gold shunt surgery in this challenging case of silicone oil refractory glaucoma provided long-term intraocular pressure control and reduced need for medication over a 5-year period.