Silicone tube and gutter in advanced glaucoma.

We performed a new drainage operation in 20 cases of advanced glaucoma. A silicone tube was inserted into the anterior chamber and its outer end buried under an encircling gutter. After a mean follow up of 10 months, in 13 cases (65 per cent) the eye was comfortable, the intraocular pressure less than 25 mm Hg, and the tube was in a satisfactory anatomical position. The authors recommend this procedure rather than destructive operations in eyes with advanced uncontrolled glaucoma.