Healthy Soch
Battling Silent Vision Loss: AADI 250 glaucoma drainage implant used to help control dangerously high eye pressure and reduce the risk of further vision loss
India
healthysoch
Hyderabad/New Delhi , October 27, 2026:
For a 58-year-old patient, a gradual decline in vision in the right eye had become increasingly uncomfortable, with redness, watering and pain. Although the patient had been diagnosed with glaucoma four years earlier and was using multiple eye drops, the pressure inside the right eye remained dangerously high. With advanced damage to the optic nerve, doctors at Sankara Eye Hospital, Hyderabad, opted for specialised glaucoma surgery to help control the pressure and reduce the risk of further vision loss.
On examination, the intraocular pressure measured 45 mmHg in the right eye, compared with 18 mmHg in the left. Visual acuity was 6/24 in the right eye and 6/12 in the left. Further assessment showed advanced optic nerve damage in the right eye, while the visual field in the left eye remained within normal limits.
As medication had not adequately controlled the pressure, the medical team performed an AADI 250 glaucoma drainage implant procedure. The implant provides an alternative pathway for fluid to drain from the eye, helping lower intraocular pressure and limit further pressure-related damage to the optic nerve.
Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that damages the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. The damage is generally irreversible and can lead to permanent vision loss. Eye drops are often used initially, but some patients need surgery when medication does not adequately control eye pressure.
Dr. Balam Pradeep, Consultant – Glaucoma, Sankara Eye Hospital, Hyderabad, said: “Glaucoma can gradually damage vision, and damage to the optic nerve is generally irreversible. In this patient, pressure in the right eye remained very high despite treatment with multiple eye drops, and examination showed advanced damage. When medicines are unable to control eye pressure adequately, surgery may be necessary. The AADI 250 implant creates an alternative route for fluid to drain from the eye and can help manage pressure in difficult cases. Regular eye examinations, taking prescribed medicines and seeking timely specialist care are important to reduce the risk of further vision loss.”
Dr. Simakurthy Sriram, Chief Medical Officer, Sankara Eye Hospital, Hyderabad, said: “Cases like this highlight why glaucoma should not be ignored, even when a person is receiving treatment. If eye pressure remains uncontrolled, the condition can continue to damage vision. At Sankara Eye Hospital, we aim to provide treatment suited to each patient’s needs, including advanced surgical options when required. Follow-up care after surgery is also essential. We encourage people diagnosed with glaucoma to attend regular eye examinations, follow their doctor’s advice and promptly report worsening vision or persistent discomfort.”
The case highlights the importance of reassessing treatment when glaucoma remains uncontrolled. Although existing optic nerve damage generally cannot be reversed, appropriate treatment can help control eye pressure and reduce the risk of further damage. Patients should continue prescribed treatment and attend follow-up appointments, even when they do not notice symptoms. After an AADI 250 procedure, postoperative monitoring is important to assess eye pressure, check the implant and guide any further treatment.
