A Clinical Study of the Ahmed valve Implant in Refractory Glaucoma

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We retrospectively studied the efficacy, safety, and clinical outcomes of the Ahmed Glaucoma Valve implant in refractory glaucoma. METHODS: We studied 58 eyes(49 patients) with an average follow up period of 21.2+/-17.7 months. Success was defined as an intraocular pressure of less than 22 mmHg and greater than 4mmHg for 3 months or longer regardless of glaucoma medication. RESULTS: The success rates which were controlled valve failure at 12 months and 24 months postoperatively were 83.1% and 64.5%, respectively. The reduction of intraocular pressure and number of medications were both statistically and clinically significant(P<0.0001). Early complication was immediate hypotony in 6 eyes(10.3%). Late complications were bullous keratopathy in 3 eyes(5.3%) and conjunctival fibrosis in 7eyes (17.2%). CONCLUSION: Well controlled intraocular pressure and prevented hypotony were observed in Ahmed Glaucoma Valve. Randomized, prospective studies are needed to compare the clinical results of the Ahmed Glaucoma Valve implant with that of other drainage devices.