Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implant for Neovascular Glaucoma

Kil, Young Gab; Chung, Dug Young

Abstract

We studied retrospectively the results of the Ahmed glaucoma valve implant surgery in 20 eyes with neovascular glaucoma. All cases were failed with medical or surgical glaucoma interventions. Mean follow-up period was 15.1 +/-14.9 months (3~56 months). The criteria for success included a postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) of less than or equal to 21 mmHg and greater than or equal to 6 mmHg, and no additional glaucoma therapy or devastating visual complications. Mean IOP was significantly reduced from pre- operative 36.9 +/-5.2 mmHg to 17.6 +/-8.7 mmHg at the last visit. In respect with IOP control,success rate was 80%at final follow-up.The causes of failure were loss of light perception in 3 eyes (25%), inadequate IOP control in 2 eyes (10%), tube removal due to malfunction in 1 eye (5%). Complete success rate was 70%at a final follow-up.Complication included hyphema in 15 eyes,hypotony in 7 eyes, fibrous membrane formation and anterior synechiae in 3 eyes, tube obstruction in 2 eyes, flat anterior chamber in 1 eye, corneal decompensation in 1 eye, tube malposition in 1 eye, temporary choroidal detachment in 1 eye. These results indicate that Ahmed glaucoma valve implant for neovascular glaucoma can be a good successful IOP control device and comparable to the other drainage device.