J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2003 Jan;44(1):73-80.

Ahmed valve implant and penetrating keratoplasty

• Chung HW
• Kook MS
• Tchah HW

Abstract

PURPOSE
To present long-term results of intraocular pressure control and graft survival of eyes with penetrating keratoplasty(PKP) and Ahmed valve implant METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 18 patients who underwent both PKP and Ahmed valve implant at Asan medical center between July of 1993 and June of 2000. Ahmed valve implant surgery was performed either before PKP (3 eyes), after PKP (12 eyes), or at the same time as PKP (3 eyes). Mean patient age was 40.7 years (range, 18 to 77 years) and mean follow up was 32 months (range, 5 to 120 months). Glaucoma outcome was assessed by postoperative intraocular pressure. Corneal outcome was assessed by graft rejection, failure and visual acuity. RESULTS: The average preoperative intraocular pressure for all of the eyes was 35 mmHg. Eighty nine percent of them (16 eyes) achieved a final intraocular pressure of less than 20 mmHg (average, 15 mmHg on a mean of 0.9 medications). Graft failure occurred in 13/16 (72%). The overall PKP success rate, including the eyes that underwent repeat PKP, was 44 %. Visual acuity improved in 8 eyes, remained stable in 5 eyes and decreased in 5 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Ahmed valve implant can successfully control glaucoma in a majority (89%) of PKP eyes. However, the success of corneal grafts is relatively low (44%).

Keyword

Ahmed valve implant; Graft failure; Intraocular pressure; Penetrating keratoplasty

MeSH Terms

Chungcheongnam-do
Follow-Up Studies
Glaucoma
Graft Rejection
Graft Survival
Humans
Intraocular Pressure
Keratoplasty, Penetrating*
Medical Records
Retrospective Studies
Transplants
Visual Acuity