The Change in Corneal Endothelial Cells after Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation

Kim, Jeong Hoon; Kim, Chang Sik

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the change in corneal endothelial cells after Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation.
METHODS
We prospectively evaluated the change in density and shape of the corneal endothelium of 35 eyes of 35 patients those underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation for the treatment of refractory glaucoma. All surgeries were performed by one surgeon. The corneal specular microscopy was performed by non-contact specular microscope before surgery and 1 month, 6 months and 12 months after surgery. Evaluation was performed on the superior, superotemporal, superonasal and central area of the cornea in both eyes at each test.
RESULTS
The mean follow-up was 12.1 months (range, 6~24 months). There was a statistically significant decrease in corneal endothelial cell density in operated eye compared to the other eye. Mean percentage decrease in corneal endothelial cell count of operated eye was 5.5% at 1 month, 9.7% at 6 months, and 14.8% at 12 months after surgery. The superotemporal area, which was the closest site from the tube, showed the greatest decrease of endothelial cell density by 17.4%, while the central cornea showed the lowest decrease by 12.8% in 1 year after surgery. The morphological evaluation of the endothelial cells by coefficient of variation and hexagonality suggested the cell were getting stabilized in 1 year after surgery, although the change was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSIONS
There was a statistically significant corneal endothelial cell loss in operated eye compared to the other eye after Ahmed glaucoma valve implant surgery. The corneal endothelial cell loss was increased in time up to 14.8% at 1 year after surgery.