J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2006 Apr;47(4):571-576.

Ahmed Valve Implantation Result and TGF-beta and VEGF in the Aqueous Humor of Neovascular Glaucoma Patients

• Song WK
• Lee JH
• Hong YJ
• Kim CY

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in the aqueous humor of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) patients and the results of Ahmed valve implantation surgery.
METHODS
We compared surgical outcomes of NVG patients who underwent Ahmed valve implant surgery from January 2002 through October 2002 at severance hospital with levels of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2 and VEGF in the aqueous humors of these patients.
RESULTS
Nineteen eyes (19 patients) were analyzed in the study. The success of surgery was defined as intraocular pressure maintained as 6-20 mm Hg regardless of additional glaucoma medications taken. Twelve eyes (63%) satisfied successful surgery. TGF-beta1 concentration was 1.51 ng/ml in the success group and 2.31 ng/ml in the failed group (p=0.295). TGF-beta2 concentration was 5.19 ng/ml in the success group and 5.73 ng/ml in the failed group (p=0.367). VEGF concentration was 10.21 ng/ml in the success group and 9.87 ng/ml in the failed group (p=0.516). All showed no statistical difference between the groups.
CONCLUSIONS
In our study, no significant relationship between levels of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2, or VEGF in the aqueous humor and the surgical outcomes of Ahmed valve implantation were found in patients with NVG.

Keyword

Ahmed valve; Neovascular glaucoma; Transforming growth factor-beta; Vascular endothelial growth factor

MeSH Terms

Aqueous Humor*
Glaucoma
Glaucoma, Neovascular*
Humans
Intraocular Pressure
Transforming Growth Factor beta*
Transforming Growth Factor beta1
Transforming Growth Factor beta2
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*
Transforming Growth Factor beta
Transforming Growth Factor beta1
Transforming Growth Factor beta2
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A