J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2001 Jul;42(7):1003-1010.

A Clinical Study of the Ahmed valve Implant in Refractory Glaucoma

• Lee JH
• Kim SS
• Hong YJ

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.

Keyword

Ahmed Glaucoma Valve implant; Hypotony; Intraocular pressure; Refractory glaucoma

MeSH Terms

Drainage
Fibrosis
Follow-Up Studies
Glaucoma*
Intraocular Pressure
Retrospective Studies