Intraocular Pressure Control after Implantation of an Ahmed Glaucoma Valve in Eyes with a Failed Trabeculectomy

AIM To evaluate the results of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) in eyes with a failed trabeculectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study evaluated 61 eyes with a failed trabeculectomy that underwent implantation of an AGV due to uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) on maximal medical therapy. Success was defined as IOP ≤ 21 mm Hg (criterion 1) or 20% reduction in IOP (criterion 2) with or without antiglaucoma medications. Persistent hypotony, loss of light perception, and reoperation for IOP control were defined as failure. RESULTS Mean preoperative IOP and mean lOPs at 6, 12, and 24 months were 21.93 ± 6.32 mm Hg (n = 61), 14.15 ± 4.33 mm Hg (n = 59), 13.21 ± 4.44 mm Hg (n = 56), and 13.60 ± 3.27 mm Hg (n = 25) respectively. Mean number of antiglaucoma medications preoperatively and at 6, 12, and 24 months was 3.95 ± 0.85, 2.19 ± 1.38, 2.48 ± 1.44, and 2.40 ± 1.32 respectively. The reductions in the number of medications and IOP measurements were statistically significant at all time intervals (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon signed rank test). According to criterion 1, the Kaplan-Meier survival curve disclosed success rates of 75% at 12 and 24 months. According to criterion 2, the success rates were 57% at 12 months and 55% at 24 months. The most frequent complications were hypertensive phase (18%) and shallow anterior chamber (16.4%). CONCLUSION The AGV may effectively reduce IOP in eyes that had a failed trabeculectomy. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The AGV is an alternative in eyes with a failed trabeculectomy. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE Schimiti RB, Abe RY, Tavares CM, Vasconcellos JPC, Costa VP. Intraocular Pressure Control after Implantation of an Ahmed Glaucoma Valve in Eyes with a Failed Trabeculectomy. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2016;10(3):97-103.