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PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of single long scleral tunnel technique for the prevention of conjunctival erosions caused by the Ahmed glaucoma valve. METHODS: This study was a retrospective case series that included 30 eyes of 30 patients who underwent glaucoma valve implantation surgery by the single long scleral tunnel technique. RESULTS: The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 52 ± 21.6 years (range: 10-90 years). The mean visual acuity was 1.5 ± 0.81 logMAR preoperatively. The intraocular pressure was 40.7 ± 9.18 mm Hg (range: 25-58) before surgery that decreased significantly to 19.7 ± 3.1 mm Hg (range: 14-25; p < 0.0001) after a mean follow-up of 37.2 ± 5.9 months. During follow-up, no case of tube exposure was detected in patients. CONCLUSION: Single long scleral technique was efficacious with no occurrence of tube exposure in relatively long period of follow-up. In this method, there is no need to harvest any additional material, and in situations with limited access to patch grafts, it is performable with the minimal facilities.
1 Eye Research Center Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Full article12.8.2 With tube implant or other drainage devices (Part of: 12 Surgical treatment > 12.8 Filtering surgery)
2.3 Sclera (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)