advertisement
Abstract #10514 Published in IGR 6-1
Clinical experience with the Ahmed glaucoma valve implant in complicated glaucoma
Wu SC; Huang SC; Lin KKChang Gung medical journal 2003; 26: 904-910
BACKGROUND: To assess clinical outcomes of the Ahmed glaucoma valve implant, an aqueous shunting device with a unidirectional valve mechanism, in eyes with refractory glaucoma. METHODS: Consecutive patients with intractable glaucoma who underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve insertion were reviewed retrospectively. Only patients with a minimum of six months' follow-up were included. The presence of intraocular pressure (IOP) ≥ 22 mmHg in the first six postoperative months was defined as a hypertensive phase (HP). This study included 19 eyes of 19 patients. RESULTS: The mean preoperative IOP was 32.1 ± 6.9 mmHg, with medication (mean times medication administered, 3.8 ± 1.0; range, 0-3). The mean postoperative IOP was 7.8 ± 2.2 mmHg on day 1, 11.3 ± 4.4 mmHg at one week, 19.1 ± 7.7 mmHg at one month, 16.5 ± 6.4 mmHg at three months, and 17.5 ± 0.7 mmHg at six months. Twelve patients (63.2%) exhibited an HP. Nine patients (49.3%) experienced an HP at one month and three at two months after operation. At the end of six months' follow-up, 11 patients (57.9%) who had exhibited an HP required additional anti-glaucoma medication to control IOP (mean times medication was administered, 1.0 ± 1.1; range, 0-2). Complications associated with the valve included hyphema in one case, choroidal effusion in two, iris plugging of the tube in one, bleb encapsulation in three, and PK graft failure in one. Postoperative hypotony resolved within one week. CONCLUSIONS: The Ahmed glaucoma valve implant was safe and effective in this series. The hypertensive phase peaked in the first to second months after surgery.
Dr. S.C. Wu, Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei. shiuchen@cgmh.org.tw
Classification:
12.8.2 With tube implant or other drainage devices (Part of: 12 Surgical treatment > 12.8 Filtering surgery)
