[Extender-tube for Ahmed glaucoma valve implant]

We describe the case of a 16 year-old woman, with inflammatory glaucoma secondary to juvenile rheumatic arthritis, successfully treated by Ahmed glaucoma valve implant. Two years later, a severe increase of intraocular pressure related to anterior tube migration occurred. The Ahmed valve tube extender was successfully used to lengthen the tube.

If the tube length is too short to reintroduce it into the eye, there are three surgical options: to use a tube extender, to insert the tube via the pars plana or to insert a new drainage implant. A piece of an angiocatheter or a silastic tube have been used for lengthening the tube of the valve implant; however the Ahmed valve tube extender design makes surgery easier and allows keeping the valve in the original place, minimizing the risk of postoperative migration.