Intermediate outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve surgery in Asian patients with intractable glaucoma

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation in Asian patients with refractory glaucoma.

The study was a retrospective interventional case series conducted at a single institution between January 2004 and January 2006. The study population included 91 patients (91 eyes).

A total of 70 patients were successfully treated (74.5%). Postoperatively, the median intraocular pressures declined significantly to 13 mm Hg (interquartile range: 10-20 mm Hg) on day 1 (P<0.001) and 17 mm Hg (interquartile range: 12-19 mm Hg) at the last follow-up examination (P<0.001). The cumulative probability of success according to Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis was 74% at 12 months and 43% at 2 years. Hazard of failure increased slightly with age, HR: 1.03 (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.00-1.05; P=0.044). The most common complication was hyphaemia at 12.77%. There were no serious complications involving loss of visual acuity or sight.

AGV implantation is an acceptable treatment for refractory glaucoma in high-risk patients with few additional options.