Early Experience With Ahmed Clear Path Glaucoma Drainage Device in Childhood Glaucoma

The aim was to evaluate the short-term outcomes of Ahmed clear path (ACP) valveless glaucoma drainage device in childhood glaucoma.

Retrospective chart review of all patients 16 years or below with childhood glaucoma who had ACP implantation at Boston Children's Hospital from December 2019 to June 2020 with at least 6 months follow-up period.

The study included 7 eyes of 5 patients implanted by a single surgeon. The median follow-up was 12 months. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was reduced from 36±3.5 mm Hg on a mean of 2.7±0.6 glaucoma medications preoperatively to a mean IOP of 12.4±2.8 mm Hg (P<0.001) on a mean of 0.7±0.8 medications postoperatively at final follow-up (P=0.0009). Complete success was achieved in 4 eyes while qualified success was achieved in 3 eyes.

The ACP glaucoma drainage device provided good short-term IOP control and technical advantages for implantation for pediatric eyes were observed.