Short- to intermediate-term surgical outcome of Keiki Mehta valve implantation in refractory glaucoma

Keiki Mehta body pressure (BP) valve is a glaucoma drainage device that works on the simple mechanism of body pressure.

To evaluate the short- to intermediate-term efficacy and safety of Keiki Mehta valve implantation in treating refractory glaucoma.

This was a prospective, interventional, institution-based study. Adult patients (age >18 years) having refractory glaucoma who underwent Keiki Mehta valve implantation from May 2019 to December 2019 in a tertiary hospital in eastern India were followed up to 18 months.

Twenty patients (20 eyes) with refractory glaucoma who underwent Keiki Mehta valve implantation were followed up on postoperative day 1 and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), antiglaucoma medications, and success rate were measured at every visit. There was significant reduction in mean IOP from the preoperative values at every postoperative follow-up ( P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated a probability of 50% complete success and 20% qualified success at 18 months. Hypotony was the most common postoperative complication.

Keiki Mehta valve implantation is an effective and safe treatment for refractory glaucoma.