Effectiveness of pars plana Ahmed® valve implantation in patients with refractory glaucoma

To evaluate the success rate and complications of the Ahmed FP7 valve implanted via Pars Plana in a group of vitrectomized patients with refractory glaucoma and anterior segment abnormalities from January 2018 to June 2023.

Quasi-experimental, prospective study. Eleven eyes with refractory glaucoma were included. Participants underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including assessment of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, visual acuity, characterization of glaucoma type, and number of antiglaucoma medications.

The mean baseline IOP was 37.3 ± 11 mmHg, which decreased to 13.5 ± 3.0 mmHg after one year. The qualified success rate was 63.7%, while the complete success rate was 36.3%. The most common diagnosis was neovascular glaucoma in 36.4% of cases. The most frequent postoperative complications were choroidal detachment and hypotony.

Our data suggest that implantation of the Ahmed FP7 valve via pars plana is an effective and safe option for patients with refractory secondary glaucoma.