Long term outcome of Ahmed valve implantation in post -vitrectomy glaucoma patients

PurposeAssessment of the long-term surgical outcomes of AGV implantation in patients with post-vitrectomy glaucoma over a ten-year period at Rassoul Akram Hospital.MethodsAll glaucoma patients who underwent post-vitrectomy AGV implantation at Rassoul Akram Hospital between 2010 and 2020 were evaluated in this retrospective study. The major outcome measures were IOP, medication use, and overall surgical success. A complete success was defined as an IOP of 6-21 mmHg, without any loss of light perception or need for glaucoma medications, or at least a 20% decrease in IOP without the use of medications. Qualifying success was defined similarly, with the use of medications. The cumulative success rates included both qualified and complete success rates.ResultsBetween 2010 and 2020, a total of 76 patients underwent AGV implantation at Rassoul Akram Hospital, met the inclusion criteria. The average duration of follow-up was 30.41 ± 27.16 months. Among the participants, 64.5% were male, and 35.5% were female. The initial IOP readings averaged 28.39 ± 9.75 mmHg; however, the final follow-up showed a decrease to 15.21 ± 5.6 mmHg (P value < 0.01). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated a cumulative success rate of 92.2% at 12 months, which progressively declined to 90.0% at 24 months, 84.2% at 36 months, 69.9% at 48 months, and ultimately reached 64.5% at 60 months.ConclusionThe implantation of an Ahmed valve has proven beneficial in lowering intraocular pressure in post-vitrectomy glaucoma patients, but its efficacy is predicted to decrease with time.