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Ultrasound evaluation of Ahmed Glaucoma Valve: IOP versus tube patency
Author(s) -
Bono V.,
Zeppa L.,
Costagliola C.,
Zeppa L.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2016.0665
Subject(s) - medicine , glaucoma , glaucoma valve , intraocular pressure , refractory (planetary science) , implant , ophthalmology , ultrasound , hyphema , surgery , radiology , physics , astrobiology
Purpose Refractory glaucoma remains a challenge to be treated with surgical techniques. This study evaluated long‐term results of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation in treating refractory Glaucoma using intraocular pressure (IOP) and B‐scan ultrasound assessment. Methods This retrospective study was conducted on patients with refractory glaucoma treated with AGV implant. 60 eyes of 60 patients with a follow up of 36.3 (SD 9.6) months were analyzed. Outcome measures included: IOP, patency of the tube assessed by ultrasound, number of glaucoma medications, and postoperative complications. Success was defined as IOP ≤ 21 mmHg with at least 25% reduction in IOP compared to preoperative values, and tube patency +/− glaucoma medications. Results Mean IOP was reduced from 33.1 (SD 11.8) to 16.2 (SD 5.4) mmHg, (p < 0.0001), with a mean reduction of 49.36%. 12 eyes of 60 (20%) showed tube partially non patent with 9 eyes presenting IOP > 21 mmHg. The percentage of success was 76.6% with 17 patients (28.3%) showing postoperative complications, as hyphema and shallowing of the anterior chamber. The mean number of preoperative anti‐glaucoma medications (3; SD 1) was reduced compared to the mean number of postoperative medications (2; SD 1.), (p < 0.0001). Conclusions The Ahmed glaucoma valve implant was highly effective in the long term for treating refractory glaucoma. B‐scan ultrasound evaluation showed to be a useful technique for evaluating tube patency/function in eyes with refractory glaucoma.