Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
4033518 | Taiwan Journal of Ophthalmology | 2012 | 4 Pages |
PurposeThe objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation in Taiwanese patients with intractable glaucoma.MethodsThe study was a retrospective interventional case series conducted at a single institution between January 2004 and January 2008 in Taiwan. The study population included 148 patients (148 eyes).ResultsThe mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 32.6 ± 4.7 mmHg with medication (mean number of medications was 3.4 ± 1.0; range, 2–4). Postoperatively, the mean IOP declined significantly to 10.2 mmHg (range, 7–18 mmHg) on Day 1 (p < 0.01) and 17 mmHg (range, 15–23 mmHg) at the last follow-up examination (p < 0.01). Ninety-four patients (63.5%) exhibited hypertensive phase (HP); among them 73 patients (49.3%) experienced HP at 1 month and 21 (14.2%) at 2 months after the operation. The cumulative probability of success according to Kaplan–Meier life-table analysis was 78% at 12 months and 43% at 3 years. There were no serious complications involving loss of visual acuity or sight.ConclusionAGV implantation is an acceptable treatment for intractable glaucoma in high-risk Taiwanese patients with few additional options.