Long-term outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve surgery in Taiwanese patients with intractable glaucoma

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.