[A clinical study of the Ahmed glaucoma valve implant in refractory glaucoma].
OBJECTIVE
To assess clinical outcomes of the Ahmed glaucoma valve implant in patients with refractory glaucoma.


METHODS
15 patients (16 eyes), including 7 women and 8 men; patients with glaucoma: phakic- 10 eyes, pseudophakic - 4 eyes, and aphakic - 2 eyes, average age: 47.2 (18-72 years old), average IOP before the intervention: 47 mmHg (32-71 mmHg), average number of medications taken before the intervention: 3.0.


METHODS
Success was defined as IOP less than or equal to 21 mmHg and no need to perform another surgical intervention. Average period of observation was 23.2 months (6-42 months).


RESULTS
Intervention was successful in 12 out of 16 eyes. Average number of medicaments taken after the intervention decreased to 1.2. 4 out of 16 patients had a hypertensive phase. Cumulative probabilities of success at 1 and 2 years were 88% and 72% respectively.


RESULTS
hyphema - 4 eyes (25%), tube exposure - 1 eye (6.25%), corneal graft failure - 4 eyes (25%), hypertensive phase - 4 eyes (25%) anterior chamber shallowing - 2 eyes (12.5%)


CONCLUSIONS
The Ahmed glaucoma valve implant is an effective way of treating the patients with refractory glaucoma.
Wylegała
Edward
E
Z Oddziału Okulistyki Okregowego Szpitala Kolejowego w Katowicach.
Tarnawska
Dorota
D
Lyssek-Boroń
Anita
A
Bilińska
Barbara
B
Jurewicz
Antonina
A
Petela
Agnieszka
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity