Outcomes of small-incision cataract surgery in eyes with preexisting Ahmed Glaucoma Valves.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate outcomes of phacoemulsification in eyes with functioning Ahmed Glaucoma Valves (AGVs).


METHODS
Observational case series.


METHODS
We reviewed records of 19 patients (23 eyes) who had a clear-cornea phacoemulsification >/=3 months after insertion of an AGV between 1997 and 2002. The main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP) control, number of medications, complications, and further glaucoma surgery.


RESULTS
The median interval between AGV surgery and phacoemulsification was 0.7 years with an average (+/-SD) follow-up time of 1.6 (+/-0.6) years (range: 0.9 to 3.0 years). Four eyes (17%) had an IOP increase >10 mm Hg on day one. The mean IOP or number of medications did not significantly change after phacoemulsification at one month or thereafter (P > .05). One eye (4%) required a second AGV.


CONCLUSIONS
Small-incision cataract surgery is consistent with maintenance of IOP control in eyes with functioning AGV. A minority of the eyes will require repeat glaucoma surgery.
Gujral
Satvinder
S
Glaucoma Division, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
Nouri-Mahdavi
Kouros
K
Caprioli
Joseph
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology