Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation to Reduce Intraocular Pressure: Updated Perspectives

Abstract

Trabeculectomy and glaucoma drainage device implantation are the most commonly performed glaucoma surgeries worldwide. Although trabeculectomy is the gold standard, at the present time there is an increase in the use of glaucoma drainage devices. The Ahmed glaucoma valve is one of the most widely used glaucoma drainage devices worldwide. Corneal endothelial cell loss and eventually corneal decompensation is one of the serious complication of glaucoma drainage device implantation. To avoid this, drainage tube can be inserted into the ciliary sulcus instead of the anterior chamber, especially in eyes with high risk for corneal decompensation. Tube/plate exposure, hypertensive phase, endophthalmitis, cataract formation, diplopia and ocular hypotony are the other potential complications that can develop after Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation.

Keywords:

• Ahmed glaucoma valve
• glaucoma
• glaucoma drainage device
• tube shunt surgery

Abbreviations

IOP, intraocular pressure; GDD, glaucoma drainage device; AGV, Ahmed glaucoma valve; BGI, Baerveldt glaucoma implant; TVT, tube versus trabeculectomy; ABC, Ahmed Baerveldt comparison; AVB, Ahmed versus Baerveldt; HP, hypertensive phase; MMC, mitomycin-C; 5-FU, 5-Fluorouracil; AMT, amniotic membrane transplantation; PP, pars plana; AC, anterior chamber; CS, ciliary sulcus; NVG, neovascular glaucoma; STSF, short tunnel small flap; SPG, scleral patch graft.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.