Posters

Outcomes of Ahmed valve implantation combined with phacoemulsification in the management of refractory glaucoma.

Poster Details

First Author: E.Gkaragkani GREECE

Co Author(s): A. Kanellopoulos                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate outcomes of Ahmed valve implantation combined with phacoemulsification in the management of refractory glaucoma.

Setting:

LaserVision gr Clinical and Research Eye Institute, Athens, Greece

Methods:

This is an interventional case series of 14 eyes of 12 patients that underwent phacoemulsification combined with Ahmed valve implantation to improve visual acuity and treat refractory glaucoma. Success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) of 5 mmHg or more and of 18 mm Hg or less with or without anti - glaucoma medications and without further IOP-lowering surgery, removal of implant or loss of light perception acuity. Clinical outcomes assessed included IOP, number of glaucoma medications, final visual acuity and surgical complications.

Results:

Mean age at the time of surgery was 67±10 years(range:46-86).Male to female ratio was 8:4.Mean follow-up was 29±18 months (range6-49). Success as defined above was achieved in 13 out of 14 cases(92%). One case failed and needed further IOP lowering surgery. Post-operative complications included early hypotony in 5 cases(35.7%), minor transient hyphema in 2 cases(14.3%) and significant choroidals in 1 case(7.1%). Visual acuity improved in 64.3% of patients. IOP was significantly reduced from 25±7 to 13±3(p<0.05) as were the number of glaucoma medications 3.8±0.7 vs 1.8±0.8(p<0.05).

Conclusions:

Combined Ahmed valve implantation with phacoemulsification appears to be a safe and effective surgical alternative in the management of refractory glaucoma in the cataract patients.

Financial Disclosure:

... gains financially from product or procedure presented