PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of primary Ahmed glaucoma valve in refractory secondary glaucoma following congenital cataract surgery, particularly in persistent foetal vasculature. METHOD: Retrospective review of paediatric patients after Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation for refractory post-lensectomy glaucoma in a tertiary referral centre in Spain. Surgical complications, additional and/or replacements of Ahmed glaucoma valve, intraocular pressure, cup-to-disc ratio, glaucoma medications and final visual acuity were studied. RESULTS: A total of 29 eyes, 41% with persistent foetal vasculature and 59% with non-persistent foetal vasculature were included with mean follow-up of 105 ± 67 and 74 ± 45 months, respectively, after first Ahmed glaucoma valve implant. Median survival time for the first Ahmed glaucoma valve was significantly lower in persistent foetal vasculature (7.0 ± 3.2 months) compared to non-persistent foetal vasculature (over 129 months), p = 0.001. The cumulative probability of success in persistent foetal vasculature and non-persistent foetal vasculature eyes with Ahmed glaucoma valve were, respectively, 37.5% and 88.2% at year 1 and 28.1% and 71.9% at year 5. Cox regression model suggested persistent foetal vasculature as predictive risk factor of time to Ahmed glaucoma valve failure (hazard ratio: 5.77, p = 0.004). Four eyes developed phthisis bulbi. Mean intraocular pressure prior glaucoma surgery was 32.66 ± 6.73 mmHg and decreased to 16.54 ± 2.75 mmHg (p < 0.001) at final visit. The most frequent early postoperative complication was severe hypotony (32.6%) which tended to be self-limiting. Vitreous haemorrhage was associated with persistent foetal vasculature (p = 0.024). Ahmed glaucoma valve replacements after complications and additional Ahmed glaucoma valve implantations due to unsatisfactory intraocular pressure were more common in the persistent foetal vasculature group. CONCLUSION: Eyes with persistent foetal vasculature and secondary glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery followed by AGV implantation had a higher number of complications and a decreased probability of success compared to the non-persistent foetal vasculature group. Both groups achieved a significant decrease in intraocular pressure; thus, Ahmed glaucoma valve may be considered as first-line treatment in refractory glaucoma following congenital cataract surgery.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of primary Ahmed glaucoma valve in refractory secondary glaucoma following congenital cataract surgery, particularly in persistent foetal vasculature. METHOD: Retrospective review of paediatric patients after Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation for refractory post-lensectomy glaucoma in a tertiary referral centre in Spain. Surgical complications, additional and/or replacements of Ahmed glaucoma valve, intraocular pressure, cup-to-disc ratio, glaucoma medications and final visual acuity were studied. RESULTS: A total of 29 eyes, 41% with persistent foetal vasculature and 59% with non-persistent foetal vasculature were included with mean follow-up of 105 ± 67 and 74 ± 45 months, respectively, after first Ahmed glaucoma valve implant. Median survival time for the first Ahmed glaucoma valve was significantly lower in persistent foetal vasculature (7.0 ± 3.2 months) compared to non-persistent foetal vasculature (over 129 months), p = 0.001. The cumulative probability of success in persistent foetal vasculature and non-persistent foetal vasculature eyes with Ahmed glaucoma valve were, respectively, 37.5% and 88.2% at year 1 and 28.1% and 71.9% at year 5. Cox regression model suggested persistent foetal vasculature as predictive risk factor of time to Ahmed glaucoma valve failure (hazard ratio: 5.77, p = 0.004). Four eyes developed phthisis bulbi. Mean intraocular pressure prior glaucoma surgery was 32.66 ± 6.73 mmHg and decreased to 16.54 ± 2.75 mmHg (p < 0.001) at final visit. The most frequent early postoperative complication was severe hypotony (32.6%) which tended to be self-limiting. Vitreous haemorrhage was associated with persistent foetal vasculature (p = 0.024). Ahmed glaucoma valve replacements after complications and additional Ahmed glaucoma valve implantations due to unsatisfactory intraocular pressure were more common in the persistent foetal vasculature group. CONCLUSION: Eyes with persistent foetal vasculature and secondary glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery followed by AGV implantation had a higher number of complications and a decreased probability of success compared to the non-persistent foetal vasculature group. Both groups achieved a significant decrease in intraocular pressure; thus, Ahmed glaucoma valve may be considered as first-line treatment in refractory glaucoma following congenital cataract surgery.
Entities:
Keywords:
Ahmed valve for glaucoma; Childhood glaucoma; aphakic glaucoma; glaucoma drainage devices.; glaucoma following congenital cataract surgery; persistent foetal vasculature