Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The management of refractory glaucoma is a challenging task for any glaucoma
surgeon. This study is aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Ahmed Glaucoma Valve implantation in
refractory glaucomas in South-West Ethiopia.
METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on the charts of consecutive patients treated with
Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation at Jimma University Specialized Hospital between August 2012 and
August 2014. Success was defined as Intraocular Pressure (IOP) less than 22 mm Hg and greater than
5mm Hg at 6 months, with at least 30% reduction from baseline, without medical therapy (complete
success) or either with or without medication (qualified successes)..
RESULTS: A total of 12 eyes of 11 patients were included. The mean age of patients was 40.7 (SD= 19.0)
years; 63.6% of them were males. The main types of glaucoma were pseudoexfoliative (3 eyes), uveitic (2
eyes), chronic angle closure (2 eyes) and Juvenile Open Angle (JOAG) (2 eyes). The mean IOP was
reduced from preoperative level (32.75±7.14 mmHg) to (15.75 ±4.35 mmHg) at six postoperative months,
(P<0.001); 66.7% eyes had complete successes while 83.3% had qualified success. Intra- operative
complications were encountered in 2(16.7%) eyes, while 5/12 (41.7%) eyes had post-operative
complications-hypotony (one with choroidal effusion) and progression of cataract in 2 eyes each.
Hypertensive phase was diagnosed in 2(16.7%) eyes.
CONCLUSION: The Ahmed glaucoma valve implant appears to be effective and relatively safe for
treating complicated glaucomas with success rate comparable with those reported from other studies.
