Results of Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation in Pediatric Glaucoma at Labbafinejad Medical Center

To evaluate the early and intermediate outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation in pediatric glaucoma at Labbafinejad Medical Center.
This was a retrospective chart review of 101 eyes of 80 consecutive patients with pediatric glaucoma who underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation. Success was defined as an intraocular pressure less than 21 mmHg with or without medication. Subgroup analysis was performed in three groups. Group 1 included phakic eyes with primary congenital glaucoma (60.4%); group 2 consisted of eyes with glaucoma that developed after congenital cataract surgery (31.7%); and group 3 included eyes with glaucoma caused by other etiologies (7.9%).
Mean age at the time Ahmad glaucoma valve implantation was 94.7 ± 77.8 months. The cumulative probabilities of success measured by the Kaplan-Meier analysis at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months was, respectively, 79%, 69.4%, 62.5%, 56.8% and 52.4% in group 1 and 79.9%, 75.9%, 71.5%, 71.5% and 71.5% in group 2. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis failed to reveal any difference in survival profiles related to specific diagnosis of glaucoma. Severe surgical complication occurred in 19.8% of cases. Tube-related complications were the most common complication but difference was not significant statistically among the subgroups. Reoperation was necessary in 21 eyes (20.8%).
Ahmed glaucoma implantation is an option for the management of pediatric glaucoma. However, reoperation was commonly required for the tube-related complications and uncontrolled intraocular pressure.