The Ahmed Glaucoma Valve - a new implant for high intraocular pressure

In incurable glaucoma the implantation of traditional drainage systems (suc h as the Molteno implant) usually leads to extreme hypotension in the eye i n the first postoperative period. The Ahmed Glaucoma Valve presents an alte rnative method to avoid this problem. Patients and method: Ten patients with incurable glaucoma received an Ahmed Glaucoma Valve. The average age was 59 years (22-81) and the follow-up per iod was an average of 8 months (4-20). Results: In the early postoperative period the average IOP was 5.5 mm Hg (r ange 4-8.5). We saw chorioidal detachments in two patients but no shallow a nterior chamber. In six patients the pressure rose over 22 mm Hg, but we in duced filtration by massaging the eye or rinsing the system in three and tw o patients, respectively. In nine of the ten patients, tension was definiti vely regulated, in one with an additional topical medication against glauco ma. Conclusions: Unlike the classic glaucoma drainage systems, the Ahmed Glauco ma Valve reduces intraocular pressure in the first postoperative period wit hout the problems of excessive hypotension.