| Summary: | INTRODUCTION[|]To evaluate the short term outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation in refractory glaucoma.[¤]METHODS[|]A total of 31 cases who had undergone AGV implantation between January 2018 and March 2019 for refractory glaucoma were retrospectively evaluated. The patients, with a visual acuity of at least light perception, had postoperative follow-up records of at least 6 months were included in the study. Preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), number of topical antiglaucoma medications and central corneal thickness (CCT) were recorded. Any postoperative complications were noted.[¤]RESULTS[|]The surgical outcome was graded as complete success for IOP between 5-22 mmHg without antiglaucomatous medication; qualified success for IOP between 5-22 mmHg with antiglaucomatous medication; and failure for IOP >22 mmHg despite medication. The sum of the complete success and qualified success groups was defined as total success. The mean follow-up time was 12.94+-4.98 months. The preoperative mean IOP levels and topical antiglaucoma medication numbers decreased from 40.84+-8.27 mmHg to 13.84+-2.95 mmHg and 3.68+-0.54 to 1.10+-1.35 respectively at the final postoperative examination. There were no significant differences between preoperative and postoperative CCT and BCVA levels (p>0.05). The most common (n=3) complication was encapsulated cyst formation in the AGV plate region. The complete, qualified and total success rates were 45.2% (n=14), 54.8% (n=17) and 100% (n=31), respectively.[¤]DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION[|]Although the mean preoperative IOP levels are quite high in refractory glaucoma cases, in short term, AGV implantation is an effective surgery for lowering IOP. With longer follow-ups, it will be possible to show the sustainable impact of AGV implantation on lowering IOP. [¤]
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