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Review
. 2017 Feb 17:11:357-367.
doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S104220. eCollection 2017.

Ahmed glaucoma valve implant: surgical technique and complications

Ivano Riva  1 , Gloria Roberti  1 , Francesco Oddone  1 , Anastasios Gp Konstas  2 , Luciano Quaranta  3
Affiliations
Review

Ahmed glaucoma valve implant: surgical technique and complications

Ivano Riva et al. Clin Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

Implantation of Ahmed glaucoma valve is an effective surgical technique to reduce intraocular pressure in patients affected with glaucoma. While in the past, the use of this device was reserved to glaucoma refractory to multiple filtration surgical procedures, up-to-date mounting experience has encouraged its use also as a primary surgery for selected cases. Implantation of Ahmed glaucoma valve can be challenging for the surgeon, especially in patients who already underwent previous multiple surgeries. Several tips have to be acquired by the surgeon, and a long learning curve is always needed. Although the valve mechanism embedded in the Ahmed glaucoma valve decreases the risk of postoperative hypotony-related complications, it does not avoid the need of a careful follow-up. Complications related to this type of surgery include early and late postoperative hypotony, excessive capsule fibrosis around the plate, erosion of the tube or plate edge, and very rarely infection. The aim of this review is to describe surgical technique for Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation and to report related complications.

Keywords: Ahmed glaucoma valve; complications; glaucoma; glaucoma drainage devices; surgical technique.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Ahmed glaucoma valve implant. Notes: (A) Ahmed glaucoma valve implant components; (B) Ahmed glaucoma valve mechanism. VA presented as velocity of fluid flowing in section A. VB presented as velocity of fluid flowing in section B.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ahmed glaucoma valve: sutureless implantation technique.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Ahmed glaucoma valve: tube exposure due to conjunctival erosion.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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