Migration of intraocular silicone oil into the subconjunctival space and orbit through an Ahmed glaucoma valve

PURPOSE: To report a patient with intraocular silicone oil migration into the subconjunctival space and orbit through an Ahmed glaucoma valve implant. METHODS: Observational case report. A 29-year-old female with diabetes mellitus and proliferative diabetic retinopathy underwent three left eye pars plana vitrectomies and ultimately intraocular silicone oil placement for tractional retinal detachment. Subsequently, she developed neovascular glaucoma and underwent an inferotemporal Ahmed glaucoma tube implant, left eye. RESULTS: Intraocular silicone oil migrated through the Ahmed glaucoma valve into the subconjunctival space and orbit. Left eve evisceration with silicone oil removal was performed for a blind painful left eye and improve, ment of appearance. CONCLUSION: Silicone oil migration through an Ahmed valve may be observed after retinal detachment repair with intraocular silicone oil. An Ahmed valve may be contraindicated in eyes of patients with intraocular silicone oil. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.