Ahmed valve implantation for neovascular glaucoma after 23-gauge vitrectomy in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

AIM: To report on the outcome of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation for the management of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) after 23-gauge vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: Twelve medically uncontrolled NVG with earlier 23-gauge vitrectomy for PDR underwent AGV implantation. The control of intraocular pressure (IOP), preoperative and postoperative best -corrected visual acuity, the development of intraoperative and postoperative complications were evaluated during the follow-up. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 15.4 +/- 4.3 months (9-23 months). Mean preoperative IOP was 49.4 +/- 5.1 mmHg and mean postoperative IOP at the last visit was 17.5 +/- 1.6mmHg. The control of IOP was achieved at the final follow-up visits in all patients, however, 8 of 12 patients still needed anti-glaucoma medication (mean number of medications, 0.8 +/- 0.7). The visual acuity improved in nine eyes, and the visual acuity unchanged in three eyes at the final follow -up visits. The complications that occurred were minor hyphema in three eyes, choroid detachment in two eyes, and the minor hyphema and choroid detachments were reabsorbed without any surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: AGV implantation is a safe and effective procedure that enables successful IOP control and vision preservation in the NVG patients with the history of earlier 23-gauge vitrectomy for PDR.