Vol. 6 Issue 2 Part B

Methods: A retrospective comparative investigation was conducted involving 50 eyes diagnosed with refractory glaucoma. 25 eyes received Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV), and 25 eyes received non-valved GDI (Aurolab) at the Ophthalmology Department in Tanta University Hospital (2020-2023). The primary outcome measure was intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction. The secondary outcome measures encompassed antiglaucoma medications (AGMs), LogMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), as well as intraoperative and postoperative complications, eyes exhibiting no light perception vision at baseline and those subjected to a follow-up period of less than three months and < 18 years were excluded.

Results: Baseline data, patients’ characteristics, and glaucoma diagnosis were similar between groups. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) recorded in mmHg was 44.9± 6.3 for the Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) group and 44.0± 6.1 for the Aurolab Aqueous Drainage Implant (AADI) group. The mean duration of follow-up was 17.6±10.1 months for the AGV group and 16.5±9.98 months for the AADI group, respectively. The success rate was observed to be superior in the AADI group (88%) compared to the AGV group (72%) (p = 0.16). At the final follow-up assessment, the mean IOP was determined to be 19.3±8.3 in the AGV group and 12.3 ± 3.7 in the AADI group. The mean IOP and the requirement for AGMs were significantly lower in the AADI group at the last follow-up (p<0.001), while the rates of postoperative complications (AADI 20% vs. AGV 36%) exhibited comparability (p = 0.21).

Conclusion: Both Glaucoma Drainage Implants (GDIs) demonstrated efficacy in lowering IOP and diminishing the necessity for AGMs. Nonetheless, the overall success rate was markedly higher within the AADI group, characterized by significant IOP reduction and a reduced number of AGMs utilized.