Outcome of valved versus non-valved glaucoma drainage implant surgeries in eyes with refractory glaucoma

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this work was to compare the surgical outcomes of valved glaucoma drainage implants versus non-valved glaucoma drainage implants in the management of patients with refractory glaucoma. 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