Long-term success rates poor after AGV surgery in children with primary congenital glaucoma

The 10-year success rates of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) surgery in children with primary congenital glaucoma are poor despite high short-term success, according to a study.

In this study, children with primary congenital or early childhood secondary glaucoma who underwent AGV surgery over a 10-year period (one eye per child) were included.

Surgical failure was defined as ≥1 of the following:

-Intraocular pressure of >21 mm Hg 3 months after surgery

-Reoperation for glaucoma

-Vision loss to no light perception

Of the 178 patients included, 125 had primary congenital glaucoma and 53 had secondary childhood glaucoma.

At 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years the success rates were 92%, 64%, and 36%, respectively.

Patients who were younger at baseline and those who had secondary childhood glaucoma were associated with lower success.

Reference
Mofti A, Alharbi A, Alsuhaibani M, et al. Long-term outcomes of the Ahmed glaucoma valve surgery in childhood glaucoma. J AAPOS. 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaapos.2020.06.014