This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Conjunctival complications common after insertion of glaucoma valve
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Postoperative conjunctival complications after Ahmed glaucoma valve insertion are more common than not, according to a study, with the two main types being wound dehiscence and device exposure.
Conjunctival dehiscence is usually benign and does not need repair, the study authors said, whereas device exposure may need surgical repair.
The retrospective review included 158 patients with an Ahmed glaucoma valve (New World Medical) followed up for at least 1 year, with a median follow-up of 43.5 months.
Sixty-seven patients (42.4%) had conjunctival complications; 53 had wound dehiscence and 14 had device exposure. Ninety-one patients (57.6%) had no conjunctival complications.
The number of ocular hypotensive medications that a patient takes preoperatively influences outcomes, according to the study authors.
“Long-standing use of multiple hypotensive medications can change the nature of the conjunctiva and may lead to conjunctival complications,” they said. In this study, using more topical glaucoma medications was a risk factor for conjunctival complications (P = .01).
Previous trauma or surgery may also be risk factors.
Disclosure: See the study for a full list of all authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts