Innovative usage of the remaining portion of Ahmed glaucoma valve tube as an implant in nonpenetrating glaucoma surgery.

ABSTRACT

With the advent of nonpenetrating glaucoma surgeries (NPGS), these techniques are noticed more considerably by glaucoma surgeons due to lower complications in comparison to penetrating surgeries with comparable outcomes. One of the main objectives in these surgeries is the creation of an intrascleral filtering space as an alternative for subconjunctival filtering bleb. Intrascleral fibrosis in the long term reduces the volume of intrascleral bleb, so the use of implants as a space holder for preventing the collapse of scleral flaps and continued aqueous humor drainage is recommended. A lot of materials with diverse designs have been used as implants in NPGS. In this study, the remaining of Ahmed valve's tube was used as an implant in four eyes of four patients. The technique for the implant we introduced, offers significant advantages over previously reported implants. The material is biocompatible, low cost, and easily accessible in all the centers performing glaucoma surgeries.