Posterior segment complications of Ahmed valve implantation

Background: To assess the time, incidence, and outcome of posterior segment complications of Ahmed valve implantation (AVI).

Methods: 248 eyes that underwent AVI were reviewed retrospectively. Visual acuity, preoperative characteristics, and postoperative posterior segment complications were assessed.

Results: The incidence of posterior segment complications of AVI was 31.4% (78/248). The mean follow-up period was 97.4 ± 53.5 months. The mean time to occur posterior segment complication was 1.5 months. The most common posterior segment complication was choroidal detachment (17.7%) and others included ocular decompression retinopathy (3.2%), hypotonic maculopathy (2.8%), vitreous hemorrhage (2.0%), retinal detachment (1.2%), endophthalmitis (1.2%), suprachoroidal hemorrhage (1.2%), epiretinal membrane (0.8%), cystoid macular edema (0.8%), and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (0.4%). Older age, hypertension, and postoperative hypotony had an increased risk of posterior segment complications of AVI.

Conclusions: The overall incidence of posterior segment complications of AVI was 31.4%. Older age, hypertension, and postoperative hypotony were significantly associated with posterior segment complications of AVI.