Long-term results of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation with/without intravitreal anti-VEGF injection in neovascular glaucoma patients

J Fr Ophtalmol. 2024 Oct;47(8):104240. doi: 10.1016/j.jfo.2024.104240. Epub 2024 Jul 2.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation with or without anti-VEGF injections in neovascular glaucoma patients.

Materials and methods: This single-center retrospective study assessed NVG patients who underwent AGV implantation with or without anti-VEGF injections. Demographic and clinical data, including ocular findings, intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, and glaucoma medication count, were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively at one day, one month, and one year. The study included 35 patients. Group 1 consisted of 23 patients who received anti-VEGF injections before AGV surgery. Group 2, with 12 patients, had no anti-VEGF injections prior to surgery. Successful surgery was defined as IOP values between 6 and 21mmHg. The primary outcome was a 30% or more reduction in IOP.

Results: The groups displayed no significant difference in their demographic or clinical profiles (P>0.05). The visual acuity before and one year after surgery did not differ significantly between the groups. However, IOP values significantly decreased by the end of the one-year follow-up for both groups. No significant differences were found between the groups regarding visual acuity, IOP, or the number of medications during the one-year follow-up (P>0.05). Success rates were 95.7% for Group 1 and 91.7% for Group 2. No significant difference in complications between the groups was observed (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Anti-VEGF injections prior to AGV implantation did not significantly impact visual acuity, IOP values, or medication count during the one-year follow-up.

Keywords: Acuité visuelle; Glaucoma drainage implants; Glaucome néovasculaire; Injections intra-vitréennes; Intraocular pressure; Intravitreal injections; Neovascular glaucoma; Pression intraoculaire; Valves de glaucome; Visual acuity.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors* / administration & dosage
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glaucoma Drainage Implants*
  • Glaucoma, Neovascular* / drug therapy
  • Glaucoma, Neovascular* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure* / drug effects
  • Intraocular Pressure* / physiology
  • Intravitreal Injections*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Visual Acuity*

Substances

  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors