LAUSR

PRECIS Ahmed and Baerveldt implants succeed in 90.7% of cases for lowering intraocular pressure <21▒mmHg at one year when used for the treatment of juvenile open-angle glaucoma. PURPOSE Report one-year outcomes of Ahmed and Baerveldt tubes as the treatment for juvenile open-angle glaucoma at an academic institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients 18 to 40 years of age at the time of juvenile open-angle glaucoma diagnosis, who had inadequately controlled glaucoma with an intraocular pressure of 18▒mm Hg or more on maximum tolerated anti-glaucoma therapy that underwent tube shunt surgery with at least six months of follow up were eligible for the study. Exclusion criteria included evidence of neovascular, uveitic or inflammatory, steroid-induced or primary congenital glaucoma, or if they did not have light perception vision. Postoperative failure was defined as an intraocular pressure, with or without anti-glaucoma drops, greater than 21▒mm Hg for two consecutive visits after three months from surgery, <20% decrease in intraocular pressure at 1 year, no light perception, or revision of a implant due to high intraocular pressure. RESULTS The study population included 32 eyes from 25 patients who underwent tube shunt surgery. The failure rate at 1-year follow-up was 9.3%, and the postoperative complication rate at 1-year follow-up was 9.3%. The average change from baseline to one year for IOP was a decrease of 9.8±9.10, for the number of anti-glaucoma drops number was a decrease of 0.38±1.06, and for the visual acuity was an increase of 0.03±0.27. CONCLUSIONS Ahmed and Baerveldt implantation succeeded in lower intraocular pressure in 90.7% of patients at one year. Continuation of anti-glaucoma drops to maintain the intraocular pressure after surgery is likely required.