Comparison of Short-term Outcomes of Aurolab Aqueous Drainage Implant with Ahmed Glaucoma Valve in Post-Penetrating Keratoplasty Glaucoma: A Retrospective Follow-up Study at a Tertiary Care Center.

PURPOSE

Comparison of short-term outcomes of the Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) with the Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) in post-penetrating keratoplasty glaucoma (PPKG).

DESIGN

Retrospective study design.

PARTICIPANTS

We analyzed the data of patients who underwent glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation for PPKG between the time period of 2008 to 2017. A total of 57 eyes of 55 patients were included.

METHODS

Parameters including age, sex, corneal graft clarity, duration between the keratoplasty and glaucoma surgery, visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of antiglaucoma drugs (topical and oral) before surgery, and type of GDD were studied. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group I, patients undergoing AADI implantation; and group II, patients undergoing AGV implantation. Patients with at least 6 months follow-up were included. The postoperative VA and IOP were analyzed on day 1 and at 1 week, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. The success of GDD was defined as complete success (IOP > 5 mmHg or 5 mmHg or 21 mmHg with or without antiglaucoma medication; IOP 0.05). At 6 months overall success rate was 84.21% in both groups (P = 1.00), though the complete success was slightly higher in group II, which was nonsignificant (31.58% vs. 39.47%, P = 0.56). There was no significant difference between baseline and final VA in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Both AADI and AGV are equally effective in controlling IOP in post-penetrating glaucoma. The AADI, being a cost-effective implant, may be more suitable for developing countries.