Innovative Usage of Remaining of Ahmed Valve Tube as an Implant in NonPenetrating Glaucoma Surgery

To introduce an Innovative usage of remaining of Ahmad valve tube as an implant in non-penetrating glaucoma surgery (NPGS) with the advantages of being biocompatible, easily available, and non-absorbable with low cost. Patients and Methods: A prospective case series of 4 patients with advanced primary open angle glaucoma who underwent viscocanalostomy surgery and a piece of the tube cut during the shunting procedure inserted in scleral flaps. The intrascleral bleb was studied with AS-OCT in one patient.

The intraocular pressures were significantly reduced and maintained in all cases. No significant intraoperative or postoperative complications such as trabeculo-descemetic membrane rupture were occurred. By the aid of AS-OCT, a well-formed intrascleral bleb was shown postoperatively.

This is for the first time that the remaining of Ahmed valve’s tube is introduced as a non-absorbable implant in NPGS which is safe and simple to perform and easily accessible in all centers. We suggest the use of the remainder of Ahmed valve’s tube as implant in NPGS.