Ex-PRESS Miniature Glaucoma Shunt Versus Ahmed Glaucoma Valve in the Surgical Treatment of Glaucoma in Pseudophakic Patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the 3-year outcome of Ex-PRESS miniature glaucoma shunt versus Ahmed glaucoma valve in pseudophakic patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with a history of clear corneal phacoemulsification alone, or failed trabeculectomy following phacoemulsification, who subsequently underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation or Ex-PRESS shunt surgery. The main outcome measure, surgical success, was defined as an intraocular pressure between 5 and 21 mm Hg and a 20% intraocular pressure reduction from baseline (with/without glaucoma medications) without glaucoma reoperation.

RESULTS: In total, 92 patients (92 eyes) were included (43 AGV, 49 Ex-PRESS). Overall success at 3 years was 92.7% for AGV and 66.1% for Ex-PRESS (P=0.006). AGV had a higher success rate in patients with prior phacoemulsification and failed trabeculectomy (96% AGV vs. 64.1% Ex-PRESS; P=0.023). There was no difference in success rate for patients with only previous phacoemulsification (87.5% AGV vs. 69.4% Ex-PRESS; P=0.205). Glaucoma reoperation rates were 4.6% and 30.6% in the AGV and Ex-PRESS group, respectively (P=0.001). Both procedures had similar complication rates.

CONCLUSIONS: AGV compared with Ex-PRESS shunt, had a higher success rate for secondary surgeries but not primary surgeries, in patients with prior clear corneal phacoemulsification. The AGV surgery also had a lower overall glaucoma reoperation rate.