Combined Ahmed valve and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation under infliximab in refractory uveitic glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of combined Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) and phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation under infliximab in refractory uveitic glaucoma (UG).

METHODS

In this prospective interventional case series, 26 eyes of 26 patients with refractory UG underwent surgery under intravenous infliximab. The success rate was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) 5 to 21 mm Hg with or without antiglaucoma medications (AGM), without additional glaucoma surgical intervention.

RESULTS

The mean IOP (37.8 ± 11.86 to 12.2 ± 2.8 mm Hg; p<0.0001) and mean number of AGM (3.4 ± 1.2 to 0.4 ± 0.1; p<0.001) were significantly reduced after surgery at 2 years. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a cumulative probability of success for IOP control of 92% at 2 years of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined AGV and phacoemulsification is an effective treatment for controlling refractory UG with complicated cataract under infliximab.