Posterior segment complications of Ahmed valve implantation.

BACKGROUND

To assess the time, incidence, and outcome of posterior segment complications of Ahmed valve implantation (AVI).

METHODS

248 eyes that underwent AVI were reviewed retrospectively. Visual acuity, preoperative characteristics, and postoperative posterior segment complications were assessed.

RESULTS

The incidence of posterior segment complications of AVI was 31.4% (78/248). The mean follow-up period was 97.4 ± 53.5 months. The mean time to occur posterior segment complication was 1.5 months. The most common posterior segment complication was choroidal detachment (17.7%) and others included ocular decompression retinopathy (3.2%), hypotonic maculopathy (2.8%), vitreous hemorrhage (2.0%), retinal detachment (1.2%), endophthalmitis (1.2%), suprachoroidal hemorrhage (1.2%), epiretinal membrane (0.8%), cystoid macular edema (0.8%), and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (0.4%). Older age, hypertension, and postoperative hypotony had an increased risk of posterior segment complications of AVI.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall incidence of posterior segment complications of AVI was 31.4%. Older age, hypertension, and postoperative hypotony were significantly associated with posterior segment complications of AVI.