Ahmed and Baerveldt glaucoma drainage implant outcomes
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe

This study reports the surgical outcomes of both the Ahmed (AGV) and Baerveldt (BGI) glaucoma drainage implants in a cohort of patients with primary congenital glaucoma over a long follow-up in a single tertiary centre. This was a retrospective study of cases <16 years of age over a 10-year period. One-hundred-and-fifty-three eyes of 86 patients were reviewed: 19 AGV and 67 BGI groups. Children were significantly older in the BGI group than AGV: 8.9 ±13.5 months vs. 3.3 ±7.8 months. There was no significant difference between groups for gender, number of glaucoma medications or follow-up period. The number of children with more than one previous glaucoma procedure was significantly higher in the AGV group: 53.3% vs. 21.2%. There was no significant difference between groups for specific postoperative complications but there was significant difference for overall number of complications: 60.8% for AGV vs. 36.4% for BVI. There were also significantly more postoperative revisions and reoperations for AGV: 29.2% vs. 12.1%. The results show both surgical methods are successful in providing adequate intraocular pressure control in the first few postoperative years. However, there are differences in long-term outcomes. Baerveldt had significantly lower mean intraocular pressure, a higher surgical success rate and less complications. The authors note the limitation of their retrospective study design and recommend future prospective clinical trials.

Comparison of the Ahmed and Baerveldt glaucoma drainage implants in the treatment of primary congenital glaucoma.
Badawi AH, AlOwaifeer AM, Mofti A, et al.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY AND STRABISMUS
2023;60:448–54.