Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation With and Without Subconjunctival Bevacizumab in Refractory Glaucoma Publisher Pubmed



Zarei R¹ ; Ghasempour M¹ ; Fakhraie G¹ ; Eslami Y¹ ; Mohammadi M¹ ; Hamzeh N¹ ; Sajadi F¹ ; Safizadeh M¹ Show Affiliations
Source: International Ophthalmology Published:2021

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of subconjunctival bevacizumab injection on intraocular pressure (IOP), hypertensive phase, and failure and success rates of Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) implantation. Methods: A total of 63 eyes of 63 patients (30 cases in control and 33 cases in bevacizumab group) were included in this randomized masked prospective clinical trial. Pre- and postoperative BCVA, IOP, number of medications, complications and success rates were compared between AGV + bevacizumab and AGV alone group. Results: Both groups showed statistically significant reductions in IOP in all their follow-up visits (P < 0.05). The mean IOP was lower in the AGV + Bevacizumab group than AGV group in all follow-up visits. However, the difference was only significant at the 3rd month (17.3 ± 6.2 vs. 20.7 ± 4.6, p = 0.04). The number of medications was not differed significantly between the two groups at their last visit (p value = 0.84) Complete success rate was higher in AGV + Bevacizumab. However, the difference was not significant (p = 0.73). The qualified and overall success rate, failure rate and the need for second tube were not statistically different between the two groups. The hypertensive phase was not statistically significant between the 2 groups (33.3% in AGV + Bevacizumab group and 50% in AGV group, p = 0.06) Conclusion: Adjunctive use of Bevacizumab during AGV implantation is beneficial in controlling hypertensive phase and IOP control and may lead to higher success rates and lower failure rates after AGV implantation. However, whether it’s clearly beneficial or its exact role remains to be investigated. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. part of Springer Nature.