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Abstract

Purpose:

To evaluate the outcome of single long scleral tunnel technique for the prevention of conjunctival erosions caused by the Ahmed glaucoma valve.

Methods:

This study was a retrospective case series that included 30 eyes of 30 patients who underwent glaucoma valve implantation surgery by the single long scleral tunnel technique.

Results:

The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 52 ± 21.6 years (range: 10–90 years). The mean visual acuity was 1.5 ± 0.81 logMAR preoperatively. The intraocular pressure was 40.7 ± 9.18 mm Hg (range: 25–58) before surgery that decreased significantly to 19.7 ± 3.1 mm Hg (range: 14–25; p < 0.0001) after a mean follow-up of 37.2 ± 5.9 months. During follow-up, no case of tube exposure was detected in patients.

Conclusion:

Single long scleral technique was efficacious with no occurrence of tube exposure in relatively long period of follow-up. In this method, there is no need to harvest any additional material, and in situations with limited access to patch grafts, it is performable with the minimal facilities.

Keywords

Ahmed glaucoma valve tube exposure scleral tunnel

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