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

Abstract

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.