Surgical Outcomes of Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation with Postoperative Use of Prednisolone Acetate versus Difluprednate.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of postoperative topical prednisolone acetate and difluprednate on surgical outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation.

DESIGN

Retrospective, comparative case series.

PARTICIPANTS

The study population consisted of 102 eyes of 90 patients, including 52 eyes that received 1% prednisolone acetate (Pred Forte [PF]; Allergan Inc) and 50 eyes that received 0.05% difluprednate (Durezol [DZ]; Novartis Inc).

METHODS

The medical records of consecutive patients who underwent AGV implantation at the University of California, San Francisco, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients in the PF group received 1% prednisolone acetate 6 to 8 times per day tapered over 5 to 6 months postoperatively, and patients in the DZ group received 0.05% difluprednate 4 times daily tapered over 4 months postoperatively.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications, visual acuity (VA), postoperative complications, and the rate of treatment success.

RESULTS

At 1 year, the IOPs (mean ± standard deviation) were 12.4 ± 3.7 mmHg in the DZ group and 13.0 ± 4.0 mmHg in the PF group (P = 0.49). The numbers of glaucoma medications were 0.72 ± 0.71 in the DZ group and 1.09 ± 0.91 in the PF group (P = 0.04), with reductions from baseline of 2.5  ±  1.0 glaucoma medications in the DZ group and 1.8  ±  1.6 glaucoma medications in the PF group (P = 0.01). The logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution VAs (mean  ±  standard deviation) were 0.55 ± 0.80 in the DZ group and 0.59 ± 0.65 in the PF group after 1 year of follow-up (P = 0.81). The cumulative probabilities of success were 95.8% in the DZ group and 93.5% in the PF group at 1 year (P = 0.61). Postoperative complications occurred in 4 eyes (7.7%) in the DZ group and 6 eyes (12%) in the PF group (P = 0.52).

CONCLUSIONS

After 1 year, postoperative treatment with 0.05% difluprednate after AGV implantation resulted in a similar IOP, with the use of fewer glaucoma medications, compared with postoperative treatment with 1% prednisolone acetate. The rates of treatment success and surgical complications were comparable between the 2 groups during the first year of follow-up.