Materials and Methods: A case series including 83 phakic eyes without cataracts that underwent AGV implantation for refractory glaucoma was analyzed retrospectively. The Kaplan-Meier analysis was applied according to the time interval between AGV implantation and phacoemulsification (PE), as well as surgical failure time. Surgical failure was defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) of >21 mmHg at two consecutive visits or the requirement of additional IOP-reducing surgery, the presence of light perception loss, AGV explantation, or the diagnosis of phthisis bulbi.

Results: The mean age was 52.9±20.8 years. The mean follow-up time was 28.7±22.2 months. The mean preoperative IOP was 39.5±11 mmHg, which was reduced to 16.1±8 mmHg at the postoperative last visit. At the last visit, 55 eyes (66.2%) met the surgical success criteria. Twenty-one patients (25.3%) developed cataracts during the follow-up period, and the mean time interval from AGV implantation to PE was 11.57±8.29 months. The cumulative probability of clear lens continuation according to the time interval from AGV implantation to PE showed a survival time estimate of 66.8 months and a success probability of 64% at three years. The Kaplan-Meier analysis according to the surgical success criteria showed 67.6% success at three years.

Conclusions: AGV implantation in phakic eyes successfully reduced the IOP values and resulted in 64% cumulative probability of lens survival without cataract development at three years. Keywords : Ahmed glaucoma valve, Cataract, Intraocular pressure, Phacoemulsification