Abstract

REBOLLEDA, G  and  MUNOZ-NEGRETE, FJ. Extender-tube for Ahmed glaucoma valve implant. Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol [online]. 2003, vol.78, n.9, pp.513-515. ISSN 0365-6691.

Case report: We describe the case of a 16 year-old woman, with inflammatory glaucoma secondary to juvenile rheumatic arthritis, successfully treated by Ahmed glaucoma valve implant. Two years later, a severe increase of intraocular pressure related to anterior tube migration occurred. The Ahmed valve tube extender was successfully used to lengthen the tube. Discussion: If the tube length is too short to reintroduce it into the eye, there are three surgical options: to use a tube extender, to insert the tube via the pars plana or to insert a new drainage implant. A piece of an angiocatheter or a silastic tube have been used for lengthening the tube of the valve implant; however the Ahmed valve tube extender design makes surgery easier and allows keeping the valve in the original place, minimizing the risk of postoperative migration.

Keywords : Ahmed valve; extender tube; spacer; inflammatory glaucoma.