Nd:YAG capsulotomy for Ahmed glaucoma drainage implant occlusion by the anterior capsule: a case report

BACKGROUND: Glaucoma drainage implants have been used with increasing frequency for the management of glaucoma. Patients who are candidates for glaucoma drainage devices often have more severe disease and are at risk of vision loss with post-operative elevations in intraocular pressure (IOP). One post-operative complication that can result in IOP elevation after glaucoma drainage device implantation is occlusion of the tube lumen. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we present a novel case of tube occlusion by the anterior capsule in a patient who underwent combined phacoemulsification and Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation. The tube occlusion was successfully managed with Nd:YAG capsulotomy with immediate IOP lowering. CONCLUSIONS: While there have been previous reports of occlusion of the tube lumen by vitreous, iris, blood and fibrin, to our knowledge this is the first report of tube occlusion by the anterior lens capsule and the first report to describe its successful management.