The Ahmed versus Baerveldt Study at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital: Three-Year Treatment Outcomes

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcomes of two frequently used surgical valves in treating refractory glaucoma. METHODS: This was a retrospective and nonrandomized study comparing patients aged 18 years or older who underwent implantation using standardized surgical techniques. RESULTS: A total of 86 patients were included in the study, 48 in the Ahmed group and 38 in the Baerveldt group. The overall success rate was 63.1% in both the groups. At the 3-year follow-up, the Ahmed group had a mean intraocular pressure (IOP) of 14.0 ± 4.8 mmHg (60% reduction) compared with 15.8 ± 6.2 mmHg (53.3% reduction) in the Baerveldt group (0.536). The Ahmed group required an average of 1.6 ± 1.3 medications (59% reduction) compared with 2.1 ± 1.7 (40% reduction) in the Baerveldt group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Despite a high failure rate, both devices were effective in lowering IOP and the need for medications. Lower IOP and medications were needed in the Ahmed group.