Panretinal photocoagulation combined with Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation for neovascular glaucoma

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of panretinal photocoagulation combined with Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation for neovascular glaucoma (NVG).Methods This study was based on 30 eyes of 28 patients with NVG who underwent panretinal photocoagulation combined with Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation.The best corrected visual acuity,the new vessels of iris,intraocular pressure (IOP) and complication were observed preoperatively and postoperatively.Results The best corrected visual acuities were improved in 13 eyes,decline in 5 eyes and no change in 12 eyes.The average IOP was (43.2 ±5.4)mm Hg preoperatively,(12.9 ± 4.9) mm Hg at 1 week,(14.8 ± 4.5) mm Hg at 1 month,(16.3 ± 3.9)mm Hg at 3 months postoperatively (t =16.584,t =17.576,t =14.328,P ＜ 0.05).These differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).The new vessels of iris in 30 eyes had disappeared completely or partly.The predominant complications were hyphema (4 eyes),shallow anterior chamber (7 eyes),drainage tube blocking (2 eyes),choroidal detachment (2 eyes).Conclusion The panretinal photocoagulation combined with Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation is an ideal operation for NVG,because it can lower IOP,decrease complication and preserve visual function. Key words: Glaucoma, neovascular;  Photocoagulation, panretinal;  Valve, glaucoma, Ahmed