Pretreatment With Frequent Topical Betamethasone In Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation

Published 2023 - 41st Congress of the ESCRS

Reference: PO0879 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/369d-1k78

Authors: Nader Nassiri* ¹ , Maryam Yadgari ² , Kourosh Sheibani ³ , Sara Kavousnezhad ⁴

¹Imam Hossein Medical Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences,Tehran,Iran, Islamic Republic Of, ²Ophthalmology,Imam Hossein Medical Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences,Tehran,Iran, Islamic Republic Of, ³Basir Eye Health Research Center,Tehran,Iran, Islamic Republic Of, ⁴Vanak Eye Surgery Center,Tehran,Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of pretreatment with topical betamethasone in Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation.

Setting

Basir Eye Clinic, Tehran, Iran.

Methods

In this randomized clinical trial sixty-two eyes from 62 patients undergoing AGV was randomly assigned to 2 arms of the study. The case group received AGV implantation with preoperative betamethasone eye drops, and the control group did not receive preoperative betamethasone. Follow-up examinations were performed on postoperative day 1, at least weekly for 4 weeks, and then every 1 to 3 months. Our main outcome measure was the rate of success, defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) <15 mm Hg and IOP ≤18 mm Hg.

Results

We analyzed 62 eyes divided to case (n = 33) and control (n = 29) groups. The success rate was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group at 12 months postoperatively when considering either IOP < 15 or IOP < 18 mm Hg as success (p < 0.001) and also at 6 months when considering IOP < 18 mm Hg as success (p < 0.041). The reduction in the number of antiglaucoma medications used postoperatively was significantly higher in the betamethasone group at follow-up at 1 and 3 months and 1 year.

Conclusions

Pretreatment with topical betamethasone in AGV implantations increases the success rate and reduces the need for medications.