A recent article in AJO reported on 2-year follow-up data after Ahmed valve implantation versus Molteno single-plate implantation surgical treatment of refractory glaucoma. 92 patients with refractory glaucoma were allocated randomly to each of the study groups and underwent implantation of either the Ahmed valve implant or Molteno single-plate implant, and were followed up for 24 months.

Those who successfully completed the trial achieved significantly less IOP and fewer glaucoma medications, but worse visual acuity 24 months after surgery. The Molteno group, compared with the Ahmed group, achieved significantly lower IOPs after the early postoperative period until the end of the study. Both groups reasonably maintained visual field during the follow-up. The rate of surgical failure was comparable in both groups. There were no devastating intraoperative or postoperative complications in either group.

I don’t think these results are enough to sway surgeons one way or the other.

Subscribers to AJO can access the full article on the AJO website ^[1].