AIM: To evaluate the use of an Ahmed glaucoma valve(AGV)in treating glaucoma eyes.

METHODS: Totally 94 cases 102 glaucoma eyes underwent Ahmed valve implantation.Neovascular glaucoma eyes were treated with retinal photocoagulation 1-2 weeks after operation. Patients were followed up for over a six-month period.

RESULTS: The mean intraocular pressure(IOP)was lowered from 48.52±6.42mmHg preoperatively to 11.20±3.34mmHg postoperatively. Compared with preoperative IOP, the IOP at each period after surgery was significantly lower(P<0.01). Complete success was achieved in 96 eyes and there was qualified success in 2 eyes. The total success rate was 96.1%. Some of the complications were transient hyphema, early post-operative hypotony, and a transient shallow anterior chamber.

CONCLUSION: AGV implantation is a new and effective technique in glaucoma.