AIM:To observe the clinical effect of Ahmed glaucoma valve(AGV)implantation for teenagers with refractory glaucoma.

METHODS: Twenty-seven patients(27 eyes)with refractory glaucoma were treated with AGV implantation in our hospital from October 2012 to October 2014. The patients were followed up for 12mo. The success rate of the operation, postoperative intraocular pressure, the best corrected visual acuity, as well as complications were recorded.

RESULTS: The success rate of the operation was 85%. The intraocular pressure of the 27 patients decreased from 48.3±8.3mmHg before operations to 21.4±8.1mmHg(P<0.05). Visual field defect was -23.7±4.1dB before operations, -27.5±4.7dB at 12mo after operations, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). There was 85% patients with improved or unchanged vision.Early postoperative complications included shallow anterior chamber(5 eyes, 19%), transient high intraocular pressure(3 eyes, 11%)and anterior chamber hemorrhage(4 eyes, 15%), drainage tube obstruction(1 eye, 4%), anterior chamber silicone tube in poor position(1 eye, 4%). There was no ambiopia, drainage erosion and exposed, plate leaked out, choroidal detachment, immune rejection of graft and other complications. Long-term complications included dyscoria(8 eyes, 30%), the back of the plate packed(3 eyes, 11%).

CONCLUSION: AGV implantation is characterized by a high success rate, simple operation, less complications and is an effective treatment for refractory glaucoma in adolescents.