AIM: To compare the clinical efficacy of two methods for treating refractory glaucoma.

METHODS: A total of 30 patients with refractory glaucoma(32 eyes)selected from our hospital from January 2014 to September 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the treatment methods, they were divided into experimental group(16 eyes treated by modified Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation)and control group(16 eyes treated by traditional Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation). The visual acuity, intraocular pressure, number of anti-glaucoma drugs, the success rate, complications and average length of hospitalization were compared between the two groups, during follow-up at post operative 1d, 1wk, 1mo, 3mo and 6mo.

RESULTS:There was no significant difference in intraocular pressure between the two groups at post-operative 1d, 1wk, 1mo, 3mo, 6mo(all P>0.05). The total success rate was 87%(14/16)in experimental group while 75%(12/16)in control group(P=0.654). BCVA did not improve significantly at post operative 6 mo compared with baseline in both groups(P>0.05). The average length of hospital stay in the experimental group(4.50±1.37d)was significantly lower than that in the control group(7.63±3.69d)(P=0.003). The incidece of shallow anterior chamber was 31% in control group, while in experimental group, it was 0, which showed significant difference.

CONCLUSION: Modified Ahmed drainage valve implantation is an effective method for treating refractory glaucoma, with more simple operations, shorter hospitalizing time and lower incidence of shallow anterior chamber.