A Retrospective Comparison of Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implants with or without Ologen Collagen Matrix

Abstract

Purpose To study the effects of Ologen collagen matrix on the outcomes of the Ahmed glaucoma valve implant. Study Design Retrospective case-control multicenter study, conducted at four centers, comparing the 6-month outcomes of Ahmed valve implants with or without Ologen. Participants The study included 125 eyes in a 4:1 pairing (25 patients with Ologen matched to 100 patients without Ologen). Intervention Ologen was placed over the Ahmed plate in the study group. Success was defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤ 21 mmHg either with no medication (complete success) or regardless of medications (qualified success). Other outcomes included IOP variation, eye drop use, and surgical complications. Results Overall, the IOP decreased from 30.72 ± 9.08 to 16.14 ± 4.79 mmHg (p=0.0001). Of the 125 eyes, 26 achieved complete success and 94 achieved qualified success. There was no difference in complete success between the groups (p=0.12); however, there was a difference in qualified success (p=0.01), with better results in the no-Ologen group (80% vs 56%). There were no differences in the decrease in medications (p=0.06), as well as the incidence of complications (p=0.69). Although the need for postoperative surgical reintervention was higher in the no-Ologen group (13% vs 4%), the difference was not significant (p=0.2). Conclusion The reductions in IOP and number of medications were similar in both groups after 6 months, with similar complication rates. The qualified success rate was lower in the Ologen group, but further studies are needed to clarify the role of Ologen in Ahmed valve implants.