Surgical outcomes of glaucoma drainage device surgery in an African context

Background: The use of glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs) in the management of glaucoma is increasing; however, there is a paucity of data comparing the surgical outcomes of different devices in an African context. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the surgical outcomes of the Ahmed glaucoma valve and the aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) device in glaucoma cases within an African context. Setting: Patient data were obtained from Groote Schuur Hospital and Eerste River Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. Methods: The study was a comparative retrospective review of the medical records of consecutive adult patients who received GDD surgery over a 2-year period using standardised surgical techniques. Results: A total of 76 patients/eyes were included in the study, 48 in the Ahmed group and 28 in the AADI group. The overall 1-year and 2-year qualified success rates were 75% and 77.1% respectively, for the Ahmed, and 78.6% and 85.7% respectively, for the AADI (P = 0.757; P = 0.873). The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) in the Ahmed group decreased from 32 ± 12 mmHg to 16 ± 6 mmHg at 2 years, compared to 33 ± 13 mmHg to 14 ± 6 mmHg at 2 years in the AADI group. Most (63, 82.9%) patients required postoperative glaucoma medications. Conclusion: The Ahmed and AADI groups achieved comparable success rates over a 2-year period. A similar IOP reduction was achieved with no difference in the need for medication between the two groups. Contribution: This study adds to the knowledge of GDD surgical outcomes in an African context.