Abstract

The Ahmed Baerveldt Comparison (ABC) Study compares the long-term outcomes and complications of the Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV; model FP7; New World Medical, Los Ranchos, CA) and the Baerveldt glaucoma implant (BGI; model 101-350; Abbott Medical Optics, Abbott Park, IL).Multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial.Two hundred seventy-six glaucoma patients at 16 clinical centers worldwide who were 18 to 85 years of age with inadequately controlled intraocular pressure (IOP; =18 mmHg) in whom placement of an aqueous shunt was planned.Study patients were randomized to undergo implantation of an AGV or a BGI.Failure, defined as IOP >21 mmHg or not reduced by 20% less than baseline or IOP =5 mmHg (2 consecutive visits after 3 months), additional glaucoma surgery, removal of the implant, or loss of light perception vision.A total of 276 patients were enrolled between October 2006 and April 2008, including 143 in the AGV group and 133 in the BGI group. The mean age±standard deviation (SD) of patients enrolled was 63±14 years, and 52% were male. The mean baseline IOP±SD was 31.5±11.8 mmHg. Except for a 13% higher prevalence of hypertension in the AGV group, no significant differences in baseline demographic or ocular characteristics were observed between the study groups. Intraoperative complications occurred in 11 (8%) patients in the AGV group and in 16 (12%) patients in the BGI group (P = 0.31).The ABC Study should yield valuable prospective data comparing 2 commonly used aqueous shunts in clinical practice.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ophtha.2010.07.015

View details for Web of Science ID 000287964400003

View details for PubMedID 20932581