Comparison Between the eyeWatch Device and the Ahmed Valve in Refractory Glaucoma

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of a glaucoma procedure to control intraocular pressure (IOP) using the adjustable eyeWatch glaucoma drainage device compared with Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) in refractory glaucoma. Patients and Methods: Monocentric, retrospective, comparative clinical trial. Patients suffering from refractory glaucoma after failed surgeries and requiring a further glaucoma procedure including an aqueous shunt were enrolled in this study. The first group AGV included patients with an AGV. The second group eW-B included patients receiving an eyeWatch used in connection with a Baerveldt glaucoma implant. The primary outcome was the success rate, defined as an IOP 20% from baseline, and IOP >= 5 mm Hg. Secondary outcomes were mean IOP, number of antiglaucoma medications, visual acuity, number and type of complications. Results: Twenty-one patients were included. The mean follow-up time was 13.2 +/- 3.4 months. Mean IOP decreased from 24.8 +/- 9.0 mm Hg before surgery to 13.8 +/- 3.6 mm Hg at 12 months for group AGV, and 27.3 +/- 7.0 to 12.8 +/- 2.4 mm Hg for group eW-B, respectively (P