Effects of Ahmed glaucoma valve implanting on corneal endothelial cells

Objective To observe the changes of corneal endothelial cell after Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation. Methods Forty-two eyes of 40 patients of primary open-angle glaucoma had accepted cellular morphology and corneal endothelial cell density examination with non-contact corneal endothelial microscope before and after Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation. The follow-up time was 1, 3, 6, and 12 month after surgery. Results The mean endothelial cell density was (2586.84±386.30) cells/mm2 before surgery, and 1, 3, 6, and 12month after surgery, the mean endothelial cell density was (2545.90±396.74)cells/mm2, (2548.75±410.36)cells/mm2, (2560.20±379.15) cells/mm2, and (2498.20±402.23) cells/mm2 respectively. The differences was not statistically significant between before and after surgery on cellular morphology, the mean cellular area, the minimum and the maximum cellular area, the percentage of hexagonal cell, the standard deviation and coefficient variation of cellular area respectively (P>0.05). Conclusion Under usual condition, Ahmed glaucoma valve implanting has no harmful effect on corneal endothelial cell of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Key words: Valve, glaucoma, Ahmed; Glaucoma, open-angle; Endothelial cell, corneal