Evaluation of pericardium patch graft thickness in patients with Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation: an anterior segment OCT study.

Purpose: To evaluate the changes in thickness of tissues, specifically the pericardium patch graft (PPG) covering the silicone tube in Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) surgery.

Study design: Prospective observational study.

Methods: This study included cases with refractory glaucoma that underwent AGV implantation with PPG coverage. Conjunctival epithelium, stroma and PPG thickness covering the tube were measured using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) at 1, 6 and 12 months. Additionally, the same measurements were taken 1500 µm away from the tube as a control for the central measurements.

Results: Twenty-seven eyes of 27 patients were evaluated in the study. Although PPG thickness decreased significantly in both regions, the amount of reduction was more pronounced centrally. Centrally, the reduction rate was 21.2% and 34.8% during the 1-6 months period and 6-12 months period, while peripherally it was 3.5% and 5.1%, respectively. No change was observed in the thickness of the epithelium during the follow-up period. There was a significant thinning of the stroma in the central and peripheral regions during the 1-6 months period (30.5% and 17%, respectively). No cases of exposure were observed during the follow-up period.

Conclusion: Although the most evident thinning of the layers covering the tube was observed in the early postoperative period, PPG showed a stable decrease even in the late period. The progressive reduction in the PPG thickness observed also in the peripheral region indicates that factors beyond mechanical forces contribute to this degenerative process. AS-OCT could be a valuable non-invasive tool in clarifying this process.