Ahmed Valve

Primary open angle glaucoma is the most common, but not the only form of glaucoma. With glaucoma, the drainage system of the eye becomes clogged, which leads to less drainage of fluid, causing eye pressure to increase. If the eye pressure becomes too high for your eye, it damages your optic nerve causing defects in your visual field.

One of the surgical treatments for glaucoma is an Ahmed Valve implant.

An Ahmed Valve is a procedure where your surgeon will create a new pathway for aqueous fluid to flow through your eye and is used to prevent any further vision loss from glaucoma by lowering your eye pressure. The valve is made of silicone and consists of a micro-tube that is connected to a small reservoir, which will allow fluid to collect and eventually drain back into your tissue lowering your eye pressure.

Your activity may be very limited after your surgery until your surgeon releases you to do more as your eye heals. Your vision will also be blurry after the surgery as your eye heals. More information will be given to you at your pre-surgical appointment at the office.

You will have two prescription eye drops that start before your surgery that will be sent to your pharmacy and you will be given instructions on how to use them before your surgery.

We will ask that you discontinue any over the counter blood thinners, such as Cod Liver Oil, Flax Seed Oil, and Aspirin for 5 days before your surgery. If your primary care doctor feels that it is safe for you to stop any prescription blood thinners, this should also be done before your surgery. If it is not safe for you to stop them, then you can continue them.

Having an Ahmed Valve implant does not mean your glaucoma is cured or that you won’t need any other treatments such as drops, lasers, or surgery in the future.

Please discuss any questions or concerns you have about having an Ahmed Valve with your ophthalmologist before your procedure.