36-Month Outcomes of the Ahmed ClearPath® Glaucoma Drainage Device

Abstract

Purpose : To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Ahmed ClearPath (ACP; New World Medical) glaucoma drainage device in the treatment of refractory primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods : Changes from baseline in intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of antiglaucoma medications (AGMs) were retrospectively reviewed in POAG patients >18 years old who underwent ACP implantation surgery with 36 months of follow-up. Patients with previous ocular procedures such as phacoemulsification (n=11), MicroPulse transscleral photocoagulation (n=7), and xen gel stent implantation (n=4) were included.

Results : Twelve eyes of 11 patients (mean age 72.3 ± 13.8 years) were analyzed. Most patients were Caucasian (n=9), female (n=11), and had severe POAG (n=11). At 36 months, the mean baseline IOP of 27.7 ± 8.1 mmHg was reduced to 10.6 ± 5.5 mmHg (-68%; p<0.001), and number of AGMs was reduced from 3.1 ± 0.9 to 0.9 ± 0.9 (-71%; p<0.001). Mild hyphema was noted as a post-operative complication in half of the cohort (n=6) but resolved by one month in each eye. No long-term complications or other adverse effects were observed.

Conclusions : This is the first study evaluating 36-month outcomes of the ACP drainage device in adult patients. The ACP device is effective at reducing both IOP and AGM dependence in patients with severe POAG. The safety profile was favorable, with minimal short-term complications noted and no patients experiencing long-term adverse effects, through 36 months.

This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.