AHMED Implant coming up Dec 14, 2022 my first, need advice

[eyesong]

I have surgery set up for Dec 14, 2022 to get AHMED shunt implant and my first experience. This is my left eye I depend on sight and I know the recovery will be a while. My right eye is recovering now from surgery Dec 7, 2022 using Micropulse Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) that did not result in lowering my pressure yet. Both eyes are in the 30's and I am told the AHMED if it works will immediately reduce the pressure, as the laser surgery did not on my right eye. If the left eye surgery is successful with the AHMED , I will probably have it on the right eye later on. Can anyone give me heads up on what to expect, Thanks, Eyesong in Texas.

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hello Eyesong. Hopefully someone who has had the Ahmed shunt operation will come forward soon. Just to let you know that on our website we have a booklet on Aqueous shunt surgery, which you may like to take a look at. There is also a recorded digital glaucoma support group on glaucoma surgeries which may also be helpful to you.

[whitedog]

Hi only just seen your post and assume you've had the surgery now. I had Ahmed valve surgery 10 years ago as a last resort as previous surgeries ultimately healed over due to the underlying inflammatory disease I have. The surgery went well but, even now, I still have to use drops - Cosopt and Monopost - as well or the pressures go back up.

[eyesong in reply to whitedog]

Hi and Merry Christmas and thanks for your answer ! I had the surgery on Dec 14 and Dr. says it went well , my IOP is 11. I hope recovery is soon as eye is foggy with a film type that obstructs my vision. It may be the RX of 4 meds to use 3 times a day and one or two I may be allergic and are steroids also. This is my "good" eye so I hope my vision will return soon. My other eye has lost some vision from glaucoma and pressure is in hi 30's and a surgery on Dec 7 did not reduce it. I had the MP-TSCPC micropulse laser , and will have the AHMED done on this eye also as it is best chance to reduce pressure. Both my eyes have had 30's all year and on lots of drops Cosopt pf, Zioptan pf, Pilicarpine. Surgery was imminent, just finding the right one and AHMED implant must be for me, hoping for soon recovery!

[whitedog]

I wish you well with your recovery! It seems a long time since I had the Ahmed surgery and, to be honest, my memory of the recovery process is a little vague. Whenever I go for my consultations, the one thing they always say is that the Ahmed is in a great position so that's always reassuring! I never thought to ask them why I still need to use the drops - I just do as I'm told. But they clearly do work as, recently, I was told to stop the Cosopt as my pressures were a little low, but when I went back 2 months later, the pressures were up again so I had to start on it again. Hope you're doing OK. Take care.

[eyesong in reply to whitedog]

Hi from Eyesong with update Dr. visit Dec 28, week 2 after surgery and pressure was 22, ugh! Dr. said to continue RX 3 times day (the Atriphine dilates pupil makes blurry vision but speeds heeling) don't do my Glaucoma meds yet, wait for next pressure check had been 10 last week. Showed me a procedure to place a finger on bottom eyelid exert pressure on eyeball with eye closed and count 2001, 2, 3 etc. do this 2 times a day. Said the AHMED is not draining and this would force it to drain (I hope). Wish I had my own pressure reader!

[eyesong in reply to whitedog]

Hi from Eyesong, reg. my AHMED on Dec. 14, my IOP is now 16 with the aid of my Glaucoma drops I used before the oper. and also still massaging the eye 3 x a day! Okay with me if the pressure stays, will go with the implant on my other eye(right eye)presssure is 35, on Feb. 1 ! My vision is a little better not so blurry but still using the ofter surgery meds. also. I think they cause problems with vision but is a must I guess. How is your IOP normally?

[Capetown46]

I have not had an AHMED shunt but did have a Molteno3 shunt 2 months ago. The results were exceptionally good. My pressures went from 26 to 12 on no glaucoma meds. It normally takes about 6 weeks for the sutures to dissolve. I needed antibiotic drops for a week and steroids and anti inflammatory drops for 6weeks. The shunts are clearly an improvement over a trab. The only complications to be aware of with all intraocular surgeries is the possibility of cystic macular edema. Hence the steroid.

[heidi2023]

Hello, I know this post is more than a year old but I had the Ahmed shunt in my left eye the day before yesterday. Eye is red and painful when open so I prefer to keep it shut. Do you remember when pain and redness subsided?