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PurposeTo evaluate the efficacy of Ahmed valve (AV) implantation in patients with uveitic glaucoma.MethodsIn total, 18 patients (19 eyes) with glaucoma secondary to chronic uveitis, who underwent AV implantation were retrospectively reviewed. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and glaucoma medications at the most recent examination prior to surgery, were compared with those of last postoperative examination. The surgical success was defined as IOP less than 21 mmHg and greater than 4 mmHg without loss of light perception and visually devastating complications at the last postoperative examination. Decrease in the number of glaucoma medications was also a criterion for surgical success.ResultsThe mean follow-up period was 26±9.7 months. The mean preoperative and postoperative IOPs were 33.3±9.7 (range, 20–57) mmHg and 17.3±10.8 (range, 6–40) mmHg respectively (P<0.0001). The mean number of antiglaucoma medications was 3.5±0.8 (range, 2–5) preoperatively and 1.4±1.3 (range, 0–4) postoperatively (P<0.0001). Valve occlusion (five eyes, 26.3%) was the most commonly observed complication. Surgical success was achieved in 13 eyes (68.4%). The cumulative probability of success was 94.4% at 1 year and 60% at 2 years. Five eyes (26.3%) with IOP greater than 21 mmHg and one (5.3%) with corneal decompensation requiring penetrating keratoplasty were considered as failures.ConclusionsThe implantation of AV is an effective surgical procedure for the management of uveitic glaucoma. The inflammatory background might contribute to the occurrence of valve occlusion, which is the most common complication. Prevention of this complication is an essential factor for improving the surgical outcome.Eye (2006) 20, 178–183. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6701841; published online 11 March 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To develop an algorithm for the diagnosis of Behçet's disease (BD) uveitis based on ocular findings. Methods: Following an initial survey among uveitis experts, we collected multi-center retrospective data on 211 patients with BD uveitis and 207 patients with other uveitides, and identified ocular findings with a high diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). Subsequently, we collected multi-center prospective data on 127 patients with BD uveitis and 322 controls and developed a diagnostic algorithm using Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis and expert opinion. Results: We identified 10 items with DOR >5. The items that provided the highest accuracy in CART analysis included superficial retinal infiltrate, signs of occlusive retinal vasculitis, and diffuse retinal capillary leakage as well as the absence of granulomatous anterior uveitis or choroiditis in patients with vitritis. Conclusion: This study provides a diagnostic tree for BD uveitis that needs to be validated in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]