Tied Tube Trial in Glaucoma Surgery

The purpose of this study is to compare the post-operative surgical outcomes and complication rates in patients with different surgical techniques in the Ahmed FP7 glaucoma valve implant (New World Medical, Inc., Rancho Cucamonga, CA). In particular, the investigator wishes to assess whether delaying early aqueous flow by using a vicryl ligature (as done in most non-valved glaucoma drainage device implantation) will reduce the hypertensive phase, reduce early encapsulation, and optimize healing dynamics to allow for improved long term IOP results compared to standard implantation techniques. Aggressive early aqueous flow may introduce inflammatory mediators that may increase fibrosis during wound healing. Furthermore, mechanical compression of the tissue surrounding the plate may further lead to a denser capsule and limit aqueous diffusion through Tenon's and conjunctiva. For these reasons, the investigator postulate's that the limitation of early aqueous flow through the Ahmed valve will reduce the rates of hypertensive phase, lead to a thinner and less encapsulated bleb, reduce complication rates such as hypotony, and lead to overall improvement in long-term IOP reduction.