To report a case of corneal failure after implantation of the Ahmed glaucoma valve occurring in a patient diagnosed with Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis.

A 53-year-old male who complained of ocular pain and suddenly decreased visual acuity in his right eye visited our clinic. His visual acuity was 0.15 and intraocular pressure (IOP) was 55 mm Hg. The slit-lamp examination revealed edematous cornea, fine round or stellate keratic precipitates connected with fine filaments on the endothelium and depigmentation of the iris. The corneal endothelial cell density was 2,958 cells/mm². There was no specific finding in his left eye. The IOP did not improve with medical treatment, therefore, an Ahmed glaucoma valve was implanted in his right eye. At every follow-up exam the tube was well positioned and the IOP was maintained between 8 and 13 mm Hg. Eight months postoperatively, the patient complained of decreased visual acuity and the cell density was decreased to 1,408 cells/mm². Posterior subcapsular cataract opacity was observed as well as progression of depigmentation and distortion of the iris. Seventeen months after the surgery, the cell density was 700 cells/mm². On follow-up examination, his visual acuity was decreased to FC10 cm with the cataract progressing, therefore cataract surgery was performed. One month postoperatively, his vision improved to 0.1. However, the visual acuity deteriorated due to progression of the corneal edema and penetrating keratoplasty was performed.

Aggravation of the corneal complication after Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation should be considered in patients with Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis-induced glaucoma.