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Purpose: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MIGS (Xen® and Cypass®) compared to trabeculectomy and Baerveldt® implants. Patients and Methods: This single-center study included patients from the Ophthalmic Hospital of Turin between January 2015 and 2018. Efficacy was assessed based on the intraocular pressure and the number of medications necessary to control IOP at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months and the potential complications. Complete surgical success was defined as IOP ≤ 21 mmHg, with no medication or additional glaucoma surgery. Qualified success was defined as IOP ≤ 21 mmHg with the reintroduction of topical medications. Our third measure of success was a delta IOP reduction greater than 20% compared to baseline. Results: The delta IOP compared to the baseline was significant at every instance, except in the Xen® implant group. The average IOP distribution at different time points was significant, except at 1 and 12 months. The delta of the medication number compared to the baseline was significant at every instant. All three methods of success were analyzed using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve that identified a significant difference on the success rates of Xen®-trabeculectomy, Xen®-Baerveldt®, and Cypass®-Baerveldt®. Conclusion: MIGS can reduce the number of medication classes, thus increasing patient compliance and reducing topical ocular toxicity and general costs. Trabeculectomy remains the most effective option but still presents a percentage of failures that might increase during follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Trevor Hughes,1 Matthew Traynor2 1Brigham Young University, Rexburg, ID, USA; 2Premier Eye Care of Eastern Idaho, Idaho Falls, ID, USACorrespondence: Matthew TraynorPremier Eye Care of Eastern Idaho, Idaho Falls, ID, USATel +1 208 529-6600Email doctortraynor@gmail.comPurpose: To report treatment outcomes of ab interno canaloplasty using the Visco360 and Omni system devices as a standalone procedure or combined with cataract surgery in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG).Design: Retrospective, single-center, consecutive case series.Study Patients: Eighty-nine eyes of 64 patients aged 43 to 91 with open-angle glaucoma treated with ab interno canaloplasty between January 2018 and September 2019. Eyes with previous incisional glaucoma surgery and eyes with less than 90 degrees of viscodilation were excluded.Intervention: Patients underwent ab interno canaloplasty as a stand-alone procedure or in conjunction with cataract surgery. Ab interno canaloplasty was performed with either the Visco360 or Omni System devices (Sight Sciences, Menlo Park, CA). Treatment consisted of viscodilation without trabeculotomy.Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcome measures were mean IOP and mean number of glaucoma medications. Additional analysis included the impact of degrees of treatment on treatment outcomes.Results: Preoperative mean IOP was 24.5 ± 8.3; the number of preoperative glaucoma medications was 2.5 ± 1.3. At 18 months postoperative, the mean IOP was reduced 36% to 15.8 ± 2.5 (P< 0.001) and glaucoma medications were reduced 32% to 1.7 ± 1.5 (P< 0.05). Higher preoperative IOP was significantly correlated with increased IOP lowering. Reduction of mean IOP and medications were not significantly different between standalone ab interno canaloplasty vs cataract surgery/ab interno canaloplasty. Reduction of mean IOP and medications were not significantly different between patients with 180 degrees of treatment vs 360 degrees of treatment.Conclusion: Ab interno canaloplasty reduces IOP and glaucoma medication use in patients with OAG whether as a standalone surgery or in combination with cataract surgery.Keywords: ab interno, canaloplasty, MIGS, open angle glaucoma, Visco360, Omni, glaucoma surgery, viscodilation

Ahmed Al Habash,1 Ahmed A Nagshbandi2 1Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Ahmed Al Habash P.O Box 31010, Khobar 31952, Saudi ArabiaTel +00966507017777Email ahmedalhabash@gmail.comPurpose: To determine the quality of life (QOL) in glaucoma patients undergoing combined cataract and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery from various perspectives ranging from personal, social, occupational life, and economic status.Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study design at King Fahd Hospital of the University, Khobar, Saudi Arabia.Methods: Patients undergoing phacoemulsification in conjunction with various forms of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) for each patient, including either Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) goniotomy, iStent, iStent inject and gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT), were included in the study between 2018 and 2019. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire based on the Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) for the 25-item National Eye Institute.Results: The study included 93 eyes of 78 patients (40 males and 38 females) who had MIGS: 50 KDB, 13 iStent, 23 iStent inject, and 7 GATT. An overall reduction in the number of anti-glaucoma medications (p< 0.001) was statistically significant. In the study, 36.6% of patients had a better social life, but 85.2% had no change in occupational life. Eventually, 86% were satisfied with the operation’s outcome, and 79% confirmed that the overall quality of life improved after the procedure.Conclusion: Evaluating QOL is a crucial component of glaucoma treatment. More research is needed on MIGS and their relationship to QOL. In the future, MIGS may provide the desired outcomes in controlling glaucoma and improving the QOL.Keywords: glaucoma, quality of life, goniotomy, Kahook Dual Blade, iStent, iStent inject, gonio-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy, combined phacoemulsification, MIGS, Schlemm’s canal

Glaucoma management has changed dramatically over the last decades, through clinical advances and technological revolutions. This review discusses the latest innovations and challenges faced in the field around three major axes: minimally-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), implantable sensors and injectable therapeutics. Indeed, the vast number of recently developed MIGS techniques has not only provided clinicians with a wide range of therapeutic options, but they have also enabled them to adjust their therapies more finely which may have contributed a more patient-centric decision-making process. Yet, despite considerable advances in the field, the wide heterogeneity in clinical trial designs blurs the surgical outcomes, specificities and indications. Thus, more high-quality data are required to make the choice of a specific MIGS procedure more than an educated guess. Beyond the scope of MIGS, the potential of IOP telemetry for self-assessment of IOP-control through implantable sensors is developing into a real option for clinicians and an empowering opportunity for patients. Indeed, providing patients with direct feedback enables them to take control and have a clearer representation of their care, in turn leading to a better control of the disease. However, there are potential issues with self-monitoring of IOP, such as increased anxiety levels induced by measured IOP fluctuations and peaks, leading to patients self-treating during IOP spikes and additional office visits. Furthermore, the advent of implantable therapeutics may soon provide yet another step towards personalized glaucoma treatment, by offering not only an efficient alternative to current treatments, but also a therapeutic option that may better adapt to patients’ lifestyle. After several decades of relative stagnation through the last century, glaucoma has now entered what many view as a golden age for the specialty. Like every revolution, this one brings its fair share of uncertainty, clinical questioning and uneasy periods of adaptation to ever-changing expectations. Yet, while it is impossible to guess what the landscape of glaucoma surgery will be like in ten or fifteen years, data suggest a bright outlook both for patients and clinicians.

Abstract Background Glaucoma surgery have been developed to lower intraocular pressure in a less invasive manner than traditional glaucoma surgery. The purpose of this article is to determine the outcome of using combined phacoemulsification technique, ab-interno trabeculectomy dual blade and endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) surgeries in patients with primary open angle glaucoma. Methods A retrospective case series was performed on 27 consecutive eyes with both primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and cataract; each eye was treated with combined phacoemulsification, ab-interno trabeculectomy-Kahook Dual Blade and Endocyclophotocoagulation at Instituto de ojos Oftalmosalud, Lima, Peru, between April 2017 and May 2017. Inclusion criteria: 1) Patients with uncontrolled mild to advanced POAG (according to Glaucoma Grading Scale HODAPP) 2) cataract condition 3) treatment with two or more glaucoma medications due to rapid progression in the visual fields (at least two in a short period of time). Intraocular pressure (IOP), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) logMAR and number of glaucoma medications were recorded prior to the study, at day 1, week 1, and 1,3,6 and 9 months after surgery. Primary outcome measure was surgical success defined in terms of IOP

Glaucoma represents a chronic eye disease that becomes increasingly prevalent worldwide. Therapies are commonly based on the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP). Implant devices for micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) represent a promising therapy option in refractory cases but suffer from limitations in long term efficacy or from dislocation associated complications. Our approach of an innovative drug-eluting glaucoma microstent for MIGS was presented previously. Within the current work we developed concepts and prototypes of a mechanism for the fixation of our glaucoma microstent in the region of the corneal limbus. A tripod and a haptics design of the fixation mechanism were developed and manufactured. Semifinished products were tested with regard to dimensional stability and mechanical properties according to the standard ANSI Z80.27-2014. Considering the mechanical properties of ocular target tissues, a gelatin based in vitro model for the measurement of microstent retention force was developed. Retention force testing of microstent prototypes in vitro resulted in a proof of concept for the fixation mechanism. Future studies will focus on the use of smaller fixation fibers, for example commercially available suture material, and on an overall miniaturization of the fixation mechanism enabling the use of our applicator device with a 22G x 1½” cannula.

Abstract Introduction This study sought to assess ocular surface disease changes following cataract surgery combined with trabecular micro-bypass stent(s) implantation (iStent or iStent inject). Methods This prospective interventional single-arm clinical trial enrolled 47 eyes with mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma (OAG) on 1–4 glaucoma medications who underwent phacoemulsification and trabecular micro-bypass stent(s) implantation. Key glaucoma and ocular surface data through 3 months postoperatively included the Ocular Surface Disease Index score (OSDI), corneal/conjunctival staining (Oxford Schema), fluorescein tear break-up time (FTBUT), conjunctival hyperemia (Efron Scale), glaucoma medications, and intraocular pressure (IOP). Results Mean OSDI scores improved from 40.1 ± 21.6 (severe) preoperatively to 17.5 ± 15.3 (mild) at 3 months (p

Anthony K Ma,1 Jun Hui Lee,1 Joshua L Warren,2 Christopher C Teng3 1Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; 2Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; 3Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USACorrespondence: Christopher C TengDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale School of Medicine, 40 Temple Street, Suite 1B, New Haven, CT, USATel +1 203-785-3366Fax +1 203-785-6220Email christopher.teng@yale.eduPurpose: To understand the distribution of trabeculectomies, glaucoma drainage implants (GDI) and micro-invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) performed in the United States through geospatial mapping.Methods: We performed an observational cohort study to evaluate glaucoma surgeries in patients age ≥ 65. The most recently released data from Centers for Medicare Part B Carrier Summary Files were queried to determine the number of glaucoma surgeries performed per state during the year of 2017. We created choropleth maps, titled “GlaucoMap”, to characterize the rates of various surgeries performed across the United States, defined as the number of procedures performed per 10,000 individuals. A chi-squared analysis was further used to evaluate differences in surgical preferences across geographic region. Standardized residuals (SR) were calculated to determine regional influences on surgical distribution.Results: There were 174,788 glaucoma surgeries performed: 22,862 trabeculectomies (13.1%), 19,991 GDI (11.4%) and 131,935 (75.5%) MIGS. The Northeast had the highest trabeculectomy rate, GDI was highest in the Southeast and MIGS were highest in the Southwest. There was a statistically significant difference in proportional use of conventional surgeries versus MIGS across various regions in the United States (p < 0.0001). Given the high trabeculectomy and GDI rates and relatively low MIGS adoption in the Southeast, we observed a +7.03 SR for conventional surgeries and − 4.01 SR for MIGS. The Southwest and Western states had the highest MIGS rate and contributed +3.29 and +3.24 SR toward disproportional MIGS preference, respectively. The preference for conventional surgeries in the Northeast (SR = +2.93) and MIGS in the Midwest (SR = +0.99) also contribute to the overall differences in glaucoma surgeries across the United States.Conclusion: GlaucoMap is useful for visualizing the distribution of glaucoma surgeries in the United States. The heterogeneity in surgical preferences points to regional differences in glaucoma management.Keywords: glaucoma, MIGS, trabeculectomies, GDI, heatmaps

Tanner J Ferguson,1 Keegan B Mechels,1 Zachary Dockter,2 Adam Bleeker,2 Mitch Ibach,3 Justin Schweitzer,3 John P Berdahl3 1Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; 2University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, USA; 3Vance Thompson Vision, Sioux Falls, SD, USACorrespondence: Tanner J Ferguson Email tannerferg@gmail.comPurpose: To investigate the long-term safety and efficacy of an iStent trabecular microbypass stent in combination with cataract surgery in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Setting: Private practice; Sioux Falls, South Dakota.Design: Retrospective, consecutive case series.Methods: This case series included eyes implanted with a single trabecular microbypass stent in combination with phacoemulsification in patients with mild to severe POAG. Data were collected preoperatively and at day 1, week 1, month 1, and up to 6 years postoperatively. Primary outcome measures included mean intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of glaucoma medications. Safety was noted by assessing the incidence of IOP spikes and need for additional surgery.Results: The study comprised 411 eyes. Mean IOP was reduced to 14.9± 4.2 mmHg compared to 18.8± 5.6 mmHg at baseline at 6 years postoperative. The mean number of medications was reduced to 1.2± 1.0 from 1.4± 1.1 at baseline. In eyes with severe stage of disease, there was a mean IOP reduction > 6 mmHg at 6 years postoperative. Eyes with baseline IOP ≥ 18 mmHg achieved a more robust reduction in IOP. Fifteen eyes underwent a secondary glaucoma procedure. There were no intra- or postoperative complications.Conclusion: Trabecular microbypass stent implantation in combination with cataract surgery provides a sustained IOP reduction in eyes with mild-to-severe POAG. The degree of IOP reduction was more significant in eyes with higher baseline IOP and severe stage of disease.Keywords: microinvasive glaucoma surgery, MIGS, trabecular microbypass stent, surgical glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma

Cindi K Yim,1,2 Christopher C Teng,3 Joshua L Warren,4 James C Tsai,2 Nisha Chadha2 1USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, Eye and Vision Research Institute, New York, NY, USA; 3Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; 4Department of Biostatistics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USACorrespondence: Nisha ChadhaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 17 E 102nd Street, 8th Floor West, New York, NY 10029, USATel +1 212-241-0949Fax +1 212-241-9994Email nisha.chadha@mssm.eduPurpose: The emergence of microinvasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) has expanded glaucoma management options. Resident experience with these novel procedures is unclear as no residency minimums exist for them, nor are they part of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) procedure logs. The purpose of this study was to assess resident experience with MIGS in ACGME ophthalmology residency programs across the United States.Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey study of resident MIGS experience. A survey was mailed to program directors of ACGME-accredited ophthalmology residency programs (N = 118) in January 2017. Descriptive analyses were used to characterize the respondent demographics. Chi-square, paired t-tests, and McNemar’s tests were used to analyze the geographical distribution and frequency of MIGS experience.Results: A total of 30 out of 118 (25%) residency program directors across all geographic regions responded. Most incorporated both MIGS lecture (87%) and wet lab (73%) didactics into their curriculum. Only 27% felt that MIGS should be part of ACGME requirements. The most common MIGS taught were iStent (70%), endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (50%), and trabectome (40%). Few residents had completed MIGS procedures as the primary surgeon by graduation. Eleven out of 30 program directors (37%) did not feel that the experience was adequate for independent practice.Conclusion: This study suggests that residents are exposed to some MIGS procedures during training, but program directors did not feel that the experience was adequate for independent practice. Further research is necessary to understand the barriers to integrating MIGS training into residency programs.Keywords: MIGS, ophthalmology education, resident education, surgical education

Nathaniel Tracer,1 Jaime E Dickerson Jr,2,3 Nathan M Radcliffe4 1NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; 2Sight Sciences, Inc, Menlo Park, CA, USA; 3North Texas Eye Research Institute, UNTHSC, Fort Worth, TX, USA; 4Mt Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USACorrespondence: Nathan M RadcliffeMt Sinai School of Medicine, New York Eye Surgery Center, 1101 Pelham Parkway North, New York, NY, USATel +1 718 519 1000Email drradcliffe@gmail.comPurpose: To evaluate reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) and medications for open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients 12 months post-ab-interno circumferential viscodilation (VISCO360, Sight Sciences, Menlo Park, CA) in conjunction with cataract surgery.Setting: Surgical center (New York, United States).Design: Retrospective study of all OAG patients treated with 360-degree ab-interno viscodilation with cataract surgery by a single surgeon (NR) having 12 months of follow-up. Eyes were stratified by baseline IOP. Group 1: ≥ 18 mmHg (n=111). Group 2: < 18 mmHg (n=69).Methods: IOP was measured using Goldmann applanation tonometry. Medications, the number of medication-free eyes in each group at 12 months, and adverse events (AE) are reported. Analysis includes descriptive statistics and t-tests evaluating change from baseline.Results: Groups 1 and 2 had mean baseline IOP of 22 and 14.3 mmHg. Medication use was 0.9 and 1.1 for Groups 1 and 2. At 12 months IOP for Group 1 was reduced 22% to 17.2 mmHg (p< 0.0001) on 1.0 medications (p=0.7). IOP for Group 2 was similar to baseline (15.4 mmHg) but with a reduction in medications to 0.6 (p< 0.05). The proportion medication free at 12 months was 32% and 47% for Groups 1 and 2 versus 34% and 26% at baseline, respectively. There were few AE (hyphema 1.7%, IOP elevation > 10 mmHg > 30 days post-op 1.1%, mild inflammation < 1%) and no secondary surgical interventions excepting a single paracentesis, one-day postoperative.Discussion: Treatment goals for the two groups differed. Pressure reduction (Group 1) or medication reduction (Group 2). Viscodilation achieved significant IOP reduction in Group 1 and medication reduction in Group 2 with many patients (both groups) medication free at 12 months. AE were infrequent and transient.Conclusion: Circumferential ab-interno viscodilation can be combined with cataract surgery and provide an IOP lowering and medication reduction benefit sustained for at least 12 months, for many patients with OAG.Keywords: viscodilation, MIGS, open-angle glaucoma, glaucoma surgery, VISCO360, canaloplasty, OMNI

Abstract Background Retrospective, consecutive case series to evaluate the implantation of two second-generation trabecular microbypass stents in combination with cataract surgery in a real-world, clinical setting. Methods The series included 56 eyes implanted with the iStent inject device with phacoemulsification. The series consisted of eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (n = 52) and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (n = 4). Primary outcome measures included intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of glaucoma medications. Safety outcomes included the need for secondary surgical intervention and the incidence of IOP spikes ≥10 mmHg and ≥ 15 mmHg. Results IOP was reduced by 21% to 14.7 ± 2.9 mmHg (p

Abstract Background Excimer laser trabeculostomy (ELT) is a microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) that creates multiple laser channels through the trabecular meshwork using a cold laser system, which minimizes tissue fibrosis and aids in bypassing the main area of resistance to aqueous outflow. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current body of evidence surrounding ELT in terms of efficacy and review the safety profile of the procedure. Main text Studies screened had to show clear inclusion and exclusion criteria as well as well-defined outcome measures. PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Database were searched. Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines were used to assess for study quality and for any bias. Sixty-four articles were initially identified with 18 meeting preliminary screening criteria. Ultimately, 8 studies met inclusion criteria and 2 additional non-referenced publications were also included: 1 randomized control trial, 4 prospective case series and 5 retrospective studies. Overall studies showed moderate intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering of between 20% and 40% from baseline without medication washout and mostly a decrease in glaucoma medications with few complications. Conclusion Current literature shows a significant IOP-lowering effect of ELT with a favorable safety-profile in standalone cases or combined with cataract surgery. Limitations to these studies are the lack of controls and washout IOP. Overall, ELT is an attractive MIGS option that does not require any residual device remaining in the angle.

Abstract Purpose Assessing the quality of the ocular surface by in vivo scanning laser confocal microscopy (IVCM) in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients treated by Xen 45 Gel Stent, medical therapy and trabeculectomy. Methods Retrospective, single-center, single-masked, comparative study including 60 eyes of 30 patients (mean age 61.16 ± 10 years) affected by POAG. Eyes were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 eyes underwent the Xen 45 Gel Stent procedure, Group 2 eyes were under medical therapy, Group 3 eyes were surgically treated by trabeculectomy. All patients underwent HRT II IVCM analysis of cornea, limbus, conjunctiva, sub-tenionian space and sclera. Results The Xen 45 Gel stent, if properly positioned in the sub-conjunctival space preserves goblet cells and limits ocular surface inflammation. Regular corneal epithelial cells with micro-cysts, and normo-reflective sub-epithelial nerve plexus are documented by IVCM. In sub Tenon’s implants an alternative lamellar intra-scleral filtration is detectable. Combined surgical procedures show a noticeable number of inflammatory cells with rare micro-cysts. Post-trabeculectomy inflammatory reaction is more evident than Xen 45 Gel Stent associated surgical procedures, but less than medical therapy where a conspicuous presence of Langerhans cells, peri-neural infiltrates, marked loss of goblet cells and fibrosis is visible. Conclusion Ocular surface inflammation was more notable in topical therapy than after trabeculectomy, which itself causes more inflammation than XEN Gel stents.

Vinay Kansal,1 James J Armstrong,2,3 Cindy ML Hutnik2– 4 1University of Saskatchewan, Department of Ophthalmology, Saskatoon, SK, Canada; 2Western University Canada, Schulich School of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, London, ON, Canada; 3Western University Canada, Schulich School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, London, ON, Canada; 4Ivey Eye Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital, London, ON, CanadaCorrespondence: Cindy ML HutnikIvey Eye Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital, 268 Grosvenor Street, London, ON N6A 4V2, CanadaTel +1 519-646-6100 Ext 66272Fax +1 519-646-6410Email cindy.hutnik@sjhc.london.on.caBackground: Glaucoma surgical management has evolved significantly with the introduction of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. Our aim was to evaluate trends in Canadian glaucoma surgery billing code usage as a surrogate index of the current impact of this new technology in Canada’s publicly funded health-care system.Methods: Retrospective administrative health records analysis of all patients who underwent a publicly funded glaucoma filtration procedure from January 2003 to December 2016 in the 6 largest Canadian provinces. The frequency of glaucoma-related procedures was adjusted against primary open-angle glaucoma prevalence data. Frequency of all glaucoma filtration procedures with and without implantation of a drainage device in each province per year is reported.Results: Nationwide, glaucoma filtration procedures per 1000 primary open-angle glaucoma patients per year remained constant, with increased drainage device implantation over time (P< 0.0001). Ontario and Nova Scotia mirrored the overall population. British Columbia and Saskatchewan showed increased rates of glaucoma filtration surgery, with increased drainage device implantations. In Quebec, overall filtration surgery decreased, while the rate of device implantation increased (p< 0.0001). Alberta showed a decline in filtration surgery and device implantations from 2003 to 2008, and then increased thereafter.Conclusion: Over the study period, there was a distinct trend towards billing code usage for implanted devices. Challenges encountered during this investigation highlight the need for identifiers in provincial health databases to accommodate the introduction of novel technologies. The absence of specific billing codes for newer technologies prevents accurate analyses of impact, utilization, efficacy and cost implications in contemporary patient management.Keywords: glaucoma, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, MIGS, glaucoma filtration surgery, population analysis

Abstract Background The study aimed to investigate the 24-month safety and efficacy of implantation of two second-generation iStent inject trabecular micro-bypass stents with concomitant cataract surgery. Methods This consecutive case series included 164 eyes of 109 patients implanted with the iStent inject® device with concomitant cataract surgery. The series was comprised of eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (n = 84), pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (n = 42), normal-tension glaucoma (n = 18), and ocular hypertension (n = 20). All 164 eyes reached 9–14 months of follow-up (“12-month consistent cohort”), with a subset of 88 eyes reaching 21–26 months of follow-up (“24-month consistent cohort”). Performance outcome measures included intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of glaucoma medications. Safety outcomes included intra- or postoperative complications, the need for secondary procedures and corrected distance visual acuity. Comparisons of change in continuous (e.g., IOP) and categorical (e.g., proportions of eyes on zero medications) measures between baseline and postoperative times were made with the paired t-test and McNemar’s chi-squared test, respectively. Results At 12 months postoperatively, IOP was reduced by 25.5% (from 20.0 ± 5.5 mmHg to 14.9 ± 2.0 mmHg; p

Jullia A Rosdahl, Divakar Gupta Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USACorrespondence: Jullia A RosdahlDepartment of Ophthalmology, Duke University, 2351 Erwin Road, DUMC 3802, Durham, NC 27710, USATel +1 919-684-8850Fax +1 919-681-8267Email Jullia.rosdahl@duke.eduAbstract: Glaucoma is a common blinding disease; while there is no cure, effective treatments include medications, laser, and incisional surgery. There is significant interest from patients and doctors to develop safer surgical options throughout the spectrum of disease, to minimize treatment burden in mild glaucoma patients and to minimize risk of complications in patients needing more aggressive treatment. Surgical procedures called Minimally or Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) are growing in popularity. Eighty-seven prospective studies on MIGS were identified and assessed for quality. Most (74%) did not have a control group. Twelve of the highest quality were reviewed. MIGS procedures appeared to have fewer complications, and lowered intraocular pressure, and reduced medication use. Studies were limited by small sample size, narrow spectrum of glaucomatous disease, and/or conflicts of interest. There is a need for high quality, independently funded and performed, comparative studies on the MIGS to help make treatment decisions.Keywords: MIGS, angle surgery, ab interno, microinvasive, glaucoma treatment

Richard Lindstrom, 1 Steven R Sarkisian, 2 Richard Lewis, 3 John Hovanesian, 4 Lilit Voskanyan 5 1Minnesota Eye Consultants, Minneapolis, MN, USA; 2Oklahoma Eye Surgeons, PLLC, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; 3Sacramento Eye Consultants, Sacramento, CA, USA; 4Harvard Eye Associates, Laguna Hills, CA, USA; 5S.V. Malayan Ophthalmology Centre, Glaucoma Department, Yerevan, ArmeniaCorrespondence: Richard LindstromMinnesota Eye Consultants, 710 E 24th St, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55404, USATel +1 612-813-3600Fax +1 952-567-6156Email rllindstrom@mneye.comIntroduction: This study evaluated long-term reductions in intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication following implantation of 2 second-generation trabecular micro-bypass stents (iStent inject®) in eyes with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) not controlled on 1 preoperative medication.Material and Methods: In this prospective interventional multi-surgeon study, standalone implantation of 2 iStent inject stents was performed in 57 eyes of 57 subjects with OAG, preoperative IOP of 18– 30 mmHg on 1 medication, and preoperative post-washout IOP of 22– 38 mmHg. The main outcome measures included the proportions of eyes achieving medication-free IOP ≤ 18 mmHg, IOP ≤ 15 mmHg, or ≥ 20% IOP reduction versus preoperative unmedicated IOP. Assessments included IOP, medications, visual acuity, visual field, pachymetry, complications, and interventions. Subjects were followed for 48 months with follow-up continuing in all eyes.Results: At Month 48 (n=57), 95% of eyes achieved an IOP reduction of ≥ 20% without medication versus preoperative washout IOP; and although they had eliminated medication, 81% of eyes still had an IOP reduction of ≥ 20% versus preoperative IOP on 1 medication. Mean 48-month unmedicated IOP decreased by 46% to 13.2± 1.6 mmHg vs 24.4± 1.3 mmHg preoperatively (p< 0.0001), with 95% of medication-free eyes having IOP ≤ 18mmHg and 82% having IOP ≤ 15mmHg. Over the course of follow-up, 3 eyes had medication added and 1 eye underwent a secondary glaucoma surgery, and safety parameters were favorable.Discussion: Standalone iStent inject implantation in OAG patients on 1 preoperative medication resulted in average IOP reduction to ≤ 15 mmHg with the elimination of medication and favorable safety through 48 months.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02868190.Keywords: glaucoma, MIGS, trabecular micro-bypass, second-generation, prostaglandin, iStent inject

Abstract Background The placement of a XEN gel stent is an ab-interno, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery which provides a subconjunctival drainage pathway and decreases intraocular pressure (IOP). Case presentation A 75-year-old male patient who had undergone XEN45 gel implantation after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation appealed to the clinic. A filtration bleb was seen that extended through the nasal 180 degrees of the eye which caused ectropion of the lower eyelid. The value of the IOP was 12 mm Hg (mmHg). By the “Drainage Channel with Sutures” method this complication was effectively treated. As with every new method, there is a lack of knowledge about long-term outcomes in terms of effectiveness, technique and complications. Conclusion The “Drainage Channel with Sutures” method has not been described in the literature yet. By this minimal invasive method, hypertrophic bleb complication of XEN gel implant has been successfully treated.

Abstract Background XEN® gel stent (Allergan, Dublin/Republic of Ireland) is a relatively new microinvasive glaucoma device providing an ab-interno approach to the subconjunctival space for aqueous drainage and reduction of intraocular pressure. It is thought to be less invasive, reduce surgical time and post-operative infection rates compared with traditional glaucoma procedures. Little information however, has been published regarding complications and subsequent management. Case presentation The authors highlight five complicated cases of XEN® stent insertion, how they were managed and key learning points. Cases include: entire stent found at the bottom of the anterior chamber several months after uncomplicated insertion, stent broke into multiple pieces during manipulation within subconjunctiva, XEN45 stent migrated into the anterior chamber 7 months post-operatively and a case of limbal-based conjunctival dissection during open revision which lead to additional scarring around the stent and subsequent raised intraocular pressure. Conclusions We present some new and interesting complications of XEN implant as well as potential management options. This can assist clinical decision-making and enable better pre-operative discussions with patients regarding risks of surgery.

Background: Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. Glaucoma micro-stents serve as the foundation for these minimally invasive procedures. Nevertheless, the utilization of these stents still presents certain short-term and long-term complications. This study aims to elucidate the creation of a novel drainage stent implant featuring a diverging channel, produced through microfluidic template processing technology. Additionally, an analysis of the mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and feasibility of implantation is conducted., Results: The stress concentration value of the proposed stent is significantly lower, approximately two to three times smaller, compared to the currently available commercial XEN gel stent. This indicates a stronger resistance to bending in theory. Theoretical calculations further reveal that the initial drainage efficiency of the gradient diverging drainage stent is approximately 5.76 times higher than that of XEN stents. Notably, in vivo experiments conducted at the third month demonstrate a favorable biocompatibility profile without any observed cytotoxicity. Additionally, the drainage stent exhibits excellent material stability in an in vitro simulation environment., Conclusions: In summary, the diverging drainage stent presents a novel approach to the cost-effective and efficient preparation process of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) devices, offering additional filtering treatment options for glaucoma., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: The Hydrus microstent was approved by the FDA in August 2018 for use with cataract surgery to reduce IOP in patients with mild to moderate primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Pivotal clinical trials demonstrated its overall safety and efficacy in lowering IOP. However, malpositioning of the implant can result in uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema (UGH) syndrome necessitating device explantation. Here we report four such cases and their associated challenges. We also highlight the importance of early recognition of post-operative complications for ease of implant removal., Observations: Case 1: A 75-year-old female patient was referred for chronic granulomatous anterior uveitis with cystoid macular edema (CME) and uncontrolled IOP in the left eye after cataract extraction with Hydrus implantation. On gonioscopy, the implant was occluded and embedded in the iris. The patient underwent removal of the Hydrus implant 10 months after the initial surgery with canaloplasty to control IOP.Case 2: A 71-year-old male patient on dual anti-platelet developed intraoperative hyphema during cataract extraction with Hydrus microstent in the right eye. Post-operatively, clopidogrel was stopped, but hyphema persisted with uncontrolled IOP. The Hydrus was noted to be syneched against the iris face. The patient underwent anterior chamber washout with Hydrus explantation and Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation 16 days after the first surgery.Case 3: A 76-year-old patient developed persistent granulomatous anterior uveitis in the left eye after cataract extraction with Hydrus microstent. On gonioscopy, the Hydrus ostium was seen resting on the iris without occlusion, and the patient underwent Hydrus removal with nasal goniotomy 3 months after initial surgery.Case 4: A 63-year-old patient underwent cataract extraction with endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation and a complex Hydrus microstent implantation requiring multiple attempts. Eleven months later, the patient was found to have uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema syndrome and macular edema, and the Hydrus was noted to be insufficiently inserted and posteriorly rotated with contact against the iris. The Hydrus was explanted, and nasal goniotomy was performed., Conclusions and Importance: Hydrus microstents that are malpositioned can result in persistent uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema syndrome. Explantation between 2 weeks and 11 months successfully resolved post-operative uveitis and hyphema, but all cases required additional glaucoma-hyphema syndrome. Early recognition is important since late removal was more challenging due to the implant becoming embedded in the iris., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. The authors have no conflict of interest., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Purpose: Despite holding promise, reports of using MIGS in severe glaucoma are scarce, and none has described combining multiple MIGS in this population. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest study to report outcomes of phacoemulsification and MIGS (Phaco/MIGS) in patients with severe glaucoma., Methods: This retrospective review comprised 327 clinical visits of 71 patients with severe glaucoma who underwent Phaco/MIGS with iStent, endocyclodestruction, Kahook Dual Blade, Hydrus Microstent, or a combination of these MIGS (cMIGS) performed between 2016 and 2021. Primary outcomes included intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication burden evaluated by Generalized Estimating Equations, as well as Kaplan-Meier Estimates. Further analyses compared the efficacy of cMIGS and single Phaco/MIGS (sMIGS), procedure duration, visual acuity, and complications., Results: Mean preoperative IOP was 16.7 mmHg ± 5.8 (SD) on 2.3 ± 1.9 medications overall (N = 71), 16.9 ± 6.3 mmHg on 1.7 ± 1.9 medications in the sMIGS group (N = 37), and 16.4 ± 5.3 mmHg on 2.9 ± 1.6 medications in the cMIGS group (N = 34). Throughout 12 months, Phaco/MIGS led to significant reduction patterns in IOP (p < 0.001) and medications (p = 0.03). At 12 months, 47.5%, 87.5%, and 64.7% of the patients achieved IOP ≤ 12 mmHg, 17 mmHg, or predetermined goal IOP, respectively, without additional medication or procedure. Mean 12-month IOP was 13.5 ± 3.1 mmHg on 1.8 ± 1.7 medications. After adjusting for baseline medication burden, the reduction pattern in IOP (p < 0.05) was different between cMIGS and sMIGS, favoring cMIGS, and the groups had similar reduction patterns in medications (p = 0.75)., Conclusion: The use of Phaco/MIGS in patients with cataract and severe glaucoma may significantly reduce IOP and medication burden throughout 12 months and, thus, may serve as a stepping stone in severe glaucoma patients with visually significant cataract before proceeding with more invasive glaucoma surgery. This effect may be potentiated by the combination effect of cMIGS., Competing Interests: D.S.D. is a consultant for AbbVie, New World Medical and BVI Medical and on the advisory board for Glaukos. No other conflicting relevant relationship exists for any author., (© 2024 Oberfeld et al.)

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, structural and functional progression following the insertion of iStent inject ® implants in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension at a tertiary-level hospital., Materials and Methods: A retrospective study included 98 eyes (57 males and 41 females) with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, which underwent iStent inject W® implantation (Glaukos, Corporation, CA) between December 2018 and December 2022. Differences in intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of hypotensive eye drops used, and structural and functional tests were assessed between preoperative values and subsequent reviews during a follow-up period of one (n = 98), two (n = 55), and three years (n = 15) after surgery., Results: Among the 98 eyes studied, 85% were diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma (50% mild, 32% moderate, and 18% severe) and 15% with ocular hypertension. There was a statistically significant reduction in IOP compared to preoperative values for all visits except the 1-month (p = 0.36) and 3-year (p = 0.39) visits. Visual acuity increased from 0.39 ± 0.25 to 0.72 ± 0.24 (p < 0.01), considering that a significant portion of the interventions included cataract surgery. Before surgery, 66% of the sample used 2 or more hypotensive medications. Post-surgery, the number of hypotensive medications decreased (from 1.88 ± 0.84 to 0.21 ± 0.59 at 3 years) (p < 0.01), with an 88.9% reduction in the number of medications over three years. After surgery, 75% of cases did not require any medication. Regarding structural and functional tests, thickness of retinal nerve fiber layers (RNFL (p = 0.35), excavation / papilla ratio E/P (p = 0.31), visual function index (VFI (p = 0.06), and deviation mean (MD (p = 0.06) showed no statistically significant differences post-intervention. However, standard deviation of the pattern (DSM) did exhibit differences, decreasing from 5.46 ± 4.03 dB to 5.34 ± 3.48 dB (p = 0.02)., Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the iStent inject W® technique constitutes an effective and safe option for tension control and glaucoma treatment., (Copyright © 2024 Sociedad Española de Oftalmología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To compare refractive outcomes in eyes undergoing cataract extraction (CE) alone, CE with goniotomy (CE/goniotomy), and CE with Schlemm's canal stent (CE/SCS) insertion., Design: Retrospective cohort study., Participants: Eyes from the Bascom Palmer Glaucoma Repository undergoing CE/goniotomy, CE/SCS insertion, or uncomplicated CE alone between July 2014 and February 2022 were identified., Methods: Refraction data were analyzed at postoperative month (POM) 1 and 6 with Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests. Anisometropia was defined as a spherical equivalent (SE) difference of ≥2D., Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was mean refraction at POM1 and POM6 across the 3 surgical groups. Secondary outcomes were comparisons of refraction and visual acuity (VA) among different goniotomy and Schlemm's canal stent (SCS) devices, as well as incidence of anisometropia., Results: A total of 8360 eyes (150 CE/goniotomy, 395 CE/SCS, and 7815 CE alone) from 6059 patients were analyzed. At POM1, mean SE in the CE/goniotomy, CE/SCS, and CE alone groups was -0.36 ± 0.91D, -0.31 ± 0.85D, and -0.39 ± 0.88D respectively (P = 0.019). Mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution VA was 0.10 ± 0.20, 0.08 ± 0.19, and 0.14 ± 0.26 respectively (P = 0.002, CE/SCS vs. CE alone). No statistically significant differences were noted at POM6. Anisometropia occurred at POM1 in 2 patients (13.3%) in the CE/goniotomy-CE group, 1 patient (3.2%) in the CE/SCS-CE group, and 184 patients (4.9%) in the CE-CE group (P = 0.217). At POM6, mean SEs were -0.38 ± 0.97D (CE/goniotomy), -0.35 ± 0.81D (CE/SCS), and -0.40 ± 0.91D (CE alone; P = 0.473). No significant differences in overall refractive outcomes were observed with different SCS or goniotomy devices. Among primary open-angle glaucoma/normal-tension glaucoma eyes, mean SE at POM1 was -0.36 ± 0.73D (CE/goniotomy), -0.24 ± 0.84D (CE/SCS), and -0.45 ± 0.81D (CE alone; P < 0.001)., Conclusions: Concurrent SCS insertion or goniotomy with CE was associated with some statistically significant differences in postoperative refraction and VA, although these small magnitude differences were unlikely to be clinically meaningful., Financial Disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article., (Copyright © 2024 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: To investigate the long-term effectiveness and safety of XEN45 implant, either alone or in combination with phacoemulsification, in eyes with open-angle glaucoma (OAG)., Methods: Retrospective and single center study conducted on consecutive OAG patients who underwent a XEN45 implant between February-2017 and December-2021. The primary endpoint was the mean intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering from preoperative values. Surgical success was defined as an IOP-lowering from preoperative values ≥ 20% and an IOP absolute value between 6 and 13 mm Hg, without (Complete-success) or with (Qualified-success) antiglaucoma medications., Results: A total of 158 eyes (34 (21.5%) eyes XEN-solo and 124 (78.5%) XEN + Phaco) were included. The median follow-up time was 28.5 months. In the overall study population, the mean preoperative IOP was significantly lowered from 19.4 ± 6.5 mm Hg to 12.4 ± 5.0 mm Hg. The mean preoperative (95% confidence interval) IOP was significantly lowered from 21.3 (19.3-23.2) mm Hg and 18.8 (17.7-20.0) mm Hg to 12.0 (10.4-13.6) mm Hg and 12.5 (11.6-13.5) mm Hg in the XEN-Solo and XEN + Phaco groups, respectively (p < 0.0001 each, respectively). The mean number of ocular-hypotensive medications was significantly reduced in the overall study sample (from 3.4 ± 0.9 to 0.9 ± 1.3, p < 0.0001), XEN-Solo (from 3.5 ± 1.1 to 0.6 ± 1.0, p < 0.0001, and XEN + Phaco (from 3.4 ± 1.1 to 0.9 ± 1.3, p < 0.0001) groups. Eighty-four (53.2%) eyes were categorized as success, with 49 (58.3%) classified as complete success. Eighty-one (51.3%) eyes underwent needling and 15 (9.5%) eyes required an additional surgical procedure. One (0.6%) eye had endophthalmitis., Conclusion: XEN implant, either alone or in combination with phacoemulsification significantly lowered IOP and reduced the need of ocular-hypotensive medication, while maintaining a good safety profile., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

To evaluate the effectiveness of the PRESERFLO MicroShunt (PFM) in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) ex vivo in porcine eyes using an infusion pump system and to simulate various IOP conditions, In this study, porcine eyes received increasing flows between 2 and 20 μL/min. IOP measurements were taken under conditions with and without the PFM [PFM (+) and PFM (-), respectively]. In the PFM (-) group, IOP increased from 7.4 mmHg to 46.3 mmHg as the flow rate increased from 2 μL/min to 20 μL/min. The rate of IOP reduction (%ΔIOP) rose with increasing flow rates, although the absolute IOP values achieved with the PFM insertion also increased. The correlation between IOPs in the PFM (-) conditions and the %ΔIOP was modeled as %ΔIOP = 22.4 Ln [PFM(-) IOP] - 41.7. According to this equation, IOP reduction by PFM insertion is 0% at IOPs of 6.4 mmHg or lower. IOP reductions of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% were observed when the pre-insertion IOPs were 10.1, 15.7, 24.6, and 38.4 mmHg, respectively. Achievable post-insertion IOP levels of ≤21 mmHg, ≤18 mmHg, ≤15 mmHg, and ≤12 mmHg corresponded to the initial IOPs of 33 mmHg, 26 mmHg, 20 mmHg, and 14.8 mmHg, respectively. In conclusion, the PFM effectively reduced IOP within a specific range of IOP values in an ex vivo experimental system. In clinical situations, the PFM is unlikely to be effective at low IOP levels. At higher levels, the PFM reduces IOP, but it may be insufficient to achieve the target IOP.

Purpose: To compare outcomes of ab-interno canaloplasty and trabeculotomy of the superior versus inferior angle., Patients and Methods: This was a prospective, non-randomized, interventional comparison study done at the Veteran Affairs Hospital in Long Beach, California. All patients underwent cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation combined with ab-interno canaloplasty and trabeculotomy with the OMNI Surgical System (SightSciences, Menlo Park, CA, USA), either superiorly or inferiorly. Pre- and post-operative intraocular pressure using Goldmann applanation tonometry and best corrected visual acuity were obtained and compared using paired t-tests. Patients were excluded if they had any prior intraocular surgery or prior laser trabeculoplasty procedures., Results: 38 eyes from 29 patients were analyzed. 19 eyes were included in the superior group and 19 eyes in the inferior group. Mean pre-operative IOP in the superior group was 17.6 ± 5.2 mmHg and in the inferior group was 17.6 ± 4.6 mmHg (p > 0.99). At 12 months, mean postoperative IOP for the superior group decreased 24% to 13.3 ± 2.8 mmHg while the inferior group decreased 26% to 13.1 ± 2.2 mmHg (p = 0.92). Mean preoperative medications in the superior group were 2.2 ± 1.3 and in the inferior group was 2.4 ± 1.3 (p = 0.88). At 12 months, this decreased to 1.3 ± 1.5 post-operatively in the superior group and 2.2 ± 1.6 post-operatively in the inferior group (p = 0.64)., Conclusion: There was no statistical difference in efficacy between superior versus inferior canaloplasty/trabeculotomy with OMNI. Therefore, surgeons can perform the procedure in the direction that is most comfortable for them without affecting outcomes., Competing Interests: Dr Sameh Mosaed reports personal fees from Alcon and Skye Bioscience; grants from Sightsciences, outside the submitted work. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work., (© 2024 Noh et al.)

Background: Minimally invasive bleb surgery using the XEN-45 gel stent has not been established for the treatment of normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term treatment efficacy and safety of XEN-45 in eyes with uncontrolled NTG., Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with NTG who underwent XEN-45 gel stent implantation at university hospital Tuebingen between 2016 and 2021. The primary outcome measure was surgical success after three years defined as lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) of ≥ 20%, with target IOP between 6 and 15 mmHg. Success was complete without and qualified irrespective of topical antiglaucoma medication use. The need for further glaucoma surgery, except for needling, was regarded as a failure. The secondary outcome measures included changes in mean IOP, number of antiglaucoma medications, and needling and complication rates., Results: Twenty-eight eyes from 23 patients were included in the final analysis. Complete and qualified success rates were 56.5% and 75% after three years, respectively. Mean postoperative IOP ± standard deviation decreased significantly after three years from 19.3 ± 2.0 mmHg at baseline to 13.7 ± 4.2 mmHg (n = 22; p < 0.0001). The median number of antiglaucoma medications decreased from 2 (range 0-4) to 0 after three years (range 0-3; p < 0.0001). Sixteen eyes (57%) required a median of 1 (range 1-3) needling procedures. One eye required further glaucoma surgery. No sight-threatening complications were observed., Conclusion: The XEN-45 stent is effective and safe for the long-term treatment of NTG. However, needling was frequently required to improve outcomes., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: To assess intraocular pressure (IOP) changes and complications after XEN45 implants in medically controlled eyes (MCE) vs. medically uncontrolled eyes (MUE). Methods: A retrospective study, in a tertiary referral hospital, on mild-to-moderate primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) cases under topical medication, including 32 eyes with IOP < 21 mmHg (MCE group) and 30 eyes with IOP ≥ 21 mmHg (MUE group). The success criteria using Kaplan-Meier analysis was IOP < 21 mmHg without medications (complete success) or fewer drugs than preoperatively (qualified success) at the last visit, without new surgery or unresolved hypotony. Results: No significant preoperative differences were found between the groups. The mean IOP was 15.6 ± 3.8 mmHg in MCE and 15.1 ± 4.1 mmHg in the MUE group ( p > 0.05; Mann-Whitney test) at the end of the follow-up (mean of 26.1 ± 15.6 months and 28.3 ± 15.3 months, respectively) ( p = 0.414, Mann-Whitney Test). The device caused a significant IOP reduction at 24 h in both groups. Thereafter, the MCE group significantly tended to increase IOP, recovering baseline values at 1 month and maintaining them until the end of the follow-up. In contrast, in the MUE group, the IOP values tended to be similar after the first reduction. No relevant complications and no significant differences between the groups in the survival analysis were found. Conclusions: XEN45 provided stable IOP control in both the MCE and MUE group without important complications in the medium term. The IOP increasing in the MCE group, after a prior decrease, led to restored baseline values 1 month after surgery. The homeostatic mechanism that causes the rise in the IOP to baseline values and its relationship with failure cases remains to be clarified.

Introduction: The PRESERFLO™ MicroShunt (PMS) has been proven to significantly lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma and has been available for use since 2019. With increasing published evidence and growing experience of glaucoma surgeons, the aim of this modified Delphi panel was to build on the findings of a previous Delphi panel conducted in 2021 and provide further guidance on the role of the PMS to treat patients with glaucoma in Europe., Methods: Thirteen European glaucoma surgeons experienced in the PMS procedure participated in a 3-round modified Delphi panel. A targeted literature review and expert steering committee guided Round 1 questionnaire development. Consensus was pre-defined at a threshold of ≥ 70% of panellists selecting 'strongly agree'/'agree' or 'strongly disagree'/'disagree' for 6-point Likert scale questions or ≥ 70% selecting the same option for multiple or single-choice questions. Questions not reaching consensus were restated/revised for the next round, following guidance from free-text responses/scoping questions., Results: In total, 28% (n = 9/32), 52% (n = 16/31) and 91% (n = 10/11) of statements reached consensus in Rounds 1, 2 and 3, respectively. There was agreement that the PMS may be used in patients with pigmentary, post-trauma or post-vitrectomy glaucoma and for patients with uveitic glaucoma without active inflammation. The PMS may be more suitable for patients with contact lenses than other subconjunctival filtering surgeries, without eliminating bleb-associated risks. Consensus was reached that combining PMS implantation and phacoemulsification may be as safe as standalone PMS surgery, but further efficacy data are required. Following a late rise in IOP ≥ 4 months post-surgery, topical aqueous suppressant drops or bleb revision may be suitable management options., Conclusions: This Delphi panel builds on the considerations explored in the 2021 Delphi panel and provides further detailed guidance for glaucoma surgeons on the use of the PMS, reflecting the availability of novel evidence and surgical experience. Videos are available for this article., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The primary cause of failure for minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) is fibrosis in the trabecular meshwork (TM) that regulates the outflow of aqueous humour, and no anti-fibrotic drug is available for intraocular use in MIGS. The myocardin-related transcription factor/serum response factor (MRTF/SRF) pathway is a promising anti-fibrotic target. This study aims to utilise a novel lipid nanoparticle (LNP) to deliver MRTF-B siRNA into human TM cells and to compare its effects with those observed in human conjunctival fibroblasts (FF). Two LNP formulations were prepared with and without the targeting peptide cΥ, and with an siRNA concentration of 50 nM. We examined the biophysical properties and encapsulation efficiencies of the LNPs, and evaluated the effects of MRTF-B silencing on cell viability, key fibrotic genes expression and cell contractility. Both LNP formulations efficiently silenced MRTF-B gene and were non-cytotoxic in TM and FF cells. The presence of cΥ made the LNPs smaller and more cationic, but had no significant effect on encapsulation efficiency. Both TM and FF cells also showed significantly reduced contractibility after transfection with MRTF-B siRNA LNPs. In TM cells, LNPs with cΥ achieved a greater decrease in contractility compared to LNPs without cΥ. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the novel CL4H6-LNPs are able to safely and effectively deliver MRTF-B siRNA into human TM cells. LNPs can serve as a promising non-viral gene therapy to prevent fibrosis in MIGS.

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) is a cutting-edge approach to treating glaucoma that provides a range of techniques and technology to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP). An 80-year-old man with visually significant cataracts and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) underwent combined cataract surgery and TrabEx+ (MicroSurgical Technology, Washington, United States) in his left eye, a unique type of MIGS, as we described in this study. Over the one-year follow-up, this patient showed improved visual function with well-controlled IOP without anti-glaucoma medications., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Iqbal et al.)

Purpose: To determine if there was an association between severity of glaucoma and intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication (med) outcomes for patients in the ROMEO ( R etrospective, O bservational, M ulticenter E valuation of O MNI) study., Setting: Eleven ophthalmology practices in 8 US states., Design: Post-hoc analysis of all eyes enrolled and treated with ab interno canaloplasty and trabeculotomy in the retrospective, multicenter ROMEO study., Methods: Eyes were grouped according to visual field mean deviation (MD): mild (MD better than -6 dB), moderate (MD between -6 and -12 dB), advanced (-12 dB or worse). IOP and med outcomes at 12 months were compared across groups. Least squares regression was used to assess the relationship of MD with month 12 IOP. Outcomes for 1 st and last MD deciles were compared as a sensitivity analysis., Results: One hundred and twenty-seven eyes were available for analysis including 79 mild, 42 moderate, 6 advanced. Most eyes had a reduction in IOP at Month 12 (70%) with most at 18 mmHg or less. Percentage IOP reduction was similar across the groups (mild 16.9%, moderate 18.6%, advanced 18.0%) with mean month 12 IOP between 14 and 16 mmHg. Medications were also reduced in all three groups; -0.8 (mild, P < 0.001), -0.55 (moderate, P < 0.05), and -1.0 (advanced, P = 0.139, ns). Regression analysis revealed no relationship between month 12 IOP and MD. Med reductions were observed for all groups with a reduction of 1 or more medications seen in (%, 95% CI) 69%, 59-79 (mild), 50%, 35-65 (moderate), and 60%, 21-99 (advanced). Secondary interventions tended to have greater incidence with worse MD likely reflecting lower desired IOP targets., Conclusion: Analysis of data from the ROMEO study suggests that similar meaningful IOP and med reductions can be expected across the range of disease severity studied., Competing Interests: JED, AEH and RHB are employees of Sight Sciences. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work., (© 2024 Dickerson Jr et al.)

Objective: This retrospective study evaluated the safety and efficacy of the new minimally invasive MINIject implant placed in the suprachoroidal space. The aim was to assess its impact on intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and complication rate. Methods: 18 eyes from 18 patients with insufficiently controlled glaucoma received the implant using topical medications. Outcomes were changes in IOP, change in IOP medication, need for other glaucoma surgery, and rate of adverse events. Results: IOP reduced by 15% ( p < 0.05) following MINIject implantation. IOP medication decreased from 3 to 1 agent ( p < 0.05). Four patients (22%) required other glaucoma surgery while we did not observe any clinically relevant adverse event. Conclusions: This retrospective study indicates that MINIject implants may be a safe and effective means of reducing IOP together with a reduction in IOP medications in most patients. Larger prospective studies with longer follow-ups are necessary to confirm our results, though.

Purpose: This study aims to report on outcomes of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in eyes with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). Methods: This study is a prospective, interventional, non-comparative case series. A total of 103 eyes from 88 patients with PACG underwent an ab interno trabeculotomy, using either a 5.0 polypropylene suture or an illuminated microcatheter, with up to 24 months of follow-up. The main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), number of antiglaucoma medications, success rate (IOP reduction ≥ 20% from baseline or IOP between 6 and 21 mmHg, without further glaucoma surgery) and complication rate. Results: The mean preoperative IOP was 21.4 (SD 7.4) mmHg using 2.5 (SD 1.1) glaucoma medications. These decreased postoperatively to 12.1 (SD 2.4) mmHg and 0.8 (SD 1.2) medications, at 24 months (P < 0.05). Success rate was 78% at 24 months of follow-up, and complication rate was 4.8%. Conclusion: At 24 months of follow-up, our results for GATT in PACG demonstrate that this procedure effectively lowers IOP in this subtype of glaucoma, with a low complication rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyse the safety profile and efficacy of ab interno viscocanaloplasty (ABiC) through to 12 months post-operatively. Methods: In this retrospective study, the medical records of all patients who underwent ABiC between September 2015 and December 2019 were analysed. Complete success was defined as a 12-month reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) ≥ 20% from baseline with no concomitant medications. Qualified success criteria were identical, with no more medications than at baseline. Results: In all, 54 eyes of 41 patients were analysed. Mean IOP decreased from 23.6 ± 7.4 mmHg preoperatively to 14.2 ± 2.9 mmHg (-39.8%; p < 0.001) after 12 months. Concomitantly, the number of anti-glaucoma treatment dropped from 2.9 ± 1.0 to 0.6 ± 1.1 (-79.3%; p < 0.001). Amongst patients with a baseline MD < -12.0 dBs, mean IOP decreased from 22.8 ± 9.8 mmHg to 13.8 ± 4.4 mmHg (p = 0.049), with a concomitant reduction of medications from 2.8 ± 1.3 to 1.2 ± 1.3 (p < 0.001). Complete success at 12 months was achieved in 46% of eyes, and qualified success was achieved in 65% of eyes. Amongst eyes with a baseline MD < -12.0 dBs, 50% achieved complete success, and 83.3% achieved qualified success. A total of 19 eyes (35.2%) were considered surgical failure, all due to uncontrolled IOP. Of them, 7 eyes (13.0%) required further filtering surgery. Twelve post-operative adverse events were observed, with early post-operative IOP spikes being the most common (22.2%). Conclusions: ABIC achieved a statistically significant reduction in IOP and anti-glaucoma medications through 12 months, while maintaining a favourable safety profile in mild-to-severe open-angle glaucoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of iTrack (Nova Eye Medical, Fremont, USA) ab-interno canaloplasty performed as a standalone procedure, or combined with cataract surgery, in reducing antiglaucoma medication dependence and maintaining intraocular pressure within target range in patients with controlled primary open-angle glaucoma. Methods: This is a retrospective, single-center, case series study of patients who underwent iTrack ab-interno canaloplasty as a standalone procedure (n = 34) or in combination with cataract surgery (n = 11). Eyes with controlled mild or moderate glaucoma (intraocular pressure ⩽17 mmHg) were included; those with prior glaucoma surgeries were excluded. The primary outcome was the mean reduction in glaucoma medication and the secondary outcome was the maintenance of controlled intraocular pressure postoperatively. Results: A total of 35 patients (45 eyes) with a mean age of 73 ± 9.7 years were included in the study. For all eyes, a significant decrease (61%) in the mean number of medications was seen at 36 months (1.89 ± 0.93 versus 0.60 ± 0.82; p < 0.001), with 56% (14/25) of eyes medication free. No significant difference was observed in the reduction of medication use whether iTrack was performed with or without cataract surgery at 12 and 36 months. Mean baseline intraocular pressure of 14.42 ± 2.2 mmHg for all eyes was maintained at the 12-, 24-, and 36-month follow-up visits (14.6 ± 3.65, 15.06 ± 2.26, and 14.19 ± 2.91, respectively), with no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.08). Conclusion: The iTrack ab-interno canaloplasty significantly reduced medication dependency and maintained intraocular pressure within target range in patients with controlled mild or moderate primary open-angle glaucoma, while showing a good safety profile, both as a standalone procedure or in combination with cataract surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) is a potentially safer and more efficacious method studied in patients with mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma requiring less invasive treatment goals; however, the literature on MIGS must be thoroughly evaluated. We conducted a review of MIGS by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL. Primary efficacy indicators were reductions in intraocular pressure and topical medication use postoperatively. While all comparative randomized controlled trials assessing MIGS in English peer-reviewed journals were included, only observational studies with a target follow-up of at least one year and a high priority score were analyzed, resulting in a total of 3476 eyes across 20 trials. The mean age was 69.5 ± 2.9 years, 53.7% were female, and 77.4% were Caucasian. One study had last follow-up at less than one year, fifteen studies had follow-up extending 1-2 years, and four had longer than two years of follow-up. A pattern of more significant intraocular pressure and medication reduction was observed in patients who underwent MIGS (n = 2170) relative to control (n = 1306) interventions. iStent had the most literature supporting its efficacy, followed by Hydrus. The most common adverse events after MIGS implantation included stent obstruction, inflammation, and subsequent surgical intervention. Surgical complication rates and efficacy are favorable after MIGS. This review helps to consolidate the high-quality evidence that exists for various MIGS procedures and to identify gaps where further research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of Kahook Dual Blade ab interno trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification compared to stand-alone conventional cataract surgery. Methods: A single-center longitudinal, randomized controlled trial was conducted. Patients older than 18 years with coexisting cataract and open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were invited to participate. Preoperative and postoperative clinical data were collected and analyzed preoperatively and at months 1, 3, 6, and 12 after the procedure. Main outcome measures included best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, number of glaucoma medications, endothelial cell count, and standard automated perimetry. Results: Forty-two eyes from 33 patients were randomly allocated to the combined cataract and KDB (treatment, n = 21) or cataract alone (control, n = 21) groups. Intraocular pressure decreased from 17.9 ± 3.5 to 16.0 ± 2.2 mmHg and from 17.3 ± 2.5 to 15 ± 3.2 mmHg at the last visit in the treatment and control groups (p = 0.47). The use of glaucoma medications was reduced from a median (IQR) 1 (1–2) to 0 (0–0) in the treatment group and from 1 (1–2) to 0 (0–1) in the control group, with no significant differences between groups at the 12-month visit (p = 0.47). Best corrected visual acuity, endothelial cell count, and standard automated perimetry remained similar during follow-up in both groups. Conclusions: In patients with well-controlled, mild-to-moderate glaucoma, adding ab interno trabeculectomy with KDB to phacoemulsification might not be more effective than phacoemulsification alone to reach mid-teens IOP values. Both procedures showed similar safety profiles. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04202562, December 17, 2019 retrospectively registered [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare efficacy and safety of needling and open bleb revision after XEN-45 surgery. Methods: This retrospective study represents real-life data of patients who underwent XEN-45 surgery between November 2014 and June 2018 in the Vienna General Hospital. The following groups were formed for data evaluation: (PSEA) primary surgery secondary intervention allowed (n = 268); (PS) primary surgery until secondary intervention (n = 268); (N) first needling until additional secondary intervention (n = 55); (BR) first bleb revision until additional secondary intervention (n = 105). Main outcome measures were pre- and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medication (GM), Kaplan–Meier success rates, and secondary intervention rates. Success was defined as postoperative IOP < 21 mmHg and < 18 mmHg together with ≥ 20% IOP reduction with medication allowed. Results: IOP (and GM) was lowered from 23.5 ± 8.0 (GM 3.1 ± 1.0) to 14.9 ± 8.2 mmHg (1.2 ± 1.4) in group PSEA and 18.1 ± 8.2 mmHg (1.5 ± 1.4) in group PS, in group N from 23.2 ± 10.1 (1.5 ± 1.0) to 19.3 ± 8.5 mmHg (2.2 ± 1.3) and in group BR from 22.0 ± 8.0 mmHg (2.5 ± 1.1) to 15.5 ± 6.4 mmHg (1.3 ± 1.5) after a median follow-up of 16.0, 8.4, 4.8, and 7.3 months, respectively. Success rates at 1 year were significantly higher in group BR (50.7%) compared to PS (37.7%, p = 0.019) and N (24.3%; p = 0.015). An additional intervention was required less frequently in group BR (17.1%) compared to group PS (49.6%, p < 0.001) and group N (54.5%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our data appear to indicate favorable outcomes for open XEN bleb revision in terms of Kaplan–Meier success rates and secondary intervention rate compared to the needling procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report on the implantation of a XEN 45 gel implant in a patient with glaucoma associated with congenital aniridia. Observations: A 60-year old man with familial congenital aniridia and glaucoma presented with intraocular pressure of 30 mmHg in his right eye despite maximal topical treatment with four medications. Implantation of a XEN gel stent was performed without complications after subconjunctival injection of mitomycin-C (0.1 mL of 0.02%). At the two-year follow-up, the patient's intraocular pressure was 12 mmHg with one topical medication. No needling of the filtering bleb was required. No excessive fibrosis of the conjunctiva or worsening of the existing keratopathy was noted. Conclusions: The XEN 45 implant could be an option in the treatment of aniridia-associated glaucoma.

Background: PreserFlo® MicroShunt (PM) (also known as InnFocus® MicroShunt) is a subconjunctival stent implanted ab externo via a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The current indication is progressive, mild to moderate, open angle glaucoma uncontrolled on topical medications. According to the literature, adverse events are rare, mild and transient.Case Presentation: Two cases of stand-alone PreserFlo MicroShunt® implantation in patients with uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma are reported. Exposure occurred 7 days and 3 months respectively after implantation. These cases shared common features including preexisting blepharitis and the lack of a Tenon's flap. In both cases, removal of the device was required after several attempts at repair.Conclusions: PreserFlo MicroShunt® exposure is a potentially vision-threatening complication because of the risk of endophthalmitis. Potential risk factors include the absence of a Tenon's flap and pre-existing ocular surface inflammation. Ocular surface inflammation should be detected and treated prior to PM implantation. If a deficiency in Tenon's capsule is noted intraoperatively, close monitoring should be performed because of the higher risk of PM exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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To report 3-year outcomes of the HORIZON study comparing cataract surgery (CS) with Hydrus Microstent (Ivantis, Inc) implantation versus CS alone. Multicenter randomized clinical trial. Five hundred fifty-six eyes from 556 patients with cataract and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) treated with 1 or more glaucoma medication, washed out diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) of 22 to 34 mmHg, and no prior incisional glaucoma surgery. After phacoemulsification, eyes were randomized 2:1 to receive a Hydrus Microstent or no stent. Follow-up included comprehensive eye examinations through 3 years. Outcome measures included IOP, medical therapy, reoperation rates, visual acuity, adverse events, and changes in corneal endothelial cell counts. Three hundred sixty-nine eyes were randomized to microstent treatment and 187 to CS only. Preoperative IOP, medication use, washed-out diurnal IOP, and glaucoma severity did not differ between the two treatment groups. At 3 years, IOP was 16.7 ± 3.1 mmHg in the microstent group and 17.0 ± 3.4 mmHg in the CS group (P = 0.85). The number of glaucoma medications was 0.4 ± 0.8 in the microstent group and 0.8 ± 1.0 in the CS group (P < 0.001), and 73% of microstent group eyes were medication free compared with 48% in the CS group (P < 0.001). The microstent group included a higher proportion of eyes with IOP of 18 mmHg or less without medications compared with the CS group (56.2% vs. 34.6%; P < 0.001), as well as IOP reduction of at least 20%, 30%, or 40% compared with CS alone. The cumulative probability of incisional glaucoma surgery was lower in the microstent group (0.6% vs. 3.9%; hazard ratio, 0.156; 95% confidence interval, 0.031–0.773; P = 0.020). No difference was found in postoperative corneal endothelial cell loss between groups. No procedure- or device-related serious adverse events resulting in vision loss occurred in either group. Combined CS and microstent placement for mild to moderate POAG is safe, more effective in lowering IOP with fewer medications, and less likely to result in further incisional glaucoma filtration surgery than CS alone at 3 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the 3‐year treatment outcomes of XEN 45 gel stent in open‐angle glaucoma patients. Methods: In this prospective, single‐centre interventional study, consecutive eyes with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) or signs of disease progression despite medical treatment underwent XEN implantation either alone or combined with phacoemulsification (Phaco + XEN). Main outcome measures: Surgical success was defined as 'complete' when 36‐month unmedicated IOP was ≤15 mmHg with a relative IOP reduction ≥ 20% from medicated baseline, while the definition of qualified success allowed no more medications than at baseline. Other definitions of success with different IOP thresholds were also analysed. Secondary outcomes included mean IOP reduction, changes in ocular hypotensive medications and rates of reoperations. Results: Out of 149 eyes initially included, 92 eyes (61.7%) of 68 patients had complete 3‐year data (XEN: n = 26; Phaco + XEN: n = 66) after 38.2% were lost to follow‐up. Mean age was 76.3 ± 9.1 years, and 66.2% were female. Mean medicated IOP decreased from 20.8 ± 7.4 mmHg (21.0 ± 7.4 [XEN] vs. 20.0 ± 6.9 mmHg [Phaco + XEN]) at baseline to 13.1 ± 3.4 mmHg (12.9 ± 2.9 [XEN] vs. 12.9 ± 3.4 [Phaco + XEN]) at 3 years (−37.0%; p < 0.001). Medications decreased from 1.9 ± 1.3 (2.4 ± 1.5 [XEN] vs. 1.9 ± 1.2 [Phaco + XEN]) to 0.4 ± 0.9 (0.3 ± 0.8 [XEN] vs. 0.5 ± 0.9 [Phaco + XEN]) (−78.9%; p < 0.001). Complete success and qualified success were achieved in 29.0% and 31.0% of eyes, respectively. Needling revision was performed in 51 eyes (55.4%), and 26.1% underwent reoperations. Risk factors for surgical failure included male gender (odds ratio [OR]:3.6; p = 0.03), diagnosis of POAG (OR: 4.5; p < 0.01) and undergoing needling revision (OR: 4.6; p < 0.01). While the type of procedure had no effect on the outcomes of PEXG, POAG eyes undergoing combined surgery had significantly higher rates of failure (OR: 7.29; p = 0.023). Most patients stable at 12‐month remained so through to 3 years. Conclusions: At 3 years, XEN gel stent implantation achieved clinically significant IOP and medication reduction despite relatively high rates of needling and reoperations. Identifying patients at risk preoperatively may help optimize surgical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare 12-month clinical results of spatula-shaped and dual-blade microhooks ab interno trabeculotomy with phacoemulsification. Study design: Retrospective comparative study. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of Japanese open-angle glaucoma patients who underwent ab interno trabeculotomy with phacoemulsification with a 12-month follow-up. Two types of trabecular hook were used: the spatula-shaped Tanito Trabeculotomy ab interno Micro-hook® and the Kahook Dual Blade®. Changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication scores comprised the main outcome metrics. We also analyzed and compared patient demographics and the occurrence of complications. Results: Trabeculotomy was performed using a spatula-shaped hook in 17 eyes and a dual-blade hook in 15 eyes. Significant reductions in IOP (p < 0.001) and medication scores (p < 0.001) were noted in both groups after the 1-month time point. The percentage changes of IOP from baseline at each time point were not significantly different between groups, though there was a significant difference in medication scores at 12 months (p = 0.0192). Postoperative complications occurred similarly in both groups; one case in the dual-blade group required additional filtration surgery. Conclusions: Ab interno trabeculotomy with phacoemulsification was effective in lowering IOP both with spatula-shaped and with double-blade microhooks. At 12 months more medications were used postoperatively in the spatula-shaped microhook group; however, the reductions in the medication scores from baseline were statistically significant in both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This retrospective comparative study assessed real-world effectiveness and safety of first-generation (iStent®) and second-generation (iStent inject®) trabecular micro-bypass stents with cataract surgery in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG). Material and Methods: Through a 24-month postoperative follow-up, the effectiveness was quantified by intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction; mean glaucoma medication reduction; proportional analysis of eyes meeting IOP cutoffs (< 18, < 15, < 12 mmHg) either with or without medications; and proportional analysis of medication burden. Safety measures included visual acuity, adverse events, and secondary surgery. Results: A total of 82 consecutive eyes (39 iStent, 43 iStent inject) with a 24-month follow-up were analyzed. Most eyes (74.4%) had primary open-angle glaucoma, with the remainder having pseudoexfoliative or pigmentary glaucoma; all eyes had mild-to-moderate disease. At 24 months postoperative, the mean IOP was lower, and the percent reduction from baseline was greater, in iStent inject eyes (26.0% reduction, 17.7mmHg to 13.1mmHg) than in iStent eyes (9.8% reduction, 16.4mmHg to 14.8mmHg) (between-groups comparison, p=0.019). Within each group, the postoperative IOP reduction was greater in eyes with higher baseline IOP (p< 0.001). Medication burden decreased significantly in both groups, from 1.74 to 0.51 mean medications for iStent (70.7% reduction, p< 0.0001), and 2.19 to 0.65 for iStent inject (70.3% reduction, p< 0.0001). Both groups exhibited excellent safety. Conclusion: iStent or iStent inject with phacoemulsification produced significant IOP and medication reductions, with effects enduring for two years. IOP reductions were greater for iStent inject than for iStent. Within each group, higher preoperative IOP was associated with greater postoperative IOP reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Matthew T Hirabayashi,1 Dayeong Lee,1 Joshua T King,1 Samuel Thomsen,1,2 Jella A An1,2 1University of Missouri Columbia School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Mason Eye Institute, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USACorrespondence: Jella A AnDepartment of Ophthalmology, University of Missouri Columbia, 3215 Wingate Court, Columbia, MO 65201, USATel +1 573 884 1311Fax +1 573 884 3330Email anja@health.missouri.eduPurpose: To compare reductions in intraocular pressure (IOP) and IOP-lowering medication use following sectoral excisional goniotomy with the Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) or 360° trabeculotomy (via either Trab360 or gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy [GATT]) in eyes with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) undergoing phacoemulsification cataract surgery.Methods: A retrospective review was conducted to collect data from adult subjects with early to advanced primary or secondary OAG undergoing phacoemulsification combined with either KDB or 360° trabeculotomy (Trab360 or GATT) between August 1, 2016 and July 30, 2018 for which 6-month follow-up was available. Data collected included IOP, glaucoma medications, adverse events, and additional IOP-lowering procedures. The primary outcome measure was surgical success (≥20% IOP or ≥1 medication reduction without additional IOP-lowering procedures) at 6 months.Results: Data were collected from 74 eyes of 61 subjects undergoing KDB excisional goniotomy and 27 eyes of 25 subjects undergoing 360° trabeculotomy (19 eyes of 17 subjects undergoing Trab360 and 8 eyes of 8 subjects undergoing GATT). At 6 months, 81.7% (58/71) of KDB eyes and 84.6% (22/26) of 360° trabeculotomy eyes achieved surgical successes (P=0.737). Mean IOP reductions and medication reductions were similar between groups at 6 months. However, more eyes undergoing KDB than Trab360/GATT achieved target IOP ≤18 mmHg (80.0% [56/70] vs 59.3% [16/27], P=0.040) and ≤15 mmHg (61.4% [43/70] vs 25.9% [7/27], P=0.003) without further IOP-lowering interventions at 6 months. The nature and frequency of adverse events were similar between groups.Conclusions: Both KDB and Trab360 or GATT procedures similarly lowered both IOP and the need for IOP-lowering medications during the first 6 postoperative months. More eyes undergoing KDB excisional goniotomy than 360° trabeculotomy attained target IOP ≤18 mmHg and ≤15 mmHg at 6 months. A full 360° trabecular bypass may not be necessary to achieve maximal efficacy from this class of micro-invasive glaucoma procedures.Keywords: Kahook Dual Blade, goniotomy, Trab360, GATT, MIGS