Three-year outcomes of combined trabecular micro-bypass and phacoemulsification in a predominantly Hispanic population with primary open-angle glaucoma.

Purpose: To present long-term, real-world outcomes after implanting one trabecular micro-bypass stent with cataract surgery for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in a predominantly Hispanic patient population. Patients and methods: This retrospective, consecutive case series evaluated intraocular pressure (IOP), medications, and safety through 36 months after implanting one iStent® during phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Eyes were stratified into 2 subgroups classified by preoperative IOP and surgical goal. The Controlled Group had IOP <18 mmHg on ≥1 medications, and goal to reduce medications. The Uncontrolled Group had IOP ≥18 mmHg and/or maximum tolerated medication load, and goal to reduce IOP. Assessments included IOP, medications, visual fields (VF), retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL), adverse events, and secondary surgeries. Results: Of 168 total operated eyes, 87 eyes (49 Controlled, 38 Uncontrolled) completed 36 months of follow-up and comprise the Consistent Cohort in this report. At baseline, 79.6% (39/49) of Controlled eyes and 71.1% (27/38) of Uncontrolled eyes were from Hispanic patients. In the Controlled Group desiring medication reduction, mean medications were reduced by 77.3% (2.6 medications preoperatively vs 0.6 at 36 months; p<0.001. All Controlled eyes maintained or reduced medications versus preoperative; no eyes were on ≥3 medications (vs 61.2% preoperatively); and 58.3% were medication-free (vs 0% preoperatively). In the Uncontrolled Group desiring IOP reduction, mean IOP decreased by 31.2% (19.4 mmHg preoperatively vs 13.4 mmHg at 36 months; p<0.001), 91.7% of eyes achieved IOP ≤18 mmHg, 69.4% reached IOP ≤15 mmHg, and 77.8% decreased IOP ≥20% vs baseline. Uncontrolled eyes also experienced a 45.3% medication reduction (2.2 medications preoperatively vs 1.2 at 36 months; p<0.001). Favorable safety included no intraoperative complications, and stable VF and RNFL through 36 months. Conclusion: In this predominantly Hispanic patient cohort, significant IOP and medication reductions were sustained safely through 36 months after iStent implantation during cataract surgery.

Circumferential viscodilation of Schlemm's canal for open-angle glaucoma: ab-interno vs ab-externo canaloplasty with tensioning suture.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of minimally invasive ab-interno canaloplasty (ABiC) vs ab-externo canaloplasty (CP) in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma medication dependence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This nonrandomized, retrospective, single-center, paired eye study assessed the 12-month outcomes of 12 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma who underwent ABiC in one eye and CP in the other eye, either as stand-alone procedures or combined with cataract extraction. Primary endpoints included mean IOP and number of glaucoma medications at 12 months postoperative. Secondary endpoints included surgical complications and secondary interventions. RESULTS: Four males and eight females with a mean age of 73.8±12.6 years were included. In the CP group, the mean preoperative IOP was 18.1±3.9 mmHg on 2.4±0.5 medications, which reduced to 13.5±2.2 mmHg (P<0.05) on 0.9±0.9 medications (P<0.001). In the ABiC group, the mean preoperative IOP was 18.5±3.4 mmHg on 2.4±0.5 medications and postoperative IOP was 13.8±2.2 mmHg (P<0.05) on 0.8±0.8 medications (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in IOP and medication use between treatment groups at 12 months postoperative. No serious adverse events were recorded in either group, though two patients in the CP group developed pressure spikes 10 mmHg beyond preoperative IOP. CONCLUSION: This paired eye study found ABiC to have comparable IOP lowering and glaucoma medication reduction to CP in open-angle glaucoma. This suggests ABiC may be a suitable method for improving aqueous outflow via the trabecular pathway. Further large-scale investigation is needed.

Viscodilation of Schlemm's canal for the reduction of IOP via an ab-interno approach.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the 1-year efficacy and safety profile of ab-interno canaloplasty (ABiC) when performed as a stand-alone procedure or as an adjunct to cataract extraction in reducing IOP and glaucoma medication dependence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective, comparative, consecutive case series included patients with uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) who underwent ABiC as a stand-alone procedure or in conjunction with cataract extraction. Data were collected over a 12-month period. Primary outcome measures were mean lower IOP and mean number of glaucoma medications. Secondary endpoints included surgical and postsurgical complications and secondary interventions. RESULTS: The study included 75 eyes of 68 patients (mean age: 73.7±9.9 years) with a mean baseline IOP of 20.4±4.7 mmHg on 2.8±0.9 medications, which reduced to 13.3±1.9 mmHg (n=73) on 1.1±1.1 medications at 12 months postoperative (both P<0.0001). At 12 months, 40% of eyes were medication free. In the ABiC/phacoemulsification subgroup (n=34 eyes), the mean IOP and medication use decreased from 19.4±3.7 mmHg on 2.6±1.0 medications preoperatively to 13.0±1.8 mmHg on 0.8±0.2 medications at 12 months (both P<0.001). In the stand-alone ABiC subgroup (n=41), the mean IOP and medication use decreased from 21.2±5.3 mmHg on 3.0±0.7 medications preoperatively to 13.7±1.9 mmHg on 1.3±1.1 medications at 12 months (P=0.001 and <0.001, respectively). No serious adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that ABiC was effective at reducing IOP and medication use in eyes with uncontrolled POAG with or without cataract surgery.

Outcomes of combined trabecular micro-bypass and phacoemulsification in a predominantly Hispanic patient population.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) and topical ocular hypotensive medication burden at 12 months postoperatively in a predominantly Hispanic patient population with primary open-angle glaucoma each implanted with one trabecular micro-bypass stent during cataract surgery. METHODS: This was a retrospective, consecutive case series. The main objective was to assess reduction of IOP and/or medication burden in all eyes at the 12-month postoperative exam. A secondary objective was to assess outcomes in 3 subgroups, distinguished preoperatively by IOP control and by medication burden (suboptimal or maximum therapy) and with different treatment goals. Group 1 had medication-controlled IOP and goal to reduce medications while maintaining IOP control (n=65); Group 2 had uncontrolled IOP on ≤2 medications and goal to reduce IOP and maintain/reduce medication burden (n=31); and Group 3 had uncontrolled IOP on ≥3 medications and goal to reduce IOP and avoid filtering surgery (n=38). Evaluations included IOP, medication use, cup-to-disc ratio, visual fields, complications, and interventions. One hundred subjects (134 eyes) have been followed for 12 months. RESULTS: Most patients (80%) were Hispanic and had moderate or severe glaucoma (87%). At 12 months, mean IOP reduced to 12.9 mmHg vs 16.5 mmHg preoperatively; 92% had an IOP ≤15 mmHg at 12 months (99% had ≤18 mmHg). Mean medication burden had decreased to 0.9 vs 2.3 preoperatively. At the 12-month time point, 94% of all eyes achieved their predefined treatment goal of reduced IOP and/or medications. Reductions in medication burden for Group 1, and in IOP for Groups 2 and 3, were highly statistically significant (P<0.001). Two eyes in Group 3 had filtering surgery; the remaining 95% avoided such treatment. No other complications were reported. CONCLUSION: This mainly Hispanic population with predominantly moderate or severe glaucoma had substantial reduction of IOP and medication and favorable safety for 12 months following stent implantation during cataract surgery, with treatment success achieved in all 3 subgroups. These data show this stent technology to be effective in Hispanic eyes with more advanced disease.