Search Results (5)

A surgical technique was developed to enhance aqueous humor (AH) flow through the non-trabecular outflow pathway by rerouting it from the anterior chamber (AC) to the suprachoroidal space (SCS) without detaching the ciliary body from the scleral spur. Medium- and long-term surgical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed in a case series of 58 glaucoma patients. At 6, 12, and 24 months, the mean IOP decreased from 27.8 ± 8.3 to 14.9 ± 5.0 mmHg, median 15.0 (25th percentile (p²⁵)13.0; 75th percentile (p⁷⁵) 18.0) and 15.2 ± 3.3 mmHg, and hypotensive medication use reduced from a median (p²⁵; p⁷⁵) of 3 (2; 3) to 0 (0; 2), 0 (0; 2), and 0 (0; 1.5), respectively. Intra- and postoperative complications were few and manageable. Following surgery, no bleb formation occurred in any of the cases (as confirmed by optical coherence tomography). Conjunctival lymphatic vessels (CLVs) developed in 50% of eyes (29/58). Clinically, they developed directly from sclera and had no connection to the surgical site. Analysis further showed that the development of CLVs and their longer visibility period had poor prognostic value for IOP control. If the fluid flow from the SCS to CLVs was resistance-free, no CLV development was evident. However, if any resistance existed in the flow, the fluid accumulated in lymphatics, resulting in their engorgement. The proposed technique was safe and effective in decreasing IOP in glaucoma patients by enhancing AH flow from the SCS to CLVs via connecting intrascleral microchannels. Full article

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) has emerged as a novel approach in the glaucoma treatment spectrum, offering a range of diverse procedures and devices aimed at reducing intraocular pressure (IOP). MIGS can be broadly classified into several categories: those that enhance trabecular outflow (Trabectome, iStent, Hydrus Microstent, Kahook Dual Blade, high frequency deep sclerotomy, and gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy), those that augment suprachoroidal outflow (CyPass Microstent and iStent Supra), those that target Schlemm’s canal (TRAB360 and the OMNI Surgical System, Streamline, and Ab Interno Canaloplasty), and conjunctival bleb-forming procedures (EX-PRESS Glaucoma Filtration Device, Xen Gel Stent and PreserFlo MicroShunt). MIGS is considered to have a shorter surgical time and fewer severe complications when compared to traditional glaucoma surgeries such as trabeculectomy and glaucoma drainage device implantation (Ahmed, Baerveldt, and Molteno valves). This literature review comprehensively examines the distinct MIGS devices and procedures, their underlying mechanisms, and clinical outcomes, emphasizing the importance of evaluating the efficacy and complications of each approach individually. As the field of MIGS continues to evolve, it is crucial to prioritize high-quality, long-term studies to better understand the safety and effectiveness of these innovative interventions in glaucoma management. Full article

For decades, trabeculectomy (TE) was considered the gold standard for surgical treatment of open-angle glaucoma owing to its powerful intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering potency. However, owing to the invasive nature and high-risk profile of TE, this standard is changing, and minimally invasive procedures are becoming more preferable. In particular, canaloplasty (CP) has been established as a much gentler alternative in everyday life and is under development as a full-fledged replacement. This technique involves probing Schlemm’s canal with a microcatheter and inserting a pouch suture that places the trabecular meshwork under permanent tension. It aims to restore the natural outflow pathways of the aqueous humor and is independent of external wound healing. This physiological approach results in a significantly lower complication rate and allows considerably simplified perioperative management. There is now extensive evidence that canaloplasty achieves sufficient pressure reduction as well as a significant reduction in postoperative glaucoma medications. Unlike MIGS procedures, the indication is not only mild to moderate glaucoma; today, even advanced glaucoma benefits from the very low hypotony rate, which largely avoids a wipeout phenomenon. However, approximately half of patients are not completely medication-free after canaloplasty. As a consequence, a number of canaloplasty modifications have been developed with the goal of further enhancing the IOP-lowering effect while avoiding the risk of serious complications. By combining canaloplasty with the newly developed suprachoroidal drainage procedure, the individual improvements in trabecular facility and uveoscleral outflow facility appear to have an additive effect. Thus, for the first time, an IOP-lowering effect comparable to a successful trabeculectomy can be achieved. Other implant modifications also enhance the potential of canaloplasty or offer additional benefits such as the possibility of telemetric IOP self-measurement by the patient. This article reviews the modifications of canaloplasty, which has the potential to become a new gold standard in glaucoma surgery via stepwise refinement. Full article

Primary open-angle glaucoma progression in those already on maximal medical therapy has traditionally been treated with trabeculectomy, a surgical procedure that carries a high degree of morbidity. In the last few decades, significant advances have been made in the field of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) devices, which aim to defer or prevent trabeculectomy via less arduous surgical techniques in certain types of glaucoma. Although reviews have been published examining the efficacy of various MIGS techniques, no article synthesises the comparative safety of all available devices. We performed a literature review examining the safety of MIGS devices. Fifteen devices were included, variously attempting to increase aqueous outflow through the trabecular meshwork or the suprachoroidal space, shunting into the subconjunctival space, or reducing aqueous production through ciliary body ablation. Notably, the earliest product attempting to increase outflow to the suprachoroidal space, Alcon’s CyPass Micro-Stent, was withdrawn from the market due to concerns regarding increased corneal endothelial cell loss at five years post-implantation. All other devices were described as well-tolerated, with the most common adverse effects including hyphaema, intraocular pressure spikes, and device migration or obstruction. MIGS devices are purported to be uniformly safe, and many studies report no statistically significant increased complications beyond those associated with cataract surgery alone. It is important to note, however, the generally poor quality of current studies, with a dearth of randomised, or even prospective, data, and a large proportion of studies funded by device producers. Full article

The deep sclerectomy technique was modified to enhance aqueous humor (AH) outflow via the non-trabecular pathway. A pilot study was carried out to assess its safety and effectiveness. Thirty-eight patients were under observation. After superficial scleral flap (4 × 4 mm), deep scleral layers were divided into three parts by three parallel-to-limbus incisions. Deep sclerectomy without creating a window in the Descemetes’ membrane was carried out in the distal part. A collagen implant was placed under the sclera of the remaining two parts with one end in the intrascleral pool. The third proximal part was excised to expose the uvea and implant. A Nd:YAG laser trabeculotomy at the surgery site was made on postoperative days 7–10. Outcome measures were IOP change, use of hypotensive medication(s), complications, and the need for a second surgery. At six months, the mean IOP decreased from 29.1 ± 9.2 mm Hg to 14.0 ± 4.3 mm Hg (p = 1.4 × 10⁻⁹); hypotensive medication use reduced from 2.9 ± 0.9 to 0.6 ± 1.0 (p = 1.3 × 10⁻¹⁰); complete success was achieved in 68.4% of cases and partial success was achieved in 31.6% of cases. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were rare and manageable. The OCT of the surgery site revealed the absence of bleb in all cases. Lymphatic vessels with characteristic bicuspid valves in their lumen were detected in conjunctiva near the operation site and over it in 32 patients. IOP decrease in the proposed technique was achieved by activation of the uveolymphatic route of AH outflow. Full article