Evaluation of a Trabecular Microbypass Stent With Cataract Extraction in Severe Primary Open-angle Glaucoma.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a trabecular microbypass stent combined with cataract surgery in patients with severe open-angle glaucoma.

PATIENTS

The series included 59 eyes with severe primary open-angle glaucoma and severe visual field loss as defined by American Academy of Ophthalmology preferred practice pattern criteria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective case series. Patients were implanted with 1 trabecular microbypass stent with concomitant cataract surgery. Primary outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of glaucoma medications. Safety measures included postoperative IOP pressure spikes ≥15 mm Hg or IOP<6 mm Hg at any time point, and the need for additional surgery.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative IOP was 19.25±6.97 mm Hg. Postoperatively, the mean IOP was 14.38±3.63 mm Hg (P<0.01) at 12 months and 14.92±3.86 mm Hg (P<0.01) at 24 months. The mean number of glaucoma medications was 2.27±1.06 preoperatively and 1.63±1.17 (P<0.01) at 24 months postoperative, indicating a 28% reduction in medication use. In total, 4 (7%) eyes required additional surgery. In total, 5 eyes (8%) experienced IOP spikes ≥15 mm Hg, 14 (24%) eyes had IOP spikes ≥10 mm Hg. Overall 55% of eyes had a 20% IOP reduction after 24 months of surgery. Eyes with baseline IOP≤19 had a mean reduction of 2.24 mm Hg 36 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Trabecular microbypass stent implantation during cataract surgery safely and effectively lowers IOP and medication use in patients with severe primary open-angle glaucoma.