Needling With 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) After XEN Gel Stent Implantation: 6-Month Outcomes.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate frequency, safety, and efficacy of needling in patients that underwent XEN Gel Stent implantation.

METHODS

Retrospective case review of 19 eyes of 57 consecutive patients (61 eyes) with primary open-angle glaucoma or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma that previously underwent implantation of XEN45 alone or in combination with cataract surgery followed by needling procedure with 5-FU. Success was defined at 2 IOP levels: ≤21 mm Hg and ≤15 mm Hg, with or without additional glaucoma medications. Treatment failure was defined as IOP>21 mm Hg or 0.05). Two eyes (10%) were categorized as treatment failures. No major complications occurred. Mean follow-up was 203.8±142.2 (range, 22 to 456) days.

CONCLUSIONS

Needling revision following XEN gel stent implantation showed a good IOP-lowering effect without significant increase in number of antiglaucoma medications, decrease in visual acuity, nor any major complications. Further studies with long-term follow-up and a larger number of patients are needed to fully assess the safety and efficacy of this procedure.