Influence of Goniotomy Size on Treatment Safety and Efficacy for Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Multicenter Study

Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy Outcomes Under Different Levels of Glaucoma Severity: A Multicenter, Comparative Study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the outcomes of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) under different levels of glaucoma severity.

DESIGN

Retrospective, multicenter, before-and-after study.

METHODS

One eye from all primary open-angle glaucoma patients who underwent GATT combined with cataract surgery (Phaco-GATT) or GATT stand-alone with 12 months of follow-up were included and divided according to glaucoma severity (mild = GI, moderate = GII, and advanced = GIII) and the outcomes compared.

RESULTS

A total of 270 eyes were included: 90 in GI, 75 in GII, and 105 in GIII. The IOP was reduced from 18.6 ± 6.0 mm Hg in GI, 19.7 ± 6.4 mm Hg in GII, and 21.0 ± 7.9 mm Hg in GIII, preoperatively, to 11.9 ± 2.6 mm Hg in GI, 11.8 ± 2.1 mm Hg in GII, and 11.9 ± 3.0 mm Hg in GIII at 12 months postoperatively (P < .001 for all). The number of hypotensive ocular medications were reduced from 2.7 ± 1.0 in GI, 3.1 ± 0.8 in GII, and 3.2 ± 1.2 in GIII to 0.6 ± 0.9 in GI, 1.0 ± 1.1 in GII, and 1.2 ± 1.1 in GIII at the last postoperative visit (P < .001 for all). Relative success was achieved, at 1 year, in 93.8% of the eyes in GI, 89.0% in GII, and 88.1% in GIII (P = .3). Complete success was achieved in 61.8% of the eyes in GI, 43.8% in GII, and 37.6% in GIII (P = .007). No serious adverse event was observed in any group.

CONCLUSIONS

GATT is a safe and effective procedure in glaucoma, regardless of its preoperative severity.

Fellow-Eye Comparison between Phaco-Tanito Microhook Trabeculotomy and Phaco-iStent Inject W

This study aims to compare the surgical efficacy and safety of the Tanito microhook trabeculotomy (TMH-CE) and iStent inject W (Inject-CE) when performed in combination with cataract surgery on the eyes of glaucoma patients. A total of 78 glaucomatous eyes from 39 participants were retrospectively analyzed. Intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of antiglaucoma medications, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anterior chamber flare (ACF), and corneal endothelial cell density (CECD) were all evaluated preoperatively and at multiple postoperative time points. The preoperative IOP was significantly higher in the TMH-CE (19.6 ± 6.7 mmHg) than in the Inject-CE (15.7 ± 3.8 mmHg) (p < 0.0001). At the 12-month follow-up, reductions in IOP and the number of medications were more pronounced in the TMH-CE (6.6 mmHg, 27.6% and -1.1, respectively) group than Inject-CE (2.7 mmHg, 12.4% and -0.7, respectively) (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0034), while the IOP and medication-number levels were identical between TMH-CE (13.0 ± 3.3 mmHg and 1.3 ± 0.9, respectively) and Inject-CE (12.9 ± 2.6 mmHg and 1.9 ± 0.9, respectively) (p = 0.88 and p > 0.99, respectively). The TMH-CE group exhibited a higher ACF, a higher frequency of layered hyphema, and a greater anterior chamber floating red blood cells score in the early postoperative periods. Despite these differences, the changes in BCVA, ACF, and CECD were equivalent between the two groups in later follow-up periods. TMH-CE provides a more significant IOP reduction and medication-number reduction compared to Inject-CE, while Inject-CE shows quicker BCVA recovery. This study provides valuable insights for ophthalmologists choosing the most suitable surgical approach for glaucoma and cataract patients.

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery: Latest Developments and Future Challenges

The development of minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGSs) was intended to provide safe and modestly efficacious modalities for early intervention of mild-to-moderate glaucoma, with minimal trauma and rapid recovery. They were mainly ab interno procedures that reduce intraocular pressure by facilitating the aqueous outflow by bypassing the trabecular meshwork resistance, reinforcing the uveoscleral flow via the supraciliary space, and reducing aqueous production by the ciliary body. While the cumulating evidence helps shape the role of the available MIGS, the exponential new development and advancement in this field has expanded the territory of MIGS. Apart from developing subconjunctival MIGS filtration devices (Xen gel stent and PRESERFLO MicroShunt), there is a tendency to revisit the "traditional" MIGS for alternative use and to modify the procedures with consideration of the fundamental aqueous outflow physiology. Combined MIGS has also been suggested, based on the theory that their different mechanisms may provide additive or synergistic effects. The advancement of laser procedures is also promising and could supplement unmet needs along the glaucoma treatment algorithm. This review examines the broad array of MIGS, updates the recent findings, discusses their potential alternative applications, and explores future challenges.