Comparative study of 2-year outcomes for Hydrus or iStent inject microinvasive glaucoma surgery implants with cataract surgery.

BACKGROUND: To compare real-world 24-month outcomes of phacoemulsification combined with either iStent inject or Hydrus Microstent. METHODS: Analysis of data from the Fight Glaucoma Blindness (FGB) international registry. Anonymized data from 344 eyes with mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma, normal-tension glaucoma or ocular hypertension that underwent phacoemulsification combined with either iStent inject (224) or Hydrus Microstent (120) were included. Data were adjusted for baseline characteristics using linear regression and propensity score matching. The primary endpoint was a comparison of mean intraocular pressure (IOP) at 24 months. RESULTS: At 24 months, there was no significant difference in IOP reduction between the two groups, consistent across all analyses. The matched cohort showed iStent inject achieved 3.1 mmHg reduction and Hydrus a 2.3 mmHg reduction (p = 0.530) and a mean medication reduction of 1.0 for iStent inject versus 0.5 for Hydrus (p = 0.081). 5.4% of eyes in the iStent inject group and 7.5% of eyes in the Hydrus group required subsequent procedures to improve IOP control within 24 months. Complications were rare with no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-four-month outcomes showed sustained IOP reduction with a good safety profile for both groups. There was no significant difference in IOP outcomes between the groups. There may be a small additional reduction in glaucoma medication usage following cataract surgery with iStent inject compared to Hydrus.

Intrapalpebral Extending Dysesthetic Bleb Revision with Fibrin Glue.

AIM: This pilot study evaluates the safety and efficacy of a novel surgical technique using fibrin glue to treat bleb dysesthesia post-trabeculectomy due to intrapalpebral extension. BACKGROUND: Trabeculectomy remains the gold standard for control of intraocular pressure (IOP) in refractory glaucoma. Bleb dysesthesia following antifibrotic-enhanced trabeculectomy is common, resulting in a significant decrease in quality of life. Symptoms include pain, foreign body sensation, and excessive tearing. Treatments include lubrication, topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), bandage contact lens, bleb needling, compression sutures, Nd:YAG laser treatments, autologous blood injection, and cryopexy. These procedures can be time-consuming, risk bleb function, and may be ineffective at symptom control; thus, a novel technique is required. TECHNIQUE: This is a retrospective case series of eyes undergoing bleb dissection with scleral cutdown and conjunctival closure with ARTISS fibrin tissue glue. Reported cases have been followed up for 6 months. Outcomes assessed include complications, IOP, medication usage, subjective pain score, visual field, and cup-to-disk (C:D) ratio. CONCLUSION: This small pilot series demonstrated that patients suffering from bleb dysesthesia due to intrapalpebral bleb extension can be successfully treated with a novel surgical approach combining conjunctival dissection to sclera with fibrin tissue glue closure. There was no significant effect on bleb function and no contribution to glaucoma progression over a 6-month period. A significant reduction in patient discomfort with no new surgical complications was noted. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This demonstrates a safe and effective novel surgical approach to treat patients with this condition. The technique is easily learnt and can be employed in an outpatient setting. The technique is readily accepted by patients in group who are often reticent to undergo further intervention. Most importantly, it does not compromise bleb function or destabilize glaucoma control. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Holmes DP, Manning DK. Intrapalpebral Extending Dysesthetic Bleb Revision with Fibrin Glue. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2020;14(1):37-42.