Impact of failed ab-interno trabeculectomy (trabectome) on subsequent XEN45 gel stent implantation in pseudophakic eyes

Combined versus standalone XEN45 Gel Stent implantation in either phakic or pseudophakic patients: a case-matched study

PURPOSE

To determine differing outcomes among either phakic or pseudophakic patients who received standalone XEN45 Gel Stent (Allergan, an AbbVie Company, CA, USA) implantation and patients who underwent combined surgery with phacoemulsification.

METHODS

This retrospective single-center study involved 180 eyes of 180 participants who underwent XEN45 Gel Stent implantation, of which 60 eyes received combined surgery with phacoemulsification (combined group). Standalone stent implantation was performed on 60 phakic (phakic group) and on 60 pseudophakic eyes (pseudophakic group). The groups were matched in a ratio of 1:1:1 based on multiple criteria. Successful surgery was defined by three scores: IOP at the longest follow-up of < 21 mmHg (Score A) or < 18 mmHg (Score B) and an IOP reduction > 20% or IOP ≤ 15 mmHg and an IOP reduction ≥ 40% (Score C). In all scores, one open conjunctival revision was allowed, and additional repeat surgery was considered a failure.

RESULTS

After an average follow-up time interval of 20.6 ± 12.6 months, there was a mean IOP-reduction by 37% among the entire cohort. Comparative analysis between the three groups did not show significant differences regarding postoperative IOP, postoperative medication score, side effects, revision rate, repeat surgery rate or success rate. A dysfunctional stent was detected in eight eyes (4%) during open conjunctival revision in 76 eyes.

CONCLUSION

The clinical endpoints investigated did not differ significantly among either phakic or pseudophakic patients who received standalone stent implantation and patients who underwent combined surgery. However mean latency between primary stent implantation and first revision surgery after combined surgery was markedly shorter.

XEN®-45 implantation for refractory uveitic glaucoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of XEN®-45 gel stent ab interno implantation for medically uncontrolled uveitic glaucoma.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 25 eyes receiving XEN® gel stent for medically uncontrolled uveitic glaucoma from February 2019 to February 2023 with recording of intraocular pressure (IOP) values, ocular hypotensive medication, requirement for revision or secondary surgery and complications. Prerequisites for XEN® implantation were a clear cornea, an open iridocorneal angle and an unscarred, mobile conjunctiva at the implantation site. Minimum follow-up required for inclusion was 3 months. The primary outcome measure was IOP compared to baseline. Complete and qualified success were defined as final IOP of ≤ 18 mmHg without or with topical antiglaucomatous treatment, respectively. Failure was defined as IOP > 18 mmHg on two consecutive visits, IOP reduction < 20%, persisting complications from hypotony and open conjunctival bleb revision. Further glaucoma surgical intervention was defined as complete failure.

RESULTS

Mean preoperative IOP was 35.3 ± 10.9 mmHg on 2.9 ± 0.9 topical antiglaucomatous agents. 19 of 25 patients (76%) received additional oral acetazolamide. 19 eyes were pseudophakic, 5 eyes phakic and 1 aphakic. Early postoperatively, mean IOP reduced to 7.7 ± 3.0 mmHg (75.8% reduction). At final follow-up (mean 17.7 months) mean IOP was 12.0 ± 3.8 mmHg (62.5% reduction) on 0.2 ± 0.6 medications. Six eyes (24%) required bleb revision at mean 28 weeks and therefore were categorized as failure. One eye failed despite bleb revision and restart of topical ocular hypotensive medication. Three other eyes (12%) had IOP spikes with uveitis flare-ups. Transient hypotony complications occurred in 32%. At final follow-up, 18 eyes (72%) achieved complete success and one eye (4%) qualified success.

CONCLUSION

The XEN® gel stent effectively reduced IOP in uncontrolled uveitic glaucoma, with 72% complete success. Bleb revision was required in 24%. IOP spikes occurred in 12% despite functioning blebs. Further follow-up is needed to determine long-term outcomes.

XEN® implantation: an effective strategy to stop glaucoma progression despite prior minimally invasive glaucoma surgery

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether XEN® implantation is a reasonable and safe method to lower the intraocular pressure (IOP) and amount of medication for adult primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) over a 3-year period. The influence of the type of anesthesia, previous glaucoma surgery, and postoperative interventions on the outcome were examined.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 96 eyes were included. XEN® implantation was performed as sole procedure under general (n = 86) or local anesthesia (n = 10). IOP and number of glaucoma medication were assessed preoperatively: day 1, week 6, month 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36. Further outcome parameters were Kaplan–Meier success rates, secondary intervention, and complication rates.

Results

IOP decreased from 20.7 ± 5.1 to 12.8 ± 2.5 mmHg at the 36-month follow-up (p < 0.001) and glaucoma therapy was reduced from 3.3 ± 0.8 to 1.2 ± 1.6 (36 months, p < 0.001). Transient postoperative hypotony was documented in 26 eyes (27.1%). General anesthesia resulted in a significant improvement of the survival rate compared to local anesthesia (77% vs. 50%, p = 0.044). Prior iStent inject®, Trabectome®, or SLT laser had no significant impact, such as filter bleb revision. The number of postoperative needlings had a significantly negative influence (p = 0.012).

Conclusion

XEN® implantation effectively and significantly lowers the IOP and number of glaucoma therapy in POAG in the 36-month follow-up with a favorable profile of side effects and few complications. In case of IOP, general anesthesia has a significant positive influence on the survival rate, whereas prior SLT or MIGS does not have significant impact.