Needling after Subconjunctival Gelatin Stent Placement May Not Be Needed

No significant difference in success rate or in rate of subsequent surgery was found in patients who underwent subconjunctival gelatin stent placement followed by needling or placement on antiglaucoma medications (AGM), according to a poster presented at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Virtual Annual Meeting. However, IOP was significantly reduced in patients on AGMs.

In this retrospective analysis, 34 eyes that received a XEN45 implant, underwent bleb needling before and/or on the same day as AGM (Needling group) and 86 eyes that received a XEN45 implant, were placed on AGMs prior to or in the absence of subsequent needling (Meds group).

In the Needling group, needling was performed at post-operative days 70.3±64.5. Mean IOP at baseline and at 6 month was 25.1±7.9 mmHg on 3.1±1.2 AGM and 15.6±4.5 mmHg on 1.0±1.2 AGM, respectively.

In the Meds group, AGM were added at post-operative days 66.1±82.9. IOP at baseline and at 6 month was 24.3±8.2 on 3.0 ±1.1 AGM and 14.9±5.9 on 1.1±1.2 AGM, respectively.

There was significant reduction in IOP in the Meds group compared to the Needling group (P < 0.05). No significant difference in rates of success or further surgery was noted between the groups (P > 0.05).

Reference

Mehran NA, et al. Do we need to needle? Clinical outcomes following initial needling vs. medication following subconjunctival gelatin stent placement. Poster presented at: American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Virtual Annual Meeting. May 16, 2020.