Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) Device Implantation with Phacoemulsification Reduces Intraocular Pressure in Patients With Open Angle Glaucoma

Implantation of a microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) device in combination with phacoemulsification in patients with open angle glaucoma reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) and poses a lower rate of short-term risks, according to a retrospective single surgeon comparative case series in Eye.

In a private practice setting, 297 eyes (190 patients) were examined from March 2011 to June 2017, having undergone phacoemulsification alone or combined phacoemulsification and iStent (Glaukos, San Clemente, CA) or Hydrus (Ivantis, Irvine, CA) for open angle glaucoma. Main outcome measures included IOP and number of medications; they were analyzed using linear mixed models.

All groups showed reduced IOP at 6 months and 2-year follow up, with the iStent group by 4.2 mm Hg and the Hydrus group by 4.5 mm Hg. All groups also had a reduced number of medications (phacoemulsification alone: by 0.3, iStent: by 0.7, Hydrus: by 1.1).

When the MIGS device was inserted without intraoperative complication, the rate of short-term risks was low. Postoperative complications were uncommon and resolved by 1-month follow up.

Reference:

Lee GA, Porter AJ, Vincent RA, Makk J, Vincent SJ. Combined phacoemulsification and microinvasive glaucoma surgery in comparison to phacoemulsification alone for open angle glaucoma [published online ahead of print May 2019]. Eye. doi:10.1016/j.jcrs.2018.12.002.