PreserFlo Microshunt shows positive impact on ocular surface health
The implantation of the PreserFlo Microshunt exhibits positive effects on ocular surface health, alleviating subjective symptoms, enhancing tear stability, and reducing corneal staining, according to a study that also reported significant improvements in tear osmolarity and corneal epithelial thickness, underscoring the potential benefits of this surgical intervention.
The study involved 48 eyes undergoing PreserFlo Microshunt implantation, either as a standalone procedure or in combination with phacoemulsification.
The findings revealed a notable improvement in subjective symptoms, as indicated by a decrease in OSDI scores from 37.43 ± 17.49 at baseline to 24.13 ± 12.55 at 1-month (P = 0.003), and further reductions to 12.89 ± 8.54 and 13.09 ± 10.22 at 6-months and 12-months, respectively (P < 0.0001).
Schirmer’s test and tear-film break-up time demonstrated non-significant increases at 1-month but exhibited significant improvement at 6-months and 12-months (P < 0.05 for both). Tear osmolarity significantly decreased from 308.2 ± 7.3 mOsm/L at baseline to 303.3 ± 8.2 mOsm/L, 295.6 ± 7.0 mOsm/L, and 297.6 ± 6.8 mOsm/L at 1-month, 6-months, and 12-months, respectively (P < 0.05 for all).
Corneal epithelial thickness remained stable at 1-month compared to baseline (44.9 ± 5.7 μm, P = 0.28) but exhibited a subsequent increase at 6-months (47.8 ± 5.5 μm, P = 0.02) and 12-months (48.0 ± 3.6 μm, P = 0.01).
In subgroup analysis, the combined group showed significantly higher OSDI scores and tear osmolarity at 1-month compared to the standalone group (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively), but these differences diminished in subsequent follow-ups. In addition, Oxford scale grades for fluorescein staining significantly improved when comparing baseline to both 6-month and 12-month assessments.
Reference
Gambini G, Carlà MM, Giannuzzi F, et al. Evaluation of ocular surface following PreserFlo Microshunt implantation: Functional outcomes and quality of life. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2023;doi: 10.1111/ceo.14320. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37983671.
