Trabecular micro-bypass stent implantation with cataract extraction in pigmentary glaucoma

Use of the trabecular micro-bypass stent with cataract surgery is well established to be safe and effective in primary open-angle glaucoma. This is the first study to exclusively evaluate use of the device in pigmentary glaucoma.

This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of a trabecular micro-bypass stent in combination with cataract surgery in pigmentary glaucoma.

Retrospective, consecutive case series.

Twenty-four eyes of 12 patients with pigmentary glaucoma implanted with one trabecular micro-bypass stent with concomitant cataract surgery.

Baseline data was collected and compared to the following postoperative time points: 1 day, 1 week, 1 month out to 36 months (M36) after the procedure.

These included intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications and need for additional surgery.

At M36 there was a 25% reduction in IOP to 14.68 ± 3.0 (P < .01) from 19.50 ± 6.7 mmHg at baseline. The mean number of glaucoma medications was 0.75 ± 1.0 prior to the surgery and 0.59 ± 0.6 (P > .05) at 36 M. At the 36 M time-point, 95% of eyes had IOP ≤ 18 mmHg and 68% of eyes were ≤ 15 mmHg. No eyes underwent a secondary glaucoma procedure.

The insertion of a single trabecular micro-bypass stent in combination with cataract surgery effectively provides a sustained reduction in IOP up to 3 years after surgery in patients with pigmentary glaucoma. The safety profile is favourable with low rate of IOP spikes and no patients requiring additional surgery.