Real-World Data of the First UK Series of MINIject Supraciliary Glaucoma Implant with 6 Months Follow-Up

This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of the MINIject (iStar Medical, Wavre, Belgium) supraciliary implant for the treatment of glaucoma.

Patients with medically uncontrolled primary open angle glaucoma, primary angle closure glaucoma and normal tension glaucoma were included. This first in the UK, retrospective, single-centre, interventional study evaluated the implantation of the MINIject in 50 eyes, including 11 stand-alone cases and 39 cases combined with phacoemulsification. The primary outcome was mean reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) at 6 months. We also report the proportion of eyes that achieved a final IOP ≤ 21 mmHg and > 5 mmHg with an IOP reduction of ≥ 20% with/without medication use.

Mean (± standard deviation) baseline IOP was 18.4 ± 4.7 mmHg on 2.1 ± 1.1 medications. There was a significant decrease in IOP at 6 months (-6.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] -2.9 to -9.7 mmHg, P < 0.001). There was no significant association between diagnosis, mode of delivery (stand-alone/combined with phacoemulsification) and the degree of IOP lowering. There was a significant decrease in IOP-lowering medications at 6 months (-2.1; 95% CI -1.6 to -2.6 mmHg, P < 0.001). A total of 88.9% of eyes achieved a final IOP ≤ 21 mmHg and > 5 mmHg, whilst 57.8% of eyes achieved this combined with 20% reduction in IOP. Adverse events occurred in 15.6% (n = 7) of eyes. No sight-threatening events occurred.

This study shows promising IOP-lowering results and medication reduction over 6 months with few adverse events.