Long-term comparative outcomes of Hydrus versus iStent inject microinvasive glaucoma surgery implants combined with...

To compare the long-term effectiveness of combined phacoemulsification and Hydrus microstent (phaco-Hydrus) versus iStent inject (phaco-iStent) using microinvasive glaucoma surgery-specific surgical success definitions in a large observational cohort.

Retrospective study of eyes in the Fight Glaucoma Blindness registry that underwent phaco-Hydrus or phaco-iStent with a minimum of 48 months follow-up. The prespecified primary endpoint was ≥20% intraocular pressure (IOP) decrease and IOP ≤21 mm Hg or ≥1 medication reduction versus baseline at 48 months with no preoperative washout. Propensity score matching of baseline covariates was used to examine outcomes in a subcohort (matched cohort).

431 eyes (98 phaco-Hydrus: 331 phaco-iStent) were included in the overall cohort and 177 eyes (59 phaco-Hydrus: 118 phaco-iStent) in the matched cohort. There was no significant difference in the rate of surgical success between each group in achieving the primary endpoint at 48 months (adjusted overall cohort, 41.2% vs 43.0% in phaco-Hydrus vs phaco-iStent respectively, p=0.81; matched cohort, 44.1% vs 43.2%, p=0.99). There was no significant difference in degree of IOP reduction, medication reduction and adjusted secondary outcomes between the phaco-Hydrus and phaco-iStent groups in both overall and matched cohorts. The incidence of adverse events and secondary procedures was similar between both groups.

There was no significant difference in surgical success between phaco-Hydrus and phaco-iStent groups at 48 months. Over 40% of eyes maintained the primary success endpoint of ≥20% IOP decrease and IOP ≤21 mm Hg or ≥1 medication reduction versus baseline without the need for secondary glaucoma surgery.