The study involved 18 patients with XEN gel implants, 30 patients who had trabeculectomy, and 30 medically managed glaucoma patients. All patients in XEN gel implant and trabeculectomy groups had at least 11 months of follow-up following successful surgery resulting in medication-free control of intraocular pressure (IOP). A rebound tonometer (Icare, Finland Oy, Helsinki, Finland) was used to measure the IOP levels at the sitting, supine and dependent lateral decubitus (DLDP) positions after a five-minute rest at each position. Results: In all groups, the mean IOP values in the DLDP and supine positions were significantly higher than the sitting position. The IOP elevation after moving from sitting to supine position was significantly reduced in XEN gel implant and trabeculectomy groups compared to medical treatment group (p=.001 and p=.002, respectively). The IOP elevation after moving from sitting to DLDP was also significantly reduced in XEN gel implant and trabeculectomy groups compared to the medical treatment group (p=.003 and p=.01, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in IOP change after moving from sitting to supine or DLDP positions between XEN gel implant and trabeculectomy groups (p=.74 and p=.98, respectively). The authors concluded that XEN gel implant could reduce postural elevations in IOP to the same degree as trabeculectomy and provide significantly better postural IOP control than medical treatment. This surgery can be an effective minimally invasive alternative for patients with significant positional IOP elevations.
The effects of ab-interno XEN gel implantation on postural IOP elevations
Reviewed by Su Young
Effects of ab interno XEN gel implantation on postural intraocular pressure elevations.
