Viscoelastic injection may improve microstent efficacy
Patients receiving a sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic viscoelastic device injection showed a trend toward greater reduction in IOP than patients who received a microstent alone.
Take-home message: Patients receiving a sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic viscoelastic device injection showed a trend toward greater reduction in IOP than patients who received a microstent alone.
Reviewed by Ernesto Calvo, MD
Panama City-Injecting sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic viscoelastic device (OVD) prior to placement of a microstent in the supraciliary space may result in lower IOP, said Ernesto Calvo, MD.
“We’re really excited about this new technique,” said Dr. Calvo, an ophthalmologist practicing in Panama City, Panama. “I’m using it here in my daily glaucoma treatment routine-it’s working great.”
In a study, Dr. Calvo and colleagues injected the OVD (Healon 5, Abbott Medical Optics) through a guide wire tube before deploying a microinvasive glaucoma surgery stent (CyPass Micro-Stent, Alcon Laboratories/Transcend Medical).
Patients receiving the OVD showed a trend toward greater reduction in IOP than patients who received the microstent alone. Though the difference was not statistically significant, it provided evidence to justify a larger study, Dr. Calvo said.
Designed to reduce IOP by enhancing aqueous outflow to the suprachoroidal space, the stent is implanted between the sclera and the ciliary body, via an ab interno, clear corneal incision. It does not penetrate the sclera. The trabecular meshwork integrity is preserved.
Regulatory agencies have approved the device for sale in Europe and Panama among other countries, and the FDA is reviewing an application for sales in the United States.
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