The following is the summary of “One Year Results of the Preserflo MicroShunt Implantation for Refractory Glaucoma,” published in the May 2023 issue of Glaucoma by Seuthe, et al.
Patients with advanced glaucoma can benefit from the Preserflo MicroShunt because it successfully lowers intraocular pressure (IOP). Preserflo MicroShunt with mitomycin C for treating complex glaucoma: a randomized, controlled efficacy and safety trial. All patients who had Preserflo MicroShunt implantation between April 2019 and January 2021 for treating severe and therapy-refractory glaucoma were included in this prospective interventional research.
Patients had either advanced cases of secondary glaucoma (such as after penetrating keratoplasty or globe piercing damage) or initial open-angle glaucoma for which incisional glaucoma surgery had failed. Reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) and 12-month success rate were the primary endpoints. Complications during or after surgery were considered secondary outcomes. Qualified success was defined as attaining the target IOP (>6 mm Hg and <14 mm Hg) independent of the medication. In comparison, complete success was defined as achieving the target IOP (>6 mm Hg and <14 mm Hg) without additional IOP-lowering medication.
A total of 40 eyeballs from 38 participants were included in the study. After 12 months, 85.7% of eyes were successful without glaucoma eye drops, with an average IOP of 10.5 ±2.0 mm Hg. On average, patients saw a 58.4% improvement in their IOP. As a result of failure, revision surgery was performed on five patients (12.5%). At one year, the Preserflo MicroShunt had a high rate of complete success without additional treatment for patients with refractory glaucoma. Long-term research is required, and occasional occurrences of revisional surgery were observed.
