Canaloplasty in the Treatment of Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Review of Patient Selection and Outcomes

Abstract

Canaloplasty is a relatively new non-penetrating surgery for the reduction of intraocular pressure in patients affected by glaucoma. The technique uses a microcatheter to perform a 360 º cannulation of Schlemm’s canal and leaves in place a tension suture providing an inward distension. It aims to restore the physiological outflow pathways of the aqueous humour and is independent of external wound healing. Several studies have shown that canaloplasty is effective in reducing intraocular pressure and has a low rate of complications, especially compared with trabeculectomy, the gold standard for glaucoma surgery. Currently, canaloplasty is indicated in patients with open-angle glaucoma, having a mild to moderate disease, and the combination with cataract phacoemulsification may provide further intraocular pressure reduction. This article reviews canaloplasty indications, results and complications and analyses its outcomes compared with traditional penetrating and non-penetrating techniques.

Introduction

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide [1]. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common type of glaucoma in white populations [2], has a typically chronic course, characterized by progressive damage to the optic disc and visual field deterioration [3, 4]. Although several risk factors for glaucoma have been investigated [5–9], reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) remains the mainstay of glaucoma treatment as studies have clearly shown a positive effect of IOP reduction on both glaucoma development and progression [10–16].

The first approach in reducing IOP generally consists of topical medications. However, when target IOP is not achievable or progression is detected in spite of maximum tolerated medical therapy, surgery is advisable [17, 18]. Trabeculectomy (TRAB) is actually the gold-standard procedure for glaucoma surgery. However, it is plagued by a major rate of intra- and postoperative complications, such as choroidal haemorrhage [19, 20], cataract development [21], hypotony [22, 23], bleb leakage [24, 25] and infections [26]. These complications are largely due to the creation of a patent communication between the anterior chamber and sub-conjunctival space as a full thickness sclerotomy is performed during the procedure (i.e., penetrating surgery). To reduce these complications, non-penetrating surgeries have been proposed [27]. In these procedures there is no direct communication between the anterior chamber and extraocular spaces. For this reason they are considered safer than TRAB at the cost of lower hypotensive efficacy [27, 28]. Deep sclerectomy (DS), a non-penetrating procedure, creates a trabeculo-descemetic window through which aqueous humour (AH) slowly leaks from the anterior chamber [29]. Viscocanalostomy (VC), another non-penetrating procedure, aims to restore the physiological AH filtration pathway, expanding Schlemm’s canal by means of the viscoelastic substance [30].

Canaloplasty (CP) is a relatively new non-penetrating technique and can be considered a technical amelioration of VC. Described in 2005 by Kearney et al., it uses a breakthrough microcatheter technology to restore the physiological AH outflow system [31]. Clinical studies have shown that CP, performed alone or in conjunction with cataract extraction, reduces IOP significantly and in the long term, with an excellent safety profile. The objective of this review is to describe the CP surgical technique, its indications and the results in terms of the hypotensive efficacy and safety profile. This article is based on previously conducted studies and does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

Patient Selection

CP is mainly indicated in patients affected by POAG when IOP is not satisfactorily controlled with medical therapy or medications are not tolerated [32, 33]. Patients affected by pigmentary glaucoma or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma are candidates for this surgery as well as long as the irido-corneal angle is open and easily accessible. A few reports have described the use of CP in patients affected by juvenile glaucoma [34] and in some phenotypes of secondary glaucoma, such as steroid-induced glaucoma [35] or glaucoma secondary to uveitis [36]. An exploratory indication for CP may be in patients with a previous failed TRAB when gonioscopic examination reveals an intact Schlemm’s canal [37, 38] or even in case of a disrupted canal wall [39, 40] (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1.

Gonioscopic image of a canaloplasty performed after trabeculectomy: Prolene suture in place

Careful evaluation of patient’s clinical characteristics is always mandatory when selecting a surgical procedure. Patients with moderate/high IOP and without advanced visual field and/or optic disc damage probably benefit more from CP as extremely low IOPs are not required. The absence of a filtration bleb and its non-penetrating nature make CP particularly attractive for patients at high risk of infections or choroidal bleeding, with enhanced wound healing or with complications from a previous TRAB in the contralateral eye [41]. Finally, young patients with moderate IOP and used to contact lens wearing may benefit from this bleb-less procedure.

Contraindications are angle-closure glaucoma, post-traumatic glaucoma with angle recession and almost all the secondary glaucomas (neovascular glaucoma, aphakic glaucoma, etc.) with the exceptions already described [42]. Angle closure is a contraindication for canaloplasty, mainly for two reasons: (1) persistent irido-trabecular contact results in a progressive process of Schlemm’s canal endothelial damage and Schlemm’s canal occlusion, making the microcatheter passage not easily achievable [43]; (2) irido-trabecular contact and peripheral anterior synechiae block AH outflow anteriorly to Schlemm’s canal, damaging the trabecular meshwork and increasing resistance at this level [43]. Patients with narrow angles or plateau iris may benefit from this technique when performed in combination with cataract extraction as tensioning the suture may result in further narrowing of the angle.

Surgical Procedure

Sub-conjunctival or peri-bulbar anaesthesia is generally performed, but general anaesthesia could sometimes be preferred in young patients and in myopic eyes. A 4-0 suture under the superior rectus muscle insertion or a corneal bridle suture may be placed to better expose the surgical field and rotate the eye inferiorly. Conjunctiva and Tenon’s capsule are gently dissected, creating a fornix-based flap, usually at 12 o’clock position. Differently from TRAB, it is advisable to avoid cauterization, preserving episcleral vessels. Topical vasoconstrictor agents may be used. A superficial scleral flap is dissected, carrying forward the incision up to clear cornea (Fig. 2a). The shape of the superficial flap may vary, according to the surgeon’s experience and preferences (generally a parabolic flap is created). However, flap thickness should be approximately fixed to one third of the total scleral thickness (200–250 μm). A smaller and deeper scleral flap is then sculpted just above the choroidal plane and extended forward to slice the scleral spur (Fig. 2b). In this way, Schlemm’s canal is opened and a trabeculo-descemetic window is created. A gentle pressure at the level of the Schwalbe line, using a cellulose sponge, may help further extend the trabeculo-descemetic window, encouraging AH leaks. At this point, the internal wall of Schlemm’s canal should be removed with micro-surgical forceps. The deep flap is then dissected away, and the two ostia of Schlemm’s canal are exposed (Fig. 2c).

Fig. 2.

Canaloplasty surgical technique. a Dissection of the superficial scleral flap; b creation of a deep scleral flap; c cutting of the deep scleral flap and exposure of Schlemm’s canal ostia; d viscodilation of Schlemm’s canal ostia with a microcannula; e advancement of the microcatheter through Schlemm’s canal; f knotting of the 10-0 Prolene suture on the microcatheter tip; g tensioning of the Prolene suture; h watertight suture of the scleral flap

Repeated visco-dilatation of the ostia with a microcannula is performed (Fig. 2d). The microcatheter (iTrack 250, Ellex iScience, Inc., Freemont, CA, USA) has a 250 μm diameter and an embedded optical fibre connected to a laser flickering red light source for easy identification of the distal tip through the sclera. The microcatheter is inserted into Schlemm’s canal through the exposed ostia and advanced throughout the 360° (Fig. 2e). When the distal tip of the catheter emerges at the opposite site, a 10-0 Prolene suture is tied to the tip, and the microcatheter is withdrawn, injecting approximately 0.5 μl of viscoelastic material every 2 h (Fig. 2f). A high-weight molecular viscoelastic agent is preferred during this phase. Viscodilation of Schlemm’s canal is an essential part of the procedure as it breaks adhesion inside the canal, stretches the trabecular plates by means of micro-perforations into the inner wall of the trabecular meshwork and separates herniations of the inner wall of the trabecular meshwork into the outer wall collector channels. The tip is then extracted from Schlemm’s canal at the initial surgical site, and the suture is knotted under tension to obtain an inward distension of the trabecular meshwork (Fig. 2g). High-resolution UBM may be used in this phase, if available, to evaluate the tension of the suture and the dilatation of Schlemm’s canal. Finally, the superficial scleral flap is tightly closed with several Vicryl or nylon stitches to ensure a watertight closure, and the conjunctival flap is sutured (Fig. 2h). Postoperative treatment consists of antibiotic drops for a week and local steroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drops for a period of 4–6 weeks, according to the surgeon’s habits and patient’s course.

Adverse Events

CP is a safe procedure, and complications, both intra- and postoperative, are generally mild (Table 1) [32, 33]. While intraoperative complications decrease with the surgeon’s experience and after a long learning curve, postoperative complications are usually self-resolving, requiring no direct intervention.

Table 1.

Frequency of canaloplasty-related adverse events

Adverse event	Frequency (%)
Intraoperative complications
Rupture of trabeculo-descemetic membrane	1.8–8.5
Schlemm’s canal cannulation not possible	7.3–26
Descemet’s membrane detachment	1.6–9.1
Postoperative complications
Hyphaema/microhyphaema	6.1–85.2
IOP spike	1.6–30
YAG-laser goniopuncture	0–22
Cataract formation	0–8.4
Suture extrusion	0–6.7

Intraoperative Complications

A relatively frequent intraoperative complication of CP is the rupture of the trabeculo-descemetic membrane, especially at the beginning of the learning curve. From previous studies, rupture of the trabeculo-descemetic window has been reported in 1.8–8.5% of cases [34, 44, 45]. Micro-ruptures are generally not a problem, and the procedure may be completed as usual [34]. However, if a macro-perforation or iris prolapse is evident, it is advisable to convert the procedure to a penetrating surgery (i.e., TRAB).

Schlemm’s canal cannulation cannot be completed in approximately 7.3–26% of cases because of anatomical anomalies of Schlemm’s canal, trabecular meshwork scars or other reasons, but this percentage tends to decrease with experience [34, 44–46]. The microcatheter may stick at the entrance of a large collector channel, resisting the surgeon’s attempts of advancement. In these cases it may be useful to slightly push over the distal tip of the catheter at the level of the limbus. If this is not useful, the catheter should be retracted, and the cannulation should be tried through the ostium opposite from Schlemm’s canal. Creation of a false path and penetration of the microcatheter into the anterior chamber are exceptional intraoperative complications, and their incidence decreased with the surgeon’s experience [41].

Descemet’s membrane detachment is a rare but potentially vision-threatening complication [47, 48]. Its frequency has been reported between 1.6% and 9.1% [44–46, 49]; however one case of bilateral Descemet’s membrane detachment has been reported [34]. Descemet’s membrane detachment happens when there is a strong adhesion between the inner and outer walls of Schlemm’s canal, exceeding the resistance of the junction between Descemet’s membrane and Schwalbe’s line. Forcing viscoelastic material in these cases may cause a Descemet’s membrane detachment. Descemet’s membrane detachment is usually limited in size (1–2 mm) and resolves spontaneously. Rarely, it may extend until the visual axis, requiring additional intervention [44, 50].

Postoperative Complications

Microhyphaema is the most common postoperative complication of CP and is generally observable the 1st day after surgery. It has been reported in 6.1–85.2% of cases [34, 45, 46, 51]. Bleeding is considered a positive prognostic factor as it is due to blood reflux from the collector channels, indicating a patent and functioning outflow pathway [51]. Hyphaema is generally mild and resolves spontaneously in a few days or weeks from surgery.

IOP spikes in the days immediately following surgery have been reported in up to 30% of cases [34, 41, 44–46, 49, 52–54]. IOP spikes are probably due to remnants of viscoelastic material in Schlemm’s canal, preventing AH outflow. IOP generally stabilizes 24–48 h after surgery, without the need for further intervention, when viscoelastic material has been completely reabsorbed. However, if IOP does not decrease spontaneously in 4–6 weeks, it is advisable to perform a Nd:YAG-laser goniopuncture.

Laser goniopuncture creates a full-thickness opening in the trabeculo-descemetic window, converting the procedure in a penetrating surgery. In published studies, goniopuncture has been performed in up to 22% of patients in the 1st year from surgery with good IOP control [32, 34, 44–47].

A transient decrease in visual acuity is a common finding during the first 2 weeks after surgery due to an induced with-the-rule astigmatism.

Cataract formation, a troubling complication especially in young subjects, has been described in 0–8.4% of patients who had previously undergone CP [32, 45, 46]. Compared with TRAB, for which cataract formation has been reported in approximately 50% of cases [55–57], this percentage is far less. The effect of cataract extraction on eyes that have already undergone CP actually remains unknown. In a retrospective subgroup analysis of a larger sample of patients that previously underwent CP, Tetz et al. found a non-significant IOP reduction in 19 eyes after cataract extraction [52]. However, 4 of the 19 eyes (21.2%) showed an increase in IOP ≥ 2 mmHg at the first subsequent study visit.

Complications related to the Prolene suture are rare. Suture extrusion has been described in 0–6.7% of cases [32, 47, 54], with no serious consequences. Uniformly distributed tension around the suture may decrease the risk of damage to the inner wall of Schlemm’s canal and increase the strength of the trabecular meshwork related to suture tension.

A late IOP rise can be observed even years after a successful CP. In these cases, an ab interno stripping of the Prolene suture [58, 59] or a TRAB [60] should be performed.

Results

Several studies have confirmed the short- and long-term hypotensive efficacy of CP. A multicentre study carried out at 15 clinical sites in US and Germany enrolled 157 patients affected by open-angle glaucoma (OAG), many of them on maximum tolerated medical therapy [46–48]. CP alone was performed on 122 patients (77.1%), while CP combined with cataract surgery (phaco-canaloplasty, PCP) was performed on 36 patients (22.9%). Follow-up examinations were scheduled at 1 day, 1 week and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months after surgery. Primary outcomes included IOP and glaucoma medications. At the 3-year follow-up visit, mean IOP for the entire group was 15.2 ± 3.5 mmHg, and mean number of glaucoma medications was 0.8 ± 0.9 compared with a baseline IOP of 23.8 ± 5.2 mmHg and mean number of glaucoma medications of 1.5 ± 1.0. When only patients with successful suture positioning were evaluated (133 eyes, 84.7%), IOP was found to be reduced by 34% and 42.1% in the CP and PCP group, respectively. IOP difference between the CP and PCP group was significant in all study visits (p = 0.095). High-resolution UBM images of the anterior segment were obtained from study eyes pre-, intra- and postoperatively. Suture-tensioning significantly influenced the IOP decrease at 24 months: patients with no evident tension at UBM examination had a 20% decrease in IOP from baseline and a 60% reduction in medication use; patients with an observable tension had a 31% reduction in IOP and a 75% reduction in medication use [47].

A sub-analysis of the data from the previous study aimed to investigate the hypotensive efficacy of CP according to the surgical treatment received in three different groups of patients: group 1, CP in phakic eyes; group 2, CP in pseudophakic eyes; group 3, eyes having PCP [52]. At 3 years, IOP outcomes of group 1 (phakic eyes) and group 2 (pseudophakic eyes) were similar (mean IOP: 15.5 ± 3.5 and 15.6 ± 3.5 mmHg, p = 0.976, respectively). Group 3 (PCP eyes) had significantly lower IOP values (mean IOP: 13.6 ± 3.6 mmHg) than group 1 (p = 0.044), but similar to group 2 (p = 0.121). Mean number of medications at the 3-year follow-up visit was significantly lower in group 3 (0.3 ± 0.5) compared with group 1 (0.9 ± 1.0, p < 0.001) and group 2 (1.1 ± 0.8, p < 0.001).

A European prospective multicentre study with a similar design was performed in Germany on 109 eyes of patients affected by OAG [45]. Inclusion criteria were a preoperative IOP of at least 16 mmHg and an anamnestic IOP of at least 21 mmHg, with or without medical treatment. Ninety-three eyes underwent CP (85.3%) and 16 eyes underwent PCP (14.7%). Successful positioning of the tension suture was achieved in 98 eyes (85.3%). Mean baseline IOP was 23.0 ± 4.3 and 24.3 ± 6.0 mmHg in the CP and in the PCP group, respectively. At the 3-year follow-up visit, IOP was reduced by 34.3% (mean IOP: 15.1 ± 3.1 mmHg) in eyes that underwent CP and by 43.2% (mean IOP: 13.8 ± 3.2 mmHg) in eyes that underwent PCP (p = 0.22). Although IOP was constantly lower in the PCP group at all study visits, no significant difference between the two groups was reported.

Grieshaber et al. performed CP on 60 black African patients affected by advanced POAG, with a mean baseline IOP of 45.01 ± 12.1 mmHg [41]. CP was the first surgery for almost all the patients (59/60). The complete success (i.e., without medications) rate of an IOP < 21, 18 and 16 mmHg was 81, 67.8 and 47.2% at 36 months, respectively. Surgery outcome was not influenced by preoperative IOP, age or genre. The same author reported the results of a prospective study on 32 white OAG patients having CP as primary surgery [49]. Mean IOP was reduced from 27.3 ± 5.6 mmHg at baseline to 12.8 ± 1.5 mmHg at 12 months. When success was defined as an IOP ≤ 21, 18 and 16 mmHg, complete success was achieved in 93.8, 84.4 and 74.9% of eyes at 12 months, respectively. Nd:YAG-laser goniopuncture was performed in six eyes (18.1%) when IOP exceeded the target of 16 mmHg. Partial Descemet membrane detachment occurred in two eyes during the surgery and in four eyes the microcatheter entered the suprachoroidal space. Both of these complications had no serious consequences.

In the study reported by Brusini, 256 patients affected by OAG and on maximum tolerated medical therapy underwent CP, with a mean postoperative follow-up of 20.3 ± 10.6 months [34]. The full procedure could not be performed in 42 eyes (16.4%) due to either a large perforation of the trabeculo-descemetic membrane with iris prolapse (2 eyes) or the impossibility of cannulating the full 360° of Schlemm’s canal (40 eyes). In these cases, anatomical obstacles and/or other intraoperative complications, such as the misdirection of the microcatheter into the anterior chamber, were the more frequent causes for aborting the procedure. Therefore, statistical analysis was performed on 214 eyes. Complete success criteria were defined as a postoperative IOP ≤ 21, 18 or 16 mmHg. Qualified success criteria were defined in the same manner; however medical therapy was allowed. Mean preoperative IOP was 29.4 ± 7.9 mmHg. Complete success rates at 3-year follow-up were 44.8, 31.0 and 24.1% for the 21, 18 and 16 mmHg criterion, respectively. Qualified success rates at 3-year follow-up were 86.2, 58.6 and 37.9%, for the 21, 18 and 16 mmHg criterion, respectively. Number of glaucoma medications was 3.3 ± 0.9 before surgery and decreased to 1.3 ± 1.5 at 36 months.

The same author reported a multicentre interventional study in which 218 eyes from 197 OAG patients on maximum tolerated medical therapy underwent CP [44]. The full procedure could not be performed in 20 eyes (9.2%) and consequently the statistical analysis was performed on 198 eyes from 178 patients. Criteria of complete and qualified success were defined as in the previous study. At 2-year follow-up visit, qualified success was obtained in 82 (92.1%), 75 (84.3%) and 61 (68.5%) eyes for the 21, 18 and 16 mmHg criterion, respectively. Complete success was achieved in 63 (70.8%), 60 (67.4%) and 53 (59.5%) eyes for the same criteria of success. Laser goniopuncture was performed in 18 eyes (9.9%, 2–12 months after surgery). Number of glaucoma medications decreased from 3.2 ± 0.9 before surgery to 1.1. ± 1.3 at 2-year visit.

In a retrospective study by Khaimi et al. 3-year results of CP performed on 277 OAG eyes were reported [61]. One hundred fifty eyes had CP, while 127 eyes had PCP. Mean baseline IOP for the entire group, the CP group and PCP group was 19.7 ± 6.7, 21.1 ± 7.2 and 18.1 ± 5.6 mmHg, respectively. After 36 months, mean IOP decreased to 15.2 ± 4.3 mmHg in the entire group, 15.0 ± 4.6 mmHg in the CP group and 15.4 ± 4.0 mmHg in the PCP group (p < 0.01 for all the comparisons). When a success criterion of an IOP < 15 mmHg and a reduction > 25% from baseline was considered, 40.5% and 43.2% of eyes that had undergone CP achieved the complete and qualified success at 36 months, respectively. However, only 7.4% and 18.5% of eyes that had undergone PCP satisfied the same success criteria.

Comparison with Trabeculectomy

Several studies compared the efficacy and safety of CP with TRAB, the gold-standard procedure for glaucoma surgery [54, 62–66]. Generally, TRAB was more effective than CP in reducing IOP at the cost of a major rate of adverse events.

In a retrospective study, Ayyala et al. compared operative outcomes of CP and TRAB after a 12-month follow-up [62]. CP and TRAB plus mitomycin-C (MMC) were performed on 33 and 46 POAG eyes, respectively. Mean percentage decrease in IOP from preoperative values at 12 months was 32 ± 22% in the CP group and 43 ± 28% in the TRAB group (p = 0.072). When the success criterion was defined as an IOP < 18 mmHg but > 4 mmHg, success was achieved in 87.9% (29/33) and 95.7% (44/46) of eyes in the CP and TRAB group, respectively. However, the difference was not significant (p = 0.23). Regarding complications, only hyphaema was more frequent in the CP than in the TRAB group (21% vs. 2% of eyes, respectively, p < 0.01). Choroidal effusion (8 eyes), suprachoroidal haemorrhage (1 eye) and hypotony maculopathy (2 eyes) were reported only in the TRAB group.

Bruggemann et al. compared the efficacy and safety of CP in one eye versus TRAB plus MMC in the contralateral eye in patients affected by OAG [63]. Thirty patients were included in this study. Mean preoperative IOP was 26.73 ± 6.4 and 26.3 ± 10.9 mmHg in eyes having CP and TRAB, respectively. Three eyes in the CP group (20%) had a combined procedure of CP and cataract extraction. Mean IOP reduction at 12-month follow-up was 14.6 ± 4.5 (50.3% ± 10.5%) and 15.2 ± 11.2 mmHg (53.4% ± 20.1%) in the CP and TRAB eyes, respectively. The difference between the two groups was not significant (p = 0.87). In the CP group, a shallow hyphaema < 1.5 mm occurred in four eyes (26.7%), a peripheral Descemet’s membrane detachment in one eye (6.7%) and a shallow anterior chamber in one eye (6.7%), the 1st day after surgery, requiring injection of viscoelastic material. In the TRAB group, two eyes (13.3%) had a shallow anterior chamber immediately after surgery, requiring viscoelastic injection (one eye required four repeated injections), five eyes (33.3%) had intermittent choroidal detachment and one eye (6.7%) had hyphaema. Before the end of the study, two eyes (13.3%) in the TRAB group required cataract extraction. Laser goniopuncture was performed only in one eye in the CP group.

Matlach et al. performed the first prospective randomized clinical trial comparing TRAB and CP [54]. The TVC (TRAB versus CP) study enrolled 62 patients affected by OAG, randomized to TRAB (n = 32) or CP (n = 30). Patients were followed up prospectively for 2 years. Criteria of success were defined as an IOP ≤ 18 mmHg or an IOP reduction ≥ 20% from baseline (criterion 1) and as an IOP ≤ 21 mmHg (criterion 2). Median baseline IOP was 20.0 mmHg in the TRAB group and 22.0 mmHg in the CP group (p = 0.06). When complete success (without medications) criteria were considered, the treatments of 23 (74.2%) and 9 (39.1%) patients were classified as successful according to criterion 1, and treatments of 21 (67.7%) and 9 (39.1%) patients were classified as successful according with criterion 2 in the TRAB and CP group, respectively, at 2 years. The difference between groups was significant for both the 18 and 21 mmHg criterion (p = 0.01 for criterion 1 and p = 0.004 for criterion 2). When qualified success (with or without medications) criteria were considered, treatments of 90.3% and 82.6% of patients were classified as successful according to criterion 1 and 96.8% and 82.6% were classified as successful according to criterion 2 in the TRAB and CP group, respectively. The difference between groups was significant only for criterion 2 (p = 0.01). Surgery-related adverse effects were more frequent in the TRAB group. Common complications of TRAB were transient hypotony (37.5%), hypotony-related choroidal detachment (12.5%), shallow anterior chamber (6.2%), elevated IOP (25.0%) and corneal erosion, probably due to 5-fluorouracil (5FU) injections. In the CP group, common complications were elevated postoperative IOP (> 25 mmHg) in 30% of patients and hyphaema in 23.3% of patients, which resolved spontaneously in the 1st postoperative week. More postoperative interventions were reported in the TRAB group as bleb management included 5FU injections, laser suturolysis and bleb needling.

Difference in hypotensive efficacy and safety between TRAB and CP has been evaluated in meta-analysis studies [27, 66]. In the meta-analysis by Lin et al. on 215 patients from 4 previously published studies, mean difference in IOP between TRAB and CP at 12 months was 2.33 mmHg (95% CI: 0.66; 4.0, p < 0.01) [66]. However, when a success criterion of IOP < 18 mmHg was considered, no significant difference was found between TRAB and CP for both the complete (without medications, p = 0.19) and qualified (with or without medications, p = 0.39) successes. CP had a lower incidence of choroidal detachment than TRAB (OR: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.03; 0.48, p < 0.01) and a higher incidence of hyphaema (OR: 8.80, 95% CI: 2.25; 34.51, p < 0.01). Fewer patients in the CP group than in the TRAB group had some other adverse events.

According to the meta-analysis by Zhang et al., TRAB was more effective than CP in reducing IOP by 3.65 mmHg (95% CI − 6.42; − 0.88, p = 0.01) at 12 months from surgery [65]. However, no significant difference between CP and TRAB was found regarding the reduction in medication number (p = 0.20). Comparing PCP with phaco-TRAB, phaco-TRAB showed a mean advantage of 4.02 mmHg over CP (95% CI − 7.62; − 0.42, p = 0.03) at 1 year. Difference in medication number was still not significant (p = 0.32). However, only two studies were included in this analysis. Hyphaema was more frequent in CP than TRAB (OR: 9.24, 95% CI: 3.09; 27.60, p < 0.01). Descemet’s membrane detachment was observed only in CP, with a reported incidence of approximately 3%. Hypotony (OR: 0.32, 95% CI 0.13; 0.80, p = 0.01) and choroidal effusion (OR: 0.25; 95% CI 0.06; 097, p = 0.04) were complications with significantly fewer incidents in the CP group.

Quaranta et al. evaluated the increase in IOP during the postural change from sitting to supine position in a population of 52 POAG patients previously having successful TRAB (n = 26) or CP (n = 26) in one eye [64]. In each patient, sitting IOP measurement with a Goldmann applanation tonometer was followed by supine Perkins tonometry after 30 min of rest in the supine position. Mean postoperative sitting IOP was 10.2 ± 2.3 and 15.3 ± 2.2 mmHg in the TRAB and CP eyes, respectively (p < 0.01). In both cohorts supine IOP was significantly higher than sitting IOP (p < 0.01). In the CP eyes, the relative increase in IOP going from sitting to supine was 28.4% (absolute difference: 4.3 ± 1.9 mmHg), whereas in the TRAB eyes it was 18.1% (absolute difference: 1.7 ± 0.9 mmHg). The increase in IOP from the sitting to supine position was significantly greater in the CP group (p < 0.01) and similar to the one obtained in the contralateral non-operated eye (29.8% in CP patients and 30% in TRAB patients). The authors concluded that the increase in IOP due to postural change is virtually not influenced by CP, probably because Schlemm’s canal surgery, differently from TRAB, aims to restore the physiological AH outflow pathways.

Comparison with Other Non-penetrating Surgeries

The main difference between CP and VC is that CP aims to re-open the entire Schlemm canal and not only a part of it [32]. Moreover, the positioning of a tensioning suture inside Schlemm’s canal potentially reduces the risk of Schlemm’s canal re-collapse in the long term. In a study by Koerber et al. the hypotensive efficacy of CP in one eye was compared with VC in the contralateral eye in a population of 15 patients affected by OAG [67]. Baseline mean IOP was 26.5 ± 2.7 and 24.3 ± 2.8 mmHg in the CP and VC eyes, respectively. CP achieved a significantly greater decrease in IOP (~ 12 mmHg) than VC (~ 8 mmHg) at the 18-month follow-up visit (p = 0.02). However, the final absolute IOP was not significantly different between CP and VC (14.5 ± 2.6 and 16.1 ± 3.9 mmHg for CP and VC, respectively, p = 0.24). When the success criterion was defined as an IOP reduction ≥ 30% and an absolute value < 18 mmHg, 86.7% and 60.0% of eyes in the CP group and 50% and 35.7% of eyes in the VC group achieved a qualified (with medications) and a complete (without medications) success, respectively.

Hypotensive efficacy and safety of CP and VC in POAG patients on maximum medical therapy were recently evaluated in a short-term follow-up study by Wagdy et al. [68]. In this study, 30 patients had CP with a baseline mean IOP of 27.2 ± 1.9 and 30 patients had VC with a baseline mean IOP of 26.4 ± 2.95 mmHg. At 6 months from surgery, IOP was 15.6 ± 1.2 and 16.9 ± 1.32 mmHg in the CP and VC group, respectively. Fewer complications were generally reported for the CP than for the VC group. However, no direct comparison between the two groups was performed, so no clear conclusions can be drawn about these results.

PCP and phaco-DS were compared with a paper by Rekas et al. [69]. In this study, 29 eyes had PCP and 30 eyes had phaco-DS with a Healaflow implant for uncontrolled POAG. Mean IOP decreased from 19.0 ± 6.9 to 12.6 ± 2.7 mmHg and from 19.1 ± 5.8 to 14.3 ± 3.5 mmHg at 12 months in the PCP and phaco-DS group, respectively. No difference in IOP was found between the two groups (p = 0.107) at 12 months. Mean number of hypotensive medications was reduced from 2.64 ± 0.68 to 0.27 ± 0.67 in the PCP group and from 2.89 ± 0.94 to 0.55 ± 0.94 in the phaco-DS group. Again, no difference was found between the two groups (p = 0.304). PCP showed a higher incidence of postoperative hyphaema (58.6% of eyes) and one case (3.4%) of Descemet’s membrane detachment. Both the hyphaema and Descemet’s membrane detachment resolved spontaneously with no consequences. On average, 3.7 injections of 5FU per patient (range 1–10) were performed in the phaco-DS group, and 17 (56.6%) eyes had goniopuncture.

In another study, the same group of authors reported on the results of a 24-month comparison between PCP and phaco-DS. In this study 37 eyes were randomized to receive PCP and 38 eyes to receive phaco-DS [70]. Quality of life (QoL) was evaluated by the means of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 items (NEI-VFQ-25). IOP decreased from 19.4 ± 5.8 mmHg preoperatively to 13.8 ± 3.3 mmHg at 24 months and from 19.7 ± 5.4 mmHg preoperatively to 15.1 ± 2.9 mmHg at 24 months in the PCP and phaco-DS group, respectively. Starting from 6 months after surgery, IOP was significantly lower in the PCP group, and the difference remained significant until the 24-month visit (p = 0.04). After surgery, the NEI VFQ-25 mean composite score for PCP patients was 78.04 ± 24.36 points and for phaco-DS patients was 74.29 ± 24.45 points (p = 0.136). At 24 months, 68% of PCP eyes and 43% of phaco-DS eyes did not require any glaucoma medication, although the difference in mean medication number between the two groups was not significant (0.5 ± 0.9 and 1.1 ± 1.2, p = 0.058). Hyphaema was observed in 17 PCP eyes (46%) and in all but one case resolved spontaneously. One case of peripheral Descemet’s membrane detachment was reported in the PCP group. In the phaco-DS group, 36 eyes (94.7%) received 5FU injections, 13 eyes (34%) suture-lysis and 9 eyes (24%) bleb needling. Nd:YAG-laser goniopuncture was performed in 14 (36.6%) phaco-DS eyes and in 8 (22%) PCP eyes.

Conclusions

CP is an effective and safe procedure to lower IOP in patients affected by OAG. Its advantages include no bleb formation, an easier follow-up and better safety profile compared with TRAB, which currently is the gold standard in glaucoma surgery. A target IOP around 15 mmHg is easily achievable with this procedure, with or without the use of topical medications, and the association with cataract extraction may further reduce IOP. For these reasons, CP is mainly indicated in OAG patients who do not require a particularly low-target IOP regardless of the preoperative IOP values or in patients with significant risk factors for intra- or postoperative complications from TRAB. Disadvantages of this technique are extensive conjunctival and scleral manipulations that strongly limit the possibility of performing a subsequent TRAB, the long learning curve, the need for specific and expensive instrumentation and the unfeasibility in some patients due to anatomical limitations, angle closure or secondary glaucomas.