Why carry out this study?

Safe and efficacious long-term surgical treatments are needed to prevent or minimize vision loss from glaucoma, a major cause of global blindness.

This prospective study assessed real-world 5-year outcomes following implantation of two second-generation trabecular micro-bypass stents either with or without concomitant cataract surgery in eyes with various severities of open-angle glaucoma.

The study hypothesized that this treatment modality could effectively and safely reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication burden over the long term in these glaucomatous eyes, while maintaining stability of long-term disease measures.

What was learned from the study?

The data demonstrated substantial 5-year reductions in IOP and medications, along with favorable safety, in eyes with a considerable preoperative medication burden and frequent history of glaucoma surgery. Long-term indicators of disease stability (visual fields, retinal nerve-fiber layer thickness, and cup:disc ratio) were unchanged over the course of 5-year follow-up. Results were similarly favorable in combined and standalone usage.

Drawing upon long-term, clinically heterogeneous, real-world patient data, this study provides directly relevant information for clinicians and patients evaluating glaucoma treatment options.