Industry

iStent combined with phaco lowers IOP in low-tension glaucoma

Healio Optometry2d ago1 min read

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — Implanting an iStent in combination with phacoemulsification helped reduce IOP in patients with low-tension glaucoma, according to a study presented at Kiawah Eye and Retina.Cody Manzanero, MD, said he and colleagues wanted to bridge the knowledge gap in an area that mostly looks at patients with open-angle glaucoma.“There’s a plethora of data on primary open-angle glaucoma and iStent use in that disease,” he said. “But there’s not good long-term evidence of the use of iStent in normal-tension glaucoma, the longest study being 12 months.”Manzanero and colleagues

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AI Summary

Quick Take

New research presented at Kiawah Eye and Retina demonstrates that combining iStent implantation with phacoemulsification effectively reduces intraocular pressure in patients with low-tension glaucoma. The study addresses a critical evidence gap in the industry, as most existing MIGS data focuses on primary open-angle glaucoma rather than normal-tension variants.

Why It Matters

Managing normal-tension glaucoma is a clinical challenge because these patients experience progressive damage despite having 'normal' baseline pressures. While MIGS devices are standard for high-pressure glaucoma, their efficacy in low-tension cases has been less clear, with most existing studies limited to 12 months of follow-up. This research provides much-needed evidence that surgical intervention during cataract surgery can benefit this specific patient population by further lowering IOP.

Key Findings

Implanting an iStent in combination with phacoemulsification successfully lowered intraocular pressure in patients with low-tension glaucoma.
The study was specifically designed to bridge the knowledge gap regarding the long-term efficacy of MIGS in normal-tension glaucoma populations.
Prior to this research, the longest available evidence for iStent use in normal-tension glaucoma was limited to 12-month outcomes.

Study Snapshot

Design

Clinical study presented at Kiawah Eye and Retina

Population

Patients with low-tension (normal-tension) glaucoma

Practice Implications

Clinicians should consider the iStent as a viable surgical adjunct during cataract surgery for patients with low-tension glaucoma to help reach lower target pressures. This data supports the use of MIGS in a broader range of glaucoma phenotypes beyond just those with high baseline intraocular pressure.

Who's Affected

Glaucoma SpecialistsCataract SurgeonsComprehensive OphthalmologistsOptometrists

What's Next

Following this presentation, the medical community will look for published long-term data to quantify the exact degree of IOP reduction and any potential decrease in medication burden for these patients. Further studies may also compare different MIGS devices specifically within the normal-tension glaucoma demographic.

Evidence StrengthPreliminary

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