Are newer surgical interventions for glaucoma making a difference?

摘要

Over the last few years, there has been an explosion of new surgical treatments for glaucoma. They all promise maximum safety, minimal invasion, combined with good efficacy in the control of glaucoma. There are a range of ab interno interventions and devices that aim to increase aqueous outflow. The Trabectome (NeoMedix, USA) is designed to remove a large section of trabecular meshwork, exposing collector channels and increasing outflow. The iStent (Glaukos, USA) and Hydrus (Ivantis, USA) are both devices that are inserted into Schlemm's canal ab interno, bypassing trabecular meshwork resistance. The Xen implant (Aquesys, USA) is another ab interno device that is inserted through the trabecular angle into the subconjunctival space, creating an external drainage fistula similar in concept to a trabeculectomy.