gms | German Medical Science

Purpose: To investigate the clinical effectiveness of ab-interno canaloplasty (iTrack, Nova Eye, Inc., Fremont, USA) with or without phacoemulsification in patients with controlled and uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods: This retrospective single-center case series recruited patients with POAG who had undergone canaloplasty using the iTrack microcatheter via an ab-interno surgical technique (ABiC) with or without phacoemulsification. Patients were divided in 2 groups: IOP controlled with medications (<18 mmHg) and uncontrolled (≥18 mmHg). Primary efficacy endpoints included intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of glaucoma medications.

Results: Twenty-seven eyes of 22 patients, with a mean age of 76.9±6.1 years were recruited. Baseline IOP and number of medications were 16±1.6 and 1.8±0.9 in the controlled group (n=13) and 23.4±4.8 and 2.1±1.1 in the uncontrolled group (n=14). Five years postoperatively IOP and medications reduced to 14.4±1.5 (P=0.08) and 1±1 (P=0.14) and 14.3±3.8 (P<0.05) and 1.2±1 (P=0.059) respectively, with no statistical difference between groups (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Five years postoperatively, ab-interno canaloplasty performed as a standalone procedure or in combination with cataract surgery achieved a reduction in IOP and medications both in controlled and uncontrolled patients. Uncontrolled patients IOP reduced significantly and was brought under control with no difference with controlled eyes. Canaloplasty results are sustained up to 5 years postoperatively.