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Canaloplasty lowers IOP, medications needed in glaucoma patients
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SAN DIEGO — Canaloplasty lowers IOP as well as need for medications in glaucoma patients out to 1 year, one surgeon said.
Richard Lewis, MD, presented his 1-year canaloplasty data during the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.
"Our clinical results reveal a well-controlled pressure, low complications rates, minimal postoperative management and reduced dependency on medication," he said.
Dr. Lewis said they studied 147 patients with IOP more than 21 mm Hg in a prospective, non-randomized study and treated them with the non-penetrating treatment.
At the 12-month follow up, there was a qualified success of 91% in which the IOP was less than 21 mm Hg with or without medication. Of the original patient cohort, 30% were still on medication. Postoperative complications occurred in 11.7% of cases.
"This procedure seemed to be more effective in patients who already had cataract surgery or who had it combined with cataract surgery," Dr. Lewis said.
The advantages of canaloplasty are the non-penetrating, non-destructive nature, the lack of bleb or bleb-related problems, the surgeon's ability to perform other glaucoma treatments and appropriate IOP. The disadvantage is the learning curve required to master the technique.