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Sodium hyaluronate drainage implant reduces IOP, number of required medications
Eur J Ophthalmol. 2012;22(1):70-76.
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A cross-linked sodium hyaluronate drainage implant with deep sclerectomy proved safe and effective in non-penetrating glaucoma surgery, a study found.
"The slow resorbable highly crosslinked sodium hyaluronate drainage implant fills up the intrascleral and subconjunctival space, preventing postoperative scarring and fibrosis of the filtering site and helping to maintain a functional filtration after nonpenetrating glaucoma surgery," the study authors said. "The IOP was significantly lowered with few numbers of postoperative complications and less medication."
The retrospective, non-randomized study included 55 eyes of 55 patients with glaucoma who underwent standard deep sclerectomy and injection of a crosslinked sodium hyaluronate (HEALAflow) under the superficial scleral flap and under the conjunctiva. Mean patient age was 67.4 years.
Patients underwent assessment of Snellen best corrected visual acuity, tonometry, biomicroscopy, gonioscopy and fundus examinations preoperatively and at 1 day, 1 week, 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months postoperatively.
Preoperative mean IOP was 21.6 mm Hg and mean number of anti-glaucoma medications was 2.4.
The mean follow-up interval was 12 months.
Study results showed mean IOP of 11.5 mm Hg at 12 months. The 46.6% reduction was statistically significant (P < .005).
The mean number of anti-glaucoma medications was 0.5; the 76.1% decrease was statistically significant (P < .001). BCVA remained stable throughout follow-up.
Complete success, defined as IOP of 18 mm Hg without medication, was 70%. Overall success, defined as IOP of 18 mm Hg with or without medication, was 91%, the authors said.