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Minimally invasive glaucoma procedures address unmet need
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BARCELONA — Minimally invasive procedures have gained a role in the treatment of glaucoma and should be explored more and used more in the future, according to Norbert Pfeiffer, MD.
“Minimally invasive procedures have enhanced our armamentarium,” Pfeiffer said, adding that, even though the procedures are not as efficacious as conventional surgery, they have fewer side effects and allow patients to reduce rather than eliminate the need for medications.
Norbert Pfeiffer
“[Minimally invasive procedures] might be the ideal solution in quite a number of cases,” he said in a presentation at the Ophthalmology Futures European Forum. Not all procedures work well as a standalone procedure, however. Some of the procedures are better combined with cataract surgery to achieve a greater IOP lowering effect.
In a recently published study, Pfeiffer evaluated the efficacy of the Hydrus implant (Ivantis) after 2 years of follow-up, in which best results were obtained when used in combination with cataract surgery.
“Results are good, with very few side effects,” he said. “In the near future, we should be able to establish which procedure is best for which patient, according to the amount of IOP lowering that is required,” he said. – by Michela Cimberle
Disclosure: Pfeiffer reports he is a consultant for Ivantis.