IOP, medications reduced after procedures using single-use goniotomy blade

CORONADO, Calif. — Both IOP and number of medications were reduced at 12 months in patients who underwent glaucoma treatment with goniotomy with the Kahook Dual Blade, Nathan M. Radcliffe, MD, and colleagues reported in a poster presented at the American Glaucoma Society meeting.

A total of 122 patients were included in the multicenter, prospective, consecutive case series. Under gonioscopic visualization, goniotomy was performed with the KDB (New World Medical), a single-use goniotomy knife designed to develop parallel incisions in the trabecular meshwork and allow aqueous access to collector channels. A majority of the surgeries (59.8%) were combined KDB with phacoemulsification. Other surgery types were combined KDB with endocyclophotocoagulation (15.6%), KDB with both phacoemulsification and endocyclophotocoagulation (13.9%), KDB alone (6.6%) and KDB plus some other procedure (4.1%).

Overall, IOP was reduced by 30% (–5 to –7 mm Hg) after 12 months of follow-up, with 70% of eyes needing at least one less IOP-lowering medication. In the combined phacoemulsification and KDB cases, IOP was reduced by 29% (–5 mm Hg), with 74% of eyes needing fewer medications.

Survey data were collected from surgeons regarding their intraoperative experience and showed that 98% of surgeons strongly agreed or agreed that the use of the KDB was straightforward and that entry into the canal with the KDB was uncomplicated.

“Overall, surgeons were satisfied with the usability and safety of the KDB,” the study authors wrote. – by Patricia Nale, ELS

Reference:

Radcliffe NM. A novel dual blade device for goniotomy: 12-month follow-up. Poster presented at: American Glaucoma Society annual meeting; March 2-5, 2017; Coronado, Calif.

Disclosure: Radcliffe reports financial support from New World Medical.