Clinical results of the eyeWatch system: 1-year outcomes

Abstract

The eyeWatch System (EWS) (Rheon Medical, Lausanne, Switzerland) was developed as aglaucoma drainage device (GDD) to precisely control intraocular pressure (IOP) and thus prevent the development of postoperative hypotension and its complications. To report 1‑year outcomes from asingle-center cohort undergoing EWS surgery. Retrospective review of patients undergoing EWS surgery at the University Eye Hospital Bonn, Germany from May 2021 to September 2022. Atotal of 5eyes of the first 5consecutive patients treated with the EWS were included in this study. The mean preoperative IOP was 34.6 mm Hg (23-45 mm Hg) which was reduced to 12.2 mm Hg (9-18 mm Hg) with amean reduction of 60%. Local pressure-lowering therapy was reduced from 2.8agents preoperatively (1-4) to 0.6agents after 1year. All patients achieved the target IOP of below 21 mm Hg including 4patients without any medication. The complication rate was low. One patient had to undergo two surgical revisions as the IOP was elevated to over 30 mm Hg after surgery and tube exposure became apparent during the course of the follow-up so that asecond donor patch was sutured on. The same patient had an elevated IOP >30 mm Hg after acMRI examination, so that areduction of IOP by adjusting the EWS using the eyeWatch pen (EWP) was performed. IOP adjustments with the eyeWatch pen (EWP) were performed in 4 of 5patients in the first year after surgery; the mean IOP before adjustment was 21.33 mm Hg (15-37 mm Hg) which was reduced to amean of 8.58 mm Hg (4-16 mm Hg). The EWS effectively lowers IOP and the amount of necessary pressure-lowering therapy. With the EWP postoperative adjustments of IOP are possible without further invasive measures.