Combined Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) with Phacoemulsification in Open Angle Glaucoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare efficacies and safeties of combined phacoemulsification-Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgeries (MIGS) to phacoemulsification only in eyes with open angle glaucoma. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. A multi-database literature search was conducted to caputre MIGS articles published prior to April 19th, 2024. Key exclusion criteria were inadequate follow-up, significant loss to follow-up, standalone MIGS surgery, or primary outcomes unreported. MIGS were grouped according to mechanisms of action: 1) Trabecular Meshwork (TM) bypass which improve aqueous drainage into Schlemm's canal (SC), 2) non-GATT Goniotomies which remove TM with varying devices, and 3) GATT which remove TM with a catheter or suture placed into SC. Efficacy was measured by reductions in IOP and medications while safety was compared using incidence of sight-threatening and other adverse events. A total of 95 studies were included, accounting for 9733 eyes followed up at 1-year. The control group had a baseline IOP of 16.9(95%CI 15.9-17.9) mmHg on 1.43(1.19-1.68) medications and a postoperative IOP of 15.2(14.4-15.9) mmHg on 0.80(0.54-1.00) medications. The TM bypass baseline IOP was 18.2(17.6-18.7) mmHg on 1.89(1.78-2.01) medications which lowered to an IOP of 14.8(14.5-15.1) mmHg on 0.80(0.65-0.95) medications at 1-year-postoperation. The non-GATT goniotomy baseline IOP was 20.0(19.2-20.8) mmHg on 2.30(2.09-2.53) medications, and at 1-year followup the IOP was 14.6(14.3-15.0) mmHg on 1.41(1.22-1.62) medications. Lastly, the GATT baseline IOP of 21.8(19.5-24.1) mmHg on 2.90(2.36-3.44) medications was reduced to an IOP of 12.5(10.0-15.0) mmHg on 0.73(0.37-1.09) medications at 1-year-postoperation. All MIGS groups had equal or lower rates of sight-threatening events and secondary glaucoma surgery when compared to control. GATT had the highest hyphema rate at 27.7(13.5-44.5) % followed by non-GATT goniotomy with 15.5(7.8-25.0) %. These were both significantly higher than TM bypass and control groups, with hyphema rates of 3.5(1.6-5.9) % and 4% (only 1 study reporting hyphema rate), respectively. Based on current peer-reviewed articles, there is strong evidence that when compared to phacoemulsification alone, combined phaco-MIGS is beneficial for patients with open angle glaucoma and does not increase the incidence of vision-threatening events. Key limitations of our review stem from heterogeneities in protocol design or outcome reporting, and a limited number of high-quality studies with long-term follow-up.