Effect of MIGS on corneal endothelium

Abstract

AbstractCorneal endothelium is one the meeting points between glaucoma and corneal pathologies. Endothelial cells maintain corneal transparency by dehydrating the cornea, by pumping fluid from the corneal stroma back into the aqueous humour. Loss of these cells leads to fluid accumulation and corneal opacification. Loss of endothelial cells was indeed also observed with trabeculectomy, but it evolved in one of the major issues in the “big tube” glaucoma surgery. Rapid development of new glaucoma surgery techniques in the last decade re‐opened the question in the context of microinvasive suprachoroidal and Schlemm canal techniques. The more classic subconjunctival surgical drainage pathway has observed changes lately as well: collagen gel stent XEN and PreserFlo Microshunt were relatively recently introduced. With these still relatively new techniques, the research focus in the initial stages was placed on intraocular pressure reducing efficacy and general safety. However, in the meantime also research results also on the topic of endothelial cell density following these interventions have been published, and this talk will try to summarize the current knowledge in this area.