Kahook Dual Blade Research Articles

Excisional goniotomy vs trabecular microbypass stent implantation: a prospective randomized clinical trial in eyes with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma.

To compare reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) and IOP-lowering medication in eyes undergoing excisional goniotomy with Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) vs iStent microbypass implantation, both combined with phacoemulsification, in eyes with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma (OAG). Nine practices in the United States. Prospective, randomized, active-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. Eyes were randomized to KDB-Phaco or iStent-Phaco group. Demographics, corrected distance visual acuity, IOP, IOP-lowering medications, and adverse events were collected at baseline and at day 1, week 1, and months 1, 3, 6, and 12 postoperatively. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of eyes at 12 months with IOP reduction of 20% or greater or IOP medication reduction of 1 or more compared with baseline. For this study, 164 eyes of 164 patients were analyzed (82 in each group). Mean IOP was reduced at 12 months compared with baseline from 18.5 (standard of error 0.4) to 15.4 (0.4) mm Hg in the KDB-Phaco group and from 18.5 (0.3) to 16.1 (0.4) mm Hg in the iStent-Phaco group (P = .24). Mean IOP-lowering medications were reduced from 1.3 (0.1) to 0.3 (0.1) in the KDB-Phaco group and from 1.4 (0.1) to 0.4 (0.1) in the iStent-Phaco group (P = .17). Among study completers, the primary outcome was attained in 74 (93.7%) of 79 patients of KDB-Phaco eyes and 65 (83.3%) of 78 patients of iStent-Phaco eyes (P = .04). Both procedures had similar safety profiles. Both procedures lowered both IOP and the need for IOP-lowering medications effectively and safely in eyes with mild to moderate OAG and cataract. Significantly, more KDB-Phaco eyes than iStent-Phaco eyes met the primary outcome of 20% or greater IOP reduction or 1 or more medication reduction at 12 months.

The Safety of the Kahook Dual Blade in the Surgical Treatment of Glaucoma.

Intraocular pressure defects remain a significant problem in the medical field. Several methods have been employed to help reduce the effect of intraocular pressure (IOP), all of which have their merits and demerits. Considered in this paper are surgery and the Kahook Dual Blade (KDB; Kahook, New World Medical, Inc., Rancho Cucamonga, CA) process invented and tested during previous studies to reduce IOP. This study examines both methods; first, in combination with cataract surgery, and then, separately, to assess their effectiveness in reducing IOP.ObjectiveThe focus of the research is to establish the effectiveness and safety associated with goniotomy while utilizing the Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) procedure for reducing IOP and bringing down the reliance on hypotensive agents in a variety of glaucoma types, either independently or when combined with phacoemulsification (phaco) within the follow-up duration (four to seven months).Methods and designThe setting was the outpatient clinics in Al-Maghrabi Hospital in Medina. It involved the use of a retrospective study for the study design. Fifty eyes from a total of 45 patients were reviewed. There was KDB in 10 eyes while KDB was integrated with the cataract surgical procedure in 40 eyes.The de-identified clinical data have been collected by data collectors, who took into account IOP measurements both postoperatively and preoperatively, types of treatment used, side effects, and whether or not there was additional surgery required during the four to seven months observation period.ResultsSeventy percent of the cases in this research had primary open-angle glaucoma. Additional diagnoses were close-angle, normal-tension, pseudoexfoliative glaucoma, and pigmentary. There was a decline in the value of the mean baseline IOP from the earlier 20.66 mmHg ± 7.89 (SD) to a staggering 14.66 ± 3.9 mmHg within the postoperative period (four to seven months) for all 50 eyes, and there was a reduction in hypotensive medication use from 1.54 ± 1.26 to 0.22 ± 0.51 (SD) (P<0.05 and P = .005) for all 50 eyes. In the KDB + phaco group, the mean baseline IOP decreased from 20.75 ± 8.1 (SD) to 13.8 ± 3.7 (P < 0.05 and P = .000), respectively, and the medications used decreased from 1.32 ± 1.18 (SD) to 0.22 ± 0.48 (SD), whereas in KDB goniotomy alone, the mean baseline IOP decreased from 20.30 ± 7.3 (SD) to 18.0 ± 3.0 (SD) (P< 0.05 and P = 0.00) and there was a reduction in the amount of medications from 2.4 ± 1.26 (SD) to 0.2 ± 0.63 (P< 0.05 and P = 0.000).Eye irritation occurred the most in the KDB + Phaco group, representing 8%, which is resolved within 24 hours postoperatively. As for the KDB only group, hazy vision occurred the most, representing 22% but subsided between two to five days for all patients.ConclusionAffirming the results of the study, the safety and effectiveness of goniotomy with the KDB procedure is certain towards the reduction of IOP and medication usage, either independently or when combined with phacoemulsification during four to seven months of follow-up.

Goniotomia ab interno z zastosowaniem Kahook Dual Blade w 6-miesięcznej obserwacji

ENWEndNote BIBJabRef, Mendeley RISPapers, Reference Manager, RefWorks, Zotero AMA Majer A, Kaszuba-Modrzejewska M, Petrus M, Kałużny B. Ab interno goniotomy with a Kahook Dual Blade in 6-month follow-up. Klinika Oczna / Acta Ophthalmologica Polonica. 2020;122(3):105-111. doi:10.5114/ko.2020.99295. APA Majer, A., Kaszuba-Modrzejewska, M., Petrus, M., & Kałużny, B. (2020). Ab interno goniotomy with a Kahook Dual Blade in 6-month follow-up. Klinika Oczna / Acta Ophthalmologica Polonica, 122(3), 105-111. https://doi.org/10.5114/ko.2020.99295 Chicago Majer, Anna, Magdalena Kaszuba-Modrzejewska, Marzena Petrus, and Bartłomiej Kałużny. 2020. "Ab interno goniotomy with a Kahook Dual Blade in 6-month follow-up". Klinika Oczna / Acta Ophthalmologica Polonica 122 (3): 105-111. doi:10.5114/ko.2020.99295. Harvard Majer, A., Kaszuba-Modrzejewska, M., Petrus, M., and Kałużny, B. (2020). Ab interno goniotomy with a Kahook Dual Blade in 6-month follow-up. Klinika Oczna / Acta Ophthalmologica Polonica, 122(3), pp.105-111. https://doi.org/10.5114/ko.2020.99295 MLA Majer, Anna et al. "Ab interno goniotomy with a Kahook Dual Blade in 6-month follow-up." Klinika Oczna / Acta Ophthalmologica Polonica, vol. 122, no. 3, 2020, pp. 105-111. doi:10.5114/ko.2020.99295. Vancouver Majer A, Kaszuba-Modrzejewska M, Petrus M, Kałużny B. Ab interno goniotomy with a Kahook Dual Blade in 6-month follow-up. Klinika Oczna / Acta Ophthalmologica Polonica. 2020;122(3):105-111. doi:10.5114/ko.2020.99295.

Efficacy and Safety of ab Interno Trabeculectomy With the Kahook Dual Blade

Efficacy and Safety of ab Interno Trabeculectomy With the Kahook Dual Blade

Early Results of Goniotomy with the Kahook Dual Blade, a Novel Device for the Treatment of Glaucoma.

PurposeTo report the outcomes of patients who underwent goniotomy with the Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) either as a standalone procedure or in combination with cataract extraction.Patients and methodsThis retrospective chart review included 111 eyes of 90 patients who underwent KDB goniotomy from January to November 2016 at Glaucoma Associates of Texas. KDB goniotomy was combined with cataract surgery in 100 eyes. The main outcome measures were postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of IOP lowering medications.ResultsPreoperatively, mean IOP was 17.1 ± 4.7 mmHg (range 8–34 mmHg) and mean number of IOP lowering medications was 2.4 ± 1.3 (range 0–6). Postoperatively, mean IOP was 14.9 mmHg, 13.9 mmHg, 14.1 mmHg, 14.4 mmHg, and 14.7 mmHg at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months follow-up, respectively (all p <0.004). Mean numbers of IOP lowering medications were 0.8, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, and 1.6 at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months follow-up, respectively (all p <0.001). The cumulative reoperation rates for uncontrolled IOP after KDB were 0%, 1.0%, 2.1%, and 4.6% at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively. Eyes with a preoperative IOP >21 mmHg were significantly more likely to undergo reoperation (p = 0.038, log-rank test). There were no serious complications at any time point in the follow-up period.ConclusionThe Kahook Dual Blade results in a reduction in IOP and use of glaucoma medications after one year of follow-up. Further prospective studies are needed to fully characterize safety and efficacy.

Which Patients Would Most Likely to Benefit: MIGS or MEGS, Which One Is It?

The availability of ab interno minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) has promoted an international interest in this procedure. Our purpose is to define the role of MIGS in the constant evolving glaucoma treatment algorithm. Current MIGS approaches to lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) include increasing trabecular outflow (iStent trabecular microbypass stent, iStent inject, Hydrus Microstent, Kahook Dual Blade goniotomy, Trabectome ab interno trabeculectomy, Excimer laser trabeculotomy, and goniotomy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy), increasing uveoscleral outflow with suprachoroidal shunts (Cypass microstent), and developing subconjunctival filtration (XEN gel stent and InnFocus microshunt). The efficacy of each depends on the achievement of desired target IOP reduction in a specific patient. The determination of whether a procedure is either a MIGS or minimally effective glaucoma surgery (MEGS) procedure is based on their efficacy and complications. Aqueous humor angiography suggests that success of trabecular bypass MIGS may not be patient-dependent only, but it may be affected by the location and flow of aqueous through collector channels. The future use of aqueous angiography may permit customized treatment of trabecular meshwork dependent MIGS procedures.

Short Term Outcome of Goniotomy with Kahook Dual Blade in the Management of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma-A Retrospective Interventional Case Series

Objectives: To describe short-term efficacy of goniotomy with trabecular meshwork excision using the Kahook Dual Blade (KDB, New World Medical Inc., Rancho Cucamonga, CA) in patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma, (POAG) either as a standalone or plus Phacoemulsification (phaco). Method and Patients: A retrospective review of 12 eyes of 9 patients who had goniotomy with Kahook dual blade either as a standalone or combined with cataract surgery by phacoemulsification from April 2017 to July 2018 at Eye Foundation Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos. The patients were follow-up for a minimum of 6 months. Results: The mean age of the patients was 66.4±8.8 years. Mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) for all eyes was 18.58±5.42mmHg. From day 1 through the 6th Month of postoperative follow-up, the mean IOP ranged from 18.58±9.26mmHg to 12.27±1.68mmHg representing reductions of 0-6.31mmHg (0-34%; p&lt;0.05 at each time point versus baseline except for day 1). For the Phaco+KDB group, the baseline mean IOP was 19.25±4.56mmHg while the mean IOP postoperatively from day 1 to 6 months ranged from 19.13±8.99mmHg to 12.13±1.89mmHg representing reductions of 0.12mmHg to 5.13mmHg (0.6-30.2%; p&lt;0.05 only from 1 month to 6 months). At baseline, the mean IOP for the eyes that had KDB goniotomy as a standalone was 17.25±7.45mmHg and postoperatively ranged from 17.50±11.09mmHg to 12.67±1.67mmHg representing reductions of -0.25-9.08mmHg (-1.45%-41.7%; p&lt;0.05 at one week, 3 and 6 months only versus baseline). Conclusion: KDB either as a standalone or with phaco recorded at least 30% reduction in IOP after 6 months of followup in these series.

Comparison Of Surgical Outcomes Of 360° Circumferential Trabeculotomy Versus Sectoral Excisional Goniotomy With The Kahook Dual Blade At 6 Months.

PurposeTo compare reductions in intraocular pressure (IOP) and IOP-lowering medication use following sectoral excisional goniotomy with the Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) or 360° trabeculotomy (via either Trab360 or gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy [GATT]) in eyes with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) undergoing phacoemulsification cataract surgery.MethodsA retrospective review was conducted to collect data from adult subjects with early to advanced primary or secondary OAG undergoing phacoemulsification combined with either KDB or 360° trabeculotomy (Trab360 or GATT) between August 1, 2016 and July 30, 2018 for which 6-month follow-up was available. Data collected included IOP, glaucoma medications, adverse events, and additional IOP-lowering procedures. The primary outcome measure was surgical success (≥20% IOP or ≥1 medication reduction without additional IOP-lowering procedures) at 6 months.ResultsData were collected from 74 eyes of 61 subjects undergoing KDB excisional goniotomy and 27 eyes of 25 subjects undergoing 360° trabeculotomy (19 eyes of 17 subjects undergoing Trab360 and 8 eyes of 8 subjects undergoing GATT). At 6 months, 81.7% (58/71) of KDB eyes and 84.6% (22/26) of 360° trabeculotomy eyes achieved surgical successes (P=0.737). Mean IOP reductions and medication reductions were similar between groups at 6 months. However, more eyes undergoing KDB than Trab360/GATT achieved target IOP ≤18 mmHg (80.0% [56/70] vs 59.3% [16/27], P=0.040) and ≤15 mmHg (61.4% [43/70] vs 25.9% [7/27], P=0.003) without further IOP-lowering interventions at 6 months. The nature and frequency of adverse events were similar between groups.ConclusionsBoth KDB and Trab360 or GATT procedures similarly lowered both IOP and the need for IOP-lowering medications during the first 6 postoperative months. More eyes undergoing KDB excisional goniotomy than 360° trabeculotomy attained target IOP ≤18 mmHg and ≤15 mmHg at 6 months. A full 360° trabecular bypass may not be necessary to achieve maximal efficacy from this class of micro-invasive glaucoma procedures.

Comparison Of Surgical Outcomes Between Excisional Goniotomy Using The Kahook Dual Blade And iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent In Combination With Phacoemulsification.

PurposeTo compare 6-month surgical outcomes of patients who underwent phacoemulsification (Phaco) combined with iStent implantation (iStent) versus excisional goniotomy using Kahook Dual Blade (KDB).MethodsRetrospective comparative case series of 58 iStent-Phaco eyes and 44 KDB-Phaco eyes operated upon by a single surgeon between 2016 and 2018. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and IOP-lowering medication data were collected. The primary outcome was the proportion of eyes using ≥1 fewer IOP-lowering medication at Month 6 while maintaining IOP ≤ 18 mmHg.ResultsBaseline IOP was 17.2 (standard error 0.7) in the KDB-Phaco group using a mean of 1.9 (0.2) medications; at Month 6, mean IOP was 14.8 mmHg P=0.002) on 1.0 (0.2) medications (P<0.002). Baseline IOP was 16.7 (0.4) in the iStent-Phaco group using a mean of 1.4 (0.1) medications; at Month 6, mean IOP was 14.2 mmHg (P<0.002) on 1.4 (0.1) medications P=0.374). Changes in IOP and medications were not significantly different between groups (P>0.05). Significantly more KDB-Phaco eyes than iStent-Phaco eyes (43.2% vs 17.2%, P=0.004) were using ≥1 fewer medications while maintaining IOP ≤18 mmHg at Month 6. Adverse events were uncommon and similar in nature and frequency between groups with the exception that more KDB-Phaco eyes than iStent-Phaco eyes (8 [18.2%] versus 1 [1.7%]) experienced an IOP elevation presumed to be related to steroid use.ConclusionKDB-Phaco and iStent-Phaco provided comparable IOP and medication reductions. The proportion of eyes able to discontinue 1 or more medications while maintaining IOP ≤ 18 mmHg was significantly greater in eyes undergoing KDB-Phaco.

Refractive outcomes among glaucoma patients undergoing phacoemulsification cataract extraction with and without Kahook Dual Blade goniotomy

BackgroundGlaucoma patients undergoing phacoemulsification alone have a higher rate of refractive surprise compared to patients without glaucoma. This risk is further increased with combined filtering procedures. Indeed, there are few and conflicting reports on the effect of combined phacoemulsification and micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). Here, we look at refractive outcomes of glaucoma patients undergoing phacoemulsification with and without Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) goniotomy.MethodsRetrospective chart review of 385 glaucomatous eyes of 281 patients, which underwent either phacoemulsification alone (n = 309) or phacoemulsification with KDB goniotomy (n = 76, phaco-KDB) at the University of Colorado. The main outcome was refractive surprise defined as the difference in target and postoperative refraction spherical equivalent greater than ±0.5 Diopter (D).ResultsRefractive surprise greater than ±0.5 D occurred in 26.3% of eyes in the phaco-KDB group and 36.2% in the phacoemulsification group (p = 0.11). Refractive surprise greater than ±1.0 D occurred in 6.6% for the phaco-KDB group and 9.7% for the phacoemulsification group (p = 0.08). There was no significant difference in risk of refractive surprise when pre-operative IOP, axial length, keratometry or performance of KDB goniotomy were assessed in univariate analyses.ConclusionThere was no difference between refractive outcomes of glaucomatous patients undergoing phacoemulsification with or without KDB goniotomy.

Twelve-month outcomes of excisional goniotomy using the Kahook Dual Blade® in eyes with angle-closure glaucoma.

PurposeTo characterize clinical outcomes following Kahook Dual Blade® (KDB)-assisted goniosynechialysis and excisional goniotomy combined with phacoemulsification in eyes with angle-closure glaucoma and cataract.SettingTwo clinical practices.MethodsIn this retrospective analysis of existing health records, data were collected from 42 eyes of 24 subjects from preoperative, operative, and postoperative encounters through 12 months of follow-up. Outcomes included changes in mean IOP, IOP-lowering medications, and logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), as well as the proportions of patients achieving IOP reductions ≥20%, IOP ≤18 mmHg, and a reduction of ≥1 medication.ResultsPreoperative, mean (standard error) IOP was 25.5 (0.7) mmHg and at Month 12 was reduced by 12.3 (0.73) mmHg (−47.2%; p<0.0001). The mean number of IOP-lowering medications used was 2.3 (0.1) preoperatively and was reduced at Month 12 by 2.2 (0.12) (−91.7%; p<0.0001). At Month 12, 92.9% of eyes achieved IOP ≤18 mmHg, 100% achieved IOP reduction of ≥20%, 95.2% required ≥1 fewer medications for IOP control, and 85.7% (36/42) were medication-free. Mean LogMAR BCVA improved from 0.547 (0.06) at baseline to 0.159 (0.07) at Month 12.ConclusionKDB-assisted goniosynechialysis and excisional goniotomy at the time of phacoemulsification safely provide significant reductions in both IOP and IOP-lowering medication burden in eyes with angle-closure glaucoma, while simultaneously improving visual acuity.

Efficacy of Goniotomy With Kahook Dual Blade in Patients With Uveitis-associated Ocular Hypertension.

In a small case series of patients with uveitis-associated ocular hypertension (OHTN) or glaucoma, goniotomy with Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) was an effective surgical treatment option for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP). The purpose of this study is to review the success of goniotomy using the KDB with trabecular meshwork (TM) excision in lowering the IOP of patients with uveitis-associated OHTN or glaucoma. A retrospective chart review was completed for all patients with uveitis-associated OHTN or glaucoma who underwent KDB goniotomy with TM excision alone or in combination with phacoemulsification cataract surgery at a single institution. The study included 12 patients (16 eyes). Patients were followed for a minimum of 5 months postoperatively. The main outcome measures of this case series included postoperative IOPs, percent IOP reduction, and reduction of glaucoma medications. The mean maximum IOP of the patients before maximum-tolerated medical therapy or surgery was 35.6±5.8 mm Hg. The mean preoperative IOP at the clinical office visit before surgery of these patients was 28.1±8.5 mm Hg on maximum-tolerated medical therapy. Ten eyes (62.5%) have maintained an IOP at or below their goal through their most recent follow-up visit (mean follow-up time of 9.6±5.6 mo). The mean number of glaucoma medications was significantly reduced from 3.6±0.9 medications to 2.1±1.7 medications, for a mean reduction of 1.5±1.4 medications (P=0.004). On the basis of this small case series, KDB goniotomy may be a safe, less invasive, and effective first-line surgical alternative for patients with uveitis-associated OHTN or glaucoma refractory to medical therapy.

12-Month Retrospective Comparison of Kahook Dual Blade Excisional Goniotomy with Istent Trabecular Bypass Device Implantation in Glaucomatous Eyes at the Time of Cataract Surgery.

PurposeTo compare the efficacy and safety of combined cataract extraction and either excisional goniotomy performed with the Kahook Dual Blade (KDB; phaco-KDB group) or single iStent trabecular bypass implantation (phaco-iStent group) in eyes with mild to moderate glaucoma and visually significant cataract.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of 315 eyes from 230 adults with mild or moderate glaucoma treated with one or more intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medications (190 eyes of 134 subjects in the phaco-KDB group and 125 eyes of 96 subjects in the phaco-iStent group) that required no subsequent surgical intervention for IOP control through 12 months of follow-up. Data included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), IOP, and IOP-lowering medications, collected preoperatively and at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively as well as intraoperative and postoperative adverse events. The primary efficacy outcomes were the proportion of subjects in each group achieving ≥ 20% IOP reduction and ≥ 1 medication reduction at month 12. Subgroup analysis by baseline IOP (≤ 18 mmHg vs. > 18 mmHg) was also performed.ResultsMean (standard error) baseline IOP was 18.2 (0.3) mmHg in the phaco-KDB group and 16.7 (0.3) mmHg in the phaco-iStent group (p = 0.001). Statistically significant mean IOP and mean IOP medication reductions from baseline were achieved at all time points in both groups. Mean IOP reductions were significantly greater in the phaco-KDB group than in the phaco-iStent group at all time points including month 12 [− 5.0 (0.3) mmHg vs. − 2.3 (0.4) mmHg, p < 0.001], while mean medication reductions were similar between groups at all time points except week 1, when greater mean medication reduction was seen in the phaco-iStent group (− 1.23 vs. − 0.60 medications, p < 0.001). At month 12, IOP reductions ≥ 20% were achieved by 64.2% and 41.6% (p < 0.001) in the phaco-KDB and phaco-iStent groups, respectively, and IOP medication reductions of ≥ 1 medication were achieved by 80.4% and 77.4% (p = 0.522), respectively. Intraocular pressure subgroup analysis revealed significant reductions in IOP-lowering medications without compromise of IOP control in lower IOP subgroups and significant reductions in both IOP and IOP-lowering medications in the higher IOP subgroups. The most common adverse events were transient IOP elevations and transient anterior chamber inflammation, which occurred with similar frequency in both groups and resolved spontaneously.ConclusionGoniotomy with the KDB lowered IOP significantly more than iStent implantation, with few adverse events in both groups. In eyes with mild to moderate glaucoma undergoing combined cataract extraction and glaucoma surgery, goniotomy with the KDB can safely deliver statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in both IOP and IOP medication burden through 12 months of follow-up.FundingNew World Medical, Inc., provided funding for the study, medical writing assistance, Rapid Service Fees, and the open access fee.

Kahook Dual Blade Excisional Goniotomy and Goniosynechialysis Combined With Phacoemulsification for Angle-closure Glaucoma: 6-Month Results.

The purpose of this study was to characterize reductions in intraocular pressure (IOP) and the need for IOP-lowering medications following phacoemulsification combined with Kahook Dual Blade-assisted goniosynechialysis and excisional goniotomy in eyes with angle-closure glaucoma and cataract. In this retrospective, interventional case series, preoperative, operative, and postoperative data were collected through 6 months of follow-up from 42 eyes of 24 subjects. Outcomes included mean IOP reduction, reduction in IOP-lowering medications, and the proportion of patients achieving IOP reduction ≥20%, IOP≤18 mm Hg, and reduction of ≥1 medication. Preoperatively, mean (SE) IOP was 25.5 (0.7) mm Hg and the mean number of IOP-lowering medications used was 2.3 (0.1) per eye. Through 6 months of follow-up, mean IOP reductions of 10.1 to 12.8 mm Hg (38.4% to 49.5%; P<0.0001) and mean IOP medication reductions of -2.2 to -2.3 (91.7% to 98.4%; P<0.0001) were seen. At month 6, 92.9% of eyes (39/42) achieved IOP≤18 mm Hg, 100% (42/42) achieved IOP reduction of ≥20%, 100% (42/42) required ≥1 fewer medications for IOP control, and 85.7% (36/42) were medication free. Phacoemulsification combined with Kahook Dual Blade-assisted goniosynechialysis and excisional goniotomy safely provides statistically and clinically meaningful reductions in both IOP and the need for IOP-lowering medications in eyes with angle-closure glaucoma.

Real world use of loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic gel 0.5% in cases representative of comorbid pathologies responding to minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.

PurposeWith the increasing use of minimally invasive surgical techniques for intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering in glaucoma patients, there is a need to examine best practices regarding the postoperative management of these patients. Corticosteroids, though effective in controlling postoperative ocular pain and inflammation, present distinct challenges in glaucoma surgery patients, as their use can be associated with IOP elevation. Loteprednol etabonate (LE) is an ocular corticosteroid designed to have an improved safety profile relative to other corticosteroids.MethodsWe report here a representative selection of cases in which patients were successfully treated with LE ophthalmic gel 0.5% (LE gel) following a variety of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) procedures. Cases included patients undergoing various procedures including a Trabectome combined with cataract surgery; micro-stent surgery (iStent) combined with cataract surgery; supraciliary CyPass Micro-Stent placement combined with cataract surgery; Kahook Dual Blade goniotomy; and ab interno canaloplasty using the iTrack catheter.ObservationsIn all cases, use of LE gel during the postoperative period appeared effective and safe in reducing inflammation and controlling pain. No adverse events or IOP elevations were noted, even in those patients continuing use of LE gel past the postoperative period for longer than six months with documented follow-up. In two cases, patients with elevated IOP using either prednisolone or difluprednate postoperatively were switched to LE gel, with a subsequent reduction in IOP.ConclusionsThis selection of cases involving patients undergoing MIGS suggests that LE gel may be an effective and safe option for treating postoperative inflammation and pain following such procedures with minimal to no effect on IOP or other negative sequalae.

Combining Ab Interno Kahook Trabeculectomy with Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy Reduces Intraocular Pressure.

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) provides a safe option for individuals with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma to reduce their need for pharmacologic therapy or more extensive ab externo surgeries. In this report, we describe a surgical technique using both the Kahook Dual Blade and Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT), to treat a 23-year-old active duty female with idiopathic uveitis and subsequent corticosteroid-induced glaucoma who presented with consistently elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements despite maximal pharmacologic interventions. This combination was effective in consistently lowering intraocular pressure for at least 12 months in a young, phakic, active duty patient with uveitis and steroid-responsive open-angle glaucoma.

The Cost and Economics of Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation in the United Kingdom: A Tertiary Center Experience.

As the only microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) with a reusable component, the cost per procedure of endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) diminishes with each successive use. We present a cost comparison of ECP with other MIGS devices, based on our clinical practice. ECP delivers diode laser via a reusable probe to the ciliary processes under direct visualization. The aim of our study is to evaluate the direct cost of ECP based on a retrospective review of cases and compare the cost per procedure with other MIGS devices. We conducted a retrospective review of ECP procedures performed at St Thomas' Hospital over 4.5 years. The cost of the ECP endoscope and diode laser consoles, reusable probes, and maintenance contracts were obtained from the hospital procurement log. The on-site Central Sterile Services Department was contacted for probe sterilization and repackaging costs. The cost per device for ECP and commonly performed MIGS procedures were obtained from the product specialists of each company. A total of 332 procedures were performed using 37 ECP probes during the study period. Each reusable ECP laser probe was found to give an average of 8.97 laser treatments. The cost per procedure decreased over the course of 4.5 years from £819.43 for the first 42 cases to £341.50 after 332 cases. Compared with other MIGS devices, the cost per procedure of ECP after 100 procedures is second lowest to the Kahook Dual Blade and reduces with each successive procedure performed. The ability to reuse each ECP probe significantly lowers the cost per procedure compared with other MIGS devices in the United Kingdom. The cost per procedure continues to reduce with each successive procedure.

Response: Goniotomy Using the Kahook Dual Blade in Severe and Refractory Glaucoma: 6-Month Outcomes.

Response: Goniotomy Using the Kahook Dual Blade in Severe and Refractory Glaucoma: 6-Month Outcomes.

Outcome of phacoemulsification combined with excisional goniotomy using the Kahook Dual Blade in severe glaucoma patients at 6 months.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to describe 6-month rates of achieving target IOP without requiring additional glaucoma surgery after excisional goniotomy using the Kahook Dual Blade combined with phacoemulsification (phaco-KDB) in patients with severe-stage glaucoma.MethodsRetrospective review of 42 eyes from 36 patients with severe glaucoma who received phaco-KDB. Primary and secondary open-angle and combined-mechanism glaucoma were included. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected through the 6-month follow-up period. The primary outcome was proportion of patients achieving IOP ≤15 mmHg without additional glaucoma procedures. Secondary outcomes were mean change in IOP, reduction of glaucoma medications, additional glaucoma procedures needed, and adverse events.ResultsPreoperative baseline mean IOP was 17.1±4.8 mmHg (mean ± SD) and number of medications was 2.4±1.3. At 6 months, 64.3% (27/42) of eyes had achieved IOP ≤15 mmHg without additional glaucoma procedures, 45.2% (19/42) reached this target IOP on fewer medications, and 31.0% (13/42) on no medications. Mean IOP reduction was 2.1±4.67 mmHg (P=0.022) and mean medication reduction was 1.2±1.4 (P≤0.001). Visually significant complications were experienced by 7.1% (3/42) of eyes, and 7.1% (3/42) required additional IOP-lowering procedures within 6 months of surgery.ConclusionPatients with severe-stage open-angle glaucoma achieved significant IOP and medication reductions following phaco-KDB. Notably, about two-thirds of eyes achieved an IOP of ≤15 mmHg at 6 months without additional glaucoma procedures. Complications and need for additional procedures were rare. Phaco-KDB may be an effective and safe alternative to more invasive filtering surgery in many patients with severe glaucoma.

Response to the Letter to the Editor, “Goniotomy Using the Kahook Dual Blade in Severe and Refractory Glaucoma

Response to the Letter to the Editor, “Goniotomy Using the Kahook Dual Blade in Severe and Refractory Glaucoma