Hydrus microstent compared to selective laser trabeculoplasty in primary open angle glaucoma: one year results.

Background To compare the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma medications following selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) versus stand-alone placement of the Hydrus microstent, a microinvasive glaucoma surgery device. Design Prospective interventional case-series. University practice. Participants Fifty six eyes (56 patients) with uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma. Methods Patients received either SLT ( n = 25) or Hydrus implantation ( n = 31) in two centres. Patients were evaluated at baseline and 1, 7 days, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Main Outcome Measures Intraocular pressure and number of glaucoma medications variations inter-groups and intra-groups. Results There were no significant differences at baseline between groups, but the mean deviation was worse in the Hydrus group (−8.43 ± 6.84 dB, confidence limits (CL)−2.8/−3.3 vs.−3.04 ± 0.65 dB, CL−6/−10.8; P < 0.001). After 12 months, there was a significant decrease in IOP and medications in the Hydrus group compared with baseline values. In the SLT group, only the decrease in IOP was significant. There was 3-fold greater reduction in medication use in the Hydrus group compared with SLT (−1.4 ± 0.97 vs.−0.5 ± 1.05, P = 0.001). 47% of patients were medication free at 12 months in the Hydrus group (4% in the SLT group). No complications were recorded in the SLT group. In the Hydrus group, three patients experienced a temporary reduction of visual acuity post-operatively, and two patients had post-operative IOP spikes that resolved within one week. Conclusions Both SLT and Hydrus implantation reduced IOP without serious adverse events. Hydrus implantation led to a significant and further reduction in medication dependence at 12 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]