Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of filtration surgery using the EX-PRESS glaucoma filtration device in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).
Study design: Prospective, single-arm, multicenter interventional case series.
Methods: Eyes with NTG underwent EX-PRESS implantation with or without cataract surgery. The efficacy and safety were assessed at 1 day; 1 and 2 weeks; and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The main outcome measure was reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) from baseline at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Safety assessments included adverse event incidence, postoperative inflammation, and corneal endothelial cell density.
Results: Thirty-two Japanese patients (37 eyes) with NTG were enrolled. The mean IOP decreased from 14.8 ± 2.3 mmHg at baseline to 10.0 ± 3.1 mmHg at 12 months after surgery (mean reduction 4.9 ± 4.2 mmHg [31.1%]; P < .0001). IOP-lowering medication use decreased from a mean of 3.3 medications per eye before surgery to 0.1 medications per eye at 12 months after surgery. IOP reductions > 20% were achieved by 61.5% of the eyes at 12 months. Adverse events were typical for filtration procedures, and none was deemed device-related. Postoperative inflammation was mild and self-limiting. The mean corneal endothelial cell density had decreased by 3.3% at 12 months after surgery.
Conclusion: The EX-PRESS glaucoma filtration device is safe and effective for filtration surgery in patients with NTG, providing mean IOP reduction consistent with recommendations based on the Collaborative NTG Study.
Keywords: Corneal endothelial cell density; Filtration surgery; Glaucoma filtration device; Intraocular pressure; Normal-tension glaucoma.