XEN45 Gel Stent implantation in eyes with primary open angle glaucoma: A study from a single hospital in Taiwan

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the XEN45 Gel Stent in East Asian patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 37 medically uncontrolled POAG patients who received XEN45 Gel Stent. The primary outcomes were reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) and in the number of glaucoma medications 12 months after surgery. The secondary outcomes were requirement for intervention and further glaucoma surgery. The adverse intraoperative and postoperative events were investigated. RESULTS: At the 12-month postoperative follow-up, the mean IOP was significantly reduced from the preoperative value of 21.7 ± 7.7 mmHg to 15.0 ± 2.0 mmHg (p = 0.001). The mean number of glaucoma medications decreased from 3.4 ± 0.9 to 1.3 ± 1.5 (p < 0.001). Seventeen patients (45.9%) required postoperative interventions. Four patients (10.8%) received additional glaucoma surgery. Postoperative IOP at month 1 was significantly associated with outcomes at the 12-month follow-up and the need for subsequent intervention and additional glaucoma surgery. CONCLUSION: The XEN45 Gel Stent effectively reduced the IOP values and number of glaucoma medications in East Asian patients with POAG. No major complications were observed, but almost half of the eyes in the study required intervention for wound healing modification. Postoperative IOP at month 1 was a predictor of surgical success at 12 months after surgery.