title: Eyepass Glaucoma Implant in Open-Angle Glaucoma After Failed Conventional Medical Therapy: Clinical Results of a 5-Year-Follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to evaluate the long-term safety and intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect of the Eyepass glaucoma implant (GMP Vision Solutions, Inc.).
  
  
  METHODS
  The prospective study included 15 patients (16 eyes) with primary open-angle glaucoma who underwent an implantation of the Y-shaped Eyepass glaucoma implant. This shunt diverts aqueous from the anterior chamber directly into Schlemm's canal to increase outflow and to lower the IOP. IOP, visual acuity, potential complications and the number of antiglaucomatous medications were monitored over a period of 5 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The implant was successfully inserted in 14 of 16 eyes. Mean IOP was reduced from 26.4±8.1 mm Hg (SD) to 16.4±5.3 mm Hg (P=0.032) at the end of the follow-up. Mean number of antiglaucomatous medications dropped from 2.1±1.2 (SD) to 0.9±1.2 (SD). In 5 cases, no pressure-lowering medications were necessary 5 years after surgery. Mean best-corrected visual acuity did not change significantly (P>0.05). In all cases, filtering blebs were observed and sustained using antimetabolites. The most common complication was temporary ocular hypotony. Two patients required a revision surgery due to implant malposition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Eyepass glaucoma implant seems to be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. The use of this device resulted in a significant decrease of IOP.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Ophthalmology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen§Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Cologne∥Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany‡Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland†Department of General Ophthalmology, University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wittmann
authors.forename: Cord
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huchzermeyer
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rejdak
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Reulbach
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dietlein
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hohberger
authors.forename: Anselm
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jünemann
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents