Comparison of the efficacy and longevity of nonpenetrating glaucoma surgery with and without a new, nonabsorbable hydrophilic implant

This research study compared the effectiveness and duration of nonpenetrating glaucoma surgery with and without the use of a nonabsorbable hydrophilic implant. Conducted across two eye centers in South Africa and Switzerland, the study followed 48 eyes of 32 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma over a period of 30 months. The results indicated that both groups demonstrated similar intraocular pressure (IOP) progressions during the initial 18 months, with mean IOP remaining under 14 mm Hg. However, after the two-year mark, the implant group exhibited a stable IOP, while the control group experienced a rise. Additionally, the implant group displayed a significantly greater IOP decrease, suggesting the potential benefits of utilizing nonabsorbable hydrophilic implants in glaucoma surgery.