Comparison Of Trabeculectomy Versus The Ex-PRESS Miniature Glaucoma Device In The Same Patient: A Prospective Randomized Study

the purpose of this study was to compare standard trabeculectomy to the Ex-PRESS mini glaucoma shunt implantation under a scleral flap in eyes with open-angle glaucoma.In this report, we describe the results of a prospective, randomized trial in which subjects with bilateral primary open-angle glaucoma underwent the two procedures in fellow eyes.Design: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. Participants: 15 subjects with bilateral primary open-angle glaucoma Methods: Subjects underwent the two procedures in fellow eyes. Safety and efficacy were evaluated for up to two years. Main Outcome Measures: Mean IOP and surgical success rates. Results: Mean IOP was similar in Ex-PRESS and trabeculectomy eyes at all time points except month 9, when Ex-PRESS eyes had lower mean IOP (13.2 mmHg vs 16.5 mmHg, respectively; p=0.025). Percent IOP reduction was also similar at all time points except postoperative day 1, when trabeculectomy eyes were lower (75.5% vs 65.8%, respectively; p=0.003), likely due to a higher rate of early hypotony in trabeculectomy eyes versus Ex-PRESS eyes (47% vs 7%, respectively). Complete (without medications) and qualified (with or without medications) successes were more common at all IOP cut-off values in Ex-PRESS eyes than trabeculectomy eyes at last visit (p=0.015, p=0.015 respectively). Postoperative complications were uncommon in both groups, but trabeculectomy eyes required more postoperative interventions than Ex-PRESS eyes.