3-year results after XEN-45- stent implantation

Purpose Currently, few studies are available on long-term outcomes after XEN microstent implantation beyond three years. This article is to collect 3-year outcomes regarding the efficacy and safety of the XEN-45 stent. Methods Data were collected from 149 eyes undergoing XEN(Abbvie, Germany) implantation at our hospital from December 2013 to November 2018. As criteria for efficacy, we use intraocular pressure (IOP), number of pressure-lowering medications, and need for reoperation. As criteria for safety, we list intraoperative complications. Results The mean patient age at surgery was 72.44 ± 7.99 years (range 54 to 85 years, n=149). 56% of the patients were female. 15% of these 149 eyes (n=23) required further glaucoma surgery. Forty eyes of 37 patients came to the clinic for follow-up at recall. The median follow-up time was 45.92 months (3.77 years). Approximately 92% (n=37) of eyes without follow-up surgery (n=40) achieved an IOP of ≤ 21 mmHg with or without additional medications, approximately 85% (n=34) achieved an IOP of ≤ 18 mmHg, and approximately 72% (n=29) achieved an IOP of ≤ 15 mmHg. Intraoperative complications occurred in 20% of eyes (n=149). The majority of these were minor intracameral hemorrhages at 13%. More severe bleeding occurred in only 3 (2%) eyes No postoperative hemorrhage requiring anterior chamber irrigation occurred in any eye. Conclusion The XEN microstent achieves a sufficient pressure-lowering effect over 3 years and is characterized by high intraoperative safety. The study is registered in the German Register of Clinical Studies (DRKS00023619; 19th November 2020).