Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) has been a buzzword in glaucoma management for years, offering patients with mild to moderate glaucoma a middle ground between topical drops and filtration surgery. Today, more than 15 different options grace surgical suites across the globe.¹ Yet another device, the Miniject (iStar Medical), has hit the clinical trial scene in Europe. The Miniject is a 5mm long device made of porous silicone that improves aqueous outflow to the suprachoroidal space, according to the study.

Researchers in India and Panama recently implanted the device, as a stand-alone procedure, in 25 primary open-angle glaucoma eyes. The average baseline status was IOP of 23.2mm Hg and an average of 2.0±1.1 IOP-lowering medications.

During follow-up, the researchers found the device led to a mean drop in IOP of 39.1% six months post-op. Medication use was down as well, to a mean of 0.3±0.7 medications at the six-month follow-up. Of the 24 eyes seen at that visit, 87.5% were medication free, and 95.8% maintained at least a 20% reduction in IOP, the researchers wrote in the study.

Although no serious adverse effects were noted, eight patients experienced anterior chamber inflammation, six had elevated IOP, three noted a drop in visual acuity and three had hyphema. None of the patients required further surgery by the six-month follow-up.

While these are promising findings, the device has a long road of clinical trials ahead, and US doctors may have to wait years before—and if—it becomes available stateside.