Effectiveness and safety of VISULAS® green selective laser trabeculoplasty: a prospective, interventional multicenter clinical investigation

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Karin R. Pillunat - , Department of Ophthalmology (First author)
  • Florian T.A. Kretz - , Augentagesklinik Rheine (Author)
  • Stefan Koinzer - , Augenarztpraxis Am Dreiecksplatz/Kiel (Author)
  • Christoph Ehlken - , University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel (Author)
  • Lutz E. Pillunat - , Department of Ophthalmology (Author)
  • Karsten Klabe - , Internationale Innovative Ophthalmochirurgie GbR (Author)

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) with the SLT mode of the VISULAS® green laser in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: This prospective, interventional multicenter clinical investigation included patients with POAG who either needed a treatment escalation because the individual intraocular pressure (IOP) target was not met or treatment initiation and had an IOP ≥ 17 mmHg at baseline in the study eye. The study was conducted in five research centers across Germany. Approximately 100 laser applications were delivered to 360° of the trabecular meshwork. Glaucoma medications were not modified during the 3-month follow-up to allow evaluation of the sole effect of VISULAS® green with SLT. Efficacy outcomes were postoperatively absolute and relative IOP changes at 1 and 3 months. Safety outcomes analyzed the rate of intra- and postoperative adverse events. Results: Thirty-four eyes of 34 POAG patients were included. The overall mean number of preoperative glaucoma medications was 2.2 ± 1.4 in 29 treated eyes, 5 eyes were treatment naïve. Mean baseline IOP (mmHg) was 21.0 ± 2.69 and was reduced by − 3.53 ± 3.34 [95% CI − 4.61; − 2.45] and − 3.59 ± 3.41 [95% CI − 4.64; − 2.53] at the 1- and 3-month follow-up, respectively (p < 0.0001), with 48.5% of cases achieving a ≥ 20% IOP reduction at 3 months [95% CI = 30.8%; 66.5%]. The mean relative IOP reduction was − 16.4% and − 16.3% at 1 and 3 months, respectively (p < 0.0001). Potentially device- or procedure-related adverse events were mild to moderate and included 3 postoperative IOP-spikes and 6 reports regarding eye pain and discomfort. All were resolved without sequelae. Conclusions: SLT performed with the VISULAS® green laser achieved clinically significant additional IOP reductions in medically treated as well as in treatment naïve eyes with POAG and there were no relevant safety issues. The results are comparable to other reported SLT studies.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2215-2224
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Ophthalmology
Volume43
Issue number7
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 36572747

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Adjunctive IOP-lowering therapy, Adverse events, Intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), VISULAS green laser