Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
6202828 Survey of Ophthalmology 2015 19 Pages PDF
Abstract

Glaucoma filtration surgery is performed to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients for whom maximal tolerable pharmacologic IOP-lowering therapy and/or laser surgery fail to lower IOP sufficiently and/or fail to prevent optic nerve damage or visual field deterioration. For decades, the most widely utilized procedure for glaucoma filtration surgery has been trabeculectomy. Although this approach reliably provides long-term IOP reduction in many patients, the postoperative complication rate is high. This has driven the development of alternative approaches to reduce IOP surgically. The EX-PRESS glaucoma filtration device was developed to mimic IOP control by trabeculectomy and to have a better safety profile. This non-valved, medical-grade stainless steel device diverts aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to an intrascleral space. Despite the widespread use of the EX-PRESS device, only a few studies compare its efficacy and safety with that of trabeculectomy. We analyze available data regarding the safety and efficacy of the EX-PRESS device, particularly in comparison with trabeculectomy.

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Health Sciences Medicine and Dentistry Ophthalmology
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