Allergan’s Xen45 gel stent

Spanish researchers found trabeculectomy more effectively reduced intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) than Allergan’s Xen45 gel stent over three years. 

The study, led by Dr María Teresa Marcos-Parra, Hospital General Universitario Balmis, included 134 patients who underwent trabeculectomy with or without phacoemulsification, or implantation of Xen45, with or without phacoemulsification. Mean IOP reductions at 36 months were -6.3mmHg with Xen45 alone vs -8.9mmHg with trabeculectomy alone.  

Researchers concluded trabeculectomy lowered IOP significantly more than the Xen45 implant with or without phacoemulsification over 3 years and had a significantly lower need for additional needling surgery. Both procedures reduced glaucoma medications to a similar rate.