Six-Month Outcomes of Goniotomy Performed with a Trapezoidal Dual Blade in Combination with Cataract Surgery

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of goniotomy using a uniquely shaped trapezoidal, serrated dual blade (TDB), designed to accommodate variability in patient anatomy, in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) or anti-glaucoma medications (AGM) in adult glaucoma patients when combined with cataract surgery. Patients and Methods: Retrospective consecutive case series of patients with glaucoma who underwent phacoemulsification with TDB-goniotomy were included. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected over 6 months. The primary outcome measure was surgical success, defined as IOP reduction >= 20% from baseline at 6 months, and/or reduction of at least 1 AGM. Postoperative adverse events were collected as a secondary outcome measure. Results: Sixty-five eyes of 46 patients were included with data available on 53 eyes at 6 months. Primary open-angle (38%), primary angle-closure (37%), and mixed-mechanism glaucoma (11%) were the most common diagnoses. Most cases were severe (48%) or moderate (32%) stage. At the 6-month mark, surgical success was achieved in 92% of eyes by either or both criteria. Mean preoperative IOP decreased from 18.4 mmHg (SE 0.83) to 13.0 mmHg (SE 0.37) (p<0.001) at postoperative month 6. Mean AGM decreased from 2.46 (SE 0.19) preoperatively to 1.45 (SE 0.17) (p<0.001). The most common postoperative complication was an IOP spike at postoperative week 1 (11%). No serious adverse events occurred related to the goniotomy. Conclusion: TDB-goniotomy in combination with cataract surgery safely and effectively lowered IOP and reduced AGM burden in adults with various types and severities of glaucoma over 6-months of follow-up. Plain Language Summary: There are many tools available to perform goniotomy, a popular minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, but data is lacking on many of these devices. This study sought to determine the safety and efficacy of excisional goniotomy using a uniquely shaped trapezoidal dual blade (TDB) in combination with cataract surgery for adult glaucoma patients. At 6 months, the primary outcome measure of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction >= 20% from baseline and/or reduction of at least 1 anti-glaucoma medication was met by 92% of eyes. Six months postoperatively, there was a statistically significant decrease in mean IOP from 18.4 mmHg to 13.0 mmHg and mean antiglaucoma medications from 2.5 to 1.5. Therefore, TDB-goniotomy in combination with cataract surgery can safely decrease IOP and/or antiglaucoma medications in a mixed population of various glaucoma types and severities.