Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of MINIject(®) (suprachoroidal stent) in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in eyes following failed filtering glaucoma surgery. METHODS: In this single-center retrospective study, 18 patients who had undergone suprachoroidal stent implantation after failed filtering surgery were analyzed. Follow-up was at least 12 months, and surgical success was measured by 12-month postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), glaucoma medication, and revision surgery (criteria A: IOP < 21 mmHg, IOP reduction >20%, no revision surgery; criteria B: IOP < 18 mmHg, IOP reduction >20%, no revision surgery; criteria C: IOP ≤ 15 mmHg, IOP reduction ≥40%, no repeat surgery). RESULTS: After a follow-up period of 12 months, the mean IOP decreased from 27.11±5.65 mmHg to 15.94±9.56 mmHg (p<0.01). The median 12-month postoperative IOP was 14.0 mmHg (IQR: 10.0-20.0 mmHg). The probability of surgical success was 66.66% for criteria A and B and 50% for criteria C. The identical success rates for criteria A and B were due to overlapping responder groups in this limited sample. Topical medication was significantly reduced from 4.06±1.08 to 2.13±1.36 (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Supraciliary stent implantation provided an effective and safe treatment option for advanced glaucoma following failed filtering surgery and demonstrated significant intraocular pressure reduction. However, the small sample size limits the generalizability of these findings.