Xen gel stent implant for persistent glaucoma after silicone oil removal

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the XEN-Stent for managing unresponsive to medical therapy secondary glaucoma after silicone oil (SO) removal. Methods: This retrospective chart reviewed 12 patients who underwent vitrectomy and SO endotamponade. They experienced intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation after SO removal despite taking the maximum tolerated glaucoma medication. Eleven eyes underwent an XEN-implant, while 1 underwent an XEN-implant with phacoemulsification/IOL implantation. The primary outcome was to achieve success criteria: IOP <18 mmHg and >20% IOP reduction without medication (complete success) or with medication (qualified success) and without a secondary IOP-lowering procedure. IOP, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and the number of glaucoma medications (Glaucoma Medication Score-GMS) were recorded at baseline, 1 day, 1 week, 1 (M1), 3 (M3), 6 (M6), and 12 (M12) months postoperatively. Results: Baseline characteristics included males percentage 66.6%, mean age of 61.8 +/- 5.7 years, BCVA 0.69 +/- 0.3 logMAR, IOP 30 +/- 4.2 mmHg, and GMS 3.1 +/- 0.5. There was a significant reduction in IOP by 14 +/- 1.9 mmHg and GMS by 0.27 +/- 0.6 at M12 compared to baseline (p < 0.01), but no significant change in BCVA (p = 0.21). Complete success dropped to 50% (M3), rising to 75% (M6, M12) after needling. Two patients achieved qualified success at M12. Needling was performed in 6 eyes, with 3 requiring a second procedure. Ex-PRESS was required in 1 eye. One eye experienced hypotony and hyphema, which resolved within a week. Conclusion: XEN implant may be an initial treatment for persistent post SO removal glaucoma with minimal complications. Needling procedures can help maintain or restore surgical success.