Eyeworld

EW GLAUCOMA 49 "It gave us a chance to get ac- cess to these new technologies," said Dr. Solomon. "Eric and I both found that we learned a great deal from the local surgeons. While we were there to teach them new techniques, we learned a lot from them as well in terms of how they integrate the newer iStents into their glaucoma methodology." Dr. Samuelson found the sec- ond-generation iStent to be a "sig- nificant advance over the first generation," he said. The G1 and G2 are similar in mechanism, but the G2 allows surgeons to implant more than one iStent into the eye without exiting. With the first generation, inserting two stents required two separate maneuvers. The G3, the iStent Supra, relies on the suprachoroidal space and is "a completely different strategy," said Dr. Samuelson. In addition to gaining experi- ence using the different iStents, sur- geons were able to implant more than one in the same eye. For exam- ple, Dr. Ahmed performed about 80 surgeries, two-thirds of which uti- lized multiple iStents. Because the iStent is already approved in Canada, Dr. Ahmed has had ample experience working with it. "I've already done 300 or 400 [iStent] implants here in Canada," he said. "In Armenia, we did up to three implants in one eye. In Canada, I've done up to four or five. I think two seems to be a good num- ber for most of our patients. Our center now uses one or two depend- ing on the pressure target." Patients in Armenia continue to be followed closely by glaucoma spe- cialists there, and Dr. Ahmed expects to obtain a substantial amount of us- able data. U.S. surgeons are hoping the G1 iStent will get FDA approval sometime in the next few months. Trials are currently underway in the U.S. looking at the G2. "I fully expect that comprehen- sive ophthalmologists will be utiliz- ing these devices on a routine basis for patients with mild to moderate glaucoma and ocular hypertension," said Dr. Solomon. "In this day and age, if we have the chance to reduce someone's dependence on glaucoma medication and sustain controlled in- traocular pressure in the short and long term with a device, then that's going to be the way to go. It will be accepted by patients from a compli- ance and expense standpoint and will be very well accepted by compre- hensive ophthalmic surgeons." EW Editors' note: Drs. Ahmed, Samuelson, and Solomon have financial interests with Glaukos. Contact information Ahmed: ike.ahmed@utoronto.ca Samuelson: twsamuelson@mneye.com Solomon: kerry.solomon@carolinaeyecare. com February 2011 August 2011 3222 Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA 19355 USA • 800-979-2020 • 610-889-0200 • FAX 610-889-3233 • www.accutome.com Scanning the Globe... Accutome revolutionized the world of ultrasound imaging with the launch of the B-Scan Plus ® . We proudly introduce the new portable, high definition UBM Plus. The state-of-the-art probe plugs into a laptop or PC. The anterior segment images are recorded in a 34 second film loop and easily transfers to EMR. Upgradeable software protects your investment. • High Definition Anterior Segment Images • Measuring tools and calipers for: - Sulcus to Sulcus Measurements - Anterior Chamber Depth - Intraocular Lens Position - Filtration Angle of the Eye • Corresponding A-Vector The New UBM Plus ® from Accutome Call for special combo and introductory pricing. Product #24-6300 Visit Us At ESCRS Booth B215

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