Assessment of Effectiveness Ex-Press Surgery Modification

The purpose of the study is to compare the effectiveness and safety profile of ExPress implantation versus partial deep sclerectomy combined with ExPress implantation with simultaneously phacoemulsification.

Mermoud et all (1) proposed a modification of the classical surgical technique: combined deep sclerectomy (DS) with ExPress device implantation. The goal of this modification was to enhance hypotensive effect of well known procedure, and also to simplify non-penetrating surgery, which is a procedure with a long learning curve. Mermoud's idea provides the possibility of avoiding complications related to dissection of the filtering bleb and gives hope for achieve of better results in comparison to the classical procedure. Thanks to this, the surgical procedure could be performed earlier, even in the case of glaucoma with low intraocular pressure (IOP), where vascular factors are largely responsible for the progression of neuropathy. To demonstrate the potential of both types of procedures with the application of the ExPress implant, the authors decided to conduct a prospective, randomized study with a 2-year observation period concerning the efficacy, safety and stability of effects achieved.