Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Glaucoma Drainage Device in High-Risk Adult Glaucoma Patients: A One-Year Pilot Study

Background: We report on the 12-month safety and efficacy outcomes of a new non-valved glaucoma drainage device, the eyePlate-300 (Rheon Medical, Lausanne, Switzerland), in managing refractory glaucoma. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on consecutive patients over 18 who underwent glaucoma drainage device (GDD) surgery with the eyePlate-300 after a single glaucoma consultation between February 2020 and April 2021, with at least 12 months of documented post-op follow-up. Results: A total of 16 eyes from 15 patients were included. Complete success was observed in 47% of patients and overall success in 83%. The mean IOP decreased from 31.5 mm Hg to 10.7 mm Hg (67% reduction from baseline), and the number of IOP-lowering drops was reduced from 3.1 to 0.7 at one year. The mean BCVA remained stable. No additional IOP-lowering surgeries were required, and no severe sight-threatening complications were noted. Conclusions: The initial one-year results suggest that the eyePlate could be a safe and effective device for reducing IOP in an ethnically diverse refractory glaucoma population. Further follow-up is necessary to determine the long-term safety and efficacy.