Purpose: The purpose of this review is to summarize current knowledge on XEN implant for the treatment of glaucoma.
Methods: A comprehensive literature review has been performed regarding XEN implant and its use on glaucoma management. Forty-two articles were checked and 37 were found to be relevant. Out of them, 21 were excluded as being case reports and reviews and the remaining 16 were eligible for the purpose of our review.
Results: There was a significant reduction in intraocular pressure as well as in the number of medications needed in glaucoma patients treated with XEN implant either alone or combined with cataract surgery. In addition, combination of XEN implant with Baerveldt tubes has been shown to be beneficial in cases of refractory glaucoma, although complications may be present in this technique. Moreover, uveitic glaucoma may be a potential application of XEN implant.
Conclusions: XEN implant devices have been developed as a surgical alternative for glaucomatous patients and are expected to play an important role in the management of glaucoma in the future.
Keywords: Glaucoma; XEN implant; minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.