Experience with XEN or GATT eye surgery to reduce pressure

Posted by Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor @dsh33782, Dec 14, 2020

I have had glaucoma for over 30 years and am now on the maximum drops but the pressure is starting to rise again. Two possible surgeries have been proposed by different glaucoma specialists. XEN involves a tiny flexible tube the size of an eye lash inserted inside the eye coming out very close to the surface of the eye under the upper eye lid to allow fluid to drain easier. GATT also involves a tube inserted inside the eye to redirect fluid bypassing clogged drain. I would like to hear from patients and doctors what they think of these. Both have lots of pros and cons. I've already lost central vision in one eye and would like to keep good vision in the other eye. I am 75 and hope to need my vision for another 15-20 years.

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John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Dec 15, 2020

Hi Don @dsh33782 - This info sounds very promising. I found a study on Google Scholar that mentions XEN is a little more promising than the GATT eye surgery. I'm hoping members who have had the procedure can provide some feedback for you.

XEN gel implant versus gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma (PDF): https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10792-019-01271-w.pdf

XEN® Gel Stent: A Comprehensive Review on Its Use as a Treatment Option for Refractory Glaucoma: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7335291/

Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor | @dsh33782 | Dec 15, 2020

John, all
Thanks that article was helpful. I see GS doc next week to see how new drops and pressure are doing, and I will ask some more questions about XEN.

marymj7 | @marymj7 | May 12 7:16am

I am so sorry to hear this about your GATT procedure! I had been considering having it done myself, as it’s supposed to be minimally invasive and low risk. Does your surgeon have any explanation for this? I am so, so sorry this happened to you.

john | @mygattatgat | May 12 7:44pm

Thanks for the sympathetic response, marymj7. The surgeon just says that bleeding (in eye) after this surgery is common...and that mine bled much worse than most. I can't include the full URL here, but you can go to the following website for more detail, if interested: myGATTatGAT.com.
I prepared this site with a description of my GATT experience, along with a lot of related online research regarding GATT's "success" rate and its complications.

marymj7 | @marymj7 | May 13 8:37am

In reply to @marymj7 "I am so sorry to hear this about your GATT procedure! I had been considering having..." + (show)

I went to your website and read the story of your awful experience. You are so generous to inform the rest of us. I was prepared to speak with my doctor today about a GATT-and even considered traveling to GAT after reading an article by Davinder S. Grover. I have you to thank for educating me far more than any doctor has.