The Preserflo Microshunt is aiming to reduce the pressure inside the eye and therefore prevent or slow down further damage to the optic nerve. It will not cure your glaucoma, reverse any damage already caused by glaucoma, or bring back any lost vision.

Fluid called aqueous humour is naturally produced within the eye and drains away through a complex sponge-like network called Trabecular meshwork. Glaucoma is the result of a build-up of this fluid caused by a blockage of the natural drainage channels of the eye. This pressure can damage the optic nerve which carries images from the eye to the brain affecting your vision. Like Trabeculectomy surgery (the traditional Glaucoma surgery), the Preserflo MicroShunt drains fluid from inside the eye to a pooled reservoir under the conjunctiva forming a ‘bleb’. This bleb will stay as long as the fluid is draining.

A three-year outcome study has reported a 60% fall in the eye pressure as well as a significant reduction in the number of eye drops a patient’s needs to take. The success rate in reducing eye pressure by 50% with Preserflo varies between 80% to 90% after 3 years. However we don’t have long term studies showing the success rate after this time point.

In broad terms, Glaucoma treatment can be separated into eye drops, lasers and surgery. Surgery is generally offered when the drops or laser you have been using or have not lowered the eye pressure enough, you are getting side-effects, or you find it difficult to use the drops.

You may be suitable for a laser procedure, or you may need more eye drops. However, this may not control your Glaucoma and your vision may continue to get worse.

Although any surgery is not guaranteed to be a lifelong solution, the Preserflo Microshunt is expected to last the lifetime of a person’s eye.

At first, the eye may feel a little sore or gritty, this usually lasts no more than about 48 hours. The eye then gradually returns to a normal feeling and patients are rarely troubled by the feeling of the tube.