Dr. Kaweh Mansouri to Present Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) Clinical Data at 2017 ESCRS Congress

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Oct. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- New World Medical today announced that data will be presented comparing the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering efficacy of cataract extraction (CE) combined with either goniotomy performed with the Kahook Dual Blade (KDB, New World Medical) or trabecular meshwork microbypass device implantation (iStent®, Glaukos Corporation, San Clemente, CA).  These data will be presented by Dr. Kaweh Mansouri, MD, MPH, of the Glaucoma Center, Montchoisi Clinic, Lausanne, Switzerland and the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado, Denver, during the annual meeting of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), being held October 7-11, 2017 in Lisbon, Portugal. 

The poster, entitled Comparison of the Intraocular Pressure Lowering Efficacy Between a Novel Goniotomy Blade and a Trabecular Meshwork Device, includes data from a retrospective chart review of patients with mild-to-moderate glaucoma who underwent CE with either KDB goniotomy or iStent implantation. The study took place at 12 sites (11 US, 1 Mexico) and evaluated post-operative IOP as well as medication use of 435 eyes treated either by CE+KDB or CE+iStent (198 and 237 eyes, respectively). 

At 6 months, the mean IOP in the CE+KDB cohort demonstrated a statistically significant greater reduction compared to CE+iStent (24% vs 16%, respectively, p<0.05). This result was statistically significant as early as day 1, with a reduction of 14% in the KDB group versus 4% in the iStent group, and continued through the 6-month study period. The mean reduction in medication use between the two groups was significantly different with a 63% reduction in the CE+KDB group (1.7 to 0.6 medications) compared to 46% in the CE+iStent group (1.9 to 1.0 medications), p<0.05. Both groups had similar baseline demographics and reported comparable adverse events, which were mild and self-limited. 

"This large study demonstrates that goniotomy with the Kahook Dual Blade has the ability to provide significant reductions in IOP and medication use when compared to iStent for glaucoma patients undergoing cataract extraction," said Dr. Mansouri.  "These results represent an important advance in the surgical treatment for patients undergoing cataract surgery who have uncontrolled mild-to-moderate glaucoma or who want to reduce their medication burden."

About Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of complex eye diseases which produce increased pressure within the eye.  This elevated pressure is caused by a backup of fluid and can damage the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss and blindness.  Normal fluid flow and drainage occurs through a small, spongy tissue in the eye called the trabecular meshwork (TM).  When the TM becomes clogged, fluid cannot leave the eye as fast as it is produced, and intraocular pressure (IOP) becomes elevated.

The mainstay of current treatment is the lowering of IOP pharmacologically, by laser, or through incisional surgery.  While many topical medications are available to treat glaucoma, they require consistent, regular use which can become unmanageable by the glaucoma patient population.  Recent evidence indicates that patients may significantly benefit from the removal of diseased TM tissue via a safe procedure that results in sustained IOP reduction and reduced dependence on IOP-lowering medication. 

About the Kahook Dual Blade

The Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) is an elegant, single-use, ophthalmic blade designed to make parallel incisions in the trabecular meshwork (TM) to enhance aqueous outflow.  The KDB is precision engineered to fit in the Canal of Schlemm and the unique ramp on the distal end lifts and stretches the TM in order for the dual blades to excise the desired portion of diseased TM.

About New World Medical

New World Medical was founded by Dr. A. Mateen Ahmed, who was determined to develop, manufacture, and market cutting-edge medical devices to alleviate ophthalmic ailments globally.  New World Medical's mission is to preserve and enhance vision by delivering innovations to all of humanity, and achieves this through partnerships with surgeons and eye care professionals who are dedicated to alleviating the burden of blindness around the globe. The company's flagship devices include the Kahook Dual Blade and the line of Ahmed Glaucoma Valves.  To learn more about the unique mission of New World Medical or their innovative product line visit http://www.newworldmedical.com.

SOURCE New World Medical