Alcon has announced the launch of Hydrus Microstent in India, introducing a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) device designed to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma when used alongside cataract surgery.
Hydrus Microstent offers a minimally invasive solution for long-term glaucoma management. The device is designed to lower intraocular pressure and reduce medication usage among patients with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma. As the first and only MIGS device with clinical results from a five-year pivotal study, Hydrus Microstent is clinically proven to lower IOP and reduce medication use when combined with cataract surgery.
The device also has an established five-year safety profile from a pivotal trial, with long-term serious adverse event rates reported to be comparable to cataract surgery alone. Hydrus has also been recognised for the quality of its clinical data by the European Glaucoma Society, Cochrane and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
MIGS procedures are considered a lower-risk intervention for glaucoma patients, allowing physicians to reduce intraocular pressure with a lower risk of complications compared to incisional filtration surgeries, while supporting faster visual recovery. The Hydrus HORIZON trial is the first MIGS study to report five-year clinical outcomes, with continuous follow-up and 80 per cent patient retention at year five (n=442/556). With more than 200,000 implants worldwide, Hydrus Microstent has been used for sustained intraocular pressure control.
Commenting on the development, Ike Ahmed, Research Director at Kensington Eye Institute, Director of the Glaucoma and Advanced Anterior Segment Surgery (GAASS) Fellowship Program at the University of Toronto, and Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Utah’s John A. Moran Eye Center, said, “Hydrus represents an important milestone for surgeons and their patients. With its availability, surgeons can incorporate Hydrus into their glaucoma treatment paradigm. As a lead investigator, I have observed firsthand that glaucoma patients who implanted Hydrus during cataract surgery have benefitted over those who had cataract surgery alone. Hydrus empowers surgeons to effectively manage their patients’ glaucoma in conjunction with cataract surgery, offering sustained IOP with a potential to reduce the number of medications.”
The launch comes at a time when glaucoma continues to affect a significant number of patients in India. According to industry estimates, around 12 million people in the country are affected by glaucoma, with nearly 90 per cent of cases remaining undiagnosed, highlighting the need for early detection and interventional treatment options.
Highlighting the company’s focus on addressing this gap, Amar Vyas, Country Head at Alcon India, said, “In India, approximately 12 million people are affected by glaucoma, and the proportion of undiagnosed glaucoma is estimated at around 90%, underscoring the need for earlier detection and effective interventional treatment options. At Alcon, we’re committed to bringing Hydrus to India to help glaucoma patients continue to see brilliantly. Hydrus’ unique Tri-Modal® mechanism of action enables its clinical effectiveness, and our high-quality, long-term data give surgeons the confidence to manage glaucoma both safely and effectively. This launch marks a significant milestone for the ophthalmic community and the many patients it serves.”
Hydrus Microstent is currently available in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and select countries across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The company stated that it aims to expand availability to additional markets, enabling more glaucoma patients worldwide to access the technology.