Bimatoprost-eluting intraocular lenses achieve 14.8-15.9 mmHg IOP at one year in phase 1 glaucoma-cataract trial
Early clinical data indicate sustained-release bimatoprost lenses implanted during cataract surgery match topical therapy for pressure control while eliminating daily adherence burden. Larger phase 3 trials now underway will determine durability and safety through three-year follow-up. Evidence remains preliminary pending peer-reviewed publication.
The randomized study assigned 80 participants to low- or high-dose bimatoprost pads embedded in the IOL and 26 to conventional lenses plus timolol. At 12 months, mean IOP reached 14.8 mmHg (low-dose), 15.9 mmHg (high-dose), and 15.7 mmHg (drops), meeting the prespecified non-inferiority margin. More than 95% of lens patients required no rescue medication, addressing documented 50% non-adherence rates with chronic drops reported in prior observational cohorts (NEJM 2019; JAMA Ophthalmol 2022).
VITALIS: Three-year follow-up data will show at least 85% of patients maintaining IOP below 16 mmHg without additional drops.
Sources (2)
- [1]Primary Source(https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-10-experimental-cataract-lens-glaucoma-drugs.html)
- [2]Supporting Source(https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1817060)