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The Interventional Glaucoma Podcast

Episode 9: Physician experiences with ELIOS and the rationale for routinely combining MIGS with cataract surgery

In this episode of The Interventional Glaucoma Podcast, renowned Spanish surgeons, Dr Jose Belda, Dr María Isabel Canut, and Dr Marta Ibarz come together to discuss the rationale behind routinely combining MIGS with cataract surgery and the benefits it offers to patients.

Key Takeaways

  • What Is ELIOS? ELIOS is a microinvasive glaucoma treatment technique using excimer laser technology to create microchannels in the trabecular meshwork that enhance aqueous humor outflow.
  • Advantages of ELIOS: The technique results in effective drainage improvement and minimal inflammation, and can be combined with cataract surgery.
  • Post-Operative Experience: ELIOS offers a minimally invasive option with a straightforward postoperative recovery, often similar to cataract surgery alone.
  • Long-Term Results: Studies show that ELIOS effectively controls intraocular pressure with a high rate of patients reducing or eliminating glaucoma medications long-term.
  • Ideal Candidates for ELIOS: Patients with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma who are on one or more glaucoma medications and require cataract surgery are ideal candidates for ELIOS.
  • Procedure Adoption: The surgeons explain that in their experience, the majority of patients who understand the benefits of ELIOS are likely to accept it, particularly when they discuss the possibility to reduce dependence on glaucoma medications and improve quality of life.

Guests

Dr Jose Belda

Dr Jose Belda is the founder of Visionker, ophthalmologist at Clínica Oftálica and Clínica Baviera, Chief of Service at Torrevieja Health Department, and head of the Ophthalmology Service at the University Hospital of Torrevieja. With more than 20 years of experience, he has managed to become a reference expert in the approach and treatment of Glaucoma, standing out for his great work in the different clinical and hospital centers where he has worked. Dr Belda’s extensive training in ophthalmology includes stays in centers of international prestige such as the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the Moorfields Eye Hospital, and the Hospital for the Prevention of Blindness.

Dr María Isabel Canut

Maribel Canut is an ophthalmologist at the Oftalvist Barcelona clinic and president of the Catalan Society of Ophthalmology since 2022. With more than 25 years of experience and extensive training in various fields of specialization, her main research activity focuses on glaucoma.

Dr Marta Ibarz

Dr Ibarz is Chief of the Glaucoma section at the Oftalvist Ophthalmology Clinic in Madrid and specialises in refractive surgery, presbyopia and glaucoma. She has published 6 papers on glaucoma procedures, 2 of which won a prize from the Spanish Glaucoma Society. Dr Ibarz has given presentations at over 50 national and international conferences, and she also implanted the first PAUL Glaucoma Implant at Madrid Ophthalmology Clinic. She is a consultant for various companies specializing in the development of glaucoma treatments.

Additional Resources

Follow Dr Jose Belda on social:
Dr Jose Belda | LinkedIn

Follow Dr María Isabel Canut on social:
Dr María Isabel Canut | LinkedIn

Follow Dr Marta Ibarz on social:
Dr Marta Ibarz | LinkedIn

Episode 10: Glaucoma Management Five Years From Now

Dr. Karl Mercieca, Dr. Gok Ratnarajan, and Dr. Ana Miguel discuss the future of glaucoma management.

Episode 8: TM-MIGS: Impact on patient quality of life

Professor Christophe Baudouin, Mr Gok Ratnarajan, and Dr Ana Miguel discuss the impact of glaucoma treatments on patients' quality of life.

Episode 7: ELIOS Explained: Post-operative Pearls

Dr. Cathy McCabe, Dr. Mark Gallardo, and Mr Dan Lindfield delve into the post-operative care and expectations following the ELIOS procedure.