The supraciliary space as a suitable pathway for glaucoma surgery: Ho-hum or home run?

Abstract

The supraciliary space is a physiological route for aqueous humor outflow located anteriorly between the outer surface of the ciliary body and the internal surface of the sclera. Posteriorly, the suprachoroidal space is located between the choroid and the internal surface of the sclera. These spaces have been targeted as suitable and helpful pathways for glaucoma treatment, alternatives to the traditional subconjunctival space. The subconjunctival surgical pathway is affected by several limitations such as poor cosmesis, a lifetime risk for endophthalmitis, and an unpredictable wound healing response. Because of these limitations, the supraciliary space has gained growing interest as a possible target for new glaucoma drainage devices such as: Gold Micro Shunt (SOLX Inc.; Waltham, MA, USA), iStent Supra (Glaukos Corporation, Laguna Hills, CA, USA), CyPass Micro-Stent (Transcend Medical Inc., Menlo Park, CA, USA), Aquashunt (OPKO health Inc., Miami, FL, USA), STARflo (iSTAR Medical, Isnes, Belgium), and Esnoper-Clip implant (AJL Ophthalmics, Álava, Spain). We review the current literature concerning the supraciliary space to evaluate its safety and efficacy as a suitable pathway for glaucoma surgical treatment.

Keywords: glaucoma; glaucoma surgery; minimally invasive glaucoma surgery; suprachoroidal space; supraciliary space.