Alternative application of an iTrack microcatheter and canaloplasty: case report and literature review.

Abstract

Introduction: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Schlemm's canal surgery using an iTrack flexible microcatheter has become popular because of its high quality-of-life issues and the growing demand for less invasive but effective procedures. The unique design of the microcatheter makes it a multimodal tool, which can be used not only in the field of antiglaucoma surgery but also as a drug delivery system to treat various conditions.

Areas covered: This review presents an update on the selected aspects of a drug delivery system using the iTrack microcatheter, including glaucoma gene therapy and posterior-segment diseases, both in animal models and human patients. The authors also report the case of a patient with branch retinal vein occlusion treated with suprachoroidal bevacizumab in the submacular region administered with the iTrack catheter.

Expert opinion: The findings presented in this study may indicate that the application of a microcatheter in open-angle glaucoma gene therapy is reasonable and can be combined with full or partial surgical canaloplasty procedures. Translation of this potential into a treatment modality would require overcoming multiple barriers.