Three-dimensional heads-up surgery in ab-interno trabeculotomy: Image processing-assisted trabeculotomy

PURPOSE: We compared the visibility and surgeon posture between image-processing-assisted trabeculotomy (IP-LOT) using the NGENUITY(®) 3D visual system and conventional microsurgery (microscope-assisted trabeculotomy; MS-LOT). METHODS: IP-LOT was performed for five pig eyes. The visibility of the trabecular mesh work was evaluated on images of the trabecular mesh work and the posterior surface of the cornea (Cor) obtained under three different conditions. Images were then analyzed using ImageJ(®) to measure differences in luminance between the trabecular mesh work and Cor. IP-LOT was also performed for eleven human eyes, and the data were analyzed using the same approach as that used for the pig eyes. The length from the surgeon’s abdomen to the operative eye (working distance) during MS-LOT and IP-LOT was measured for 12 different surgeons and compared to evaluate surgeon posture. RESULTS: Image processing significantly increased the difference in luminance between the trabecular mesh work and Cor in both pig and human eyes (p < 0.05). Moreover, the working distance in IP-LOT was significantly shorter than that in MS-LOT (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the NGENUITY(®) 3D visual system provides better trabecular mesh work visibility than a normal microscope in conventional surgical methods, and it allows surgeons to operate without moving far from the operative eye.