Mini eye implant aims to lower pressure in stubborn glaucoma
NCT ID NCT06591117
First seen Jul 10, 2026 · Last updated Jul 10, 2026
Summary
This study tests a small device called the Vizio Aqueous Microshunt, which is implanted in the eye to help drain fluid and reduce pressure in people with refractory glaucoma — a type that hasn't improved with standard treatments or prior surgeries. The trial will measure whether the implant lowers eye pressure by at least 20% after one year and whether it reduces the need for pressure-lowering eye drops. It also closely tracks any side effects or complications from the device or the implantation procedure.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Vizio Aqueous Microshunt (a tiny implant placed in the eye to drain fluid and lower pressure)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this implant could offer a new option for people with glaucoma that hasn't responded to other treatments, potentially reducing the need for daily eye drops.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early feasibility study with only 50 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Risks include infection, implant failure, or the need for additional surgery.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 50 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2026
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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22 to 85 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 22-85 years 2. Refractory glaucoma describes eyes diagnosed with glaucoma specific to one of the following: * uncontrolled by maximally tolerated medical therapy * failed one or more incisional intraocular glaucoma surgeries (e.g., glaucoma filtering surgery or tube shunt) * failed one or more cilioablative procedures (e.g., cryotherapy, cyclodiode therapy) * or have any other condition (e.g., conjunctival scarring, uveitis) in which conventional incisional glaucoma surgery like trabeculectomy would be more likely to fail than for an eye with uncomplicated primary open angle glaucoma. 3. Primary open-angle or traumatic glaucoma. 4. Medicated DIOP ≥25 mmHg and ≤45 mmHg on maximum-tolerated medical therapy that is stable for at least 30 days. 5. Best-corrected baseline visual acuity of light perception or better in study eye. 6. Glaucomatous optic nerve damage as evidenced by any of the following optic disc or retinal nerve fiber layer structural abnormalities: * Diffuse thinning, focal narrowing, or notching of the optic disc rim, especially at the inferior or superior poles with or without disc hemorrhage; * Localized abnormalities of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, especially at the inferior or superior poles; or * Optic disc neural rim asymmetry of the two eyes consistent with loss of neural tissue 7. Visual field mean deviation (MD) by Humphrey Visual Field: Visual field defects consistent with glaucomatous optic nerve damage and mean deviation worse than -3 dB in the study eye; and at least one of the following two findings: * A cluster of 3 or more points in an expected location of the visual field depressed below the 5% level, at least 1 of which is depressed below the 1% level on the pattern deviation (PD) plot; * Glaucoma hemi-field test "outside normal limits". 8. At least two contiguous clock hours of intact conjunctiva near the limbus between clock hours of 10:00 and 02:00 in the study eye. 9. Adequate space in the anterior chamber by Spaeth Grade C, D or E for iris insertion (with indentation). 10. Participant has the understanding, ability, and willingness to fully comply with study procedures and postoperative care instructions. 11. Participant understands, is capable and competent to sign the informed consent. Exclusion Criteria 1. Active neovascular conditions such as active iris or corneal neovascularization, or active proliferative retinopathy in study eye. 2. Pigmentary glaucoma in study eye. 3. Angle-closure glaucoma in study eye. 4. Pseudoexfoliation syndrome in study eye 5. Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome in study eye. 6. Uveitic glaucoma in the study eye. 7. Epithelial or fibrous downgrowth in the study eye. 8. Corneal conditions in study eye inhibiting normal incisional healing (e.g. Fuch's dystrophy) or impair visualization of implant inside the anterior chamber. 9. Prior intraocular surgery in study eye within ≤6 months before the preoperative visit (including phacoemulsification). 10. Central corneal endothelial cell count of less than 1600 cells/mm2 in study eye. 11. Anticipated need for ocular surgery or retinal laser procedure in the study eye within the 12-month follow-up period. 12. Need for glaucoma surgery combined with other ocular procedures in study eye at implant (e.g. cataract surgery, penetrating keratoplasty, or retinal surgery). 13. Unwilling to discontinue contact lens use in the study eye after surgery. 14. Central corneal thickness ≤490μm or ≥620μm in the study eye. 15. Clinically significant inflammation or infection in the study eye within 60 days prior to the preoperative visit (e.g., blepharitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, uveitis, herpes simplex infection) or any systemic infection. For purposes of this study, clinically significant is considered any such condition requiring prescription therapy. 16. Any condition that prevents the device implantation in the superior region of the study eye. 17. Vitreous in the study eye anterior chamber for which a vitrectomy is anticipated. 18. Functionally significant cataract in the study eye. 19. Other clinical conditions: 1. Poorly controlled diabetes (Type I or Type II) as determined by HbA1c \>8 within 3 months of implant. 2. Cancer requiring treatment during the duration of the study. 3. Any drugs (e.g.: immunosuppressive drugs) or co-morbidity that might inhibit wound healing. 20. Participation in any other clinical study during participation in this study. 21. Engage in activities that involve submerging their head under water, such as diving or swimming. 22. Women who are (i) pregnant, (ii) nursing, (iii) planning a pregnancy and (iv) of childbearing potential not using a reliable method of contraception. 23. Life expectancy \<1 year. Note: If both eyes are eligible, the eye with the worse BCVA should be selected
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Centro de Diabetes Ocular El Dios de Israel, S.A
RECRUITINGColonia Escalón, San Salvadore, El Salvador
Contact Email: •••••@•••••