Alcon has introduced its Hydrus Microstent to the Indian market, adding a minimally invasive option for long-term management of mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma in patients undergoing cataract surgery. The device is designed to lower intraocular pressure and reduce the need for glaucoma medications, addressing a significant treatment gap in a country where glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness and remains largely undiagnosed.
Hydrus Microstent belongs to the category of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery devices, which offer a lower risk profile than traditional incisional filtration surgeries and allow for faster visual recovery. Implanted at the time of cataract surgery, the stent is intended to enhance aqueous outflow and provide sustained intraocular pressure control in suitable patients. Alcon describes Hydrus as a clinically proven solution for lowering intraocular pressure and reducing medication use when used in conjunction with cataract surgery in mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma.
The device is backed by long-term data from the pivotal HORIZON trial, which is the first and so far only minimally invasive glaucoma surgery study to report five-year outcomes. The trial maintained continuous follow up with 80% patient retention at year five (442 of 556 participants) and has established a five-year safety profile with serious adverse event rates reported as comparable to cataract surgery alone. Hydrus is also cited as being consistently recognised for the quality of its clinical data by the European Glaucoma Society, Cochrane reviews and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
“Hydrus represents an important milestone for surgeons and their patients. With its availability, surgeons can incorporate Hydrus into their glaucoma treatment paradigm,” said Dr Ike Ahmed, Research Director at Kensington Eye Institute, who has served as a lead investigator in the clinical programme. He noted that patients who received the implant during cataract surgery “have benefitted over those who had cataract surgery alone,” adding that Hydrus offers sustained intraocular pressure control with the potential to reduce the number of medications used in ongoing glaucoma management.
The launch comes against the backdrop of a significant glaucoma burden in India. An estimated 12 million people in the country are affected, and around 90% of cases are thought to be undiagnosed, highlighting the need for earlier detection and effective interventional options. Commenting on the introduction of Hydrus, Amar Vyas, Country Head at Alcon India, said the company is committed to bringing the technology to Indian patients to help them “continue to see brilliantly.” He highlighted Hydrus’ Tri-Modal mechanism of action and long-term data as key factors that “give surgeons the confidence to manage glaucoma both safely and effectively,” describing the launch as a significant milestone for the ophthalmic community and the patients it serves.
Hydrus Microstent is already available in markets including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and select European and Asia-Pacific countries. With the India launch, Alcon is extending access to the device in another high-burden glaucoma market, and the company has indicated it plans to continue expanding availability to additional countries so that more glaucoma patients worldwide can benefit from the technology.
