# Trabecular Meshwork-Based MIGS: Efficacy, Technique Variability, and Wound Healing—A Comprehensive Review

**Authors:** Fahad R. Butt, Thanansayan Dhivagaran, Jacob Stasso, Kyran Sachdeva, Luckshann Arunasalam, Fatima Abid, Brendan K. Tao, Michael Balas, David J. Mathew

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/jcm15041490 · 2026-02-13

## TL;DR

This review examines TM-based MIGS for glaucoma, finding they safely reduce eye pressure but with variable effectiveness depending on technique and patient factors.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of TM-based MIGS techniques, comparing their efficacy, safety, and outcomes.

## Key findings

- TM-based MIGS devices achieved meaningful IOP reduction compared to trabeculectomies.
- No consensus exists on which TM-based MIGS technique yields the best outcomes.
- Success depends on surgical technique, device type, and patient-specific factors.

## Abstract

Background: Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness worldwide, can be managed surgically when medical treatments are insufficient. Trabecular meshwork (TM)-based micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) has emerged as a less invasive surgical approach to lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) and managing glaucoma. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes the scientific literature and trials on TM-based MIGS techniques, including trabecular micro-bypass stents, goniotomy and trabeculotomy procedures, electrocautery and laser-based approaches, and ab interno canaloplasty. Among these techniques, efficacy, pivotal clinical trials, medication reduction, safety profiles, complications, and determinants of surgical success were examined. Results: While all TM-based MIGS devices assessed achieved meaningful IOP reduction compared with trabeculectomies, there was no consensus on which TM-based MIGS technique yielded the best outcomes. TM-based MIGS had a good safety profile compared with traditional glaucoma surgeries. Common postoperative complications included transient hyphema, corneal edema, and anterior chamber inflammation. Ultimately, the success of TM-based MIGS procedures depended on many factors, including surgical technique, device type, and patient-specific factors. Conclusions: TM-based MIGS are an effective and safe surgical management option for eligible glaucoma patients requiring moderate IOP reduction. Future research should focus on the long-term outcomes of MIGS procedures, compare MIS devices, and explore the mechanistic and histopathological changes induced by MIGS.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** glaucoma (MONDO:0005041)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** clot (MESH:D013927), VA (MESH:C563443), normal-tension glaucoma (MESH:D057066), optic neuropathy (MESH:D009901), fibrosis (MESH:D005355), Complications (MESH:D008107), hypotony (MESH:D009123), bleb (MESH:D001768), anterior chamber inflammation (MESH:D007249), injury to (MESH:D014947), vision blur (MESH:D014786), hypertension (MESH:D006973), diabetes (MESH:D003920), corneal or retinal (MESH:D012173), ocular surface disease (MESH:D010534), infections (MESH:D007239), VF (MESH:C537182), suprachoroidal hemorrhage (MESH:D000080324), myopia (MESH:D009216), glaucomatous field loss (MESH:D007922), atrophy (MESH:D001284), IOP spikes (MESH:D031261), hyphema (MESH:D006988), endophthalmitis (MESH:D009877), PXF (MESH:D017889), Bleeding (MESH:D006470), ocular hypertension (MESH:D009798), IOP (MESH:D064090), corneal edema (MESH:D015715), cataract (MESH:D002386), obstructive sleep apnea (MESH:D020181), Glaucoma (MESH:D005901), TM (MESH:D000236), congenital glaucoma (MESH:C565547), retinal or choroidal detachment (MESH:D012163), inflammatory eye disease (MESH:D005128), MIGS (MESH:C536681), OAG (MESH:D005902), tissue injury (MESH:D017695), blindness (MESH:D001766), anterior synechiae (MESH:D006175), Fuchs dystrophy (MESH:D005642)
- **Chemicals:** ABiC (-), nitinol (MESH:C013616), prostaglandin (MESH:D011453), titanium (MESH:D014025), steroids (MESH:D013256), heparin (MESH:D006493)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12942204