I’m pleased to share that I recently became the first surgeon in Australia to implant the EyePlate-S glaucoma tube drainage device — a milestone for glaucoma surgery here and across New Zealand.
Why This Matters
Tube shunt surgery has long been a mainstay for managing complex and refractory glaucoma, but existing platforms come with well-known trade-offs: extraocular muscle manipulation, larger conjunctival incisions, and a learning curve that can put newer devices out of reach for many surgeons. The EyePlate-S was designed to address exactly these limitations, and having now used it in theatre, I wanted to share my first-hand impressions.
My Experience in Theatre
As a surgeon already familiar with glaucoma tube surgery, what struck me most was how straightforward the procedure felt compared to other tube shunt platforms. The learning curve appears genuinely low, which I believe will make this device accessible to a broader range of glaucoma surgeons — not just those who operate on tubes routinely.
A particular advantage of the EyePlate-S is that no extraocular muscle manipulation is required. This is a meaningful shift from conventional tube shunt techniques, and I’m hopeful it will translate into a reduced risk of post-operative diplopia — a complication that has historically been a real concern with this category of surgery. The device’s foldable plate design also allows for a smaller conjunctival incision, reducing surgical trauma to the fornix.
Early Results
The early clinical signs were encouraging. My first patient achieved an intraocular pressure of 16 mmHg on post-operative day one, without any additional intervention. Operating time was also notably shorter than my typical experience with the Paul tube.
Looking Ahead
One case doesn’t make a trend, and I’ll be watching outcomes closely as I build further experience with this device. But on the basis of this first implant, I’m optimistic about what the EyePlate-S could offer patients with glaucoma who need surgical intervention — a technically accessible procedure with the potential for fewer post-operative complications and strong early pressure control.
I look forward to expanding my experience with the EyePlate-S and will continue to share updates as more cases progress.
Dr Geoffrey Ryan is a cataract, cornea and glaucoma specialist (MBBS, MMed, BSc, FRANZCO) practising at Queensland Eye Institute, Brisbane.
