First of the Latest MINIject MIGS Devices Implanted in Australia

Glaucoma affects over 300,000 Australians, with nearly half of these people unaware they have the disease until irreversible significant vision loss has occurred. As the leading cause of irreversible blindness in Australia, early detection and effective management are critical to prevent progression.

In a significant advancement for glaucoma care in Australia, Associate Professor Andrew White, a leading glaucoma specialist at personalEYES, has become the first surgeon in Australia to implant the latest updated version of the MINIject minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) device.

Assoc Prof White and his team have been using MINIject technology since its inception, bringing innovative surgical options to patients with open-angle glaucoma who seek alternatives to traditional glaucoma surgery and long-term medication use. “The MINIject device provides a meaningful and sustained reduction in intraocular pressure for glaucoma patients with an excellent safety profile,” Assoc Prof White explained. “At personalEYES, we are committed to providing our patients with access to the most advanced glaucoma treatments as soon as they become available.”

About MINIject

MINIject is a MIGS device approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use in patients with open-angle glaucoma. Made of 100% medical-grade silicone, it is implanted via a minimally invasive procedure targeting the supraciliary space to enhance aqueous outflow.

Unlike other MIGS devices, MINIject is the only commercially available supraciliary implant, with over 5,000 patients implanted globally to date. The supraciliary approach offers a distinct mechanism for reducing IOP without creating external blebs, offering advantages for patients such as a faster patient recovery time.

Five-Year Data on Long-Term Efficacy and Safety

The recent five-year results from the STAR-GLOBAL trial demonstrated:

38% sustained reduction in IOP through to five years

83% of patients achieved >20% IOP reduction from baseline

80% had IOP of 18 mmHg or less at five years

32% of patients remained medication free

Continued favourable safety profile with no serious adverse events related to the device or procedure

“These very positive five-year follow-up results provide further validation of MINIject as a safe, standalone procedure and an effective longer-term treatment option for glaucoma patients, explained Dr Karsten Klabe, Chief Surgeon at Breyer, Kaymak and Klabe Augenchirurgie in Düsseldorf, Germany, and key investigator in the STAR trials. “This gives us further assurance that MINIject can continue to benefit patients even half a decade post-surgery.”

Andrew Tatham, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion and University of Edinburgh, and President of the UK and Ireland Glaucoma Society, added,  “This five-year follow-up data is highly encouraging, demonstrating the ability of iSTAR Medical’s MINIject to achieve sustained and significant lowering of IOP over the long term. This is consistent with the excellent safety and efficacy profile MINIject has already demonstrated in previous STAR trials.”

Michel Vanbrabant, the Chief Executive Officer of iSTAR Medical, the company behind the MINIject, said the strong and consistent five-year results support IStar’s belief that  MINIject could become the preferred surgical treatment for glaucoma, offering a leading solution for long-term glaucoma management.

Introducing a new Era for Australia

For Australian optometrists, these results highlight a new era in glaucoma surgical treatment, offering patients an option that reduces medication burden while achieving sustained pressure control with a strong safety profile.

“These outstanding five-year results show a sustained 38% reduction in eye pressure, with 80% of patients achieving IOP of 18 or less and many remaining medication-free,” Assoc Prof White concluded. “[It]give[s] me confidence that this latest version of MINIject will deliver the same life-changing benefits to my patients here in Australia.”

With glaucoma prevalence projected to increase due to Australia’s ageing population, collaborative care between optometrists and ophthalmologists remains crucial. Early detection and timely surgical referral can optimise long-term outcomes and preserve vision for thousands of Australians at risk of irreversible blindness.

Reference
iSTAR Medical’s MINIject demonstrates significant sustained 5-year efficacy in treating glaucoma in STAR-GLOBAL trial. Available at istar-medical.com/5year. [Accessed July 2025]