India Pharma Outlook Team | Tuesday, 10 March 2026
Alcon, the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, today announced the launch of Hydrus Microstent in India.
This minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) device is designed to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) for patients with open-angle glaucoma in conjunction with cataract surgery.4 MIGS are a lower risk intervention for glaucoma patients, enabling physicians to lower IOP with a reduced risk of complications compared to incisional filtration surgeries while allowing for rapid visual recovery,6,9, Hydrus’ HORIZON trial is the first and only MIGS study to report 5-year clinical outcomes, with continuous follow up and 80% patient retention at year five (n=442/556).
Hydrus is also recognized by leading medical bodies and evidence reviews including the European Glaucoma Society (EGS), Cochrane, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) for the quality of its data. With over 200,000 implants worldwide, Hydrus Microstent is a proven solution for sustained IOP control.
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“Hydrus represents an important milestone for surgeons and their patients. With its availability, surgeons can incorporate Hydrus into their glaucoma treatment paradigm. As a lead investigator, I have observed firsthand that glaucoma patients who implanted Hydrus during cataract surgery have benefitted over those who had cataract surgery alone. Hydrus empowers surgeons to effectively manage their patients’ glaucoma in conjunction with cataract surgery, offering sustained IOP with a potential to reduce the number of medications," said Dr. Ike Ahmed, Research Director at Kensington Eye Institute, Director of the Glaucoma and Advanced Anterior Segment Surgery (GAASS) Fellowship Program at the University of Toronto, and Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Utah’s John A. Moran Eye Center.
“In India, approximately 12 million people are affected by glaucoma, and the proportion of undiagnosed glaucoma is estimated at around 90%, underscoring the need for earlier detection and effective interventional treatment options2,3. At Alcon, we’re committed to bringing Hydrus to India to help glaucoma patients continue to see brilliantly. Hydrus’ unique Tri-Modal mechanism of action enables its clinical effectiveness, and our high-quality, long-term data give surgeons the confidence to manage glaucoma both safely and effectively. This launch marks a significant milestone for the ophthalmic community and the many patients it serves,” said Amar Vyas, Country Head at Alcon India.
Hydrus Microstent is available in the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and select European and APAC countries. We remain committed to expanding availability to additional countries, ensuring more glaucoma patients worldwide can benefit from this innovative technology.
