As the second-leading cause of blindness worldwide, glaucoma is caused by increased pressure within the eye and typically causes no pain or symptoms in the first stages of the disease. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, over 2 million Americans currently have glaucoma and half of them do not even know it.
The iStent is one of the latest advancements in glaucoma treatment. The size of one digit of the year engraved on a penny, the iStent is the smallest medical device ever approved by the FDA and is so tiny that the patient is unable to see or feel the device. An ophthalmologist places the device in the eye and the iStent creates a permanent opening in the trabecular meshwork to improve fluid drainage and control eye pressure. Insertion of the iStent is well suited for combining with cataract surgery because they typically use the same incision.
Ophthalmologist Thomas Henderson, M.D. said, “The iStent represents a major step forward in glaucoma surgery as the first of many MIGS or micro invasive glaucoma surgeries to come in the near future. It has enabled many of my patients over the past year to have improved control of their glaucoma or use fewer medicines or both. It is much easier to perform with fewer side effects than all other glaucoma surgical treatments except for SLT or Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty.”
For more information about glaucoma treatment or the iStent, please contact us or schedule an appointment.