For patients with combined cataract and open-angle glaucoma, iStent reduces introcular pressure (IOP) by improving aqueous humor outflow. Inserted through a 1.5-mm corneal incision, iStent is the only FDA-approved device for the treatment of mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a disease that permanently damages the optic nerve leading to reduced vision or blindness. It is called the sneak thief of sight because glaucoma has no symptoms. By the time someone notices changes in their vision, glaucoma has already caused severe irreversible damage. The best defense against glaucoma is a comprehensive dilated eye exam once a year for those over 40 years old. If glaucoma is diagnosed in its early stages it is a very treatable condition.
The iStent treats patients with open-angle glaucoma (people with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP)). The iStent actually helps to lower the IOP by improving the outflow between the anterior chamber, and the Schlemm’s canal in the eye. The iStent is actually the world’s tiniest medical device, and is almost 20,000 times smaller than the intraocular lenses used in cataract surgery.
Controlling your eye pressure is abundantly important to reduce the risk of vision loss due to glaucoma. Every day, you are probably taking one or more eye drops to control this pressure. iStent helps to improve the outflow of fluid from the eye, and helps to control your eye pressure. If you have both glaucoma as well as cataracts, contact us to schedule an appointment to see if iStent is right for you.
In a recent U.S. clinical study, 68% of patients who received the iStent remained medication free at 1 year, while sustaining a target IOP.
