Glaucoma is a condition where here is damage to the the cable that goes from the eye to the brain. This cable is called the optic nerve and once it is damaged it cannot be repaired. The damage can occur in 2 different ways:
Angle Closure Glaucoma: In this type of glaucoma damage to the optic nerve can occur very rapidly due to a sudden increase in intra-ocular pressure (IOP). Vision can be lost in a matter of hours or days. This type of glaucoma can usually be prevented by doing a 5 minute laser procedure in the office or by cataract surgery
Open Angle Glaucoma: This type of glaucoma leads to slow, but relentless loss of vision. This is dangerous because people don’t realize they are losing vision until it is too late. This glaucoma can be treated with drops, laser or surgery.
Treatment Options
iStent Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Device® is not only the world’s smallest medical implant known to be implanted in the human body — it also started a revolution in glaucoma treatment as the first Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) device. The first MIGS device approved by the FDA, today iStent® has been implanted in over 300,000 eyes around the world, with more and more patients benefiting from the iStent® procedure every day.
This tiny implant can also make a huge impact for patients who receive it. Once implanted in the eye, the device can help restore normal pressure in the eye. The iStent® is designed to:
-> Restore your eye’s natural ability to drain the fluid that causes the increased pressure inside your eye
-> Keep eye pressure at a normal level
-> This may allow your doctor to reduce or eliminate your need for glaucoma medication
Each tiny iStent® implant is comprised of a surgical titanium micro-bypass stent that’s preloaded in a single use sterile inserter. The specially designed inserter helps your eye surgeon maneuver the implant for accurate, micro-targeted placement.