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The MIGS glaucoma surgery allows our practice to offer in one procedure a solution for cataracts and decreased IOP with glaucoma. The IOP created by glaucoma will be improved through a series of small incisions that fix the outflow pathways as opposed to bypassing the drainage system. (What typically happens in traditional glaucoma surgery). Although the MIGS procedure is not a 100% fix for solving the glaucoma problem, and the IOP is not dramatically reduced, it will make the risk of getting the IOP almost impossible. Many patients and doctors like this procedure due to the safety elements versus the risk of other glaucoma surgeries. So, the goal for MIGS surgery during cataract surgery is to achieve a lower IOP that will result in a medication reduction and to address regular non-compliance by the patient.
Answering this question will be very difficult with consulting your ophthalmologist. Because of the varying types of glaucoma, every patient is going to need an individual treatment plan. Please consult us for an opinion if MIGS is right for you.
These procedures are exciting from a patient’s perspective because they are generally safer with quicker recovery times. – Dee Stephenson, MD
From a safety perspective, MIGS have been favorably reviewed by the Ophthalmic community and are safer than traditional glaucoma surgeries like trabeculectomy and shunt surgeries. Despite this general consensus it is important to note that long term studies have not yet taken place.
The actual risks related to MIGS procedures are extremely low. Since the procedure is done alongside cataract surgery more of the risks will come into play here. It is normal to experience a small amount of bleeding at the point where the device is inserted. If you have mild or moderate glaucoma and are fine with a surgical procedure, MIGS might be an option for reducing intraocular pressure.
The Hydrus implant is a microscopic device the size of an eyelash that stents the trabecular meshwork or drainage canal open and improves outflow capability, thus lowering your eye pressure. This stent is also performed only at the time of cataract surgery for patients with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma.
To help control intraocular pressure, two tiny iStent inject® W stents are gently inserted into your eye during cataract surgery. The iStent inject® W stents create two bypasses, or openings, between the front part of your eye and its natural ability to drain fluid. Once inserted, you will not be able to see or feel the stents, but they will be working to help reduce your eye pressure.
The Glaukos iStent infinite® is a small device that is implanted in the eye during a minimally invasive procedure and is designed to reduce intraocular pressure, which is the primary factor that leads to optic nerve damage in glaucoma.
The Glaukos iStent infinite® is made up of three tiny tubes that are inserted into the trabecular meshwork of the eye, which is the area responsible for draining the aqueous humor (fluid in the eye). This drainage helps regulate intraocular pressure. By increasing the flow of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork, the Glaukos iStent infinite® helps reduce intraocular pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve.
