Glaukos Stent for Glaucoma and Cataract Surgery in Las Vegas
What is it? The iStent® is a tiny L-shaped device made of titanium. It is 1 millimeter long and 0.33 millimeters high and is pre-loaded in the inserter of the iStent® for implantation inside the eye.
What is the new IStent Inject and do you offer it?
This is a new innovation from Glaukos. Two of these are typically use and they are more effective than the first generation.
How does it work? The iStent® is designed to increase the flow of fluid out of the eye. When properly implanted inside the eye, it creates a direct path for fluid to flow between the fluid-filled chamber of the front of the eye and the major collector channel that directs fluid out of the eye bypassing the meshwork of tissue through which the fluid normally flows.
When is it used? The iStent® is implanted inside the eye during cataract surgery (surgery to remove the natural lens that has become cloudy and caused significant vision loss) in adults with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma being treated with medications to reduce eye pressure.
What will it accomplish? The iStent®is used to decrease the eye pressure of patients with open-angle glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is an eye disease that results in damage to the nerve of the eye (the optic nerve) and permanent vision loss due to the pressure inside the eye being too high.
When should it not be used?
- The iStent®should not be used in eyes with angle-closure glaucoma, where the fluid is prevented from leaving the eye because the angle of the eye, where the fluid normally drains out, gets closed off.
- The iStent® should not be implanted in patients with any condition that causes high pressure in the veins into which the collector channels of the eye drain the fluid, such as thyroid eye disease, a tumor behind the eye, or a “port-wine stain” birthmark involving the upper eyelid caused by an abnormal collection of small vessels near the eye.
Are there other off label uses for the iStent® for Glaucoma and Cataracts in Las Vegas?
- Absolutely, although the company received FDA approval for limited indications, within the scope of the practice of medicine the uses can be expanded. In fact, drugs and devices are used off-label daily by many physicians. For the iStent® considerations may be given to using in a pseudophakic eye (eye that has already undergone cataract surgery that still has poorly controlled pressure) or in non compliant patients or in patients that have arthritis that have difficulty using drops or for forgetful patients that cannot remember to use their drops or for those with more advanced glaucoma as an another minimally invasive tool to aid in pressure control. Only a discussion with your doctor can determine if the device is the right choice for you.
- Call 702-363-3900 for an appointment to discuss your options for treatment of cataracts and glaucoma at the Southwest Eye Institute by Dr. Davd Malitz in Las Vegas