ABOUT THE iSTENT
Glaucoma is an eye disease that can seriously damage the optic nerve. This is usually the result of abnormally high intraocular pressure caused by the eye’s reduced ability to properly drain out fluid. When left untreated, complete blindness can occur. Thankfully, MIGS (minimally invasive glaucoma surgery) has transformed surgeons’ ability to treat glaucoma and preserve a patient’s vision. With the exceptional iStent Micro-Bypass device, board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Ralph Chu can safely and effectively lower intraocular pressure.
The iStent is a one-millimeter long titanium device, currently the smallest known medical implant approved by the FDA. It is precisely placed into the eye to create a new channel in the trabecular meshwork so fluid can naturally drain out of the eye, helping to efficiently lower a patient’s eye pressure. For numerous patients, this has reduced or eliminated the need for glaucoma management medications. Chu Vision Institute is proud to offer this revolutionary method as a potential solution to produce the best possible outcomes. Reach out to us in Bloomington, MN to schedule a consultation, and learn more about this treatment for managing glaucoma.
BEST CANDIDATES FOR iSTENT
The iStent can be used in patients who have both cataracts and glaucoma. However, patients who have open-angle glaucoma typically attain the best outcomes. If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma and would like to find out if you qualify for the iStent, we recommend scheduling a visit at Chu Vision Institute. During an in-depth consultation, Dr. Chu will examine your vision and review your medical history and vision needs to determine if you would make a good candidate for treatment.
HOW DO YOU IMPLANT THE iSTENT?
Implantation of the iStent is an outpatient procedure at our accredited surgery center conveniently located just adjacent to Chu Vision Institute. This procedure is often carried out at the same time as cataract surgery. Prior to beginning your surgery, we will fully numb your eye and give you a mild sedative to keep you comfortable. If performed during cataract removal, Dr. Chu will utilize the same small incision to implant the tiny iStent device. He will use a specialized surgical tool to inject the iStent into your trabecular meshwork to encourage the flow of aqueous fluid from your eye, which helps decrease intraocular pressure. This procedure has given many of our patients the freedom to rely less on glaucoma medications and prescription eye drops.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER SURGERY
We will prescribe medications that you will need to take for the next several weeks after surgery. The medications will help prevent eye infections and inflammation so it is important to take them as prescribed. Dr. Chu or a member of our professional team will provide you with any other instructions for post-surgical care. Additionally, it is critical that you attend any required follow-up visits at Chu Vision Institute so we can monitor your intraocular pressure and make sure your healing is progressing well. We encourage you to contact our office if you have any questions regarding your home care following your surgery.
If you have glaucoma, there is hope for the future. Thanks to new innovations in ocular technology, it is now possible to live life without the constant glaucoma symptoms caused by a damaged optic nerve. Dr. Chu can implant the revolutionary iStent device to help control your glaucoma so you can get back to your daily routine. Contact Chu Vision Institute in Bloomington, MN to book your appointment, and find out if you qualify for the iStent or other minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS).
