WHAT IS THE HYDRUS MICROSTENT?
If glaucoma is not caught and treated early on, complete vision loss can result. At Chu Vision Institute, our expert team takes glaucoma very seriously and offers cutting-edge treatments to help patients manage their condition. Board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Ralph Chu is proud to offer the Hydrus Microstent to help reduce intraocular pressure.
The Hydrus Microstent was approved by the FDA in 2018 as a minimally invasive treatment to lower eye pressure in patients who have mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma. The tiny, flexible drainage device is composed of Nitinol (nickel and titanium) and is roughly the size of an eyelash. It is placed into the eye during minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) to expand the eye’s fluid channel to allow for increased flow. This ultimately lessens intraocular pressure to prevent or slow the vision impairment caused by glaucoma. Contact our office in Bloomington, MN to discover more about how this revolutionary treatment could help improve your symptoms.
BEST CANDIDATES FOR THE HYDRUS MICROSTENT
The Hydrus Microstent is designed for men and women who are in the earlier stages of glaucoma. Individuals who have progressed to the later phases may not qualify for treatment. If you have been diagnosed with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma (whether or not you also have cataracts), we encourage you to schedule a visit to our Bloomington, MN facility. During a comprehensive eye exam, Dr. Chu will review your medical records, current medications, and family health history to determine if you would make a good candidate.
HYDRUS MICROSTENT TECHNIQUE
The Hydrus Microstent is placed into the eye during an outpatient procedure at our on-site ambulatory surgery center. After you are comfortable and ready, we will anesthetize your eye with numbing drops, and we may give you a mild sedative to keep you at ease. Next, Dr. Chu will utilize a steel cannula to precisely insert the device into the Schlemm’s canal through a very small incision in the cornea. If performed at the same time as cataract surgery, this will be done using the same microscopic incision. When inserted into the eye, the Hydrus Microstent helps aqueous fluid flow more freely through the eye. Because the device is so tiny and flexible, you will not be able to see or feel it after its placement.
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH THE HYDRUS MICROSTENT
You can expect to get back to your normal routine after your procedure. Since the treatment is minimally invasive in nature, you should not expect a long recovery time. Dr. Chu may request that you come back to our office for a series of follow-up appointments to monitor your intraocular pressure and ensure that the treatment is working effectively. For many patients, the Hydrus Microstent device has been shown to reduce the need for glaucoma management medications. If you have any questions regarding your follow-up, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office.
>A SOLUTION IS IN SIGHT
Imagine having the freedom to go about your routine without constantly worrying about your eye pressure and damage to the optic nerve. If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma, the team at Chu Vision Institute can offer a relatively new option known as the Hydrus Microstent. This top-of-the-line treatment for glaucoma has helped many of our patients gain a renewed outlook on life. Contact our office to find out more, and schedule an appointment with Dr. Chu.
