Technology has always played an important role in eye care. Today, almost every aspect of vision is connected to a product or procedure that wasn’t available even ten short years ago. Cataract surgery is a good example of how innovations can make a difference.
Every aspect of it utilizes recently developed technology that will help us improve your vision. Today, this includes managing your mild to moderate open-angle eye disease by implanting a tiny device to reduce your eye pressure, at the same time as removing your cataracts.
Did you Know?
- Minnesota Eye Consultants is proud to have performed the first two iStent procedures in the state of Minnesota.
- Dr. Thomas Samuelson, one of the remarkable surgeons at Minnesota Eye Consultants, was the primary investigator in the iStent FDA trial and has been performing these procedures for years.
The iStent is the world’s smallest medical implant, yet it delivers big results in mild to moderate open-angle disease. While this particular type is very common, many people are unaware of their condition, especially in the early stages, when their vision may be unaffected.
In many people, the open-angle disease is characterized by an increase in the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye. This pressure is caused by the buildup of fluid within the eye, which isn’t exiting the eye at a rate in which the fluid is entering the eye.
Too much fluid raises the pressure, which can cause a gradual loss of vision. And while this disease can move slowly, its damage is irreparable.
The world’s tiniest medical device – the iStent – is 20,000 times smaller than the intraocular lenses (IOL) used in your cataract surgery.
The iStent works similarly to the stents used to prevent heart attacks and strokes. When blood vessels become clogged, a stent creates access to the vessel flow. While a highly innovative technology, how iStent works is elegantly simple:
- If you have glaucoma, the eye’s natural drainage system may become clogged over time.
- The iStent creates a permanent opening through the blockage to improve the eye’s
natural outflow of aqueous humor (the fluid within the eye).
- Restoring this mechanism lowers and controls the pressure within the eye.
Managing Glaucoma While Treating Your Cataracts
The iStent is delicately implanted during your cataract surgery, and shockingly, it just takes a couple of minutes. Once implanted in the drainage canal, the iStent will begin working to safely and effectively manage your eye pressure.
Following your procedure, you may have the opportunity to reduce some of your medications, but of course, your physician will discuss whether or not this is right for you.
To watch a video of the iStent procedure with Dr. Samuelson’s commentary, click here.
