Am I a Candidate for Minimally-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)?
If you are one of the three million Americans suffering from glaucoma, then you likely know that it can be an extremely frustrating and debilitating condition. Caused by increased pressure on the eye’s optic nerve, glaucoma can be asymptomatic at first, often remaining undiagnosed for years at a time. Unfortunately, this can lead to detrimental loss of vision and sometimes even blindness.
Although a cure has yet to be developed, glaucoma is typically very manageable when detected at an early stage. Our experienced eye doctors offer a number of advanced treatments for the various stages of glaucoma, such as laser treatments, medicated eye drops, and Minimally-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS).
MIGS refers to a category of procedures designed to reduce eye pressure. At New Eyes, we regularly help patients manage their glaucoma with these three state-of-the-art treatments: the viscocanalostomy procedure, which involves the use of a micro-catheter to enlarge and flush out the eye’s drainage canal; GATT (Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy), which can facilitate proper drainage by creating incisions in the eye’s drainage system; and the microstent procedure, in which an implant is placed within the eye to create a pathway for fluid. These minimally-invasive procedures are frequently performed alongside cataract surgery to simultaneously treat both conditions.
If you meet the following qualifications, you may be a candidate for MIGS:
- You have been diagnosed with glaucoma
- You have not responded to eye drops or laser surgery with selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT)
- You are not interested in or able to use eye drops
- You are interested in reducing the number of eye drops needed to control your eye pressure
MIGS has proven effective for many of our glaucoma patients; however, the right treatment varies for each patient based on their individual medical and eye care needs. One of our ophthalmologists will thoroughly examine your eyes to determine whether MIGS, SLT, eye drops, or another course of action is ideal for managing your glaucoma and preserving your eyesight. If you suspect you have glaucoma or want to be seen by one of our distinguished eye professionals, we welcome you to contact New Eyes today.