Sage-Tips

What is a trabecular stent?

The iStent, a trabecular microbypass stent, is a MIGS device that has quickly gained popularity. The device allows aqueous humor to directly drain from the anterior chamber into Schlemm’s canal by bypassing an obstructed trabecular meshwork.

How successful is iStent surgery?

In US clinical study 68\% of patients who received iStent remained medication free at 12 months, while sustaining a target pressure of ≤ 21 mmHg compared to 50\% of patients who underwent cataract surgery alone.

Is the iStent safe?

Results. The iStent device has proven to lower IOP as much as 2.4 to 9 mm HG when combined with cataract surgery. The iStent procedure does not increase the risk of cataract procedure and both are extremely safe.

Is an iStent MRI safe?

Although the iStent® is made of titanium, patients can safely undergo MRI scans in most circumstances; please contact our office with any questions or visit the iStent® MRI Safety page. This procedure does not involve opening up the conjunctival tissues to access Schlemm’s canal.

Can eye stents dislodge?

Q7. Can the device dislodge in the eye? Dislodgement of a trabecular stent is a rare complication following surgery. During the seven years that I have been working with the iStent, I have not seen this complication.

Where is iStent placed?

The iStent® is inserted ab interno through a small temporal clear corneal incision, bypassing the trabecular meshwork, and placed in Schlemm’s canal at the lower nasal quadrant.

How long does it take for iStent to work?

This will improve over 1-2 weeks, although it can sometimes take longer. The eye that was not operated on will not be affected, and may be depended on for vision during the recovery period (if it has vision).

How long does an iStent last?

There is a third study comparing the Hydrus to the iStent Trabecular Micro-bypass device in a prospective, multicenter randomized clinical trial. The effect appears to be durable for at least 24 months. The Hydrus maintained significant reductions in medications and IOP.

Are eye stents for glaucoma safe?

There are no serious risks or complications associated with the procedure. At times the stent has not been able to penetrate a thickened heavily pigmented trabecular meshwork.

How does the iStent work?

iStent works like the stents used to prevent heart attacks and strokes. When blood vessels get clogged, iStent creates access to vessel flow. While a highly innovative technology, how iStent works is elegantly simple: If you have glaucoma, over time the eye’s natural drainage system becomes clogged.

How long do eye stents last?

The effect appears to be durable for at least 24 months. The Hydrus maintained significant reductions in medications and IOP. More importantly, significantly fewer glaucoma operations were required in the Hydrus arm compared with two iStents arm after 2 years of follow up.

Can eye stents fail?

There could be a risk of the stent becoming blocked or coming out of position. It may not provide long term glaucoma control and there may be failure and or loss of effect with time (as this is a relatively new procedure, long term data is not available).

What is iStent® Trabecular Micro-Bypass?

iStent® Trabecular Micro-bypass is a minimally invasive surgical treatment for the management of open angle glaucomas. The iStent® is the first minimally invasive FDA-approved implantable device for the treatment of open angle glaucomas.

What is a Micro Bypass Stent used for?

INDICATION FOR USE. The iStent® Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent (Models GTS100R and GTS100L) is indicated for use in conjunction with cataract surgery for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma currently treated with ocular hypotensive medication.

What is iStent gts100r used for?

INDICATION FOR USE. The iStent ® Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent (Models GTS100R and GTS100L) is indicated for use in conjunction with cataract surgery for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma currently treated with ocular hypotensive medication.

What is an iStent and how does it work?

Like other MIGS procedures that enhance trabecular outflow, the iStent lowers intraocular pressure (IOP) by creating a direct channel between the anterior chamber and Schlemm’s canal. iStents are typically implanted at the time of phacoemulsification for patients with open-angle glaucoma and visually significant cataracts.