I Stent

Primary open angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. With open angle glaucoma, the drainage system of the eye becomes clogged, which leads to less drainage of fluid, causing eye pressure to increase. If the eye pressure becomes too high for your eye, it damages your optic nerve causing defects in your visual field.

During cataract surgery, your surgeon can insert the iStent trabecular micro-bypass stent into the trabecular meshwork of your eye to help maintain aqueous fluid flow and help control your glaucoma.

iStent is not a cure for glaucoma and it does not mean you will not need other treatments, but it will help with continuous control of your eye pressure.

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The procedure is done during your cataract surgery and only takes a few extra minutes to actually complete.

We will ask that you discontinue any over the counter blood thinners, such as Cod Liver Oil, Flax Seed Oil, and Aspirin for 5 days before your surgery. If your primary care doctor feels that it is safe for you to stop any prescription blood thinners, this should also be done before your surgery. If it is not safe for you to stop them, then you can continue them.

Having an iStent does not mean your glaucoma is cured or that you won’t need any other treatments such as drops, lasers, or surgery in the future.

Please discuss any questions or concerns you have about iStents with your ophthalmologist before your procedure.