iStent

iStent (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery – MIGS)

The iStent is a tiny medical device used to lower eye pressure in people with glaucoma. It is part of a group of procedures known as minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). The iStent is often implanted at the same time as cataract surgery.

What is the iStent for?

In glaucoma, fluid inside the eye (aqueous humor) does not drain properly, leading to increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Over time, this pressure can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss.

The iStent helps improve the eye’s natural drainage system. It is designed to reduce eye pressure and may decrease the need for glaucoma eye drops in some patients.

How does the iStent work?

The iStent is one of the smallest medical implants used in the body. During the procedure, your surgeon places the tiny titanium stent into the eye’s natural drainage channel (the trabecular meshwork). This creates a bypass that allows fluid to flow more easily out of the eye.

The procedure:

• Is typically performed at the same time as cataract surgery

• Takes only a few additional minutes to implant

• Is done through a very small incision

• Usually does not require stitches