What is the iStent?
The iStent is one of the smallest medical devices ever approved by the FDA. These tiny stents are placed in the eye’s natural drainage canal to open a pathway for fluid to leave the eye, lowering eye pressure in people with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma.
The iStent is a form of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). It is placed through the same small incision used for cataract surgery, so if you have both a cataract and glaucoma, both can be treated in one visit to the operating room.
Why patients choose it
- It works around the clock, without depending on remembering drops.
- Many patients are able to reduce the number of glaucoma drops they use.
- It adds very little time to cataract surgery, and recovery is generally the same as cataract surgery alone.
- You cannot see or feel the stent once it is in place.
What to expect
Your surgeon places the stents at the end of your cataract procedure, after the new lens implant is in. Follow-up visits check your eye pressure and healing, and your doctor will tell you whether and when any glaucoma drops can be adjusted.
Is the iStent right for me?
The iStent is designed for adults with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma who are having cataract surgery. If you are not ready for cataract surgery, ask about DSLT laser treatment or the iDose TR implant.
