MIGS: A New Frontier in Glaucoma Surgery

By Dr. Richard Carlin

Glaucoma is a disease in which elevated or sometimes even normal eye pressure leads to damage in the optic nerve which connects the eye to the brain, resulting in a loss of vision or even blindness.

Traditionally, treatment has centered on lowering the eye’s pressure with eyedrops, laser treatments or surgery. While eyedrops generally work, they are expensive and require remembering to instill them often multiple times each day.

Laser procedures, which involve treating the outflow drain to lower the pressure may help but often do not last. Surgery also works in most cases and can last but may involve complications such as infection, double vision, and further procedures.

In the last few years however, CarlinVision has offered MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery) to our patients. Performed in our out-patient surgery center and generally lasting 5-10 minutes, these brief procedures through microscopic incisions have offered significant advantages.

While no surgery is completely without risk, MIGS provides improved safety over traditional glaucoma surgical procedures, while usually providing mild-to-moderate IOP (intraocular pressure) lowering. There are multiple MIGS procedures and devises that we use, which either enhance fluid outflow using the eye’s natural drainage system (iStent, Kahook, Viscocanaloplasty), or shunts which direct fluid to the outside of the eye (XEN Gel Stent). Some types of MIGS procedures can be used only with cataract surgery and some are “stand alone” procedures. Normally they are covered by insurance.

As MIGS usually lowers the pressure enough to reduce or even eliminate the need for medications, they can even be used for those who find it difficult or too expensive to keep up with their medication regimen.

If you have glaucoma and want more information about MIGS or want to schedule a glaucoma consultation, give us a call at 770-979-2020.