High intraocular pressure, which has several causes, but mainly because of slow drainage of fluid in the eye, causing damage to the optic nerve. This results in vision damage, starting with the peripheral vision, usually.
In CBS's article "Tiny new iStent medical device helps patients see", it talks about a tiny device that can be inserted into the eye. Glaucoma patients take prescribed eye drops daily, several times a day, which can be overwhelming and tiresome. Complains of the drops include burning and redness which isn't too pleasant. This new found device is suppose to get rid or lower the amount of drops needed to be taken; it's claim is to relive the pressure of the eye by managing the flow better.
I found this article to be quite interesting, but also very short. Suspicious, I decided to do research of my own. Although in the article the patient claims she is able to see and do all of the things that she should be able to do. However this article fails to mention the conditions and qualifications you would have to meet in order to have one inserted. This device does not magically regain your vision back; once you lose it, it is gone. But as we read through this article, you receive the vibe that it could some how give back your vision. Although it is the smallest device approved by the FDA, it has not been established as a primary or substituent treatment for glaucoma. In other words, it does not change the fact that you will still need to take eye drops, and if anything will only change the frequency of how often you need to put them in. Also, other resources suggest that patients with both cataracts and glaucoma are better candidates and not all surgeries are very successful. This device is only recommended to those with mild to moderate open angle glaucoma; other types are not encouraged. Overall, the article was an interesting read, but lacks a lot of facts and risks that should have been mentioned along with resources.
Article: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/glaucoma-managed-with-new-barely-visible-istent-device/
Sources:
http://www.ophthalmologymanagement.com/articleviewer.aspx?articleID=108650
http://www.glaukos.com/istent
http://www.glaukos.com/patients/istent-overview
Hey! Very interesting medical device that hopefully one day will be tweaked to an extent in that its available to all types of glaucoma and not just one specific one. My question is there any reason why only open angle glaucoma is being recommended?
ReplyDeleteWow! I have never heard of a treatment like that for glaucoma before. It seems much more convenient and comfortable for the patients. But I would like to know if you read anything about the pain of implanting the device or if one can feel it permanently in their eye afterwords?
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