These days, eye doctors perform minimally invasive glaucoma surgery or MIGS to lower eye pressure. In turn, this minimizes or prevents damage to the optic nerve. This procedure can lower the risk of complications associated with major glaucoma surgeries. Although standard procedures such as trabeculectomy and external tube shunts can decrease eye pressure and prevent glaucoma progression. However, they come with many possible complications.
But rapid city minimally invasive glaucoma surgery only uses microscopic-sized equipment; hence, it requires making tiny incisions. It can minimize complications, but the increased safety it offers may lead to a loss of effectiveness. However, MIGS are available in different categories and your ophthalmologist can walk you through your options.
Why Glaucoma Surgery is Performed
Any kind of glaucoma surgery is performed to minimize the pressure of the eye. This can improve eye fluid or decrease fluid production. While every kind of surgery varies, they all have the same goal.
Once an ophthalmologist will diagnose glaucoma, they may recommend prescription eye drops initially. If the treatment does not address the problem, glaucoma surgery may be recommended. But traditional surgery for glaucoma can be invasive and have a long recovery time.
Kinds of MIGS
Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery covers a variety of procedures that ophthalmologists can use for treating glaucoma. These procedures include the following:
- Microtrabeculectomies. In these procedures, microscopic-sized tubes are used to drain eye fluid. The devices used lower eye pressure and improve the safety of the procedure.
- Trabecular surgery. When draining eye fluid, a problem can occur in the trabecular meshwork. A surgical operation performed on this part of the eye uses tiny equipment and devices for cutting it through without damaging the ocular drainage pathway tissue. But these procedures are not as effective as other options when it comes to lowering eye pressure.
- Suprachoroidal shunts. This surgery uses tiny tubes to connect the eye’s front to the suprachoroidal space.
- New laser procedures. Often, laser cyclophotocoagulation is used for people who have advanced glaucoma. It can minimize the eye’s capacity to form fluid.
- Ab-Internal Canaloplasty. This glaucoma surgery enlarges the eye’s natural drainage system to lower pressure and improve outflow. It uses microcatheter technology.
MIGS Benefits
Today’s technology has led to the discovery of less invasive procedures. The use of micro-surgical equipment increases your chances of having a good recovery. MIGS lower intraocular pressure and slow optic nerve damage. Also, they lead to less eye trauma and allow for fast recovery. MIGS are also known for their great safety profiles.
