Interventional glaucoma

Interventional glaucoma is a modern, proactive approach to glaucoma care. Instead of relying on daily eye drops as the first and only line of defense, interventional glaucoma uses proven, minimally invasive procedures — including laser therapy, sustained-release medication implants, and micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) — to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) earlier in the course of the disease.

The goal is simple: protect your vision with treatments that work continuously, so pressure control does not depend on remembering drops every day. For many patients with early to moderate glaucoma, this approach can slow disease progression, keep vision stable, and reduce or even eliminate the burden of lifelong daily medications.

The glaucoma specialists at OCLI Vision have been at the forefront of this shift. Our doctors helped pioneer micro-invasive glaucoma surgery and were among the first in the country to offer sustained-release implant therapies, giving our patients access to the most advanced pressure-lowering options available today.

Glaucoma eye drops remain an important treatment, but they only work when used correctly and consistently — and that is harder than it sounds. Common challenges include:

• Forgetting doses or finding a multi-drop schedule difficult to keep up with
• Trouble physically getting drops into the eye due to arthritis, tremor, or other limitations
• Side effects such as stinging, burning, redness, and dryness
• The ongoing cost of one or more prescription medications
• Inadequate pressure control despite faithful use of drops

Because glaucoma causes permanent, irreversible vision loss, every missed dose matters. Interventional glaucoma addresses these challenges with treatments that deliver reliable, around-the-clock pressure control — no daily routine required.

Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT)

SLT is a quick, safe, in-office laser treatment that improves the function of the eye’s natural drainage system, allowing fluid to exit the eye more efficiently and lowering pressure. It takes only a few minutes, involves minimal discomfort, and most patients return to normal activities the same day. SLT is now widely recommended as a first-line treatment for open-angle glaucoma — often before drops are ever started — and may reduce or eliminate the need for daily medication.

iDose TR (travoprost intracameral implant)

iDose TR is an FDA-approved, all-in-one medication and drug delivery system for patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It is a tiny implant — barely visible to the naked eye — that your surgeon gently places inside the eye during a brief procedure. Once in place, it continuously releases travoprost, a proven pressure-lowering medication, directly where it is needed most, 24 hours a day.

With iDose TR, you get the medication your eye needs without wondering whether you put your drops in correctly or on time. In clinical studies, the majority of patients who received iDose TR were completely free of pressure-lowering eye drops at 12 months, and most did not experience any serious side effects.
Potential benefits of iDose TR:

• Continuous, 24/7 delivery of medication inside the eye
• Freedom from the daily routine, discomfort, and guesswork of eye drops
• Effective pressure lowering with minimal side effects for most patients

iDose TR is not right for everyone. It should not be used in patients with an active or suspected eye infection, certain corneal conditions (including corneal endothelial cell dystrophy or a prior corneal transplant), narrow angles, or an allergy to any of its ingredients. The most common side effect in clinical studies was a temporary increase in eye pressure; other side effects occurring in a small percentage of patients included inflammation of the iris, dry eye, visual field loss, eye pain, eye redness, and reduced vision. Your OCLI Vision glaucoma specialist will review your full eye health history to determine whether iDose TR is appropriate for you.

DURYSTA (bimatoprost implant)

DURYSTA is the first FDA-approved biodegradable, sustained-release implant for lowering eye pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. This tiny, dissolvable implant is placed in the eye during a quick office-based procedure and steadily releases bimatoprost — a well-established pressure-lowering medication — over a period of several months. Some patients continue to enjoy lower pressures even after the implant has fully dissolved.
DURYSTA may be a good option if you want to reduce your reliance on drops without surgery, struggle with drop-related redness and dryness, have difficulty remembering daily doses, or find the cost of multiple medications burdensome.

Micro-invasive glaucoma surgery

(MIGS)

MIGS refers to a family of advanced procedures that use microscopic devices and tiny incisions to improve fluid drainage and lower eye pressure with faster recovery and a stronger safety profile than traditional glaucoma surgery. OCLI Vision doctors helped pioneer this field, including the placement of extraordinarily small, safe drainage stents at the time of cataract surgery — an approach that can reduce or even eliminate the need for glaucoma drops.

SLT is a quick, safe, in-office laser treatment that improves the function of the eye’s natural drainage system, allowing fluid to exit the eye more efficiently and lowering pressure. It takes only a few minutes, involves minimal discomfort, and most patients return to normal activities the same day. SLT is now widely recommended as a first-line treatment for open-angle glaucoma — often before drops are ever started — and may reduce or eliminate the need for daily medication. 

If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma or ocular hypertension, ask yourself:

• Do I ever forget my eye drops, or find my treatment schedule inconvenient?
• Do I have trouble getting drops into my eye?
• Have I experienced stinging, burning, redness, or dryness from my drops?
• Is my eye pressure still not well controlled despite using my medications?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be a candidate for an interventional approach. Because every eye and every glaucoma is different, the right treatment plan starts with a comprehensive evaluation by one of our fellowship-trained glaucoma specialists, who will tailor a plan to your specific type and stage of glaucoma, your lifestyle, and your goals.

Many interventional glaucoma procedures, including SLT, iDose TR, DURYSTA, and MIGS, are covered by Medicare and many commercial insurance plans when medically appropriate. Coverage specifics depend on your individual plan. Our team will help you understand your benefits and any out-of-pocket costs before treatment.

Glaucoma is called the “sneak thief of sight” because it can silently steal vision before you notice anything is wrong — but with today’s interventional treatments, vision loss is more preventable than ever. If you have glaucoma, are at risk for glaucoma, or simply want to explore alternatives to daily eye drops, the glaucoma experts at OCLI Vision are here to help.

Call 1-833-508-OCLI today to schedule an appointment with one of our renowned glaucoma specialists, or request an appointment online.