As of yesterday, Dr. Okeke of Virginia Eye Consultants is the first ophthalmologist in Hampton Roads to perform the Glaukos iStent procedure.
“I performed three Glaukos iStent procedures yesterday, and they went beautifully,” says Dr. Okeke. “I’m proud and excited Virginia Eye Consultants is the first practice in Hampton Roads to bring minimally invasive glaucoma surgery to the community.”
The Glaukos iStent is an exciting new technology for the treatment of glaucoma. The iStent is the first FDA-approved trabecular micro-bypass technology that improves the eye’s natural fluid outflow to safely lower eye pressure by creating a permanent opening in the trabecular meshwork. After implantation of iStent, many patients are able to control their eye pressure.
Similar to the Trabectome, Glaukos iStent is a minimally invasive surgery. In fact, the iStent is the smallest medical device ever approved by the FDA. It is so small, patients aren’t able to see or feel it after surgery, although it is continuously working to help reduce eye pressure.
The procedure is FDA approved to be performed during cataract surgery in patients with mild to moderate glaucoma. Great candidates for Glaukos iStent are those with visually significant cataract and open angle glaucoma, taking one to three medications. The procedure can often reduce the medication burden.
If you have both glaucoma and cataracts, ask your eye doctor if iStent is right for you. Give Virginia Eye Consultants a call at 757-622-2200.