New iStent Treats Glaucoma Glaucoma has been called “the silent thief of sight” because it doesn’t have any overt symptoms until damage is done and vision is lost. It is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States, after cataracts. The only way to detect glaucoma is through an eye exam. Now, a tiny implant is giving glaucoma patients new hope. It is called the iStent – the smallest implant ever approved by the FDA. Clemson Eye, a leader in eye care innovation, was among the first practices in the area to offer this solution to its patients. The L-shaped iStent opens up a channel that drains fluid from the eye and reduces pressure. Glaucoma is caused when the network of tissue that drains fluid out of the space between the iris and cornea becomes blocked or drains too slowly. The resulting pressure can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss or blindness. “Glaucoma has no cure,” says Dr. Joseph Parisi, Medical
Director and Chief Ophthalmologist at Clemson Eye. “Lowering the pressure in the eye is the only way to treat it. If we can reduce the pressure, then we can stop the disease’s progress.”
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The minimally invasive iStent helps improve the compliance rate by reducing or eliminating the glaucoma patient’s need for eye drops. It is covered by Medicare and many health plans. Currently, the iStent can only be inserted during cataract surgery. Roughly 20 percent of cataract patients also have glaucoma, says Dr. Parisi. The size of the tiny stent requires complex microscopes and mirrors to make sure the device is placed correctly, which adds roughly 15 minutes to cataract surgery.
A regime of eye drops is generally used to reduce The tiny L-shaped iStent measures just 1 x 1/3 mm. “So far, Clemson Eye cataract patients who received the eye pressure. the stent have maintained a reduction in eye pressure and Unfortunately, multiple eye drops and an inefficient drug seen the number of their eye drop medications cut in half,”1 delivery system (i.e., the drops often do not make it fully says Dr. Parisi. He adds that an eye exam is the best way to into the eye) are a challenge for glaucoma patients to be detect glaucoma and protect your vision. compliant in administering their medications. “Glaucoma 1. Clemson Eye iStent and cataract patient clinical results, 2015. drops are costly (about $1,200/year) and many patients struggle to administer them as prescribed,” says Dr. Parisi.
Cataract Patients Now Seeing Near To Far Cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, affect about 22 million Americans over age 40. Left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness. They are the leading cause of vision loss in the United States. Surgery is the only known treatment for cataracts. Two things happen during the surgery: Your clouded lens is removed and an artificial intraocular lens is implanted. The lens requires no care and simply becomes a permanent part of your eye. You don’t see or feel the lens implant. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most commonly performed surgeries in the U.S.1 It is a 15-minute out-patient procedure. People with cataracts can opt for basic or laser cataract surgery.
It cannot correct astigmatism or poor reading vision. This manual, bladed surgical procedure is covered by Medicare and most health insurance plans. It is a safe, excellent option. However, if you wore eye glasses before your basic cataract surgery, you will most likely need them after it. Laser Surgery Laser cataract surgery involves using a laser and computer-guided software system to create incisions that are up to 10 times more precise than manual incisions. Here, patients have the option of advanced lenses that can correct astigmatism and provide a range of vision from near-to-far.
“Through laser cataract surgery with Vicky and Doug Kingsmore, advanced lenses, we can deliver the best Clemson Eye Cataract Patients. possible visual outcomes for our cataract patients, regardless of their age” says Dr. Joseph Parisi, Medical Director and Chief Ophthalmologist at Clemson Basic Surgery Eye. “Our laser cataract patients enjoy excellent restored Basic cataract surgery involves removing the diseased vision, whereby they are entirely free of or much less lens and implanting a monofocal lens. The monofocal dependent on eye glasses.”2 intraocular lens clears your vision at a single focal point.
A portion of the cost of laser cataract surgery and advanced lens implants is covered by Medicare and most health insurance plans. However, an additional payment is required. Clemson Eye patients have the option of 24-month, 0% payment plans. When they developed cataracts, Clemson University benefactors Vicky and Doug Kingsmore opted for laser cataract surgery at Clemson Eye. Mr. Kingsmore had an advanced multifocal lens implanted during his laser cataract surgery. “After my surgery, I could read the telephone book and newspaper. It helped me tremendously. But more than anything else, it improved my golf game! It has been the most wonderful thing to happen to me in my adult life,” he says. Mrs. Kingsmore had her laser cataract surgery a couple years after Doug’s, and she too opted for a multifocal lens. “It’s a different world,” she says. “It’s a much brighter world. And I don’t need to look for my glasses anymore, because I can read just about anything without them.” 1. http://www.aao.org/publications/eyenet/200609/pearls.cfm 2. Clemson Eye Laser Cataract with Advanced Intraocular Lens Replacement Results, 2015.