MIGS Procedures for Glaucoma
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgeries (MIGS) offer effective pressure reduction with faster recovery and lower risk compared to traditional surgery.
What are MIGS?
MIGS represent a revolutionary approach to glaucoma surgery, using microscopic techniques and tiny devices to lower eye pressure with minimal tissue disruption.
Minimally Invasive
Tiny incisions and micro-devices mean less trauma, faster healing, and quicker return to normal activities.
Lower Risk Profile
Safer than traditional glaucoma surgery with fewer complications and side effects to worry about.
Quick Recovery
Most patients recover within days or weeks, not months, and can resume daily activities quickly.
Benefits of MIGS
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgeries offer numerous advantages to patients with glaucoma.
- Significant eye pressure reduction in most patients
- May reduce or eliminate the need for glaucoma medications
- Minimally invasive approach with tiny incisions and micro-devices
- Fast recovery — most patients return to normal activities within days
- Excellent safety profile with fewer complications than traditional surgery
- Can often be combined with cataract surgery for convenience
- No visible implant or impact on appearance
- Suitable for a wide range of glaucoma severities
MIGS Procedures We Offer
At West Metro Eye, we offer several advanced MIGS options to meet your individual needs and glaucoma severity. The following is a general overview of the different MIGS procedures available; your surgeon will discuss the specifics and recommend the best option for you during your visit.
Kahook Dual Blade (KDB)
The Kahook Dual Blade is a precision surgical instrument designed to remove diseased trabecular meshwork tissue (eye's aqueous fluid drainage filter), improving the eye's natural drainage pathway.
How It Works:
- • Precisely removes a strip of damaged drainage tissue
- • Creates a direct pathway to Schlemm's canal (the part of the glaucoma drainage pathway that removes aqueous fluid from the eye) to improve fluid drainage
- • Performed during cataract surgery or as standalone procedure
- • Uses the eye's natural drainage system
iStent
The iStent is the world's smallest medical implant, designed to create a permanent opening to improve fluid drainage and lower eye pressure.
How It Works:
- • Tiny titanium stent inserted into drainage canal
- • Creates a bypass (alternative pathway) for fluid to flow more freely
- • Places up to 3 micro-stents for enhanced effect
- • Usually performed during cataract surgery
iAccess Trabecular Micro-Bypass
iAccess is a newer MIGS device that creates a direct opening through the trabecular meshwork to enhance aqueous fluid outflow.
How It Works:
- • Creates multiple standard-sized and equally spaced punches in the poorly functioning trabecular meshwork
- • Allows direct access to Schlemm's canal
- • Can be combined with cataract surgery
OMNI Surgical System
OMNI is a comprehensive combined canaloplasty and trabeculotomy device that treats most or all of the eye's drainage system, offering extensive pressure reduction.
How It Works:
- • First, a canaloplasty is performed. The entirety of Schlemm's canal is flushed with a special surgical gel called viscoelastic. This helps remove any blockages to fluid flow and it helps to dilate or enlarge the canal slightly to improve fluid flow.
- • Then, a trabeculotomy is performed. Similar to the Kahook Dual Blade, this is used to remove damaged trabecular meshwork tissue and further improves fluid flow out of the eye.
Recovery & What to Expect
Recovery Timeline
- • Most patients return to normal activities within days
- • Eye drops prescribed to prevent inflammation and infection
- • Mild discomfort or irritation for a few days
- • Follow-up appointments to monitor pressure
- • Final results typically seen within 6-12 weeks
Expected Outcomes
- • 20-30% average pressure reduction
- • Many patients reduce or eliminate glaucoma drops
- • Results vary based on procedure and individual factors
- • May need additional treatment if pressure rises
- • Excellent long-term safety profile