The Istent® is a new innovative procedure for the surgical treatment of chronic open angle glaucoma. Istent® is a titanium stent designed to be inserted directly into the eye’s drainage channel (Schlemm’s canal). This increases fluid outflow from the eye and helps to lower the pressure within the eye (the intraocular pressure). Manchester Royal Eye Hospital is privileged to be the first eye hospital in the U.K. to provide this procedure.
Am I suitable for this procedure?
The Istent® is designed to be used for the surgical treatment of primary open angle glaucoma, which is the most common type of glaucoma. It is particularly suited to patients who are on medical treatment for glaucoma and who have developed some degree of cataract, as the Istent® is often combined with cataract surgery to produce the most effective drop in intraocular pressure. Your consultant will be able to advise you on your suitability for this procedure.
How is it done?
Istent® implantation is often performed under local anaesthesia as the procedure is relatively short (5-10 minutes), but sedation (“twilight anaesthesia”) or general anaesthesia can be offered. When combined with cataract surgery the procedure will usually take approximately 30 minutes.
Are there any side effects?
There has been no long term side effects reported in the literature to date.
How effective is it?
The Istent® has been proven to lower the pressure in the eye by an average of 30%. Our results so far suggest that 75% of our patients are able to achieve satisfactory eye pressures without the need for any glaucoma drops.
