COURT HOUSE – The smallest medical device ever approved by the FDA is now being used during cataract surgery to help treat another ophthalmic ailment, glaucoma, according to Dr. Michael Caruso, ophthalmic physician and surgeon at Atlantic Eye Center. Developed by Glaukos Corporation, the iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent is implanted during cataract surgery and creates an internal opening through which your eye can drain the fluid and relieve the pressure build-up associated with glaucoma. The iStent is 20,000 times smaller than the intraocular lens (IOL) used to replace cataracts.
“If you have glaucoma, over time, your eye’s natural drainage system becomes clogged,” explained Dr. Caruso. “The iStent works like the stents used to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
The iStent is placed in the clogged drain called the Trabecular mesh work, there by letting the fluid flow.
The second leading cause of blindness in the world, glaucoma is an eye disease that damages the optic nerve, leading to gradual vision loss. Any vision lost by glaucoma cannot be regained. In the early stages of glaucoma, there are virtually no symptoms. There is no pain, even if there is increased pressure in the eye. Glaucoma progresses with vision loss. At first, people may experience loss of peripheral vision. They may compensate for this loss by turning their head to the side. Vision loss will continue as the disease progresses. Glaucoma is not curable, but it can be treated with medication or surgery. Vision loss may be prevented. But glaucoma is also a chronic condition. It must be monitored and treated for life.
Glaucoma traditionally requires treatment with one, two, or even three, medication drops daily. In a U.S. clinical study, 68 percent of glaucoma patients who received iStent remained medication-free at 12 months, as compared to only 50 percent of patients who underwent cataract surgery alone.
It is estimated that over 4 million Americans have glaucoma but only half of those know they have it, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation. Anyone of any age may be affected by glaucoma. However, there are certain high-risk groups: people over 60, family members of those already diagnosed, diabetics, and people who are severely farsighted.
At Atlantic Eye Center, glaucoma evaluations are part of each annual examination. The practice uses a state-of-the-art OCT to take a picture of the optic nerve. Eye pressure also is checked, and a computerized Visual Field is completed. If either appears abnormal, treatment is begun. Eye drops are the initial prescription. Surgery is rare and a last resort. Patients with glaucoma are checked on a four-month schedule to ensure that treatment is effective.
For more information on the iStent, visit http://www.glaukos.com/istent. For more information on Atlantic Eye Center, or affiliated businesses EyeMax Lasik Center or Cape Cataract Center, or to schedule an appointment, visit www.DoctorMichaelCaruso.com or call 609-465-1616.
Dennisville – As a parent of a Tech student it would be great if the school would update their staff directory. So many old staff still listed and no new teachers listed. What gives?
