Microinvasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS)

Wang Vision 3D Cataract & LASIK Center, Nashville, Tennessee

• Tennessean’s article on Dr. Frenkel’s MIGS
  

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve structure inside of the eye. Glaucoma leads to irreversible loss of peripheral vision in early stages, which occurs without symptoms, and can cause noticeable vision loss and blindness in later stages. Glaucoma is closely related to eye pressure, and treatment options are designed to promote the exit of fluid from the eye, lowering eye pressure.

Microinvasive glaucoma surgery is a group of procedures that can be performed through a very small incision in a minor surgical setting

Once a patient has glaucoma it cannot be cured, but it can generally be controlled. Eye drops are one option for treatment. Increasingly, surgical options are good options for many patients and can be performed with less risk than ever before. Surgery can be used as an initial treatment, or to help further lower eye pressure in addition to drops when needed. Less invasive surgical options include laser procedures and microinvasive outpatient procedures which often have fairly fast recovery.

Microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) refers to a group of procedures which can be done through a very small incision in a minor surgical setting. These procedures can either be used on their own, or in combination with other surgeries, most often at the same time as cataract surgery. For patients with both cataracts and glaucoma this can provide the opportunity to treat both conditions during the same surgery with minimal additional surgical time or risk. This allows some patients to be able to reduce or eliminate their glaucoma eye drops at the same time as they have their cataracts removed.

There are many different procedures that fall under this umbrella, but all are designed at lowering eye pressure. Some involve tiny implants that are placed in the eye to bypass the usual fluid drainage system. Some involve procedures that are used to open the existing drainage system and allow fluid to exit more freely. The minimally invasive nature of the procedures allows them to be both safe and effective while promoting a fast recovery with minimal downtime. A glaucoma specialist can determine which surgery is most appropriate depending on the stage of glaucoma and a patient’s eye anatomy.

With these new options, more invasive surgery is generally only needed in advanced stages of glaucoma. Many patients with glaucoma are now able to benefit from these safe, microinvasive procedures.

Wang Vision doctors (Drs. Sarah Connolly, Joshua, Marianne Johnson, Nathan Rock and Ming Wang) have performed over 55,000 procedures (including on over 4,000 doctors). They have published nine textbooks, hold several U.S. patents and performed the world’s first laser artificial cornea implantation. Wang Vision is currently the only center in the state that performs 3D SMILE & 3D LASIK (18+), 3D Implantable Contact Lens (21+), 3D Forever Young Lens (45+) and 3D Laser Cataract Surgery. They have founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity, Wang Foundation for Sight Restoration, which to date has helped patients from over 40 states in the U.S. and 55 countries with all sight restoration surgeries performed free of charge.

For info about Wang Vision 3D Cataract & LASIK Center: 1801 West End Ave, Ste 1150, Nashville, TN, 37203, 615-321-8881, www.wangcataractLASIK.com.