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Georgia

In early 2020, Georgia was in danger of her vision failing due to glaucoma, a condition that is caused by increased pressure in the eye due to an imbalance in production and outflow of ocular fluid, in both of her eyes. The highly active 75-year-old grandmother from Florida knew that if her cataracts and glaucoma and their associated risks went untreated, it would threaten her independence and reduce her quality of life – something she refused to let happen.

Maintaining Her Independence, Quality of Life

Georgia, a former school teacher, enjoys spending time with her family, being active in her church community, and staying in touch with her close-knit circle of friends. She takes pride in driving on her own, doing work around the house, and being able to independently do her normal daily routine, like putting her makeup on.

After Georgia learned that she had glaucoma, she was worried her independence would be at risk if she did not take action to address her eye health. Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease, and the longer you wait to seek treatment, the greater the possibility of visual impairment. Once vision is lost due to glaucoma, it cannot be regained.

In addition to concerns over maintaining her independence, Georgia was also grappling with her declining quality of life. Like many people living with glaucoma, Georgia has to apply medications every day to help manage her condition. Taking medications can be expensive, painful, and time-consuming, interfering with everyday activities. Coupled with progressive vision loss, it can cause a loss of confidence in many people.

The Need for Timely Treatment

For Georgia, treating her cataracts and glaucoma and retaining her vision was essential for her eye health, and quality of life.

Georgia’s ophthalmologist, Dr. Saul Ullman of Ullman Eye Consultants in Pensacola, Florida, recommended she be treated with an iStent® in conjunction with her cataract surgery. The iStent® is one of the smallest medical devices known to be implanted in the human body and can effectively restore normal pressure in the eye.

Knowing the importance of timely treatment, Georgia didn’t hesitate to receive the implant and had her first eye successfully treated with an iStent® in February 2020 in conjunction with cataract surgery. Since cataract surgery requires at least two weeks between each eye procedure, Georgia had her second eye treated with an iStent® in conjunction with cataract surgery in July 2020. In Georgia’s case, this treatment eliminated the need for medication to treat her glaucoma, allowing her instead to spend her free time focusing on the things she loves.

With two iStents® in place and her glaucoma under control, Georgia is thrilled to spend her days driving around, spending time with her family, socializing with her inner circle, and remaining active with her church.

PM-US-0364 Rev 1 

The results described on this site are based on data collected regarding short- and intermediate-term efficacy of treatment. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary. For more information, visit: glaukos.com

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Patient Stories

Barbara A.

Barbara A.

Barbara was diagnosed with glaucoma and cataracts eight years ago. For many years she was able to manage her glaucoma with drops. However, she became concerned when her glaucoma began to worsen and she experienced double vision. It wasn’t until recently that Barbara discovered iStent inject® W as an effective way to reduce eye pressure.

Bill

Bill

A 66-year-old active retiree, Bill loves spending his days playing basketball, tennis, and golf. When he was diagnosed with glaucoma, he became worried that any potential vision loss could impact his ability to play his favorite sports. As someone with a family history of glaucoma, Bill knows firsthand the devastating vision loss that glaucoma can cause if left untreated. So when he also began developing cataracts, his ophthalmologist introduced him to iStent inject® W, one of the world’s smallest implantable devices that can have remarkable benefits for glaucoma patients with cataracts. 

Michael

Michael

Michael first noticed changes to his vision eight years ago when he began seeing black spots while driving. He visited a local ophthalmologist, who decided to run some tests. Shortly thereafter he was diagnosed with glaucoma and cataracts. This ultimately led to another health discovery – Michael had diabetes. Overwhelmed by both diagnoses, he put his busy life on hold and sought treatment for his deteriorating vision.

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INDICATION FOR USE
The iStent inject® W Trabecular Micro-Bypass System Model G2-W is indicated for use in conjunction with cataract surgery for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with mild-to-moderate primary open-angle glaucoma.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
The iStent inject® W is contraindicated in eyes with angle-closure glaucoma, traumatic, malignant, uveitic, or neovascular glaucoma, discernible congenital anomalies of the anterior chamber (AC) angle, retrobulbar tumor, thyroid eye disease, or Sturge-Weber Syndrome or any other type of condition that may cause elevated episcleral venous pressure.

WARNINGS
Gonioscopy should be performed prior to surgery to exclude congenital anomalies of the angle, PAS, rubeosis, or conditions that would prohibit adequate visualization of the angle that could lead to improper placement of the stent and pose a hazard.

MRI INFORMATION
The iStent inject® W is MR-Conditional, i.e., the device is safe for use in a specified MR environment under specified conditions; please see Directions for Use (DFU) label for details.

PRECAUTIONS
The surgeon should monitor the patient postoperatively for proper maintenance of intraocular pressure (IOP). The safety and effectiveness of the iStent inject® W have not been established as an alternative to the primary treatment of glaucoma with medications, in children, in eyes with significant prior trauma, abnormal anterior segment, chronic inflammation, prior glaucoma surgery (except SLT performed > 90 days preoperative), glaucoma associated with vascular disorders, pseudoexfoliative, pigmentary or other secondary open-angle glaucomas, pseudophakic eyes, phakic eyes without concomitant cataract surgery or with complicated cataract surgery, eyes with medicated intraocular pressure (IOP) > 24 mmHg or unmedicated intraocular pressure (IOP) < 21 mmHg or > 36 mmHg, or for implantation of more or less than two stents.

ADVERSE EVENTS
Common postoperative adverse events reported in the iStent inject® randomized pivotal trial included stent obstruction (6.2%), intraocular inflammation (5.7% for iStent inject® vs. 4.2% for cataract surgery only), secondary surgical intervention (5.4% vs. 5.0%) and BCVA loss ≥ 2 lines ≥ 3 months (2.6% vs. 4.2%).

CAUTION
Federal law restricts this device to sale by, or on the order of, a physician. Please see DFU for a complete list of contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse events.

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