(MIGS) MICRO-INVASIVE GLAUCOMA SURGERIES

What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an irreversible damage to the optic nerve and high pressure in the eyes is a strong risk factor. Rarely, glaucoma can also occur with normal eye pressure. Damage to the optic nerve leads to loss of the peripheral field of vision and, in severe cases, can lead to loss of central vision as well.
Glaucoma cannot be cured, but if detected early enough, it can be stabilized to preserve sight.

Why and how are MIGS performed?
The goal of a glaucoma surgery is to decrease and/or stabilize pressure in the eye and prevent vision loss. It does not restore vision that was already damaged and no glaucoma surgery can cure the disease. Micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) is a new safer alternative to traditional glaucoma surgery. It is often combined with cataract surgery. Some MIGS optimize the eye’s natural drainage system and do not form a “bleb” (a fluid reservoir around the eye under the conjunctiva (transparent skin above the white part of the eye)) to completely bypass this system. However, although MIGS have less risks, they are also less effective than traditional glaucoma surgeries. There is a variety of MIGS surgery and your ophthalmologist will choose the one that suits you best.

What are the risks?
Complications after cataract surgery are rare and most of them can be treated successfully:
⦁ Loss of central vision
⦁ Eye pressure that is too high or too low requiring additional eyedrops or procedures
⦁ Dry eyes
⦁ Inflammation
⦁ Infection
⦁ Bleeding
⦁ Drooping eyelid
The goal of the surgery is to maintain the current vision, not to improve it.