What is minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)?
MIGS surgery is the name used to define the next generation category of minimally invasive interventions for glaucoma. It was designed for patients in whom pharmacological therapy had not produced satisfactory results in lowering the pressure of the ocular bulb and, therefore, to block the progression of the pathology. Depending on the characteristics of the patient and the evolution of the pathology, the specialist will be able to guide the patient towards the most appropriate technique to achieve the elimination of the ocular fluid that elevates the ocular pressure.
Why is it performed?
The term MIGS surgery refers to the medical advance in the treatment of glaucoma. It is a pathology in which the aqueous humor of the eye no longer flows regularly, accumulates and creates pressure in the eye that in the long term damages the optic nerve and causes vision loss. Therefore, surgery has developed different techniques to drain the excess fluid and decrease eye pressure.
One of the main advantages of this technique is, therefore, that it frees the person affected by glaucoma from the chronic use of eye drops several times a day and blocks the progression of the disease.
The usual treatment consists of the use of eye drops.
What does it consist of?
Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery uses devices with smaller dimensions than traditional surgery to make microscopic incisions, which have the same beneficial results for glaucoma, but are less traumatic for the eye. There are different types of interventions:
- Microtrabeculectomy, to remove excess fluid from the aqueous humor with microscopic tubes down to the conjunctival membrane.
- Intervention in the trabecular meshwork to remove or bypass the trabecular meshwork with a small incision and drain the fluid from the eye.
- Internal or suprachoroidal shunts or microscopic tubes with openings connecting the anterior wall of the eye to the suprachoroidal area to reduce the presence of fluid.
- Advanced laser surgery with endocyclophotocoagulation laser and micropulse cyclophotocoagulation that can decrease fluid formation in the eye by increasing the angle between the iris and the cornea.
Preparation for Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery
Prior to glaucoma surgery, it may be necessary to use special eye drops as directed by the specialist. In the days prior to the operation, eye pressure values should also be monitored.
Postoperative recovery
The new minimally invasive techniques to eliminate glaucoma not only reduce the operation time by approximately 15 minutes, but also greatly accelerate the return to daily activities, blocking the progression of the pathology. Control visits will be weekly in the first 60 days. Complications are reduced, but can still occur because an incision is made to remove excess fluid from the aqueous humor, which could become infected in the presence of bacteria. It is therefore advisable to see a specialist as soon as possible in case of redness or irritation.