Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Procedures (MIGS) in Wilmington, Delaware

Q: What vision changes should I expect with glaucoma, even after MIGS?

If you’re experiencing vision loss, halos, or cloudy vision due to glaucoma, MIGS will not reverse that vision loss. It will simply stop any future damage or vision loss. MIGS helps lower your intraocular pressure and improve the overall drainage in your eye.

Q: Can early MIGS treatment really slow glaucoma?

Absolutely! Receiving MIGS treatment early can slow the progression of glaucoma. The surgery will lower the intraocular pressure and improve the eye’s natural drainage system. This slows the damage to the optic nerve and lessens the progression of the symptoms.

Q: How long can my glaucoma stay stable after MIGS?

After MIGS, your glaucoma can stay stable for years or even decades. That said, because glaucoma is a progressive disease, the condition may eventually worsen even after surgery. Because of that, further treatment or medication may be needed.

Q: Should I change my daily habits after MIGS to manage eye pressure?

Yes, we do recommend you change certain habits after MIGS to manage your eye pressure. You’ll want to stick to a healthy diet, manage stress, exercise regularly, quit smoking, and limit your alcohol intake.

Q: Who manages my glaucoma care if I get MIGS at your practice?

At Eye Consultants, Dr. Heather Dealy is our glaucoma specialist, so she will help you manage your glaucoma care and ensure you receive optimal results from your MIGS. She’ll walk you through each step of the procedure and the recovery process to make sure you’re comfortable and informed about the surgery.

Q: Can glaucoma get better without treatment?

No, glaucoma does not get better without treatment. Because it’s a progressive disease, without treatment, it will only worsen over time. It’s why early treatment is so crucial.

Q: Am I at higher risk if glaucoma runs in my family, and could MIGS help?

Yes, you are at a higher risk of glaucoma if it runs in your family, especially if it’s a parent or sibling who has it. If you do end up developing glaucoma, MIGS can absolutely help treat the condition and stop its progression.

Q: Can I still drive safely after MIGS for glaucoma?

No, driving is not recommended after MIGS for glaucoma. You will be given anesthesia before the procedure, and that could negatively affect your driving abilities. You are also likely to have blurry vision after the procedure. You’ll want someone with you at your appointment to drive you home.

Q: What MIGS and other treatment options are best for me?

At Eye Consultants, we are proud to offer a wide variety of MIGS treatment options. Which one is right for you will depend on your specific needs. During your consultation, Dr. Dealy will determine the right treatment for your needs.

Q: How often do I need follow-up visits after MIGS?

Your initial follow-up appointment will be about a week after surgery to check on the healing process. After that, follow-up visits are typically less frequent and occur every 3-6 months.

What are MIGS?

Each year new technology emerges that aims to reduce the potential risks and complications of glaucoma surgery and provide excellent eye pressure control. The physicians at Eye Consultants have performed many minimally invasive procedures both alone and combined with cataract surgery.

IDose TR

The IDose TR is a very small titanium cannister filled with Travaprost, a medication that is commonly used on the surface of the eye to reduce eye pressure. Now the medication located inside a tiny cylinder the size of grain of rice. After it is implanted in your eye, the medication slowly elutes out works well to lower the eye pressure. This procedure can be done by itself or linked to your cataract surgery.

Hydrus

Hydrus is a micro-stent that’s about the size of an eyelash. It creates a path for fluid to flow inside the eye to ensure eye pressure stays at an appropriate level. Hydrus is inserted through a microscopic incision during cataract surgery and is for patients with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma.

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Kahook Blade/Goniotomy

The Kahook Blade is a single-use ophthalmic blade that allows your eye surgeon to release intraocular pressure by making incisions in the trabecular meshwork (spongy tissue that works as a natural drain in the eye) and the wall of the Schlemm’s canal (the tube that collects the fluid in the eye and delivers it to the necessary blood vessels). This blade makes it much easier for your eye surgeon to perform the procedure and allows for less downtime for you.

Xen Gel Stent

The Xen Gel Stent is a type of implant used to treat open-angle glaucoma. It’s most often used in patients who haven’t seen results from other surgical options or medications. The Xen Gel Stent is a small tube that, when inserted under the clear membrane that covers the white of the eye, becomes soft and flexible, giving the eye fluid a place to drain. With the fluid having someplace to go, your eye pressure will decrease.

iStent

iStent is a very small implant that is often inserted during cataract surgery. It reduces the pressure in the eye and has been shown to reduce the use of glaucoma medication. It’s particularly effective for patients with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma. The device works by ensuring there is always a path for eye fluid to flow through and reduce eye pressure.

Streamline

Streamline is a single-use device that is used to treat open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension (high eye pressure). The procedure can be performed on its own or with cataract surgery. Your eye surgeon at Eye Consultants will use the Streamline system to make targeted openings in the eye’s drainage system to reduce eye pressure and improve the flow of the fluids in the eye.

Durysta

Durysta is a tiny, dissolvable implant that’s FDA-approved to reduce eye pressure in those who have open-angle glaucoma or high eye pressure. Your eye doctor places the implant in your eye through a small incision and it automatically releases medication directly into the eye to reduce eye pressure. This procedure does not require a trip to the operating room and can safely be performed in the office.

Schedule A Consultation

Looking to learn more about the minimally invasive glaucoma procedures we offer at Eye Consultants in Wilmington, DE? Don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation today! Call our office at 302-581-8287 or fill out our online contact form. Our team proudly serves the Townsend, Dover, Middletown, Smryna, Newark, and Wilmington communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What vision changes should I expect with glaucoma, even after MIGS?

Can early MIGS treatment really slow glaucoma?

How long can my glaucoma stay stable after MIGS?

Should I change my daily habits after MIGS to manage eye pressure?

Who manages my glaucoma care if I get MIGS at your practice?

Can glaucoma get better without treatment?

Am I at higher risk if glaucoma runs in my family, and could MIGS help?

Can I still drive safely after MIGS for glaucoma?

What MIGS and other treatment options are best for me?

How often do I need follow-up visits after MIGS?

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Dr. Heather Dealy

Board-Certified Ophthalmologist & Glaucoma Specialist

Dr. Dealy is a dedicated and experienced ophthalmic practitioner and surgeon who enjoys taking care of patients and invests particular attention to their surgical care. She began her career in private practice in 2004 in the Wilmington, Delaware community and has been ranked among the Top Physicians in New Castle County in the Delaware Today… Continue reading Dr. Heather Dealy

Contact Us Today

Your health is our top priority and we look forward to assisting you in your eyecare journey. Please call the office at (302) 998-2333 or fill out our contact form to schedule your appointment.

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Real Patient Recommended

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The best vision care I have ever received.

The service is wonderful, from the receptionists, to the MAs, to the doctors.

This is an excellent facility. I have glaucoma and have been treated by Dr. Dealy for over four years. Mine is not an easy case and Dr. Dealy has been so knowledgeable and thorough in answering all questions. She has always spent the time necessary to put me at ease. The front office staff are kind, welcoming, and genuine.

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Eye Care &
Cosmetics

Comprehensive Services

From routine eye checks to glaucoma treatment to cataract surgery, our team at Eye Consultants provides a full range of eye care services to ensure each and every patient who walks through our doors receives the top-quality care they deserve.

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Comprehensive
Eye Services

Keeping up with your regular eye checkups is important to maintaining healthy eyes and catching any concerns before they turn into issues. Our comprehensive services allow us to monitor your eye health and provide guidance for treatments and maintenance.

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Cosmetic
Procedures

Our team also offers cosmetic eye procedures, including blepharoplasty, dermal fillers, and Botox, so patients can simultaneously address their aesthetic concerns and their eye health.

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Surgery

If you’ve been diagnosed with cataracts, the only way to have a cataract removed is through surgery. Our surgeons have performed thousands of successful cataract surgeries and will make sure you are fully prepared for your procedure.

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Contact Lenses

Properly fitting contact lenses are vital to not only your vision but also your eye health. We’ll help you determine if contact lenses are right for you and ensure your lenses fit so comfortably that you’ll forget they’re there.

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Dry Eye

Say goodbye to dry eyes with the help of Eye Consultants! We’ll determine the cause of your dry eyes and build a customized treatment plan to help you finally find the relief you deserve.

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Eyewear

Currently at Eye Consultants we offer a full range of refractive services, including determining your glasses prescription. Coming soon in 2025, we will proudly offer optical solutions for our patients who need glasses.

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Glaucoma Surgery Redefined (MIGS)