Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery

If a patient undergoing cataract surgery also has glaucoma, a safe, short procedure can be performed in the eye at the same time to help control the glaucoma. The minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) can be performed as a stand-alone procedure  (all by itself), but it is much more commonly performed in conjunction with cataract removal.  After the cataract surgery has been completed and the IOL has been inserted inside the eye, the MIGS procedure can be performed to enable fluid to drain out of the eye more efficiently, and therefore lower the intraocular pressure.

In a way, performing MIGS at the same time of cataract surgery is like removing your appendix at the same time of gall bladder surgery; it accomplishes two things at once! The main goal of MIGS surgery is to improve control of glaucoma and minimize the risk of vision loss over time. Even though it is not the main goal of the procedure, in many cases a patient can decrease the amount of glaucoma medication / eye drops following MIGS surgery.

If you are being treated for glaucoma and you become a candidate for cataract surgery, be sure to discuss MIGS surgery with your doctor!