MIGS Options in Birmingham, AL

At inVision Ophthalmology Birmingham, we are glad to provide MIGS (minimally invasive glaucoma surgery) techniques, as well as numerous other advanced laser therapies, for our Birmingham, AL patients. MIGS procedures use extremely tiny surgical incisions and equipment to reduce internal eye pressure to prevent or slow further trauma to the optic nerve. Fortunately, MIGS can be advantageous at nearly all stages of the disease. They virtually always cause fewer post-surgery complications, and most researchers deem them safer overall than trabeculectomies (traditional glaucoma surgery). If you're overdue for an eye exam, schedule a consultation at our office as soon as you can. Our team will be able to detect any abnormalities and formulate a plan to treat them.

For patients living with glaucoma, MIGS offers an effective, minimally invasive option that can dramatically reduce eye pressure and preserve eye health. MIGS also presents less risk and offers a number of other great benefits, including:

• Reducing reliance on medications
• Lowering chances of needing invasive surgery
• Slowing glaucoma progression
• Quick, easy, and comfortable outpatient procedure
• Recovery is short

Only a highly trained ophthalmologist can determine whether you are an ideal candidate for MIGS or laser treatment. Every one of the many types of glaucoma can produce varying degrees of severity; therefore, each patient should have a customized procedure plan to control his or her symptoms. The best patients eligible for MIGS:

• Are suffering from mild to moderate glaucoma
• Are over the age of 18
• Have both glaucoma and cataracts
• Aren't able to control their internal eye pressure with eye drops
• Don't have a high chance of serious progression

Since MIGS is minimally invasive, the recovery downtime is less than comparable glaucoma surgerie. The majority of patients are able to resume work and their usual routines within a week. When the procedure is complete, we thoroughly go over every patient's post-surgery guidelines for tending to their eyes throughout the recovery period. In addition, we instruct our MIGS patients to come back for a series of critical follow-up appointments at inVision Ophthalmology Birmingham that enable us to comprehensively check on their intraocular pressure throughout the healing process.

Is MIGS safe?

In comparison to traditional glaucoma surgeries, MIGS has a lower risk of certain complications like infection, low IOP (intraocular pressure), double vision, cornea swelling, or exposure of a drainage stent. While traditional surgeries are still safe and effective, MIGS has a high patient safety record and can lower a patient's need for more invasive surgery to treat glaucoma.

How long do the results of MIGS last?

Studies have found that a patient who has controlled their glaucoma for five years after MIGS and then has a traditional trabeculectomy may not experience significant vision loss for the remainder of their life.

Should I have MIGS or a traditional trabeculectomy?

Both MIGS and traditional trabeculectomy are effective for treating glaucoma. During your consultation at inVision Opthalmology Birmingham, your doctor will talk to you about both treatments and help you assess which one is best to treat your glaucoma.

Are you awake during MIGS surgery?

MIGS procedures are performed with a local anesthetic, meaning you will be awake, but your eyes will be numb — so you don't experience any discomfort.

As recently as ten years ago, patients suffering from advanced glaucoma only had one option for treatment. Fortunately, MIGS and laser surgeries now allow eye surgeons to perform numerous types of procedures to help patients manage their glaucoma. Get in touch with inVision Ophthalmology Birmingham in Birmingham, AL to set up a MIGS consultation with our highly skilled team. We can safely and quickly control your internal eye pressure.