Jeffrey Peterson, M.D. first in Hawaii to use new glaucoma surgery device

HONOLULU, April 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ophthalmological surgeon, Jeffrey Peterson, M.D., Ph.D. is the first in Hawaii to perform surgery using the CyPass^® Micro-Stent, a micro invasive glaucoma surgical (MIGS) device for treating patients with mild to moderate glaucoma in conjunction with cataract surgery.

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016, the new treatment is less invasive than traditional glaucoma surgery. It also aims to decrease the patient's dependence on topical glaucoma medications.

"Once the CyPass^® Micro-Stent was FDA approved, we started working right away to bring it to our patients," said Dr. Peterson of Jenkins Eye Care. "This advancement in the treatment of glaucoma makes the surgery easier for the patient, and can reduce the need for eye drops afterward."

The MIGS device is implanted just below the surface of the eye in conjunction with cataract surgery. It is designed to treat less severe glaucoma by enhancing part of the natural optical drainage pathways with minimal tissue disruption. This allows fluid in the eye to drain, with the goal of reducing intraocular pressure levels.

Alcon, a subsidiary of Novartis, brought CyPass Micro-Stent to the eye care treatment portfolio.

About Glaucoma 
More than 60 million people globally are affected by glaucoma that can lead to progressive damage of the optic nerve. Early diagnosis of glaucoma is critical to manage the disease, as it is often asymptomatic and therefore can go undetected until it is at an advanced stage. As the disease progresses, patients may experience loss of peripheral (side) vision, tunnel vision or eye spots. Glaucoma can eventually result in gradual, irreversible loss of vision and blindness. The exact cause of glaucoma is unknown. However, elevated pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure, or IOP) is generally present with glaucoma and is the only known modifiable risk factor. As a chronic disease, patients can be treated with eye drops, oral medications, laser surgery, traditional surgery or a combination of these methods.

About the CyPass Micro-Stent 
The CyPass Micro-Stent is a prescription medical device that is indicated for use in conjunction with cataract surgery for the reduction of IOP in adult patients with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma. The use of the CyPass Micro-Stent is contraindicated in eyes with angle closure glaucoma and eyes with traumatic, malignant, uveitic or neovascular glaucoma or discernible congenital anomalies of the anterior chamber angle. If IOP is not adequately maintained after implantation of a CyPass Micro-Stent, additional therapy may be needed for IOP control. 

Media Note: Click here to download photo taken of Dr. Peterson in surgery and a professional shot. Click here for video.

SOURCE Jenkins Eye Care