A physician at N.C.-based Wilmington Eye performed the first successful implant of the iStent Infinite at Wilmington Eye Surgery Center. This marks the first time a glaucoma device has been implanted in either of the Carolinas.
The implanted device – currently the smallest implantable medical device in the world – can be used in patients who didn't respond to medications or other surgeries to slow the progression of glaucoma, according to a Dec. 22 news release from Wilmington Eye.
The iStent Infinite is an adaptation of the iStent, which could only be implanted in patients receiving cataracts surgery, who are typically in their 60s or 70s. The new iStent can be implanted in patients who have been diagnosed with glaucoma, no matter their age.
The surgery was performed by Robert van der Vaart, MD, a board-certified ophthalmic surgeon and glaucoma expert. Dr. van der Vaart will begin seeing new glaucoma patients who are interested in the device.