Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS Procedures) are a newer development in glaucoma treatment. MIGS refers to a group of procedures that are much less invasive than traditional glaucoma surgery. While they require a trip to the operating room, they are generally short procedures with little down time. While the risks of these procedures are significantly less than those of traditional glaucoma surgery, MIGS procedures are also generally less effective than major glaucoma procedures. MIGS can work well for mild to moderate glaucoma. More severe or poorly controlled glaucoma usually requires the traditional glaucoma procedures such as a trabeculectomy or a glaucoma valve procedure. 

In our practice when a glaucoma patient is planning cataract surgery, we may consider performing a Kahook Goniotomy at the same time. A Kahook Goniotomy is a type of MIGS procedure. Click here to read more about the Kahook Goniotomy procedure.

For more advanced glaucoma, or glaucoma that is difficult to control, traditional glaucoma surgery (trabeculectomy or tube shunt surgery) may be recommended.

The goal of all of these treatments is to decrease pressure in the eye and preserve vision. Glaucoma treatment has a high success rate and can often prevent vision loss, but early detection is key since vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible.