Massachusetts Eye Surgeons Use New Glaucoma Device for Cataract Patients

LANCASTER, MA, September 23, 2012 (Press-News.org) Massachusetts eye surgeon Francis D'Ambrosio, Jr., M.D. commented on the iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent as a treatment option to reduce eye pressure for cataract patients with glaucoma. "We started using iStent to better help cataract patients with glaucoma. It's really meaningful as we believe patients will need to use fewer eye drops for their glaucoma treatment and we are hopeful that they might not need to use prescription eye drops at all," explained Dr. D'Ambrosio Jr.

The iStent is FDA-approved for use in conjunction with cataract surgery to reduce eye pressure in adult patients with mild-to moderate open-angle glaucoma currently being treated with glaucoma medicine. In clinical trials, iStent has been shown to safely reduce eye pressure, which is the primary cause of open-angle glaucoma.

"What we know-and frankly what concerns us, is that 90% of glaucoma patients do not follow the instructions for using their glaucoma eye drops and some 50% actually discontinue taking their medication after 6 months. This is a real problem as when the eye pressure is not well controlled it increases the risk of permanent irreversible vision loss," further emphasized Dr. D'Ambrosio Jr. "That's why I brought iStent into our practice-it's an important advancement in preserving eye health and vision."

Massachusetts Glaucoma Specialist Bin Wu, M.D. of D'Ambrosio Eye Care added, "As an eye surgeon who is a glaucoma specialist and performs cataract surgery, what I am impressed with is the very tiny-microscopic-size of the iStent . This allows me to implant it without adding too much time during cataract surgery and without my patients even being aware of it in the eye. In addition-if we can help patients use less eye drops or none at all, this lowers the cost of their ongoing glaucoma care which is very important."

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye care practice serving the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area including providing general and glaucoma care in Athol, Acton, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Clinton, Concord, Fitchburg, Gardner, Greenfield, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Milford, Shelburne Falls, Shirley, Sterling, Stow, Sudbury, Templeton, Westminster, Westborough, Winchendon and Worcester, Massachusetts.

Staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services.

To learn more about D'Ambrosio Eye Care you may visit http://www.dambrosioeyecare.com or http://www.facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare or follow our eye care blog.

SOURCE: Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.
http://www.aboutcataractsurgery.com
http://www.seewithlasik.com

For additional information contact,
Judith Seppa, D'Ambrosio Eye Care, 479 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, Judith.Seppa@dambrosioeyecare.com, 1-800-325-3937 x 345.