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What is Glaucoma?

HOW GLAUCOMA CAN IMPACT YOUR VISION

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve. The condition is generally not something you can feel, which may result in its going undiagnosed without proper checkups. As the condition develops, patients can experience increased eye pressure (even without noticing symptoms) when fluid in the eye accumulates and cannot drain naturally. If left undiagnosed or untreated, glaucoma can worsen over time and significantly disrupt your quality of life, resulting in vision impairment and even blindness.1 Though there is no cure for glaucoma, there are treatment options available to control it and slow disease progression.
Illustration of the inside of an eye demonstrating pressure pressing outward against the lining of the eye. It also highlights the Optic Nerve at the base of the eye. Next to it is a 4-panel view of a small child, where each section shows an increasingly narrow field of view to simulate the changes your sight can go through.

How Common is Glaucoma?

If you’ve been living with glaucoma, you’re not alone. The condition affects millions of people around the world.
Did you know about 3 million Americans suffer from glaucoma?

  • US Prevalence2 3 million
  • Worldwide Prevalence1 >57 million

Glaucoma Risk Factors

A major risk factor for developing glaucoma is increased eye pressure. Fluid inside the eye carries nutrients to the lens and cornea, then drains out through a natural filter called the trabecular meshwork. If the fluid cannot drain properly, it builds up, resulting in increased pressure inside the eye.

ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS

  • Advanced Age
  • Severe Myopia (nearsightedness)
  • Poor blood circulation
  • Genetics (having another family member with glaucoma)
 A smiling gardener in the foreground with two other gardeners crouched next to the crop, out of focus in the background.

An Alternative Therapy Is Here

If medications and surgical treatments have been unsuccessful in managing your glaucoma, ask your doctor if iStent infinite® may be right for you.

References

  1. Allison K, Patel D, Alabi O. Epidemiology of glaucoma: the past, present, and predictions for the future. Cureus. 2020;12(11):e11686.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Don’t let glaucoma steal your sight! November 24, 2020. Accessed September 9, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/resources/features/glaucoma-awareness.html.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

iStent infinite® should not be used in patients with the following types of glaucoma; angle-closure, traumatic, uveitic, neovascular or glaucoma related to tumors; thyroid eye disease, Sturge-Weber syndrome, or any conditions that may cause elevated pressure in the eye. Potential Benefit of iStent infinite is the lowering of eye pressure, which may assist in the management of glaucoma. MRI environment is safe for use with iStent infinite under certain MRI conditions. Prior to having an MRI, tell your doctor you have an iStent infinite stent in your eye, and show the doctor your implant card. Potential Risks of iStent infinite may include reactions to medicines, bleeding, infection, inflammation, vision changes, increased eye pressure, and swelling of the cornea. This is not a complete list of risks. Talk to your doctor for medical advice about risks.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

INDICATION

iStent infinite is an implantable device intended to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye. It is indicated for use in adults with primary open-angle glaucoma in whom previous medical and surgical treatment has failed.