Specialty Eye Institute Physician First in Michigan to use iStent Technology

Eye surgeon Kevin Lavery, MD, of Specialty Eye Institute, announced that he is now providing the iStent® Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent as a treatment option to reduce eye pressure for patients with both cataracts and glaucoma. Dr. Lavery is the first surgeon in Michigan to perform surgery using the iStent® technology. This technology will be a great benefit to patients in the Jackson, Battle Creek, and Kalamazoo SEI offices.

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.  “This is exciting news for people who have both cataract and glaucoma,” says Dr. Lavery.   

The eye drops used to treat glaucoma can be difficult to administer and expensive.  With iStent®, many patients will need less medicine to control their eye pressure and some may not need prescription eye drops at all. “When pressure in the eye is out of control, it can increase the risk of permanent vision loss.  I consider iStent® an important advancement in protecting against vision loss for my glaucoma patients,” adds Dr. Lavery.  

iStent®, is the smallest medical devise ever approved by the FDA, and is placed in a patient’s eye during cataract surgery.  Dr. Lavery went on to say, “It is so small, you are unable to see or feel it after the procedure is done.  Although you won’t even know iStent®, is there, it will be working to help reduce your eye pressure.”  

This iStent® technology is another “first” for Specialty Eye Institute.  In 2011, SEI surgeons were the first in Michigan to obtain the LenSx® laser, the first FDA approved laser for use inside the eye.  LenSx® provides cataracts patients with individualized treatment, as well as a more precise surgical outcome, and improved healing time.  

Specialty Eye Institute offers comprehensive eye care services in 10 locations throughout Michigan and Ohio. Treatments include diseases of the eye, cataracts, corneal disease, glaucoma, dry eye, macular degeneration, diabetic eye care, blepharoplasty, and laser vision correction. For more information about Specialty Eye Institute, or to schedule an appointment, please call 1-877-852-8463 or visit www.specialtyeyeinstitute.com.