Reid Wainess of Acuity Eye Group® First LA County Surgeon to Implant the iStent inject®, a Groundbreaking Treatment for Glaucoma and Cataracts
On August 28, 2018, Reid Wainess, MD, Partner and Cataract Surgeon at Acuity Eye Group, became the first eye surgeon in Los Angeles County to implant the iStent inject Trabecular Micro-Bypass System. Implanted at the time of cataract surgery, iStent inject is clinically proven to reduce eye pressure in adult patients with both cataracts and mild-to-moderate primary open-angle glaucoma.
SAN GABRIEL, Calif., Sept. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On August 28, 2018, Reid Wainess, MD, Partner and Cataract Surgeon at Acuity Eye Group became the first eye surgeon in Los Angeles County to implant the iStent inject Trabecular Micro-Bypass System. Implanted at the time of cataract surgery, iStent inject is clinically proven to reduce eye pressure in adult patients with both cataracts and mild-to-moderate primary open-angle glaucoma. In the U.S. pivotal trial, iStent inject was shown to be effective in decreasing intraocular pressure, with an excellent safety profile, few complications, and fast recovery time.
"We are thrilled to offer this option for every cataract patient in our community who is living with glaucoma," Dr. Wainess said in a statement. "It has been an honor to be one of the first surgeons to take advantage of a groundbreaking treatment that not only effectively manages eye pressure associated with glaucoma, but may also reduce our patients' reliance on glaucoma medication."
Dr. Wainess has spent his career on the forefront of advances in ophthalmic technology and patient care. He has presented research at multiple national meetings and has been an active participant in the Academy of Ophthalmologists Mid-Year Forum, where he lobbied on Capitol Hill to promote the interests of both patients and eye care professionals.
"Acuity Eye Group remains steadfast in its commitment to providing the best possible care for our patients, so adding iStent inject was an easy decision for us," Dr. Wainess said. "As ophthalmic technology continues to advance, we'll continue working tirelessly to improve the vision and quality-of-life for our patients."
About Acuity Eye Group
Acuity Eye Group is committed to helping ophthalmologists and optometrists realize their full potential while providing best-in-class patient care to all those in need. They are experts in the business of ophthalmology with years of experience in the industry, a world-class surgeon as their founder, and an unwavering commitment to helping both established practice owners and young professionals further their ophthalmology careers. Headquartered in Pasadena, CA, the Company offers access to ophthalmology services from Visalia to San Diego.
About the iStent inject:
iStent inject is indicated for use in conjunction with cataract surgery for adult patients with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma. Once implanted in the eye, iStent inject can effectively lower intraocular pressure and patients may experience a reduction in reliance on glaucoma medication (at the discretion of the eye care professional).
iStent inject works by creating a bypass between the front part of the eye and its natural drainage pathway to increase the flow of fluid. By creating a permanent bypass through the primary blockage site (trabecular meshwork), iStent inject is designed to:
- Improve the eye's natural fluid outflow to safely lower intraocular pressure
- Work continuously to improve the natural flow of eye fluid in the eye
Recent randomized controlled trials and case studies have shown that iStent inject is an effective procedure with an excellent overall safety profile similar to that of cataract surgery alone.
INDICATION FOR USE. The iStent inject ® Trabecular Micro-Bypass System Model G2-M-IS is indicated for use in conjunction with cataract surgery for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma. CONTRAINDICATIONS. The iStent inject is contraindicated in eyes with angle-closure glaucoma, traumatic, malignant, uveitic, or neovascular glaucoma, discernible congenital anomalies of the anterior chamber (AC) angle, retrobulbar tumor, thyroid eye disease, or Sturge-Weber Syndrome or any other type of condition that may cause elevated episcleral venous pressure. WARNINGS. Gonioscopy should be performed prior to surgery to exclude congenital anomalies of the angle, PAS, rubeosis, or conditions that would prohibit adequate visualization of the angle that could lead to improper placement of the stent and pose a hazard. MRI INFORMATION. The iStent inject is MR-Conditional, i.e., the device is safe for use in a specified MR environment under specified conditions; please see Directions for Use (DFU) label for details. PRECAUTIONS. The surgeon should monitor the patient postoperatively for proper maintenance of IOP. The safety and effectiveness of the iStent inject have not been established as an alternative to the primary treatment of glaucoma with medications, in children, in eyes with significant prior trauma, abnormal anterior segment, chronic inflammation, prior glaucoma surgery (except SLT performed greater than 90 days preoperative), glaucoma associated with vascular disorders, pseudoexfoliative, pigmentary or other secondary open-angle glaucomas, pseudophakic eyes, phakic eyes without concomitant cataract surgery or with complicated cataract surgery, eyes with medicated IOP greater than 24 mmHg or unmedicated IOP less than 21 mmHg or greater than 36 mmHg, or for implantation of more or less than two stents. ADVERSE EVENTS. Common postoperative adverse events reported in the randomized pivotal trial included stent obstruction (6.2%), intraocular inflammation (5.7% for iStent inject vs. 4.2% for cataract surgery only), secondary surgical intervention (5.4% vs. 5.0%) and BCVA loss greater than or equal to 2 lines greater than or equal to 3 months (2.6% vs. 4.2%). CAUTION: Federal law restricts this device to sale by, or on the order of, a physician. Please see DFU for a complete list of contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse events.
SOURCE Acuity Eye Group
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