For many people living with glaucoma, daily eye drops have long been the foundation of treatment. Although effective, keeping up with them day after day, sometimes multiple times a day, can be genuinely difficult. Missed doses, stinging, and irritation are all common issues patients on a drop regimen face.
At Northwest Eye Surgeons, we’re proud to offer iDose® TR, an FDA-approved alternative that delivers glaucoma medication continuously from inside the eye, so you can spend less time thinking about drops and more time living your life.
What is iDose TR?
iDose TR is a tiny titanium implant, about the size of a grain of rice, that is placed inside the eye to slowly and steadily release glaucoma medication over time.
The medication it contains, travoprost, is in the same family of pressure-lowering medicines used in many prescription eye drops. The difference is how it gets to your eye. Instead of relying on you to remember drops every day, iDose TR delivers the medication directly where it’s needed, around the clock, for an extended period.
Who Is a Candidate for iDose?
iDose TR is approved for adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It may be a good fit if you have trouble using drops consistently, experience burning or irritation from drops, or simply want a more convenient way to keep your eye pressure controlled.
It can be performed as a standalone procedure or combined with cataract surgery or another minimally invasive glaucoma procedure.
The best way to know whether iDose TR is right for you is a thorough evaluation with your glaucoma specialist at Northwest Eye Surgeons, who will review your pressure history, medications, and overall eye health.
What Happens During the iDose Procedure?
The iDose TR procedure is short, minimally invasive, and performed in an surgical outpatient setting. Your surgeon uses a very small incision, smaller than the one used for cataract surgery, to place the implant securely in the front part of the eye, where it stays securely in place and begins releasing medication. Most patients are comfortable throughout the procedure, and the procedure typically takes only a few minutes.
What Recovery Looks Like After the iDose Procedure
Recovery from iDose TR is usually quick.
You’ll rest at home after the procedure, and most patients are back to their regular routines within a day or two. You’ll need to see your glaucoma specialist for a few follow-up visits to check the implant, monitor your eye pressure, and make sure everything is healing well.
Because the implant sits inside the eye, you won’t see or feel it during daily activities.
Benefits of iDose
One of the biggest advantages of iDose TR is freedom from the daily routine of drops. Many patients find that they are able to reduce or even stop using their glaucoma drops after the implant is placed, though this varies from person to person. Your doctor will continue to monitor your eye pressure over time and adjust your care as needed. When the medication eventually tapers, the implant can often be replaced during another brief procedure, so your treatment can continue without interruption.
Talk With a Glaucoma Specialist at Northwest Eye Surgeons
If you’re tired of juggling drops or want to explore a more modern approach to managing your glaucoma, our team is here to help. Our providers will take the time to understand your situation, answer your questions, and build a plan that fits your life.
Schedule a consultation at Northwest Eye Surgeons in Seattle, WA, today to find out whether iDose TR is right for you.
