Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. Often called the “silent thief of sight,” it causes progressive damage to the optic nerve, typically due to increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Many patients are unaware of the damage until noticeable vision loss has occurred.
For decades, treating glaucoma relied heavily on medicated eye drops or high-risk surgeries. But thanks to medical innovation, a new generation of low-risk procedures is transforming glaucoma care—and changing what’s possible for patients with mild to moderate disease. This new class of treatments is called Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery, or MIGS.
Many patients ask, “Can MIGS actually prevent vision loss from glaucoma?” The short answer is yes—when used appropriately, MIGS can significantly slow or even halt glaucoma progression by lowering eye pressure early and safely.
Understanding the Root of Vision Loss in Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease defined by damage to the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. The primary cause of this nerve damage is elevated intraocular pressure—the pressure inside the eye that can rise due to poor fluid drainage.
If left untreated, high IOP slowly destroys optic nerve fibers, resulting in a gradual loss of peripheral vision. Over time, this damage can lead to tunnel vision and eventually total blindness.
While traditional glaucoma surgeries like trabeculectomy or aqueous shunt implantation can effectively reduce IOP, they carry a significant risk of complications—including infection, bleeding, and vision-threatening scarring. This has made many ophthalmologists and patients hesitant to use surgery until absolutely necessary.
Enter MIGS: A Safer, Earlier Option
The treatment landscape began to shift with the development of MIGS procedures. Unlike traditional surgeries, MIGS offers a minimally invasive, low-risk alternative for reducing intraocular pressure—especially in patients with mild to moderate glaucoma.
One of the most promising aspects of MIGS is that it can be done during cataract surgery, adding just a few minutes to the procedure with little added risk. These tiny implants or stents—some as small as an eyelash—act like scaffolding inside the eye’s natural drainage system, allowing fluid to exit more easily and thereby reducing pressure.
This innovation allows for earlier surgical intervention, which is critical when the goal is preserving vision before permanent damage occurs.
How MIGS Works to Protect Vision
To understand how MIGS helps prevent vision loss, it’s important to know that glaucoma-related nerve damage is permanent—but slowing or stopping progression is possible with timely pressure control.
By lowering intraocular pressure, MIGS reduces the strain on the optic nerve, giving patients a better chance at maintaining their current level of vision for the long term. In many cases, MIGS can even reduce or eliminate the need for multiple daily medications, which can be burdensome and have systemic side effects.
MIGS at Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center
At Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center, we are proud to offer the latest MIGS technologies to patients across Arizona. Our own Dr. Christine Funke, one of the Valley’s foremost glaucoma specialists, has embraced a variety of next-generation laser and surgical options to help patients manage their disease earlier and more comfortably than ever.
Dr. Funke explains:
“The DSLT is the newest iteration of SLT. The DSLT has similar results in eye pressure reduction, but the laser is automated, non‑contact, and takes 2.5 seconds to deliver the treatment.”
This breakthrough device, along with MIGS implants and laser treatments like ECP (Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation), represents a new era in glaucoma care—especially for patients undergoing cataract surgery.
The Cataract-Glaucoma Connection
Many glaucoma patients are also candidates for cataract surgery, which removes the eye’s cloudy natural lens to restore sharp vision. Fortunately, this presents a unique opportunity to address both conditions at once.
For example, during cataract surgery, our surgeons can insert a microstent into the eye’s drainage canal—adding just a few minutes to the procedure. This dual approach not only improves vision by removing the cataract but also helps manage intraocular pressure, reducing the need for daily drops.
According to Dr. Neil Atodaria, a board-certified, fellowship-trained glaucoma expert at Barnet Dulaney Perkins:
“The microstent provides patients with an opportunity to reduce the number of medications they use to manage their disease… and improves eye pressure without increasing surgical risk.”
Are You a Candidate for MIGS?
Most patients with both cataracts and mild to moderate glaucoma are excellent candidates for combined procedures. However, even patients not undergoing cataract surgery may benefit from standalone MIGS options or non-invasive lasers like DSLT or SLT.
You may be a candidate if:
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You have early-stage open-angle glaucoma
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Your eye pressure is not well-controlled with drops
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You are planning cataract surgery in the near future
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You want to reduce your reliance on medications
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You are concerned about the risks of traditional glaucoma surgery
Why Early Intervention Matters
Only about 5% of glaucoma patients in developed countries progress to legal blindness, thanks largely to early detection and intervention. MIGS allows specialists like Dr. Funke and Dr. Atodaria to treat glaucoma proactively rather than reactively.
Early detection through routine eye exams is key to preventing permanent vision loss
A New Era in Glaucoma Treatment
With continued innovation in laser and microinvasive techniques, vision-saving intervention is now safer, faster, and more comfortable than ever. MIGS is not just about managing pressure—it’s about preserving independence, freedom, and quality of life.
Newly diagnosed or planning cataract surgery? Our team can help you explore MIGS and other options to protect your vision.
Don’t let glaucoma rob you of another moment. Talk to your ophthalmologist about whether MIGS is right for you! Schedule an appointment with one of our glaucoma specialists today.