People who have glaucoma have increased eye pressure. This condition can cause blindness if it’s left untreated. Fichte Endl & Elmer Eyecare is now offering this new treatment for glaucoma patients.
What is Durysta?
Durysta is the only FDA-approved dissolvable implant that lowers eye pressure. Your eye doctor places Durysta in your eye, where it will stay for several months before dissolving over time.
Clinical study participants who had Durysta put into their eye had lowered eye pressure for 15 weeks.
Who Benefits from It?
Durysta is helpful for people with open-angle glaucoma, as well as those with high eye pressure or ocular hypertension.
You may have high eye pressure if your trabecular meshwork is clogged. This sponge-like substance is near the cornea and iris.
It nourishes the eye and provides structural support. If the trabecular meshwork becomes blocked, it can cause high fluid pressure.
The buildup of fluid can press on the optic nerve, leading to permanent vision damage.
Many people don’t need treatment for mild pressure increases. Some take medicated eye drops to lower eye pressure.
If you have high eye pressure, you need to have regular check-ups to monitor your condition. It can quickly develop into glaucoma and blindness if the pressure is not reduced.
If you have open-angle glaucoma, you may be a good candidate for the Durysta implant. Open-angle glaucoma occurs when eye pressure increases because of a partial block in the trabecular meshwork. Symptoms include slow vision loss and optic nerve damage.
Eye drops are the first line of treatment for open-angle glaucoma. They are the least invasive and most convenient option.
Surgery and other medications may be necessary in severe cases. People with glaucoma or high ocular pressure may forget to take their eye drops. Or they may not be able to lift their arm and aim a dropper at their eye.
If you struggle to remember to take your eye drops or can’t apply them to lower your intraocular pressure, Durysta may be the perfect treatment for you! Durysta is a convenient and easy option since it dissolves and automatically releases a medication called Bimatoprost that lowers eye pressure while it’s in your eye.
That means no more eye drops to have to remember to take.
What Are the Potential Side Effects of Durysta?
Like any medication, there are potential side effects with Durysta. You may experience the following:
- Red eyes
- Eye irritation
- Feeling like there is something between your eyelid and eye
- Minimal pain that you can treat using over-the-counter painkillers
- Blurry vision
- Headaches
- A red spot on the white of your eyes
- Decreased cell counts on the inside of your corneas
Durysta may increase your likelihood of developing an eye infection. Patients who choose to take Durysta must attend regular eye exams to make sure their eyes are healthy.
If you have Durysta implanted, you cannot have it performed twice in one month. Most patients find it works for two to three months.
If you have glaucoma and are tired of taking eye drops every day, Durysta could be right for you! Talk with your eye doctor to learn if you are a potential candidate for Durysta. Schedule your appointment at Fichte, Endl & Elmer Eyecare in Buffalo, NY!
