Durysta™

Glaucoma Treatment in Amherst, Niagara Falls, & Buffalo, NY

Glaucoma, also known as the silent thief of sight, is one of the leading causes of vision loss globally. It causes elevated intraocular pressure or IOP, which can lead to vision loss.

If you have glaucoma, the only way to treat it is to lower the pressure in your eye continually. IOP can damage your optic nerve, which can lead to vision loss, so you must keep your IOP as low as possible.

The eye doctors at Fichte, Endl & Elmer Eyecare have the experience and knowledge needed to help you reduce your IOP. A new solution for glaucoma, called Durysta, is another exciting way we can help you do just that!

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss worldwide. Millions of people in the United States are living with this irreversible, incurable disease.

The elevated IOP that glaucoma causes presses on your optic nerve, which can lead to optic nerve damage. Your optic nerve is responsible for sending nerve signals from your retina to your brain.

Your brain then interprets these nerve signals and forms images based on them. If your optic nerve gets damaged, it leads to vision loss because it can no longer transmit these signals.

Reduction of IOP is the only proven way to treat glaucoma. Durysta is effective at lowering IOP while the device is in your eye.

What is Durysta?

Durysta is a dissolvable implant that is a drug delivery device for bimatoprost. It is the first and only FDA-approved biodegradable sustained-release implant to lower IOP.

Bimatoprost is a medication that effectively reduces IOP. Durysta is an alternative treatment for patients with open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. 

The Durysta device gets implanted in the anterior chamber of your eye, where it stays for two to three months or longer. Durysta implantation is a quick and painless procedure done right in the office. Also, the device is biodegradable, so it dissolves over time as it releases the bimatoprost medication.

Who is a Good Candidate For Durysta?

If you have glaucoma and manage your IOP with eye drops, other medications, or surgery, then Durysta may be for you. It is a replacement for daily eye drops to maintain a reduced IOP while the device is present in your eye.

Patient adherence to eye drop medications is low. Poor adherence to these medicines could result in disease progression and vision loss. 

If you have difficulty remembering to apply your eye drops or struggle getting drops in your eyes, Durysta can help you keep your eye pressure lower. 

Durysta is also an effective treatment for patients who have ocular hypertension (OHT). It works the same to reduce pressure due to OHT as it does for glaucoma patients.

Does Durysta Have Side Effects?

As with any medication, there are some side effects associated with Durysta. They do not appear in all patients, and their occurrence depends on your condition and your body.

Common side effects from Durysta include the following:

• Conjunctival hyperemia
• Foreign body sensation
• Eye pain
• Photophobia
• Conjunctival hemorrhage
• Dry eye
• Eye irritation
• Increased IOP
• Corneal endothelial cell loss
• Blurry vision
• Iritis
• Headache
• Red spot in your eye

Many of these side effects are manageable with other medications like mild painkillers and eye drops.

Why Should You Consider Durysta as a Glaucoma Treatment?

Durysta is a one-time application. There is no need to remember to administer your eye drops or take oral medication every day.

The medicine is in your eye, and it gets continually released for two to three months. During that time, you do not need to take any additional medication. Are you interested in Durysta to help you manage your IOP? Call 1-800-309-2020 to schedule an appointment at Fichte, Endl & Elmer Eyecare in Buffalo, NY, to discuss this exciting option!