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MIGS could bring glaucoma treatment to general ophthalmologists
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CHICAGO — New micro-invasive surgical procedures are an opportunity for general ophthalmologists to play a much bigger role in glaucoma treatment, a panelist said here.
“For the first time, glaucoma now will go mainstream,” Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD, FAAO, FACS, said in reference to micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) at the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit preceding the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
The risk-reward ratio for glaucoma treatment had not been there for general ophthalmologists, he said. Cataract and refractive surgeries have grown in popularity due to consistency and certainty, Dr. Donnenfeld said, and MIGS is beginning to offer that same level of certainty.
But while more surgeons may feel more comfortable with treating glaucoma patients, sometimes in combination with cataract or refractive procedures, the primary stumbling block will be reimbursements, panelist Jim Mazzo, senior vice president, Abbott Medical Optics, said.
The other panelists, including Richard A. Lewis, MD, Ike K. Ahmed, MD, and David Milne, managing partner for SV Life Sciences, agreed that reimbursements could be a significant hurdle.
Dr. Donnenfeld further predicted that use of MIGS by cataract and refractive surgeons would not only reduce the use of glaucoma drugs, but also result in glaucoma surgeons treating only the most difficult and advanced cases — patients who could not be helped by general ophthalmologists with MIGS procedures.
Panel moderator Richard L. Lindstrom, MD, noted the current climate around glaucoma reminded him of the excitement when LASIK first came to the market.
“Glaucoma is very hot right now,” he said. “The most in-demand ophthalmologist today is a well-trained glaucoma specialist.”
- Disclosures: Dr. Donnenfeld is a consultant for Abbott Medical Optics, Aquesys, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today, Glaukos and Wavetec Vision Systems. Dr. Lindstrom is a consultant and investor with Abbott Medical Optics, Aquesys, Glaukos, LensAR and Transcend Medical. Dr. Ahmed is a consultant for Alcon, Aquesys, Glaukos, Ivantis and Transcend Medical. Milne is the managing partner for SV Life Sciences. No disclosures were listed for Dr. Lewis.