The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Monday that it has approved the first-of-its kind glaucoma stent to be used during cataract surgery to prevent intraocular pressure. The iStent made by Glaukos Corp., a California medical device firm, is a titanium tube that can help drain excess fluid that builds up pressure inside the eye. Intraocular pressure has the potential to damage the optic nerve. Patients with mild or moderate open-angle glaucoma, and who have a cataract in one or both eyes, typically use medications to control the amount of pressure building up. Open-angle glaucoma is the loss of peripheral vision and is the most common form of glaucoma.
