Overview of MIGS
Abstract The term, minimally- or micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), has entered common ophthalmic parlance and is playing an increasing role in the management of glaucoma patients. In common, the devices and procedures referred to are safer, less tissue invasive and associated with faster recovery than traditional filtering surgery, such as trabeculectomy or aqueous shunt implantation. MIGS can be categorized according to the tissue they target (or bypass): trabecular meshwork (TM) MIGS, subconjunctival MIGS, suprachoroidal MIGS and newer cycloablation procedures. A number of MIGS devices and techniques (e.g. TM MIGS) have relatively modest efficacy, but potential utility in a very large group of glaucoma patients with disease that is insufficiently severe to justify the invasiveness of conventional filtration surgery and the consequent intensity of postoperative care yet, burdened with medication and the attendant side effects and compliance issues thereof. On the other hand, subconjunctival MIGS devices, which are associated with bleb-related complications, can potentially achieve efficacy approaching that of traditional filtering surgery and are appropriate in selected individuals when larger IOP reductions are required, the exception being cases where glaucoma is very advanced. This book covers the techniques that are most commonly regarded as eligible to sit under the MIGS umbrella. Irrespective of the modest efficacy of many MIGS devices and techniques, the favourable safety profile lowers the threshold for early glaucoma surgery, especially when combined with cataract surgery, potentially delaying the requirement for more invasive surgery and associated risks.