Managing glaucoma often means lowering eye pressure every day to help protect the optic nerve from further damage. Traditionally, prescription eye drops have been an important part of that process. However, remembering daily medication can be difficult, and some patients experience irritation or other challenges with long-term drop use.

iDose TR offers another approach. This FDA-approved intracameral implant continuously delivers glaucoma medication from inside the eye, potentially reducing a patient's dependence on daily pressure-lowering drops.

What Is iDose TR?

iDose TR is a small implant containing travoprost, a prostaglandin analog commonly used to lower intraocular pressure. It is FDA approved for patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Rather than requiring patients to place medication on the surface of the eye each day, iDose TR is positioned inside the eye and gradually releases travoprost over time. The implant is designed to remain securely anchored while providing continuous medication delivery.

How Does iDose TR Lower Eye Pressure?

Healthy eye pressure depends on a balance between the production and drainage of fluid inside the eye. When pressure becomes too high, it can contribute to optic nerve damage associated with glaucoma.

Travoprost helps improve the outflow of fluid from the eye, which lowers intraocular pressure. With iDose TR, the medication is delivered directly from the implant instead of relying on a patient to administer drops consistently.

Potential advantages for appropriate patients may include:
 

• Reduced dependence on daily glaucoma eye drops

• Continuous delivery of pressure-lowering medication

• Fewer concerns about forgetting or incorrectly administering drops

• Less daily disruption from a glaucoma medication routine

In pivotal clinical trials, 81% of iDose TR patients were free from topical pressure-lowering medications at 12 months, although individual patients may still require additional glaucoma treatment.

What Happens During the iDose TR Procedure?

iDose TR is placed inside the front portion of the eye using a specialized inserter. The implant is positioned within the eye's drainage angle, where it can continuously release medication.

Patients still require regular glaucoma monitoring after treatment. We need to continue checking eye pressure, evaluating the optic nerve, and monitoring the position of the implant. iDose TR does not cure glaucoma or restore vision already lost to the disease - its purpose is to help control eye pressure and reduce the risk of additional damage.

Who May Be a Candidate for iDose TR?

iDose TR may be considered for adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who need better pressure control or want to reduce the burden of daily medication. Not every patient is a candidate.

Before recommending treatment, we evaluate the eye's drainage angle, cornea, glaucoma severity, current medications, and overall eye health. Certain conditions, including active eye infections, corneal endothelial disorders, previous corneal transplantation, and some angle abnormalities, may affect whether iDose TR is appropriate.

At Coastal Vision Medical Group, we also offer a range of glaucoma treatments, allowing us to develop a treatment plan based on each patient's eye pressure, disease stage, and long-term needs.

Schedule a glaucoma evaluation with Coastal Vision Medical Group in Orange, CA, to find out whether iDose TR may be appropriate for you by calling (888) 501-4496.