PreserFlo MicroShunt: A New Hope for Glaucoma Patients

• 16 Oct 2025

PreserFlo MicroShunt: A New Hope for Glaucoma Patients

🤓 The PreserFlo MicroShunt is a game-changer for patients with uncontrolled glaucoma.

This small, implantable device provides a permanent solution to lower eye pressure, helping to prevent irreversible vision loss.

Here’s why it’s making a difference:
Minimally Invasive: A less traumatic procedure for the eye compared to traditional surgery.
Effective: Proven to significantly lower eye pressure and reduce reliance on daily eye drops.
Biocompatible: Made of a non-metallic, non-toxic material that is well-tolerated by the body.

This advancement is helping to redefine patient care and outcomes in ophthalmology:

What is a PreserFlo MicroShunt?
The PreserFlo MicroShunt is a small, 8-millimeter-long tube, also known as a stent, designed to help reduce eye pressure in patients with glaucoma. It is made of a synthetic, biocompatible material called SIBS (styrene-block-isobutylene-block-styrene) that is non-toxic and not rejected by the body. Because it’s not metallic, it will not set off airport scanners and is safe for MRI or CT scans.

Why might I need this surgery?
Glaucoma is an eye condition where high pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure, or IOP) can damage the optic nerve, leading to vision loss. The PreserFlo MicroShunt is used when eye drops or laser treatments have not been successful in controlling your eye pressure, or if you are unable to use eye drops regularly. The goal of the surgery is to lower your eye pressure to prevent further damage and vision loss. It is important to note that this surgery will not cure glaucoma or restore any vision that has already been lost.

How does the surgery work?
The PreserFlo MicroShunt is implanted during a procedure that typically takes 45-60 minutes.

Anti-scarring medication: An anti-scarring agent, often Mitomycin C, is applied to the eye. This is a very important step as it helps to increase the long-term success of the surgery by preventing scar tissue from blocking the new drainage pathway.

Creating a new drainage pathway: The PreserFlo MicroShunt is inserted through a tiny tunnel into the front chamber of your eye. The other end of the tube is positioned under the conjunctiva.

What are the benefits of the PreserFlo MicroShunt?
Effective Pressure Reduction: Clinical studies have shown a significant reduction in eye pressure, which helps to prevent further vision loss from glaucoma.
Less Invasive: It is considered a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) and is less traumatic to the eye than traditional glaucoma surgery (trabeculectomy).
Reduced Need for Eye Drops
Faster Recovery

What are the risks and potential complications?
While the PreserFlo MicroShunt is designed to be a safer alternative to other surgeries, all surgical procedures carry some risks. Serious complications are uncommon.