Wai Kitt Chee, Ee Lin Ong, Jason Cheng

The iStent is the smallest device implanted in the human body and measures less than 1mm in length and 0.33mm in height. The iStent is used in the treatment of open angle glaucoma and aims to bypass the trabecular meshwork ti improve aqueous outflow.
The iStent is stored in a sterile package with the device preloaded in the inserter. The inserter grips the iStent using retractable prongs. If the iStent is dislodged from the inserter outside of the eye it can be challenging to re-grasp the device in the correct orientation due to its small size and material properties.

This video demonstrates how a small amount of viscoelastic around the iStent helps to stabilise the iStent in the correct position, and lubricate the grip to avoid the prongs from flicking away the device.

Category: New techniques and devices