Patient Procedures at Mountain View Eye Center

iDose TR

Daily eye drops have been the cornerstone of glaucoma care for decades, and for good reason: they work. But for many patients, sticking with a drop schedule day in and day out, sometimes several times a day, is harder than it sounds. Forgotten doses, burning sensations, and ongoing irritation are familiar frustrations for anyone managing glaucoma with drops.

At Mountain View Eye Center, we’re pleased to offer iDose® TR, an FDA-approved option that delivers glaucoma medication steadily from within the eye, freeing you from the daily drop routine and giving you more time to focus on what matters.

What is iDose TR?

iDose TR is a small titanium implant, roughly the size of a grain of rice, that sits inside the eye and gradually releases glaucoma medication over an extended period. The drug in the implant, travoprost, belongs to the same class of pressure-lowering medications as many commonly prescribed eye drops.

What sets iDose TR apart is the delivery method. Rather than relying on a patient to remember to take drops each day, the implant continuously releases the medication right where it’s needed for months at a time.

Am I a Candidate for iDose?

iDose TR is approved for adult patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It may be a strong option if you struggle to stay consistent with drops, deal with burning or discomfort when using them, or are simply looking for a more convenient way to keep your intraocular pressure under control.

The implant can be placed as a standalone procedure or paired with cataract surgery or another minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.

The only way to know for certain whether iDose TR makes sense for you is to undergo a comprehensive evaluation with a glaucoma specialist at Mountain View Eye Center. Your provider will look at your pressure trends, current medications, and overall eye health before making a recommendation.

What to Expect During Your iDose Procedure

The iDose TR procedure is brief, minimally invasive, and performed in an outpatient surgical setting. Your eye surgeon makes a tiny incision, even smaller than the one used in cataract surgery, and positions the implant in the front portion of the eye, where it anchors in place and starts delivering medication right away. Patients generally remain comfortable throughout, and the entire procedure usually takes only a few minutes.

What Does Recovery Look Like After the iDose Procedure?

Recovery after iDose TR tends to be fast. You’ll head home to rest following the procedure, and most patients return to their normal activities within a day or two.

A handful of follow-up appointments with your glaucoma specialist will be necessary so we can check on the implant, track your eye pressure, and confirm that healing is progressing as expected. Because the implant rests inside the eye, you won’t notice it visually or feel it as you go about your day.

The Benefits of Choosing iDose

Perhaps the most significant benefit of iDose TR is stepping away from the constant cycle of daily drops. Many patients find they can cut back on, or in some cases eliminate, their glaucoma drops once the implant is in place, though individual results vary.

Your eye doctor will monitor your pressure long-term and adjust your treatment plan as circumstances change. When the medication in the implant eventually runs out, a new one can often be placed during another quick procedure, keeping your therapy on track without a gap.

Talk With a Glaucoma Specialist at Mountain View Eye Center

If managing daily drops has become a burden or you’re curious about a more modern approach to glaucoma care, our team would be glad to talk it through with you. Our providers will take the time to listen, answer everything on your mind, and put together a plan tailored to your lifestyle.

Schedule a consultation at Mountain View Eye Center in Fairbanks, AK, today to find out whether iDose TR is the right choice for you.