Durysta is a tiny implant that is placed by your doctor into the front chamber of your eye. The implant is designed to slowly dissolve over time. As it dissolves, it releases bimatoprost, the same medication found in Lumigan and Latisse. Bimatoprost is a commonly prescribed drug for the treatment of glaucoma, an eye disease that can cause vision loss when your eye pressure is too high.
Why should I have this procedure?
Durysta is the first approved sustained-release medication for the treatment of open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (high eye pressure). It is implanted in the office with a generally painless procedure that takes just a few minutes and the benefits can last for months or years. It is another option for lowering eye pressure and protecting your vision besides eye drops, laser or surgery.
How does Durysta work?
The front of your eye is filled with fluid. The medication in Durysta (bimatoprost) lowers your eye pressure by allowing more of this fluid to leave the eye. This is different from your tears; this fluid is inside your eye and exits via internal drainage canals. The Durysta implant steadily releases medication over time, replacing the need for you to place an eye drop on the eye every day.
How long does it last?
The Durysta implant is designed to last 3-4 months; however, studies have shown that there is a good chance that the pressure-lowering effect will last at least 6 months and a small chance that it can last up to 1-2 years. It is thought that this prolonged effect is due to cellular remodeling that occurs in the internal drainage canals.
Can it be repeated?
Despite studies that used repeated implants over time, Durysta has so far only been approved for a single use per eye.
What are the side effects?
The side effects of Durysta implantation are typically mild and resolve quickly. The most common side effect is eye redness, which is thought to be due to the eye cleanser used during the procedure. Other less common side effects include foreign body sensation, light sensitivity, broken blood vessels, dry eye, eye irritation and blurred vision.
What are the risks?
There is a very slight risk of infection (endophthalmitis). The probability is believed to be less than 1 in 4000. Other risks include corneal endothelial cell loss, iris inflammation, swelling in the retina, and increased pigmentation of the iris.
