Army Hospital (RR) performs world's first implant of special device in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery

In a landmark advancement in glaucoma surgery, surgeons at the Army Hospital (Research and Referral) have successfully performed the world’s first implantation of the Hydrus Microstent device guided by intraoperative aqueous angiography, a procedure that involves real-time, functional imaging to visualise the eye's natural fluid outflow pathways during minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)

The Hydrus Microstent is a tiny, 8mm flexible nitinol device, which is an implant or instrument made from a nickel-titanium alloy having super-elasticity and shape memory properties, that is used in MIGS to lower eye pressure in adults having mild to moderate glaucoma. It is typically implanted during cataract surgery.

The pioneering procedure was performed using advanced surgical instrumentation and imaging with the Heidelberg Retina Angiograph (HRA) to visualise aqueous outflow pathways in real time, an official statement said.

This novel technique allows precise and targeted placement of the implant within the Schlemm’s canal, a circular vessel in the eye, thereby enhancing aqueous drainage and improving outcomes for patients with Glaucoma.

The achievement represents a major global milestone in precision minimally invasive glaucoma surgery and underscores the modernisation in advancing cutting-edge ophthalmic innovation and patient care in the Defence Forces, the statement added.

The Army Hospital (Research and Referral), is the apex medical care institute for the Indian Armed Forces, which includes a teaching hospital and a nursing college. It is the only military hospital to be commanded by a Lieutenant General rank officer and provides treatment 27 sub-specialties. It is also responsible for providing medical cover to the President of India and some entitled top government functionaries.