Dr. Sarah Eccles-Brown earns certification in iStent Inject procedure
Elmquist Eye Group is pleased to announce Dr. Sarah Eccles-Brown has earned certification to perform iStent Inject, a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of glaucoma that is now being offered by Elmquist Eye Group.
Glaucoma, a common disease causing damage to the optic nerve, often develops without symptoms initially and can lead to vision loss or blindness. It is commonly associated with high eye pressures, which may be due to a build-up of fluid in the eye, either as a result of fluid overproduction or a blockage inside the eye’s natural drainage system. In order to combat this build-up, the iStent Inject procedure inserts two stents through the eye’s trabecular meshwork, creating a permanent opening in the drainage system inside the eye that allows for enhanced fluid outflow, and in turn, reduces pressure within the eye.
The procedure is intended for cataract surgery patients who are diagnosed with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma. The procedure is completed in tandem with cataract surgery, with the stents typically implanted following the removal of the cataracts.
“The 0.23 mm x 0.36 mm iStent Inject is the smallest medical device known to be implanted in the human body and has been clinically proven to cause a significant reduction in eye pressure. This may help decrease the patient’s need for glaucoma medications along with the associated costs and side effects of glaucoma drops,” said Eccles-Brown. “We are excited to help protect and preserve the vision of our glaucoma patients and help them achieve better eye pressure control through the use of this new surgical offering at Elmquist Eye Group.”
Eccles-Brown, a board-certified ophthalmologist at Elmquist Eye Group, is the practice’s lead surgeon responsible for premium cataract surgery, eyelid surgery, LASIK and in-office procedures. She joined Elmquist Eye Group in 2016, and is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. The Florida native earned two bachelor’s degrees from Florida State University and her doctorate from New York Medical College. She is one of three U.S. military veterans leading Elmquist Eye Group, previously serving in the U.S. Air Force as a major stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, where she treated active duty, retired and dependent patients as a comprehensive ophthalmologist. Prior to her time at Eglin AFB, she completed her Ophthalmology Residency Training in 2012 at Wilford Hall Medical Center and San Antonio Military Medical Center.
To learn if you are a candidate for the iStent Inject procedure, contact Elmquist Eye Group at 239-936-2020.
About Elmquist Eye Group
E. Trevor Elmquist, D.O. founded Elmquist Eye Group in Fort Myers in 1992. Elmquist and his skilled associates Dr. Kate Wagner, Dr. Nina Burt, and Dr. Sarah Eccles-Brown continue to provide a complete range of medical and surgical eye care to the residents of Lee County. Services include comprehensive eye exams, diagnosis and treatment of cataracts, dry eye, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and many more eye conditions. A full-service optical boutique is located within the Fort Myers and Cape Coral offices, with a wide range of frames and lens options. For more information and appointments call 239-936-2020 or go to Elmquist.com.
