Hydrus Microstent. An eyelash-sized scaffold for Schlemm's canal.
The Hydrus Microstent is a tiny, flexible device designed to help lower eye pressure in people with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma.
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- Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, Board-Certified
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- Eyelash-sizedMicrostent
- Micro-incisionPlacement approach
- Open-angleGlaucoma focus
- PermanentDesigned to stay
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, DO, MGM · Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
Hydrus Microstent in Plano, TX · Serving Plano, Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Dallas & the North Dallas area
Who Hydrus Microstent is for.
You may be a great fit if any of these sound familiar.
- Adults with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma
- Patients seeking a minimally invasive way to manage eye pressure
- Patients hoping to reduce or eliminate daily eye drops
- Patients who may benefit from combining treatment with cataract surgery
We may recommend something else if…
- Closed-angle glaucoma or anatomy that does not allow canal placement
- Advanced glaucoma requiring a different surgical plan
- Active eye infection or inflammation
- Eyes without a healthy drainage angle for safe placement
None of these are deal-breakers, they're reasons to look at the alternatives. We'll tell you straight at consultation.
Free 60-minute consult · If you're not a fit, we'll tell you.
How Hydrus Microstent lowers eye pressure.
The Hydrus Microstent props open the eye's main drainage canal so fluid can flow out naturally. Here's how it works.
- 01Step 01
Map pressure and the drainage angle
DiagnosticsA full glaucoma workup measures your eye pressure and images the drainage angle, optic nerve, and visual field to confirm the Hydrus Microstent suits your anatomy and pressure goal.
- 02Step 02
Access the eye through a micro-incision
Often with cataract surgeryThe microstent is placed through the same tiny, self-sealing incision used for cataract surgery, so the two are commonly combined - adding only minutes. Numbing keeps you comfortable and there's no external wound.
- 03Step 03
Scaffold Schlemm's canal
Eyelash-sized microstentThe flexible, eyelash-sized device is threaded into Schlemm's canal, where it holds the canal open and spans several millimeters - acting as a scaffold that restores the eye's natural outflow channel.
- 04Step 04
Lower, steadier pressure
PermanentWith the canal held open, fluid drains more easily and intraocular pressure falls. Many patients reduce or eliminate their glaucoma drops, and recovery is the same as cataract surgery alone.
Questions about the procedure? We'll walk you through all of it.
What to expect, start to finish.
- 01Consult visitStep 01
Pre-procedure evaluation
Treatment starts with a thorough glaucoma evaluation to decide if Hydrus Microstent is the best option for your eye.
- 02Surgical visitStep 02
Microstent placement
The device is placed through a micro-incision inside the eye's drainage canal, often during cataract surgery.
- 03OngoingStep 03
Healing and follow-up
Follow-up care tracks pressure response, healing, and whether glaucoma drops can be reduced.
Your map, your candidacy, your plan — in one visit.
Clear costs. Real options.
One honest, all-in number — no surprises. Most patients use FSA / HSA, insurance, or 0% APR financing. Our Affordability page walks through every option in plain English.
Why we don't discount Hydrus Microstent
The Hydrus Microstent is covered by most insurance plans and Medicare when medically necessary. We verify your benefits before you commit and quote any out-of-pocket portion in writing - nothing gets added on surgery day.
What patients say
Will I still need eye drops after the Hydrus Microstent?
Some patients can stop using glaucoma drops entirely, while others may still need them in reduced amounts.Is the Hydrus Microstent procedure painful?
No. It is performed under local anesthesia, and most patients experience little to no discomfort.How soon will I see results from the Hydrus Microstent?
Many patients notice improved IOP readings at their first post-op visit.Can the Hydrus Microstent be done without cataract surgery?
It is typically performed with cataract surgery, but in some cases, it can be done alone.How long does the Hydrus Microstent last?
The device is designed to remain in place permanently, continuing to help regulate eye pressure.Is the Hydrus Microstent covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover the Hydrus Microstent when medically necessary.
Still have questions?
Talk to our team, no pressure, no sales pitch. We answer the question, not the upsell.
Not the right fit? Here's what else we offer.
Picking the right procedure is a diagnosis question, not a marketing one. If your eyes are better served by a different path, we'll tell you.
Keep researching, on your terms.
Cost, safety, candidacy — the questions patients actually ask, answered in plain English in our patient education library.
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See what better vision looks like. At any stage of life.
Glasses on the nightstand. Contacts fighting you at the gym. The menu blurring at dinner. You don't have to live with it. Come find out what's possible for your eyes.
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- Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, Board-Certified
- Aftercare included
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