iStent inject ® micro-invasive glaucoma surgery: David's story

Meet David Gourley

David is 72 years old and a community volunteer from Aberdeen in Scotland.

David was a health and safety advisory for a major oil and gas company in Aberdeen. Since he retired at 56, David has dedicated his time to volunteering in his local community. From being an active member of the Citizens Advice Bureau, to driving the community centre minibus to support residents with mobility issues, David has always been passionate about giving back to others in whichever way he can.

David was diagnosed with glaucoma in both eyes in 2012.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a common condition that happens when your optic nerve, which connects your eye to your brain, becomes damaged. The condition, which generally develops slowly over a period of years, is caused by a build-up of fluid in the front area of your eye, which increases pressure inside your eye. It is incurable, but can be effectively managed and slowed down with certain treatment options, such as surgery. Common symptoms of glaucoma include:

• Intense eye pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches
• Tenderness around your eyes
• Blurred vision

David was initially prescribed eye drops to manage the condition, but his symptoms progressed. The thought of losing his eyesight altogether and the impact it would have on his busy life of volunteering was unthinkable for David. He says: “In 2019, my optician advised I would need surgery. My left eye was in a worse state than my right eye, but both were affected."

David was also suffering from the effects of cataracts, another common eye problem that can develop as you age. It happens when the lens (a small transparent disc in your eye) becomes cloudy and misty, which affects your vision. David carefully considered having surgery before seeking treatment for both conditions. He says: “I was left with a decision. I had been driving for 50 years and I was now borderline regarding meeting the DVLA standard. Losing my license would be devastating, so surgery seemed like the best treatment option for me."

Treatment at The Albyn Hospital

David’s optician referred him to see Mr Sudipto Bhatta and he was quickly booked in for a combined cataract removal surgery with iStent inject for glaucoma in November 2020. Mr Bhatta is one of our talented consultant ophthalmic surgeons based at The Albyn Hospital in Aberdeen. David was initially daunted by the prospect of being awake during the surgery, but Mr Bhatta and his multidisciplinary team of healthcare specialists, including specialist nurses and theatre staff, comforted him by talking to him during the surgery and making him feel as comfortable as possible. 

“I never envisioned going private, but due to NHS waiting list, I made an appointment to get treatment quickly," says David. "Mr Bhatta and his team made me feel comfortable and the reassurance they gave me throughout made such a difference – even down to the nurse holding my hand throughout the operation. I was under a local anaesthetic so was awake throughout.”

David later had the same treatment performed on his left eye. He says: "I had such a good experience at Albyn Hospital, it made sense to have the left eye done after Mr Bhatta had operated on the right eye." 

Both operations were a resounding success. Soon after the surgeries, David noticed a marked improvement in the quality of his vision. More importantly, the pressure in his eyes was controlled. Surgery, combined with the eye drops, has halted the worsening of his field of vision, which remains unchanged after two years since the operations.

What is iStent injection treatment for glaucoma?

The procedure involves inserting two tiny hollow metal tubes (also known as stents) into the trabecular meshwork in your eye. The trabecular network is an area of tissue in your eye located around the base of your cornea (the outer layer of your eyeball). It drains the aqueous humor (water-like) fluid from your eye, which can build up and affect your vision.

The tiny hollow tubes, made of titanium, are so tiny that you cannot see or feel them. The fluid drains through them, helping reduce pressure on your optic nerve and slow down damage and vision loss caused by glaucoma. iStent can be safely implanted during cataract removal surgery, during which the surgeon will make a tiny cut in your eye to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear plastic one. 

To find out more about having this treatment with our friendly and talented team at Circle Health Group, call us or book an appointment online.

Life for David after surgery

The surgery has allowed David to get back to doing the things he loves, including regular golf and walking with his walking group. 

"The operation has given me the opportunity to continue with my active lifestyle. I am back to fully enjoying my hobbies, including playing golf and indoor bowls, which was tricky before as I wasn’t able to see the ball clearly or judge the distance accurately. Even when I’m out walking with my walking group, I’m able to see the wildlife much better. The operation has given me the opportunity to lead a more enriched life. It was a privilege meet Mr Bhatta and I would recommend him to anyone.”

Why choose us?

When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:

• Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Support by the same compassionate clinical team from beginning to end
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to learn more about this procedure, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.