Procedural Pharmaceutical Lessons From Early Adopters

Experienced glaucoma surgeons share practical pearls on integrating sustained drug delivery into practice.

By: Christine Funke, MD, J. Morgan Micheletti, MD, FACS, Jason Bacharach, MD, Shivani S. Kamat, MD, Arkadiy Yadgarov, MD, Steven R. Sarkisian, Jr., MD, Robert F. Melendez, MD, MBA, Syril K. Dorairaj, MD, and, Pranav Vasu, MPH, Savak “Sev” Teymoorian, MD, MBA, Reza Alizadeh, MD, Lorraine M. Provencher, MD, Jai G. Parekh, MD, MBA, FAAO, Manjool Shah, MD, Inder Paul Singh, MD, Huda Sheheitli, MD, Reena A. Garg, MD, Zarmeena Vendal, MD

Glaucoma Physician September 1, 2026 Page(s): 16-20

5 Key Takeaways

1

Sustained-release pharmaceuticals offer a new method for glaucoma management by delivering medication directly to the eye.
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Two FDA-approved options are Durysta, administered in-office, and iDose TR, implanted in the operating room.
3

Surgeons are refining the integration of sustained drug delivery into treatment paradigms, including as alternatives to topical medications.
4

Patient selection is crucial, with ideal candidates often already controlled on a single medication seeking to reduce drops.
5

Effective patient counseling involves discussing the benefits of sustained drug delivery to alleviate concerns about daily medication.

Reza Alizadeh, MD

Specialties: Ophthalmology

Bio: Reza Alizadeh, MD, is a glaucoma specialist recognized for contributions to the evolving field of procedural pharmaceuticals in glaucoma care. He has authored work discussing the integration of sustained drug delivery implants as a novel approach to managing intraocular pressure while reducing reliance on topical therapies. His expertise includes practical clinical strategies for selecting patients, planning preoperative and postoperative care, and optimizing outcomes with innovative glaucoma treatments.

Huda Sheheitli, MD

Specialties: Ophthalmology

Bio: Huda Sheheitli, MD, is a glaucoma specialist known for her contributions to advancing glaucoma management, particularly in the implementation of sustained drug delivery treatments. She has shared clinical insights on integrating procedural pharmaceuticals such as intracameral bimatoprost and travoprost implants into glaucoma care, highlighting their role in reducing reliance on topical therapies. Dr. Sheheitli's work supports a patient-centered approach, emphasizing individualized treatment plans that incorporate new drug delivery technologies.

Reena A. Garg, MD

Specialties: Ophthalmology

Bio: Reena A. Garg, MD, is a glaucoma specialist contributing expertise on sustained drug delivery therapies for glaucoma management. She is recognized for her involvement in advancing procedural pharmaceuticals designed to reduce the need for daily topical glaucoma treatments. Dr. Garg has participated in collaborative efforts to share clinical insights and practical approaches for integrating these novel therapeutic options into everyday ophthalmic practice.

Procedural Pharmaceutical Lessons From Early Adopters

5 Key Takeaways

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