New Zealand glaucoma specialists have welcomed Southern Cross’ decision to partially fund the latest iteration of the minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) device, the iStent Infinite.
Following years of discussions, the country’s largest private health insurer finally added MIGS devices to its funded-prosthesis list at the end of 2023 and now funds several to a maximum amount of $2,500 each. These include the Xen gel stent, iStent Inject, Preserflo Microshunt and, more recently, the Hydrus Microstent, the Tanito microhook and the iStent Infinite.
Welcoming the decision, Re:Vision’s Dr Divya Perumal said widening access to microinvasive glaucoma surgery technologies like the iStent Infinite provides more options to tailor treatments. “Each device has subtle differences in design, mechanism and suitability. By funding the latest options, ophthalmologists can match the right device to the right patient, rather than being limited by cost considerations.”
The iStent Infinite is a newer generation of the iStent and offers some important improvements, said Dr Kaliopy Matheos from Eye Institute. “It allows implantation of three stents instead of two, offers more flexible placement and potentially could deliver better intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering outcomes. Recognising this device ensures we’re not limited to older options.”
Dr Paul Baddeley from St George’s in Christchurch agreed, while noting patients would need to top up the cost shortfall from their own pockets if they chose the more expensive iStent Infinte device.






