MINIject (made by iSTAR Medical) is a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) implant for open-angle glaucoma. It is a tiny, soft, sponge-like implant placed into the supraciliary space at the front of the eye, where it opens up the eye's natural uveoscleral drainage route to lower intraocular pressure. Unlike many MIGS devices, MINIject is designed to be implanted on its own — you do not need to be having cataract surgery for it to be an option. At our partner clinics in South England, standalone MINIject surgery costs from £3,900 per eye, all-inclusive, and aims to lower eye pressure while reducing your reliance on glaucoma drops.
What is MINIject?
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, usually because pressure inside the eye is too high. Lowering that intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only proven way to protect your sight. MINIject is a small implant — about the size of a grain of rice — made from a soft, porous material called STAR biomaterial. Its sponge-like structure is gentle on the surrounding tissue and is designed to integrate with the eye while keeping a natural drainage channel open.
It is placed in the supraciliary space, a potential space between the white of the eye (sclera) and the ciliary body. Draining fluid through this route — the uveoscleral pathway — can produce a meaningful drop in pressure without creating an external drainage bleb on the surface of the eye, as traditional trabeculectomy does.
Who is MINIject for?
- Open-angle glaucoma not well controlled on drops, or where drops are poorly tolerated
- Patients who want to reduce or simplify their glaucoma medication
- People who are not having cataract surgery but still need a MIGS option
- Those seeking a lower-risk step before considering traditional filtration surgery
- Patients with mild to moderate glaucoma confirmed on field and nerve scans
Your consultant will confirm whether MINIject is suitable after a full glaucoma assessment, including examining your drainage angle, optic nerve and visual fields. It is one of several glaucoma treatment options and is not suitable for every type of glaucoma.
Struggling with glaucoma drops? A consultant assessment with field and OCT scans confirms whether a standalone MIGS implant like MINIject could lower your pressure.
Book a glaucoma assessmentHow MINIject compares with other MIGS
MIGS is a family of small implants and techniques that lower eye pressure with less disruption than traditional surgery. The right choice depends on your glaucoma type, your drainage angle and whether you are also having cataract surgery.
Other options your surgeon may discuss include the Hydrus Microstent, OMNI canaloplasty, the sustained-release iDose TR drug implant, or laser treatment such as SLT. Where cataract and glaucoma coexist, a combined procedure with an iStent infinite may be recommended.
What happens during MINIject surgery
MINIject is implanted ab interno — from inside the eye, through a tiny corneal incision — so there is no large cut and no stitches on the white of the eye. It is a day-case procedure under local anaesthetic drops and takes around 15–20 minutes per eye.
- Numbing drops are applied and the eye is cleaned and gently held open.
- The surgeon makes a small self-sealing corneal incision, typically under 2 mm.
- Using a viewing lens (gonioscopy), the implant is guided across the front of the eye to the supraciliary space.
- The soft MINIject implant is gently deployed, opening a new drainage route through the uveoscleral pathway.
- The incision seals itself and the eye is shielded. You rest briefly, then go home the same day.
Recovery week-by-week
Recovery from MIGS is usually quicker and more comfortable than traditional glaucoma surgery because there is no external wound or bleb to heal. Pressure response is checked over the following weeks and months.
Day of surgery
Vision is a little blurred and the eye may feel gritty. An eye shield is worn for the first night. Anti-inflammatory and antibiotic drops begin.
Days 1–7
First pressure check. Mild redness and watering settle. Most people return to light daily activities quickly; avoid rubbing the eye and heavy lifting.
Weeks 2–6
The eye settles and your consultant assesses the pressure response. Some glaucoma drops may be reduced or stopped on their advice.
Months 1–3
Pressure stabilises as the implant integrates. Field and nerve scans confirm your glaucoma is controlled.
Long term
Ongoing glaucoma monitoring continues for life. MINIject aims to maintain lower pressure and reduce your medication burden over time.
Cost & insurance
Our MINIject pricing is all-inclusive: consultant assessment, visual field and OCT optic-nerve scans, the implant and theatre fees, post-op drops and your follow-up pressure checks.
- Self-pay: from £3,900 per eye for standalone MINIject surgery.
- Insurance: recognised by Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, Cigna and WPA where glaucoma surgery is indicated — we help with authorisation.
- Finance: 0% finance options are available to spread the cost.
Compare every option on our glaucoma surgery cost page and the wider glaucoma prices and treatments hubs.