glaucoma surgery & treatments.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma refers to a collection of eye conditions that cause damage to the optic nerve, the nerve which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. Typically, damage to the optic nerve is caused by increased pressure in the eye. This is known as intraocular pressure (IOP). Without treatment, glaucoma can lead to permanent blindness; it is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States.

There are various kinds of glaucoma which can affect someone at any age. Patients will experience different symptoms. For example, Patient A may have quick pain and redness, while Patient B may have no symptoms at all. This is why it is crucial to learn as much as you can about glaucoma and to have your eyes examined regularly.

In a healthy eye, clear fluid, known as aqueous humor, circulates inside the front section of your eye. To maintain a constant healthy eye pressure, your eye continually produces a small amount of aqueous humor while simultaneously evacuating an equal amount of fluid out of your eye. But if you have glaucoma, the fluid is not flowing out of your eye properly. The pressure in the eye builds up and, over a period of time, results in damage to the optic nerve fibers.

The purpose of glaucoma treatment is to reduce eye pressure. This is done using medication, surgery or a combination of as prescribed by your physician depending on the type of glaucoma you have.

Laser Glaucoma Surgery, Treatment & Prevention

There are several different kinds of surgeries available to treat various types of glaucoma. Generally, your doctor won't recommend glaucoma surgery until medication has been tried first. And even after surgery, medication may still be needed to control your intraocular pressure.

Glaucoma Treatment options include:

Medication: Medicated eye drops are the most common way to treat glaucoma. These medications lower your eye pressure in one of two ways — either by slowing the production of aqueous humor or by improving the flow through the drainage angle. However in some patients, surgery is recommended.

Types of Glaucoma Surgery (laser & conventional):

Glaucoma surgery improves the flow of fluid out of the eye, resulting in lower eye pressure two ways — either by slowing the production of aqueous humor or by improving the flow through the drainage angle. Conventional Glaucoma Surgery called trabeculectomy or filtering microsurgery is one option.

In conventional surgery, the surgeon makes a new opening for fluid to leave the eye. The surgery is usually performed in a hospital or outpatient surgery center under local anesthesia. The surgeon removes a tiny piece of the wall of the eye, called the sclera, leaving a tiny hole through which the aqueous fluid can drain out under the conjunctiva. Laser procedures include Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty and Laser Peripheral Iridotomy. Your physician will discuss with you the best option for your particular case.

For more information about this or any other eye procedures, please click here for a list of all the fine surgeons who work out of Albany Regional Eye Surgery Center.

 

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