What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma has no obvious symptoms, and the eyesight can deteriorate so gradually that it is often unnoticed. The only real way of knowing that glaucoma is present is by having an eye examination by an eye care professional. Call your eye care professional today to schedule a complete eye exam, including an intraocular pressure check.
How is Glaucoma Treated?
In the early stages of the disease, glaucoma can be controlled by medication or laser surgery. Both are intended to lower the pressure inside of the eye and thereby protect the optic nerve from damage. Medication and laser treatments may not always be effective enough; therefore, your doctor may recommend further surgical intervention.
Glaucoma medications can be effective in decreasing eye pressure by helping the eye’s fluid to drain better and/or decreasing the amount of fluid made by the eye. These drugs include prostaglandin analogs, beta blockers, alpha agonists, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. There are also combinations of these drugs available for those patients that would benefit from combination therapy. Of course, compliance in administering these drops is key to maintaining your own eye health.
SLT for Glaucoma
What is SLT laser therapy?
SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty) is a safe and simple laser treatme¬¬-nt that effectively reduces eye pressure for most patients with glaucoma. SLT is covered by Medicare, potentially eliminating costly eye drop medications after treatment.
How does the SLT laser therapy work?
The SLT uses an advanced laser system to target only specific cells of the eye-those containing melanin, a natural pigment. This laser energy stimulates the natural healing response within the eye and results in greater fluid outflow, which in turn lowers eye pressure.
What can I expect during an SLT treatment?
SLT is an outpatient procedure. Anesthetic eye drops are used to prepare the eye and treatment takes place in a standard exam chair. Laser energy is released multiple times at the edge of your pupil and the procedure will take just a few minutes to complete. You will need to remain in the office for 30 minutes after treatment to check pressure within the eye. Most patients do not report any pain during or after treatment.
What can I expect after SLT treatment?
Your vision may be blurry for several hours, possibly up to 24 hours. Generally, the eye is mildly irritated for 1-2 days. Unlike many glaucoma medications, there are no reported incidences of allergic reactions or systemic side-effects with SLT. Complications are rare, but may include inflammation, a temporary increase in eye pressure, blurred vision, headache, conjunctivitis, or eye pain.
Will I need to continue using eye drops after SLT treatment?
The primary goal of the procedure is to reduce your eye pressure to prevent glaucoma damage. Many patients no longer require eye drops following SLT. It takes approximately 3 months to achieve a decrease in pressure. Your doctor can best determine whether eye drops are still required to manage pressure levels following your SLT treatment
Ex-PRESS mini-Shunt for Glaucoma
The newest surgical glaucoma treatment is called an Ex-PRESS mini-shunt. Your doctor inserts an extremely small tube, called a shunt, outside of the eye to divert fluid. This procedure is effective in maintaining long term control of intraocular pressure, and can be done at the time of or after cataract surgery. In most cases, patients can eliminate their need for glaucoma eye drops after Ex-PRESS surgery.
If you have glaucoma, or have a family history of the disease, talk to your eye care professional about glaucoma and your treatment options.
Types of Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerve. When damage to the optic nerve occurs, blind spots develop.This damage can occur in two different ways.
Primary open-angle glaucoma (the most common form) happens when the drainage channel of the eye is compromised. The clear liquid that circulates inside the eye ("aqueous humor") does not drain properly, causing a gradual increase in pressure inside the eye.
The second type of glaucoma is angle closure glaucoma, in which the iris (the colored part of the eye) is too close to the drainage channel or angle and blocks it, causing an increase in pressure as the aqueous humor cannot drain properly.
Risk factors for glaucoma include age, family history, farsightedness or nearsightedness, past eye injuries, and systemic health problems including diabetes and poor circulation. Early detection of glaucoma is key to preventing optic nerve damage, and regular eye exams by an ophthalmologist can screen for this disease. Loss of sight can often be prevented with early detection and treatment.
Learn more>>
Glaucoma Research Foundation A US-based non-profit organization, with details of education activities, research findings, and background health information.
Facts About Glaucoma [NEI Health Information] Publication about the risk of getting open-angle glaucoma. Encourages regular eye exams through dilated pupils.
Glaucoma - A Complete Guide from AllAboutVision.com Glaucoma causes, symptoms and treatment; also glaucoma news, FAQ and eye doctor Q-and-A about glaucoma.
Glaucoma Information Information about Treatments, Risk Factors, Prevention and Resources
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