Glaucoma
Quick diagnosis and treatment.
Glaucoma is an eye disease that threatens your vision causing optic nerve damage. It is most often formed due to increased pressure in the eye, caused by poor drainage of the natural fluid (aqueous humor), which is necessary to supply nutrients to the cornea and lens. Glaucoma tends to be inherited and may not show up until later in life. Because most people don’t have early symptoms or pain from the high pressure, it is important to see your eye doctor regularly so that you can achieve quick diagnosis and receive the treatment you need.
Risk Factors for Glaucoma Include:
Intraocular Pressure (Fluid build-up)
Age
Corneal Thickness
Inherited Background
Ethnic Background
Treatment Options:
Eye drops (First line of activity): Eye drop medications lower IOP by either reducing the amount of fluid entering the eye, or increasing the amount of fluid exiting the eye. There are several different kinds of glaucoma medications, and each differs in terms of both its ability to lower IOP and its potential side effects. Laser therapy often is used when medications fail to lower IOP; it is also used for patients who cannot tolerate medications due to side effects.
Glaukos iStent: There is an exciting new technology for glaucoma patients who will be having cataract surgery. Most patients who have had the iStent placed decrease the need for glaucoma medications.
iStent is the first MIGS device that improves your eye’s natural fluid outflow to safely lower eye pressure by creating a permanent opening in the trabecular meshwork, and works continuously to improve the outflow of fluid from your eyes to help control eye pressure. Proven safe and effective, the iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass is safely implanted during cataract surgery, spares important eye tissue often damaged by traditional surgeries, and doesn’t limit treatment options that could help maintain your vision in the future. iStent is the smallest medical device ever approved by the FDA.
Two Glaucoma Types:
#AskDrDrew | Narrow Angle Glaucoma
Open-Angle Glaucoma: Also called primary or chronic glaucoma, accounting for at least 90% of all glaucoma cases, this type has symptoms and damage that aren’t noticed as they develop slowly and is a lifelong condition.
Closed-Angle Glaucoma: This less common type is also called acute or chronic angle-closure, or narrow-angle glaucoma, which can cause a sudden buildup of pressure in the eye. Its symptoms occur suddenly and are much more severe and noticeable.
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) (For patients who have narrow angles or angle closure glaucoma): This glaucoma procedure is performed on patients with angle-closure glaucoma. As with many medical conditions, it is preferable to treat patients at risk and thereby avoid vision loss. In angle-closure glaucoma, the drainage system of the eye may become partially or completely blocked by the iris (the colored part of the eye). A small hole is made in the iris to create a new way for the aqueous fluid to drain from the eye. The new drainage hole restores the balance between fluid entering and leaving your eye.
Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) (For patients with primary open-angle glaucoma): For patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, ALT is directed at the iris (the colored portion of the eye) to help lower the eye pressure inside the eye. This laser treatment may be used as an alternative to adding glaucoma topical medications or in combination with glaucoma topical medications.
How We Evaluate Glaucoma:
Dilated fundus examinations
Monitor pressure
Assess risk factors
Visual Field Test
Nerve OCT’s