Treatment Options

The goal of glaucoma treatment is to lower the eye pressure to a level that no longer damages optic nerve fibers. This can be accomplished with the use of medicine, laser, or surgery. In some cases a combination of these will be required to achieve the desired or goal pressure. The goal pressure for each individual is different and only your doctor can determine what the target pressure is for your eyes.

Medicine

Open angle glaucoma can often be controlled with eye drops. Today’s medications are very effective and can be easily integrated into your daily routine.

Laser

In-office laser surgery is also used to treat glaucoma and decrease dependence on eye drops.

1. Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)

SLT is a laser treatment for open angle glaucoma that uses short pulses of low-energy laser light to target melanin (pigment) containing cells in the outflow channels of the eye. These pulses of energy cause the macrophages (cleaner cells) of the body to “clean out” the clogged drain of the eye, allowing increased drainage of fluid. and lowering of intraocular pressure. This procedure takes approximately 10-15 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis.

Who is a good candidate?

➢ Patients who have open-angle glaucoma.
➢ Patients who cannot tolerate glaucoma medications.
➢ Patients for whom medications do not adequately control their eye pressure.

2. Peripheral Laser Iridotomy for Angle Closure Glaucoma

Laser Iridotomy is a treatment for closed angle glaucoma that uses a laser to make a small hole in the iris to create a new pathway for the aqueous fluid to drain from the eye. The new drainage hole allows the iris to fall back into its normal position, restoring the balance between fluid entering and leaving the eye and lowering the eye pressure.

Who may need this procedure?

➢ Patients who have narrow angles.
➢ Patients who are very hyperopic, or far-sighted.
➢ Patients who have had angle closure in the fellow eye.

Surgery

In some cases, glaucoma surgery may be required. Patients who have this surgery often experience a dramatic decrease in pressure, which can preserve their vision.

1. Trabeculectomy

Constructing a flap of tissue that serves as an additional outflow channel to allow extra fluid to exit the eye, thereby lowering intraocular pressure.

Trabeculectomy Video

Who is a good candidate?

➢ Patients for whom medications do not adequately control their eye pressure.
➢ Patients for whom selective laser trabeculoplasty is insufficient to reduce pressure in the eye.

2. Glaucoma Tube Implants

A glaucoma tube implant is a tiny silicone tube connected to a round or oval plate which works as a straw to remove fluid from the eye resulting in a lower intraocular pressure.

Who is a good candidate?

➢ Patients for whom medications do not adequately control their eye pressure.
➢ Patients for whom selective laser trabeculoplasty is insufficient to reduce pressure in the eye.
➢ Patients for whom a trabeculectomy surgery was unsuccessful

Speak with one of our fellowship-trained glaucoma specialists, Dr. Robert Edelman or Dr. Pooja Khator, to see which procedure will work best for you.

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Glaucoma and Cataracts

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Specialties

Manatee Sarasota Eye Clinic has fellowship-trained ophthalmologists in every specialty of eye care:

Glaucoma
Macular Degeneration
Diabetic Retinopathy
Dry Eye Disease
LASIK Laser Vision Correction
Pediatric Eye Care
Routine Eye Care

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