Glaucoma - Services of Common Eye Disease
Glaucoma is a common eye disease that occurs due to increased pressure in the eye caused by a buildup of excess fluid. The most common form of glaucoma is called primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), which typically does not have warning signs.
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Healthy eye
In a healthy eye, a fluid called aqueous humor flows freely throughout the eye and travels through an internal drainage system.
Glaucoma
If the drainage system is blocked or partially obstructed, the natural pressure in your eye may increase. When eye pressure becomes too high, the optic nerve can become damaged causing blurred vision, severe eye and head pain, and, if left untreated, vision loss or blindness.
Glaucoma facts
- The #1 leading cause of irreversible vision loss1
- The 2nd leading cause of global blindness2
- Nearly 80 million people worldwide suffer from glaucoma (the majority go undiagnosed)2
- More than 4 million Americans age 40+ have primary open-angle glaucoma2
The best way to protect your sight from glaucoma is to get a comprehensive eye exam. Currently, there is no cure for glaucoma. However, preventative methods can be used to slow or even stop further vision loss with early detection, medication, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, or if required more invasive surgical techniques.
Treatment Option
Glaucoma treatment options: from eye drops to glaucoma surgery
Treatment for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is aimed at lowering pressure to prevent further loss of vision. There are multiple glaucoma treatment options available and current therapies include prescription eye drops, laser therapy, and glaucoma surgery. The advent of minimally invasive glaucoma devices, such as the Hydrus Microstent, offers a glaucoma treatment option designed to effectively reduce eye pressure and reliance on medical eye drops. Based on the severity of your glaucoma, your doctor will recommend a glaucoma treatment option specific to your needs. Glaucoma surgery is generally the last glaucoma treatment option selected by doctors.
Eye drops are often the first glaucoma treatment option selected by doctors for early-stage glaucoma. When taken properly, they decrease eye pressure by helping the eye’s fluid to drain better and/or decrease the amount of fluid made by the eye. If eye drops do not reduce eye pressure enough, your doctor may prescribe additional medications.
SLT uses short pulses of low energy laser to target specific cells in the drainage system of the eye to stimulate improved function. It is typically used when other glaucoma treatment options, including eye drop medications are not lowering the eye pressure enough or are causing significant side effects. It can also be used as an initial glaucoma treatment option.
Minimally invasive implants are designed to effectively restore flow of fluid in the eye. The Hydrus Microstent is a MIGS device that is implanted at the same time as cataract surgery to help reduce eye pressure and may eliminate your medication burden.
If eye drops or other glaucoma treatment options are unable to properly control eye pressure, tube shunts may be an option. They are flexible drainage devices that are implanted in the eye to help drain excess fluid.
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