Glaucoma Doctor in Olympia:
Surgical Treatment for Glaucoma

About Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition that develops when too much fluid pressure builds up inside of the eye. It tends to be inherited and may not show up until later in life. The increased pressure, called intraocular pressure, can damage the optic nerve which transmits images to the brain. Continuous high eye pressure can damage the optic nerve and cause loss of vision. Without treatment, glaucoma can cause permanent blindness within a few years.

Glaucoma is treated surgically, and several different procedures are available. How can you choose the best treatment for glaucoma? Consult your ophthalmologist at Clarus today.

 

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Symptoms

Because most people with glaucoma have no early symptoms or pain from this increased pressure, it is important to see your ophthalmologist regularly so that glaucoma can be diagnosed and treated before long-term visual loss occurs.

If you are over the age of 45 and if you have a family history of glaucoma, you should have a complete eye exam with an ophthalmologist every one to two years. If you have health problems such as diabetes or a family history of glaucoma or are at risk for other eye diseases, you may need to visit your ophthalmologist more frequently.

What causes high eye pressure
Treatment Options

The Best Treatment for Glaucoma

Clarus Eye Center offers several options for surgical treatment of glaucoma, including minimally-invasive surgery. We’ve detailed each option below, but you’ll want to consult with your Clarus eye doctor to determine your best treatment for glaucoma. We’ll help you choose the surgical procedure that is right for you.

Laser Trabeculoplasty

A laser is used to treat the trabecular meshwork, the filter over the drainage system inside the eye.This procedure lowers eye pressure by increasing the outflow of fluid inside the eye.This procedure is performed in the office, is non-invasive, and carries less risk than other surgical procedures.The full effect of trabeculoplasty often takes 3-4 weeks and the benefits usually last for several years.

Viscocanalostomy

This procedure involves accessing an internal drainage canal and injecting a thick fluid, called viscoelastic, into it.This procedure expands the drainage canal, facilitating the drainage of fluid from inside the eye. Because this procedure uses the eye’s natural drainage system, there is little risk of excessive pressure reduction after surgery. Another advantage of viscocanalostomy is that it stimulates the body’s healing mechanism less than trabeculectomy, so there is less of a tendency for scar tissue to form.

Although viscocanalostomy takes longer than trabeculectomy and is more technically challenging to perform, it is much simpler for the patient. This procedure can be performed alone or along with cataract surgery. Compared to trabeculectomy, this procedure carries less risk and requires fewer postoperative visits.

Trabeculectomy

A trabeculectomy involves surgically creating a reservoir (bleb) on the top of the eye, usually under the upper eyelid. Aqueous fluid from inside the eye flows into the bleb and then is absorbed into the blood-stream. The new drain is entirely inside the eye. The fluid does not enter your tears or flow down your cheek. Although this cannot reverse existing damage from glaucoma, it may prevent further loss of vision from glaucoma. Anti-scarring medications, such as 5-Fluorouracil or Mitomycin-C are usually used during surgery to achieve more long-lasting control of the eye pressure after surgery.
After surgery, the vision in your operative eye may be blurry for a few months. You will need to use multiple drops at frequent intervals after the surgery. You will also have frequent postoperative visits, often weekly, until the eye has healed.

Glaucoma Drainage Device

Baerveldt drainage tubes and Ahmed valves are used by the doctors at Clarus to control eye pressures when needed. A reservoir is placed on the top of the eyeball and a small tube is directed into the front chamber of the eye.The implant is covered with donor tissue and the natural tissue that covers the eyeball. The tube is often tied off with a dissolvable suture to prevent excessive pressure reduction in the first several weeks.It usually takes between 6 and 10 weeks to see the full effect of the tube implant.

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Procedures

There are many devices available for the management of glaucoma and more are expected to be available in the coming years.Currently, the doctors at Clarus offer the iStent, which is a microscopic titanium tube that is inserted into the eye’s natural drainage system to help lower the pressure inside the eye. This procedure is FDA approved for use during cataract surgery for mild to moderate open angle glaucoma. Not every glaucoma patient is a candidate for the iStent, but for many, it is an excellent, low-risk method of reducing eye pressures.

If you are experiencing vision changes, schedule an eye exam to find out if Glaucoma may be developing.

How do I find the best glaucoma doctor near me?

Look for a trusted and experienced glaucoma specialist, and make sure your specialist has the ability to tailor treatment to your specific condition.  Ask what kinds of options they provide for surgical treatment of glaucoma and be sure you’re comfortable with your surgeon’s experience.

 

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