Canaloplasty procedure for glaucoma:
With this new technique for glaucoma treatment it is hoped that many patients with this serious eye problem have a new hope of enjoying life with their vision being saved.
The procedure can help decrease intraocular pressure inside the eye by more than 35% in most glaucoma sufferers.
Further, most who have undergone this treatment no longer need to use eye drops.
The procedure is generally non-invasive and in some cases is carried out at the same time as cataract removal.
The surgery is non-penetrative and there is no requirement for a fistula.
Nor does it result in formation of a “bleb” which can occur with regular glaucoma trabeculectomy surgery.
A micro-catheter is inserted into the eyes internal fluid drainage channel – the Schlemm’s canal.
This then helps the release of aqueous eye fluid via a normal outflow.
The Schlemm’s canal is then further widened by injection of a sterile gel substance known as viscoelastic.
After the Schlemm’s canal is is dilated the micro-catheter is taken out and the canal system is sutured.
It is this suture in the Schlemms canal system that ensures the reduced pressure flow of fluid in the eye. The reduced pressure prevents further ocular damage for the glaucoma patient.
It also keeps it open for years resulting in a controlled eye pressure.
Many people who currently suffer with glaucoma are candidates for this surgery.
However, certain glaucoma types such as closed or narrow angle glaucoma do not usually have great success with this procedure.
In addition, if a patient has previously undergone other forms of glaucoma surgery, it can be more difficult for the ophthalmologist to obtain successful results.
This glaucoma surgical procedure in most cases can eliminate or at least reduce the need for a patient to use glaucoma eye medication.