Studies have shown that approximately three million people in the country have glaucoma, and many do not know that they have the condition. One in ten people suffers total blindness because glaucoma is not detected and treated. While the condition cannot be cured, glaucoma treatments aim to minimize the damage that is caused to the eyes to preserve vision. Laser treatments now offer patients improved outcomes compared to traditional approaches.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a condition that describes excess pressure in the eye that causes damage to the optical nerve. The disease affects patients of all ages, and, in some cases, does not cause any symptoms. There are some patients with a variant of glaucoma where the pressure remains normal, this is called low pressure or normal pressure glaucoma or low tension glaucoma.
Open-angle glaucoma increases the pressure inside the eye. Trabeculoplasty is a procedure that aims to relieve some of the pressure by modifying the trabecular structures inside the eye. Laser trabeculoplasty is typically performed with argon or ALT. A newer procedure which is more commonly used is called selective laser trabeculoplasty or SLT. In selective laser trabeculoplasty, the laser heats the trabecular meshwork causing contraction of the bridging tissue and increasing the facility of outflow of the fluid inside the eye known as the aqueous humor. This results in lower pressure. Some physicians recommend SLT as first line treatment before the use of eye drops.
Iridotomy with lasers may be recommended for patients who have narrow-angle glaucoma. The laser is used to make a tiny hole in the iris that improves fluid drainage within the eye. In narrow angle glaucoma, the anatomy is such that the iris root may block the outflow of fluid causing a rapid rise in pressure also called an acute or narrow angle glaucoma attack. The laser iridotomy is used to both prevent an acute attack as well as to treat an acute attack, if one occurs. It is best to treat the narrow angle early to prevent an acute glaucoma attack whenever possible and when evaluation of the outflow channels indicate that an iridotomy is medically necessary.
Reducing the production of fluid in the eye has proven beneficial for some glaucoma patients. Laser cyclophotocoagulation modifies the portion of the eye that produces fluid. Patients who undergo this procedure may need follow-up treatments. This procedure is not commonly performed unless the glaucoma is severe or cannot be treated with more effective surgical procedures.
Recovery from Laser Treatments for Glaucoma
A slight stinging of the eyes is noted after laser treatments for glaucoma, but patients can return to their activities immediately after the procedure. The laser treatments will not eliminate the need for medications. Rather the surgery, may reduce the dosage of medications or help prevent increased dosing in the future. Laser surgery for narrow angle glaucoma may rarely increase your risk for cataracts. However, this risk is very slight.
Learn More About Laser Treatments for Glaucoma. Contact Dr. David Aizuss.
To learn more about your options for treating, glaucoma, cataracts, dry eye, ocular surface disease and other conditions, contact Dr. David Aizuss to schedule a consultation. We also offer eye exams, LASIK vision correction, contact lenses and optical services. You can contact our Encino office directly at (818) 907-1038 and our West Hills office at (818) 346-8118.