Glaucoma Treatment in Rochester, NY
Also serving Victor area patients
Glaucoma Surgery in Rochester, NY
Also Serving Brighton, Gates, Irondequoit & Victor
About Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease in which pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) rises to a dangerous level, damaging the optic nerve and causing vision loss. In a healthy eye, fluid is produced in the ciliary body, enters the eye, and then drains through tiny passages called the trabecular meshwork. In people with glaucoma, these passages become blocked and intraocular pressure rises. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S. The condition often develops over many years without causing pain or other noticeable symptoms, so you may not experience vision loss until the disease has progressed.
Symptoms that could indicate the development of glaucoma include blurred vision, loss of peripheral vision, halo effects around lights, and painful or reddened eyes. People at high risk include those who are over the age of 40, diabetic, near-sighted, African-American, or who have a family history of glaucoma.
Glaucoma Detection & Treatment
To detect glaucoma, your physician will test your visual acuity and visual field as well as the pressure in your eye. Regular eye exams help to monitor the changes in your eyesight and to determine whether you may develop glaucoma. Once diagnosed, glaucoma can be controlled. Treatments to lower pressure in the eye include non-surgical methods such as prescription eye drops and medications, laser therapy, and surgery.
Glaucoma Surgery Options
For patients with narrow-angle glaucoma. A small hole is made in the iris to increase the angle between the iris and cornea and encourage fluid drainage.
For patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). The trabecular passages are opened to increase fluid drainage. ALT is effective in about 75% of patients.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is an elective procedure and is used to lower the eye pressure. In SLT, a laser treatment is applied to the drain of your eye in order to open it up and let fluid out. By using laser light, it stimulates the body’s own healing response to lower the eye pressure. Using a special wavelength and energy, the laser affects only pigmented (melanin containing) cells of your eye. SLT improves the flow of fluid in the eye, which in turn lowers the eye pressure, and helps preserve the eyesight. The SLT treatment only takes a few minutes and is performed in an office setting.
For patients with severe glaucoma damage who have not been helped with other surgeries. The ciliary body that produces intraocular fluid is destroyed.
For patients who have not been helped with laser surgery or medications. A new drainage passage is created by cutting a small hole in the sclera (the white part of the eye) and creating a collection pouch between the sclera and conjunctiva (the outer covering of the eye).
May be recommended for patients with neovascular glaucoma, failed trabeculectomy, or susceptibility to developing scar tissue. A thin, flexible tube (a shunt) with a silicone pouch is inserted in the eye to facilitate drainage.
Leading the way in Glaucoma treatment with MIGS
MIGS is a state-of-the-art minimally invasive procedure that uses microscopic instruments to facilitate small incision surgery. It is an alternative option to traditional glaucoma surgery for mild to moderate glaucoma, with fewer risks, higher success rates and faster recovery time.
The goal of MIGS procedures is to improve fluid drainage out of the eye in patients with mild to moderate glaucoma, reducing elevated eye pressure that damages the optic nerve. Clinical trials have shown that MIGS procedures achieve a significant decrease in eye pressure over periods up to 24 months, along with a decrease in prescription eye drop usage.
Most exciting is that the MIGS procedure is frequently, conveniently performed in combination with cataract surgery for the appropriate candidates. MIGS performed at Cornerstone Eye Associates in Rochester, NY include OMNI® & Hydrus™ Microstent.
Our glaucoma experts are always happy to answer any questions you may have.