Glaucoma Treatment in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral & Bonita Springs
Glaucoma is an increase in the intraocular pressure in your eye. If left untreated the pressure may rise to dangerous levels and damage your optic nerve. This can result in decreased peripheral (side-to-side) vision and eventually blindness.
An increase in the amount of aqueous humor (fluid) in the eye indicates a problem. Either the eye is producing too much, or it’s not draining properly. Certain medical disorders, such as diabetes, may also contribute to glaucoma.
Who Is Most Likely to Get Glaucoma?
(Click to View)Who Is Most Likely to Get Glaucoma?
Because there are several types, anyone can have glaucoma. Certain ethnic backgrounds, specifically African Americans, are four times more likely to develop glaucoma than people of European descent.
What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
(Click to View)What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is often known as the “silent thief.” Because there are no warning signs, most people do not realize they have a problem. Glaucoma gradually reduces your side-to-side vision but by the time you notice it, permanent damage has already occurred.
How Is Glaucoma Detected?
(Click to View)How Is Glaucoma Detected?
A visit to your eye care specialist is the best way to determine whether or not you have glaucoma. People with certain risk factors should see their eye doctor more frequently to have their intraocular pressure checked.
Another detection method is through diagnostic testing such as a visual field. This test will map your vision and determine if any points in your field of vision are missing.
Snead Eye Group – Glaucoma Treatments in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral & Bonita Springs
How Is Glaucoma Treated?
There’s currently no cure for glaucoma, however, there are ways to treat the disease to ensure that it doesn’t progress any further.
The best treatment for glaucoma is early diagnosis and prevention. Various types of glaucoma may require different treatment plans including the iStent and Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty.
Your doctor may prescribe you medicated eye drops or pills, which are common glaucoma treatments for milder cases.
What is Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)?
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, or SLT, is a new, innovative laser-based procedure that successfully lowers intraocular pressure. SLT is repeatable, non-invasive and does not result in any major side effects. Hundreds of thousands of patients have already gained relief from this non-invasive, gentle procedure.
SLT is a form of laser surgery that is used to lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma. It is used when eye drop medications are not reducing the eye pressure enough or are causing significant side effects. It may sometimes be used as an initial glaucoma treatment.
Patients who have open-angle glaucoma (the drainage system in the front part of the eye is open) and are in need of lowering their intraocular pressure (IOP) are eligible for the procedure. Your eye doctor will make the final determination if you are a candidate.
What is Ahmed Shunt Glaucoma Treatment?
For some patients suffering from glaucoma, normal treatment does not always relieve the symptoms associated with the condition, such as the build-up of pressure in the eye. There are alternatives, such as the Ahmed Shunt, that can help.
In this procedure, a shunt, or tube, is implanted into the eye to divert the fluid in the eye into an external reservoir. The shunt is made of materials that will not break down in the body and are, therefore, safe for a long-term solution.
Candidates for this procedure commonly have not had great success with other treatments, such as trabeculectomy. Determining the necessary treatment for your glaucoma is an important decision and one for which you should seek the advice of your ophthalmologist.
What is iStent Glaucoma Treatment?
Approved by the FDA in July of 2012, the GLAUKOS iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent, the world’s smallest medical device, provides a long-term, non-medicinal treatment for patients suffering from Open-Angle Glaucoma.
This tiny titanium stent is inserted into the eye to help aid in the natural draining of intraocular fluid into the bloodstream, reducing pressure buildup within the eye.
“The iStent is truly a breakthrough for patients suffering from open-angle glaucoma, especially for those suffering from cataracts as well,” said Dr. Brad Sneed. “The iStent is minimally invasive because it is implemented through the same tiny incision used during cataract surgery. Even more exciting is that many patients who choose the iStent have a reduction in the number of medicines and other treatments to keep the intraocular pressure under control.”
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