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Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a "silent" eye disease that may eventually affect a person's vision without the patient being aware. There are different types of glaucoma. There is no pain with the most common kind of glaucoma, and by the time the person can tell there is a problem with their vision it is too late to treat it effectively. The best prevention against any loss of vision due to glaucoma is to have regular eye exams. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that individuals visit their eye doctor at the following intervals:
- Age 20-39: Individuals of African descent or with a family history of glaucoma should have a medical exam every 3 to 5 years. Others can be seen at least once during this period.
- Age 40-64: Every 2 to 4 years.
- Age 65 or older: Every 1 to 2 years.
Ophthalmologists evaluate four factors when they diagnose a patient with glaucoma: the intraocuolar pressure of the eye; the shape and color of the optic nerve; the visual field; and the shape of the eye between the iris and cornea. The pressure in one's eye is maintained by aqueous fluid that is consistently produced inside the eye and drained through canals.
When the drainage canals become clogged or blocked, the fluid will build up, increasing the pressure in the eye. When the intraocular pressure is high for long periods of time, damage may occur to parts of the optic nerve. Glaucoma is usually painless and happens so gradually that people are not aware of any loss in vision.
Once a patient is diagnosed with glaucoma the doctor will usually treat with medication. This disease cannot be cured, but with treatment glaucoma can be controlled. Some individuals need surgery which can be done on an out-patient basis at our Ophthalmology Laser and Surgery Center.
Here are three important facts to remember about glaucoma:
- Glaucoma can cause blindness.
- Glaucoma is treatable.
- People are unaware that they have glaucoma in the early stages when treatment should begin.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
A patient with open-angle glaucoma may have their eye doctor recommend the SLT procedure. The laser used for a Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is an advanced laser system that “selects out” certain cells and leaves the remaining structure intact. The natural flow of fluid in a patient’s eye is improved by the SLT, therefore lowering the eye pressure.
Many glaucoma patients need drops to keep their eye pressure low and maintain their field of vision. The eye drops can be inconvenient and expensive, which makes the SLT appealing. The benefit that a patient may enjoy from this short procedure is the reduction or elimination of eye drops needed to treat glaucoma. There is no recovery period from this painless procedure and patients are able to leave our surgery center within the hour. Medicare and most health insurance plans cover the cost of the SLT.
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"I had been using eye drops to treat my glaucoma when Dr. Barton told me about the SLT procedure. I was interested in this because I wanted to stop using my drops. The SLT didn't last too long and I had no problems whatsoever, although it took three appointments to have it done. It has been a great help because now I do not need any eye drops. I'm very pleased. It was well worth it." Bernhard Kunz |
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