Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness. Glaucoma is a family of diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve – the nerve connecting the eye to the brain. This damage is usually caused by high eye pressure (intraocular pressure) – when the fluid produced inside the eye cannot drain properly from the eye. However, there are types of glaucoma in patients with normal intraocular pressure. Damage to the optic nerve will cause a permanent loss of vision that usually begins with one’s peripheral vision and progresses to central vision loss. When glaucoma is detected early it can be treated so that a patient does not experience loss of vision. This condition is most commonly seen in patients over the age of 40, but it can be seen in younger patients. Genetics play a major role in the development of glaucoma, and patients with a family history of glaucoma should be screened.
At Nightingale Eye Associates, our specialists use a variety of advanced diagnostic equipment in order to screen for glaucoma. We utilize the latest optic nerve imaging, visual field analysis and other diagnostic modalities to detect and monitor glaucoma.
The treatment of glaucoma is focused on the lowering of intraocular pressure. This is accomplished with medicated eye drops, laser procedures or incisional surgery. By lowering the eye pressure, glaucoma’s progression can be halted.
SLT is a very safe and effective method to lower eye pressure in patients with glaucoma. This 2 minute, in-office procedure has become increasingly popular and a first line therapy over eye drops in patients with glaucoma. Patients who undergo SLT can often avoid glaucoma eye drops, which can come with intolerable side effects and significant ongoing costs. SLT is covered by medical insurance and can be repeated, if necessary. Most importantly, SLT is an extremely safe procedure with few, if any, long term risks. At Nightingale Eye Associates, our doctors are highly experienced with SLT, having performed thousands of procedures.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) is a group of procedures designed to reduce eye pressure in patients with glaucoma, using small incisions and less disruption to eye tissues compared to traditional glaucoma surgery. MIGS procedures are typically used for patients with mild to moderate glaucoma, often performed alongside cataract surgery.
Key Aspects of MIGS:
Glaukos iStent Infinite
Hydrus Microstent
OMNI Canaloplasty