Glaucoma Surgery at in LOCATION1,
Glaucoma is known as the “silent thief of sight” because it silently progresses without showing any symptoms until its advanced stages— when it begins to affect your vision.
Fortunately, we can help preserve your vision. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained LOCATION1 ophthalmologists have helped hundreds of patients minimize the effects of the disease through the most advanced glaucoma treatments.
What Are the Signs of Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve due to dangerously high pressure within the eye. When the fluid inside the eye, known as the aqueous humor, builds up too quickly or doesn’t drain out of the eye properly, eye pressure increases—which then damages the optic nerve. This nerve carries all the images in your vision to the brain. Left untreated, nerve damage is permanent and can ultimately lead to vision loss and even blindness.
The first line of treatment for glaucoma is medicated eye drops that the patient applies several times a day to lower eye pressure. For many, these eye drops may be effective. But others may not see an improvement in their eye pressure readings or may experience unpleasant side effects, such as eye irritation. If eye drops aren’t working for you, your eye doctor may recommend glaucoma surgery to lower the intraocular pressure and protect your vision.
Can Glaucoma Be Cured?
While there’s no cure for glaucoma, there are ways to preserve your vision and prevent vision loss.
Glaucoma can be treated with eye drops, medicine, and/or surgery to reduce pressure in the eye and prevent permanent vision loss and blindness.
When eye drops, pills, or laser surgery do not lower eye pressure to a safe level, your ophthalmologist may determine that glaucoma surgery should be performed.
Glaucoma Surgery
The various types of surgery are intended to reduce eye pressure either by creating openings in various parts of the eye. Inserting a stent or removing part of the trabecular meshwork facilitates the drainage of fluid outside the eye.
There are several types of glaucoma surgery, but the following are the main categories:
- Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)
- Trabeculectomy
- Iridotomy and Iridectomy
The type of surgery you may need will depend on your condition and a variety of other factors. To learn more, schedule an appointment with us at today.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
In the past decade, many people in the early to moderate stages of glaucoma have benefitted from minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS). They are a relatively risk-free defense against progressively failing eyesight that is a consequence of glaucoma. MIGS is a shorter procedure than the more invasive trabeculectomy and tube-implant surgeries, and offers reduced risk and faster recovery.
If you have glaucoma, the eye doctors at in LOCATION1 will assess your condition and discuss whether MIGS is the right solution for you.
How MIGS Works
MIGS refers to a range of implants, devices and techniques all aimed at reducing the pressure in the eye without disrupting the eye’s normal anatomy. “Minimally invasive” means that they use small incisions and/or microscopic equipment, specifically designed to reduce risk of complication, as compared to other procedures.
MIGS does the following:
- improves your eye’s natural drainage
- redirects excess fluid outside the eye
- decreases production of fluid within the eye
MIG surgeries typically take about 5-10 minutes to perform, and are done using local anesthetics. That said, you should allow yourself about 2-3 hours from start to finish. Recovery time can take about 2-4 weeks, which is considerably less than the 2-3 months that tend to follow more invasive procedures. That’s why for many, MIGS may be the best treatment.
Trabeculectomy
Another way of reducing intraocular pressure is to make a new drain in the eye. This type of surgery is called a trabeculectomy.
During this procedure, a small piece of the wall of the eye, which may include the trabecular meshwork (the natural drain), is removed by the surgeon. By doing so, the ophthalmologist opens a new drain which creates a bypass for the trabecular meshwork. This reduces eye pressure because fluid drains through the new opening into a reservoir underneath the conjunctiva (the surface of the eye). This fluid is then absorbed by the body.
Laser Iridotomy
Laser iridotomy is a procedure commonly used to treat narrow-angle glaucoma. In laser iridotomy, a tiny hole is placed in the iris to create a hole for fluid to drain from the back of the eye to the front of the eye. This reduces eye pressure build-up, which can cause damage to the delicate optic nerve, potentially leading to permanent loss of vision. In the majority of cases, the iridotomy is placed in the upper portion of the iris, under the upper eyelid where it can’t be seen.
For more information on this or any other procedure, please book your appointment online or call our eye care center.
How Surgery Helps Glaucoma Patients
Unfortunately, any nerve damage and vision loss that has already occurred cannot be reversed. Thus, glaucoma surgery can only help prevent further eye damage, but not fully cure it.
The good news is that for many patients, the variety of eye drops or usage frequency may be reduced following glaucoma surgery.
What to Expect from Glaucoma Surgery
Laser surgery is most often performed in the clinic and the patient is conscious throughout. The eye doctor will administer numbing eye drops. In most cases, there is no pain, but there may be a slight stinging or burning sensation in the eye. During the procedure, the eye doctor will flash a laser into your eye and it will appear like a short but bright flash of light.
In the case of trabeculectomy and other non-laser surgeries, the patient will be taken to an operating room, given a local anesthetic, and will have blood pressure and oxygen levels monitored. An anesthesiologist will administer an intravenous anesthetic and special instruments will be applied to keep the patient's eyes open during surgery.
Recovery from Glaucoma Surgery
The amount of recovery time you need will depend on the severity of your eye condition, general health, and type of surgery. Laser surgery has the fastest recovery time (just a few hours), whereas the recovery time following glaucoma surgery is usually between 3-6 weeks.
At We Will Guide You Through the Glaucoma Surgery Process
The highly skilled ophthalmologists at will answer all of your questions about glaucoma surgery, prepare you for the procedure and provide comprehensive post-op care.
in LOCATION1 is dedicated to preserving your vision.
FAQ
Can glaucoma surgery reverse vision loss?
Glaucoma surgery can’t reverse vision loss or cure glaucoma. However, glaucoma surgery can reduce eye pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve. Catching glaucoma early through regular eye exams is the best way to preserve your vision.
Will I need an additional glaucoma surgery?
The purpose of glaucoma surgery is to lessen eye pressure and slow the progression of the disease. While its effects are often not permanent, the surgery can relieve eye pressure from 6 months to 10 or 15 years. If eye pressure increases again, additional surgery may be required.
Does insurance cover glaucoma surgery?
Since glaucoma surgery is considered essential to preventing vision loss, the procedure is covered by Medicaid, Medicare, and most private insurance programs.