Glaucoma Treatments

Medical Eye Drops

Glaucoma is typically treated with eye drops that decrease eye pressure either by slowing the amount of fluid produced within the eye or by improving the flow through the drainage angle. Glaucoma medications may produce side effects, so be sure to talk to your eye doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms.

Trabeculectomy

Trabeculectomy is a surgical procedure performed by an ophthalmologist to lower eye pressure. By lowering the eye pressure, damage can be halted from further pressure increases, but any damage already done is not reversible.

The trabeculectomy procedure involves the eye surgeon creating a tiny passage way from the inside to the outside of your eye. This helps fluid drain better from the areas it is presently not draining. Trabeculectomy is more commonly used after other treatment options have not been successful or are simply not stopping the increasing IOP (Intraocular Pressure). Your eye surgeon may consider trabeculectomy if:

• Laser surgery to lower the eye pressure has not worked
• Medicines do not work as planned

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) has quickly become a widely accepted treatment option in glaucoma treatment. SLT uses laser technology to lower pressure in the eye that can possibly help a patient avoid a more invasive surgery. The surgery might even reduce the dependence on medications or drops.

iStent

The main cause of elevated eye pressure in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma is a reduction of the aqueous outflow in an area called the trabecular meshwork. The iStent allows the aqueous fluid to bypass the trabecular meshwork and flow into Schlemm’s canal, which allows the aqueous fluid to leave the eye so that when new aqueous is produced within the eye, there will not be such a pressure elevation.

A comprehensive eye exam at Morristown Ophthalmology Associates, P.A. can help protect your eyes by catching eye diseases like glaucoma early so that we can provide the right treatment to preserve your vision.