Are you suffering with Glaucoma? Contact Coastal Eye Institute in Sarasota for state-of-the-art Glaucoma treatment.
Dr. Robert Edelman, and Dr. Pooja Khator specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. They will do everything possible to maintain your best vision; however, managing your glaucoma is a partnership between you and your doctor.
Glaucoma is a lifelong disease that can cause blindness, but with early diagnosis and proper treatment, severe vision loss can usually be prevented. Glaucoma treatment aims to lower the eye pressure to a level that will not longer damage the optic nerve fibers. Medicine, laser and surgery are all options to accomplish this goal. Sometimes, a combination of these will be required to achieve the desired pressure. Each patient’s goal is different, and only your doctor can determine the target pressure for your eyes.
– Medicine: Open angle glaucoma can often be controlled with eye drops. Medications today are very effective and can easily be integrated into your daily routine.
– Laser: To treat glaucoma and decrease dependence on eye drops, in-office laser surgery is also used. There are two types of laser treatment available:
1. Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
SLT is a laser treatment for open angle glaucoma that uses short pulses of low-energy laser light to target melanin (pigment) containing cells in the outflow channels of the eye. These pulses of energy cause the macrophages (cleaner cells) of the body to “clean out” the clogged drain of the eye, allowing increased drainage of fluid. And lowering of intraocular pressure. This procedure takes approximately 10-15 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis.
2. Peripheral Laser Iridotomy for Angle Closure Glaucoma
Laser Iridotomy is a treatment for closed angle glaucoma that uses a laser to make a small hole in the iris to create a new pathway for the aqueous fluid to drain from the eye. The new drainage hole allows the iris to fall back into its normal position, restoring the balance between fluid entering and leaving the eye and lowering the eye pressure.
– Surgery may be required in some cases. Patients who have Glaucoma surgery often experience a dramatic decrease in eye pressure, preserving their vision. Coastal Eye offers 3 types of glaucoma surgery options:
1. Trabeculectomy. Constructing a flap of tissue that serves as an additional outflow channel to allow extra fluid to exit the eye, lowering intraocular pressure.
2. Glaucoma Tube Implants. A tiny silicone tube connected to a round or oral plate works as a straw to remove fluid from the eye, resulting in lower pressure.
3. iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass. This is the smallest device every approved by the FDA and is placed in the eye during cataract surgery to improve the eye’s natural fluid outflow, safely lowering pressure.
If you are considering Coastal Eye in Sarasota for Glaucoma treatment, make the call at 941-748-1818 for an appointment. You can also go online to coastaleye.com to learn more about glaucoma treatment options, surgery, and more. Preserve your vision by seeing a glaucoma specialist today.