Glaucoma Treatment

Because most people with glaucoma have no early symptoms or pain, it is important to have regular, routine eye exams so that glaucoma can be diagnosed and treated before long-term visual loss occurs.

Some of the early warning signs include:

• Ocular pain
• Cloudy vision with halos
• Blurry vision
• Red eyeballs
• Small blind spots in the peripheral vision
• Headaches
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting

A clear, watery fluid called the aqueous fluid is a filtrate of blood, which fills the chambers of the eye. This is a source of nourishment because it eliminates waste and cleans the eye. The process of the aqueous fluid flowing in and out creates a pressure that is called the intraocular pressure and the inflow versus the outflow of aqueous fluid is measured. When people have glaucoma, the inflow and outflow of this pressure is not working properly and can be categorized as open angle glaucoma or closed angle glaucoma. With open angle glaucoma, peripheral vision tends to be affected first and if not treated, it can result in a loss of vision.

There are two types of glaucoma:

Open-angle glaucoma: This is the most common type of glaucoma. The structures of the eye appear normal, but fluid in the eye does not flow properly through the drain of the eye, called the trabecular meshwork.

Angle-closure glaucoma: This type of glaucoma is less common, but can cause a sudden buildup of pressure in the eye. Drainage may be poor because the angle between the iris and the cornea (where a drainage channel for the eye is located) is too narrow. Or, the pupil opens too wide, narrowing the angle and blocking the flow of the fluid through that channel. The fluid accumulates and forces the iris to obstruct the trabecular meshwork. When this happens, the function of meshwork fails to respond to the aqueous fluid and this leads to an increase of pressure. Scars can form causing an irreversible block in the aqueous outflow. Vision can be lost.

A routine eye exam is the best way to protect yourself from glaucoma because symptoms usually do not appear until vision has been affected. An early diagnosis can help stop the progression of this eye condition and there are treatments available. 

For many years drop therapy and invasive surgical intervention (trabeculectomy) were the only forms of treatment a patient was offered after being diagnosed with glaucoma. Today, the physicians at Select Eye Care make the most of breakthrough technology to give patients better, safer treatment options.

Discover the advancements in treatment that Select Eye Care can offer: 

YAG Peripheral Iridotomies (PI)

A YAG laser Peripheral Iridotomy is a laser treatment for patients with narrow angle glaucoma or acute angle closure glaucoma. This procedure involves creating a small hole in the iris that allows fluid to drain from behind the iris to the front of the eye in turn, lowering the pressure in the eye. This is a quick procedure that usually takes 5-10 minutes and can save a patient’s vision. Complications from this procedure are uncommon but your vision may be blurry for a few hours following the procedure. It is best to have someone drive you home after.  If you have glaucoma or if you are at risk for glaucoma, it is important to see your optometrist or ophthalmologist regularly to check for any eye changes and to talk through Glaucoma treatments that are best for you.

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) is a type of surgical intervention that is used to treat glaucoma by reducing the intraocular pressure (IOP) within the eye. MIGS surgery is performed inside the eye using tiny incisions and microscopic tools and implants that are designed to carefully navigate the delicate tissues of the eye. MIGS devices work by enhancing the natural anatomy of the eye so outflow mechanisms can properly function. Typically, MIGS is recommended when eye drops, or laser procedures fail to control a patients IOP in patients with mild to moderate glaucoma. The recovery and downtime following a MIGS procedure is minimal, allowing patients to resume normal activities faster. At Select Eye Care, our doctors use a combination of phacoemulsification with MIGS to have the best possible outcomes for our patients. If you have glaucoma and think you may be a candidate for MIGS, we encourage you to speak with your ophthalmologist to see which Glaucoma treatment is best for you.

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