Glaucoma
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which is vital for good vision. This damage is often caused by abnormally high pressure in the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP).
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness for people over 60 years old, but it can occur at any age. Many forms of glaucoma have no warning signs, making regular eye examinations crucial for early detection and treatment.
Open Angle Glaucoma
The most common form of glaucoma, where the drainage angle remains open but the trabecular meshwork becomes partially blocked. The trabecular meshwork is the eye’s natural drainage system, acting like a filter that allows fluid to flow out of the eye and maintain normal pressure.
This blockage causes a gradual increase in eye pressure over time. Open angle glaucoma typically develops slowly and painlessly, often without noticeable symptoms until significant vision loss has occurred.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Angle-closure glaucoma is a severe form of glaucoma where the drainage angle becomes completely blocked, causing a sudden and dramatic increase in eye pressure. This condition requires immediate medical attention as it can lead to permanent vision loss within hours if left untreated. Symptoms include severe eye pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, and sudden vision changes.
There are many different types of glaucoma, and at Center for Sight, we specialize in diagnosing and treating all forms with the most advanced techniques available.
Glaucoma Treatment Options at Center for Sight
At Center for Sight, we offer comprehensive glaucoma treatment options tailored to each patient’s specific needs and type of glaucoma.
ALT (Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty) Laser Treatment
This advanced laser procedure creates tiny openings in the trabecular meshwork to reopen blocked drainage channels, effectively reducing intraocular pressure. ALT is particularly effective for patients with open-angle glaucoma.
PI (Peripheral Iridotomy) Laser Treatment
This laser treatment creates a tiny, controlled opening in the iris (the colored part of your eye) to improve fluid drainage and prevent dangerous pressure buildup. The procedure allows aqueous fluid to flow more freely.
This treatment serves as the primary approach for angle-closure and narrow-angle glaucoma and is a highly effective preventative measure against acute closed-angle glaucoma attacks. By creating this controlled opening, the procedure prevents emergency situations where eye pressure suddenly elevates, causing severe pain, nausea, and vision loss.
Advanced Surgical Options: Ahmed Valve, Shunts, & Stents
For patients with advanced glaucoma or those who haven’t responded adequately to laser treatments, we offer sophisticated surgical implant options. These medical devices are carefully implanted within the eye to create alternative drainage pathways and provide superior long-term control of intraocular pressure.
These procedures are reserved for cases requiring more aggressive pressure control, particularly when laser treatments have not provided adequate results.
Ahmed valves and other drainage devices provide consistent, regulated pressure reduction by creating permanent alternative drainage pathways. Microscopic stents offer a minimally invasive option for drainage enhancement in appropriate candidates.
