GLAUCOMA TREATMENT
There is currently no cure for glaucoma. Our surgeons at the Eye Specialists of Delaware can provide treatment with either surgery or medication to slow or prevent further vision loss.
MEDICATION
Glaucoma is usually controlled with eyedrop medicine. Used every day, these eye drops lower eye pressure. Some do this by reducing the amount of aqueous fluid the eye makes. Others reduce pressure by helping fluid flow better through the drainage angle.
Glaucoma medications can help you keep your vision, but they may also produce side effects. All medications can have side effects. Some drugs can cause problems when taken with other medications. It is important to give your doctor a list of every medicine you take regularly. Be sure to talk with your ophthalmologist if you think you may have side effects from glaucoma medicine.
LASER SURGERY
SELECTIVE LASER TRABECULOPLASTY.
This surgery is for people who have open-angle glaucoma. The eye surgeon uses a laser to make the drainage angle work better. That way fluid flows out properly and eye pressure is reduced. This will in some cases this will eliminate the use for some of the eye drops you may be on.
YAG LASER PERIPHERAL IRIDOTOMY.
This is for people who have narrow angle or angle-closure glaucoma. The ophthalmologist uses a laser to create a tiny hole in the iris. This hole helps fluid flow to the drainage angle and will decrease chances of an angle closure attack.
OPERATING ROOM SURGERY
TRABECULECTOMY.
This is where your eye surgeon creates a tiny flap in the sclera (white of your eye). He or she will also create a bubble (like a pocket) in the conjunctiva called a filtration bleb. It is usually hidden under the upper eyelid and cannot be seen. Aqueous humor will be able to drain out of the eye through the flap and into the bleb. In the bleb, the fluid is absorbed by tissue around your eye, lowering eye pressure.
GLAUCOMA DRAINAGE DEVICES
GLAUKOS ISTENT DRAINAGE DEVICE
Your Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity to Have Your Glaucoma & Cataracts Addressed at the Same Time
If you’ve been managing your glaucoma symptoms with medication, and now are preparing for cataract surgery, iStent® may be an ideal option for you. iStent® is a tiny implant that’s helped thousands of people with glaucoma successfully manage their intraocular pressure. By taking advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity during cataract surgery, you can help address both of these conditions at the same time.
Open Your Eyes to a World of Possibilities
- With iStent®, most patients are able to maintain normal eye pressure after the procedure
• iStent®has an excellent safety profile
• iStent®is covered by Medicare and most private insurance companies.
If you think you may be a candidate for iStent®, talk to your eye care professional today to see if iStent® is right for you.
Speak with an iStent® Physician Today
Help is right around the corner. Leading eye professionals across the country offer iStent® for the treatment and control of eye pressure associated with mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma, and are available to answer your questions. Find out if you are a candidate for iStent® by talking with an iStent® physician in your area today.
The XEN Gel Stent
The XEN Gel Stent
The XEN® Gel Stent is a surgical implant designed to lower high eye pressure in open-angle glaucoma patients where previous surgical treatment has failed and/or medications alone were insufficient (also known as refractory glaucoma).
A small device that can make a big difference.
This highly magnified view of the XEN® Gel Stent reveals that it’s a small tube that, when inserted into the eye, becomes soft and flexible. XEN® is designed to help lower eye pressure and was evaluated in a U.S. clinical study that established its safety and effectiveness.
How does the XEN® Gel Stent work?
The XEN® Gel Stent creates a small channel in the eye to drain fluid and help lower eye pressure. The XEN® Gel Stent is tiny—about the length of an eyelash—and it’s placed just under the conjunctiva, which is a clear membrane that covers the white of your eye.
How long does the XEN® Gel Stent last?
The XEN® Gel Stent is designed to stay in the eye permanently.
Will I be able to stop using eye drops?
You may or may not need to use glaucoma eye drops after the XEN® procedure. Your doctor will determine your need for eye drops after the XEN® procedure.
Is the XEN® Gel Stent right for me?
As with all procedures, there can be risks, which your doctor will discuss with you. If you have open-angle glaucoma and your previous surgical treatment has failed and/or medications alone were insufficient, your doctor can help you decide if the XEN® Gel Stent is the right choice for you. Individual results may vary.