If you have been keeping up with our latest blog series, we have been sharing the primary ways by which glaucoma may be treated. Glaucoma is a condition where there is too much fluid production and pressure within the eye, which, when left untreated, can cause permanent damage and blindness. If you are suffering from glaucoma, or glaucoma-like symptoms, be sure to visit our eye doctor. He will work with you to create a comprehensive treatment plan just for you.

At Round Rock Eye Consultants, your eye care is our top priority. Our eye doctor is an award winning physician that is here for all your eye care needs. He is professional, efficient, and passionate when it comes to healing and protecting your eyes. If you have glaucoma and are seeking treatment, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment today.

In this post, we are going to continue informing you of different glaucoma treatments. While eye drops and medications are most common, sometimes the severity of the glaucoma requires more extensive measures. Laser surgery is a new type of technology being used for glaucoma, as it serves the same purpose and results as traditional eye surgery.

Treatments for Glaucoma

Laser Surgery

When glaucoma is advanced or other methods of healing are simply not helping, our eye doctor may suggest eye surgery. Laser surgery has become a preferred option as opposed to traditional glaucoma surgery, which is much more invasive. If you suffer from open-angle glaucoma then you may be a candidate for trabeculoplasty. This type of eye surgery takes only about 15 minutes. A laser beam is focused on the eye’s drain. The laser will then manipulate this part of the eye ever so slightly so that fluid is able to flow out the drain with more ease. This lowers the overall pressure in the eye and stops the damaging effects of glaucoma.

After your surgery, you are able to go home the same day and resume your daily activities. The results take a few weeks to be in total effect, but this procedure can help you avoid traditional surgery altogether.

Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty

This laser treatment is only for open-angle glaucoma and it heals the trabecular meshwork of your eye. The purpose of this laser eye surgery is to increase the way your eye drains fluid, and to increase the output of fluid. Doing this will lower the overall pressure in the eye. In most cases, you may still need to be using eye drops or taking medication prescribed by your eye doctor. Often, only half the meshwork is treated first, with the other half requiring a separate surgery. The laser surgery should decrease the pressure in your eye immensely. However, if you ever need this procedure again, you are only allowed to have this type of eye surgery three times.

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty

This is another laser treatment option for open-angle glaucoma. This laser surgery has very low level energy laser and it leaves different parts of the trabecular meshwork intact. This procedure is much less invasive and may be performed multiple times if necessary. The eye doctor will use his knowledge and expertise to decide which glaucoma treatment is right for you.

At Round Rock Eye Consultants, your eye health is our top priority. Call us today to schedule your appointment!