Glaucoma Procedure
Explore advanced glaucoma surgery Shreveport options for enhanced vision and eye health. Glaucoma is a medical disease that affects the eye. Many times Glaucoma is associated with an increased pressure in the eye which can lead to damage in the optic nerve. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in people over 60 years old. Negative side effects, including blindness caused by glaucoma, can often be prevented using a course of early treatment – ask your ophthalmologist for more information.
Maintaining the best eye care health is Dr. Van Norman’s number one priority with all of his patients.
Here are some signs of an acute angle-closure glaucoma attack:
- Vision becomes suddenly blurry
- Severe eye pain develops
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Seeing halos around lights
Types of Glaucoma
This is the most common form of glaucoma seen in patients. This type of glaucoma develops gradually as the eye slowly loses its ability to drain fluids and a buildup occurs, causing pressure in the eye and damage to the optic nerve. This type of glaucoma is painless; and because it doesn’t cause vision changes at first, it may go untreated until more serious side effects develop.
Some people can have optic nerves that are sensitive to normal eye pressure, meaning the risk of developing glaucoma is higher than average. Regular eye exams are important to find early signs of damage to their optic nerve.
This type of glaucoma happens when the iris blocks the drainage angle in the eye. When the drainage angle gets completely blocked, eye pressure rises very quickly in what is known as an acute attack. Contact an ophthalmologist immediately if you notice this type of eye pressure as it can quickly cause blindness.
Glaucoma Statistics
More than three million Americans are living with glaucoma, 2.7 million of whom-aged 40 and older-are affected by its most common form, open-angle glaucoma.
Glaucoma is fifteen times more likely to cause blindness in African Americans than in Caucasians.
Prescription eye drops could cut everyone’s risk of getting glaucoma in half. Glaucoma stent: a tiny device improving eye fluid drainage, reducing intraocular pressure for enhanced vision health.
TYPES OF GLAUCOMA PROCEDURES:
Laser surgery has become increasingly popular, with the most common type performed for primary open-angle glaucoma called a selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT). This medical procedure is painless and takes 5 minutes, and easily performed in Dr. Van Norman’s office. Once the procedure is performed, the eye’s drainage system is altered in a way that the eye’s pressure is lowered.
After this procedure is completed, many patients respond well enough to be able to avoid or delay additional surgery. While it may take a few weeks to see the full pressure-lowering effect of this procedure, most (but not all) patients are able to gradually discontinue some post-surgery medications. Your doctor is the best judge of determining whether or not you will still need medication. Complications from laser eye surgery are minimal, which is why this procedure has become increasingly popular and some centers are recommending the use of laser procedures before trying other traditional methods.
MIGS is approved to be performed in conjunction with your cataracts surgery. These minimally invasive surgical devices are important to do the procedure with minimal damage to surrounding tissue.
Dr. Van Norman will be happy to talk with you in more detail about MIGS and cataract surgery during your consultation.
AFTER EFFECTS & RESULTS
Glaucoma laser surgery treatment is highly successful at slowing the progression of glaucoma and regulating eye pressure. Although glaucoma surgery can prevent further vision loss, damage that has already occurred as a result of untreated glaucoma is considered permanent and not reversible.