Comprehensive Glaucoma Care in Wayne & Randolph
Glaucoma affects over two million Americans, yet half are unaware they have it. Known as “the silent thief of sight,” glaucoma can lead to irreversible vision loss if left untreated. At Advanced Eye Care Center, we provide advanced care for many types of glaucoma, combining expert diagnosis with personalized treatment plans to preserve your sight and quality of life.
A Closer Look at Vision’s Silent Threat
Understanding Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, often due to increased pressure within the eye. The two most common forms are:
Open-Angle Glaucoma: Develops gradually, with no early symptoms, as fluid drainage slows and pressure builds.
Narrow-Angle Glaucoma: A rarer, sudden condition that causes a rapid pressure spike and requires emergency treatment to prevent blindness.
If left untreated, both types of glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss.
Open-Angle Glaucoma
Open-angle glaucoma occurs when the drainage canals in the eye, called the trabecular meshwork, stop functioning efficiently, leading to fluid buildup and increased pressure. Symptoms may include:
- Gradual loss of peripheral vision.
- Seeing halos around lights.
Who is at Risk?
- Individuals over 35 years old.
- Those with a family history of glaucoma.
- People with diabetes or severe nearsightedness.
Narrow-Angle Glaucoma
Narrow-angle glaucoma happens when the iris blocks the drainage canals, causing a sudden rise in eye pressure. Symptoms include:
- Severe eye pain or pressure.
- Redness and swelling.
- Blurred vision and halos around lights.
Without immediate treatment, narrow-angle glaucoma can cause blindness within days.
Advanced Diagnostics for Glaucoma
At Advanced Eye Care Center, we use cutting-edge technology to diagnose and monitor glaucoma, including:
- Tonometry: Measures eye pressure.
- Ophthalmoscopy: Evaluates the optic nerve for damage.
- Perimetry: Maps your field of vision to detect early changes.
- Gonioscopy: Determines whether the drainage angle is open or closed, crucial for identifying the type of glaucoma.
Glaucoma Treatment Options
Managing glaucoma involves lowering eye pressure to prevent further optic nerve damage. Our treatment options include:
- Medications: Eye drops or pills to reduce fluid production or improve drainage.
- Laser Surgery: Improves drainage by targeting the trabecular meshwork.
- Filtration Surgery: Creates a new drainage channel for fluid when other treatments are insufficient.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) is a newer, safer way to treat glaucoma without major surgery. It helps lower eye pressure by creating small pathways for fluid to drain out of the eye more easily. MIGS procedures are often done during cataract surgery and involve tiny stents, small openings, or other gentle techniques to improve fluid flow.
Because MIGS is much less invasive than traditional surgeries, patients usually recover faster, experience fewer complications, and may need fewer eye drops afterward.
However, MIGS is best suited for people with mild to moderate glaucoma and may not be enough for advanced cases requiring more aggressive treatment.
Medication Implants for Long-Term Treatment
Another option for treating glaucoma is medication reservoir implants, which slowly release eye pressure-lowering medicine over time. Instead of using daily eye drops, a tiny implant placed inside the eye provides a steady supply of medication for months. This helps keep eye pressure stable and reduces the risk of forgetting or missing doses.
One example is the bimatoprost implant, which delivers medicine directly where it’s needed without relying on frequent applications. While these implants are helpful in managing glaucoma, they are usually used alongside other treatments and may not work for everyone. Scientists are still improving these devices to make them last longer and work more effectively.
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