Prescription eye drops for glaucoma help maintain the pressure in your eye at a healthy level and are an important part of glaucoma treatment for many people. Be sure your doctor knows about any other drugs you may be taking (including over-the-counter items like vitamins, aspirin, and herbal supplements) and about any allergies you may have. Learn more about glaucoma eye drops.
In this treatment for open angle glaucoma, laser energy is delivered to the drainage system of the eye, the trabecular meshwork. This treatment is extremely safe and is well-tolerated by patients. The SLT technique is very gentle, and studies show that it does not damage the tissue of the drainage system. Several weeks after SLT, one returns to measure the intraocular pressure and to assess the success of the procedure.
If medical and laser therapy are not sufficient in treating glaucoma, surgery can be performed. One type of glaucoma surgery is Trabeculectomy. In this procedure, a small area of the drainage system, the trabecular meshwork, is removed. A flap is made in the wall of the eye, the sclera, through which the fluid from within the eye can pass, decreasing the pressure within the eye. The fluid flows through the scleral flap into a space underneath the conjunctiva, and this space is called a bleb. In the first few months after trabeculectomy, frequent visits are required to monitor the healing of the eye.
One type of glaucoma surgery is called a tube shunt, or Glaucoma Drainage Device. In this procedure, a small tube is placed through the sclera, or the wall of the eye. This tube drains fluid from the inside of the eye to the outside of the eye, where the fluid is absorbed under the conjunctiva, which is the skin covering the eye. In the first few months after glaucoma surgery, frequent visits are required for follow-up care to monitor the intraocular pressure and the healing of the eye.
The Xen Gel Microstent is an implant in the sclera (the white wall of the eye). The stent is made of gelatin-like material about the size of an eyelash. Fluid leaves the eye through the stent to lower the eye pressure. The fluid collects under the upper eyelid in a structure called a bleb.
Goniotomy involves making an incision in the natural drain of the eye and scooping out material that may block the flow of fluid out of the eye. Goniotomy is a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). Goniotomy can be performed as a standalone surgery or with cataract surgery.
Learn more about minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).
Canaloplasty involves injecting gel into the drain of the eye to widen it and improve outflow. Canaloplasty is a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). It can be performed with or without goniotomy. Canaloplasty is sometimes done with cataract surgery or as a standalone surgery.
The iStent is a device that is implanted in the natural drain of the eye to help fluid flow out of the eye. The stents are made out of inactive titanium. You can safely have an MRI with these stents. The stent can be placed as a standalone surgery or with cataract surgery.
The Hydrus Microsten is a device that is implanted in the natural drain of the eye. This helps fluid to flow out of the eye to lower eye pressure. The stents are made out of inactive titanium. You can safely have an MRI with these stents.
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