Advanced Glaucoma Surgery for Vision Preservation
Your guide to glaucoma surgery
At Price Vision Group in Indianapolis, our ophthalmologists specialize in the early detection and effective treatment of glaucoma. While we specialize in surgery, it is important to understand that the first (and typically the best) treatment for most individuals is a prescription medication. Your doctor may prescribe either drops or pills, or a combination of the two, to effectively regulate the production and drainage of aqueous fluid in the eye. It is very important that medications are taken as prescribed in order to prevent damage that may threaten vision.
At this point there is no known cure for glaucoma, however, there are many successful treatment options that can effectively control the pressure in your eyes and prevent any vision loss from occurring. But in order for this to happen, you must detect the disease early. If you haven’t had an eye exam in the last year, please complete the form below to request an appointment or call us at (317) 844-5530 to schedule your appointment.
What is a glaucoma?
Glaucoma describes a series of conditions that cause a specific pattern of damage to the optic nerve, and gradual loss of vision. The disease usually causes an excess buildup of pressure within the eye, pressure that can eventually damage the sensitive fibers of the optic nerve.
Your eyes are made up almost entirely of water. The fluid in the eye that helps maintain the eye’s shape is called aqueous fluid, and is produced by a gland within the eye. There also exists a tiny drainage system in the back of the eye that helps regulate the flow of fluid in the eye, and thus the pressure of the eye.
Surgical Treatment for Glaucoma
We are experienced at the detection and treatment of glaucoma, and the best way to assure yourself a lifetime of quality vision is with early detection of eye diseases through your routine examinations. Most people respond very well to medication which regulates intraocular pressure by lessening the production of fluid. While most people do not experience negative side effects from medication, some do, and some people require more aggressive treatment. Surgical treatments focus on opening up the tiny drainage system in the back of the eye that helps regulate flow of aqueous fluid, and pressure within the eye.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
Our Indianapolis gluacoma surgeons specialize in a simple procedure known as Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, or SLT, in which a laser is used to make very small, precise modifications that improve the flow of fluid through the drainage passageway. Although surgery is never the first option, this procedure is a common, minimally invasive treatment with little recovery needed and very low risk. It usually takes only about 15 minutes, and is a painless, outpatient procedure. In some cases, you may need to continue to use drops for optimal intraocular pressure.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
The glaucoma surgeons of Price Vision Group are at the forefront of technology and are always looking for ways to improve patient outcomes and reduce healing time. We offer a variety of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery options to reduce some of the complications of most standard glaucoma surgeries.
- Kahook Dual Blade
- iStent
- XEN Gel Stent
Glaucoma Shunt
In this procedure, your surgeon inserts a small tube to create an additional drainage channel to lower eye pressure . While extremely effective, we always prefer to keep surgical options as a last resort.
Conventional Glaucoma Surgery
If other treatments don’t work, your doctor can elect to perform a trabeculectomy, where he or she manually widens the drainage passageway. This procedure is more invasive than the laser procedure, and results in a longer, more involved recovery.
Have a question or looking to schedule an appointment? Contact us today!
