Glaucoma Treatments
What Is Glaucoma?
One of the most common causes of vision loss in the world, glaucoma is a group of conditions that damage the optic nerves usually as a result of high eye pressure. It can be classified as open or closed based on whether your eye’s natural drainage system is open or closed.
Open angle is by far the most common. Because it usually slowly steals your peripheral vision first and doesn’t cause pain, it’s often not detected by the patient until it has already caused severe vision loss.
Closed angle glaucoma is much less common. It often occurs very suddenly with severe eye pain, decreased vision, headache, and nausea/vomiting. This usually requires emergency intervention with laser or surgery. Â
Regular comprehensive eye exams is the first step in detecting this condition while it can still be treated effectively. Here at Ennen Eye Center, we have the expertise and the advanced technology to detect glaucoma, and treat it medically and surgically.Â
What Are the Risk Factors?
Although certain types of glaucoma can develop slowly and almost unnoticeably, there are some risk factors that you should be aware of. These include:Â
- Being over 60
- Being African-American, Asian, or Hispanic
- Having a family history of glaucoma
- Having high pressure inside your eye
- Having thin corneas & certain eye conditions
Ennen Eye Center provides safe, effective treatment options to help you improve vision lost from Glaucoma.
How Is Glaucoma Treated?
Eye pressure is the only modifiable target for the treatment of glaucoma. For this reason, glaucoma treatments focus on lowering eye pressure. Most commonly this involves using eye medications. However, there are many glaucoma laser and surgical procedures that can sometimes replace or assist eye drops in the treatment of glaucoma.Â
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
SLT is a laser procedure that many consider to be a first-line glaucoma treatment. This procedure lowers your eye pressure by targeting the drainage system of the eye and supporting the outflow of intraocular fluid. It’s also repeatable and can be performed in less than 5 minutes to reduce or eliminate costly eye drops while also helping you control glaucoma.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
Cataract surgery gives your surgeon access to your eye’s drainage system. It also provides a unique opportunity to lower your eye pressure while removing your cataract. Combining cataract surgery with a MIGS procedure can improve your vision and possibly reduce or eliminate glaucoma eye drops.
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Why Choose Us?
At Ennen Eye Care, we provide the most thorough care in the Fort Smith area to ensure your safety and clearest sight. Along with our decades of experience, we also rely on the latest technology to make your visit with us the best that eye care has to offer!
Contact us today to discuss our treatment options, insurance coverage, and affordable payment plans!