What is glaucoma surgery?
Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages the optic nerve at the back of your eye. There are many types of glaucoma, but open-angle glaucoma is the most common.
About 9 out of 10 people with glaucoma have open-angle glaucoma. Another type includes angle-closure glaucoma, which is a medical emergency that causes sudden, intense eye pain.
Open-angle glaucoma causes pressure to slowly build up in your eye and push on the optic nerve. This happens because the fluid inside your eye can’t drain quickly enough. Most people don’t know they have glaucoma until they start to lose their vision.
Glaucoma surgery doesn’t cure the disease or undo vision loss, but it does lower the pressure in your eye. By relieving intraocular pressure, the team at Pennsylvania Surgery and Laser Center helps to protect your vision and stop the condition from getting worse.
When would I need glaucoma surgery?
You may need surgery if medications haven’t helped to treat your glaucoma. The expert team at Pennsylvania Surgery and Laser Center thoroughly reviews your medical history and examines your eyes to make sure glaucoma surgery is right for you.
What does glaucoma surgery entail?
There are many approaches to glaucoma surgery. The team at Pennsylvania Surgery and Laser Center uses the most advanced technologies available, including:
Glaukos® iStent inject
The iStent inject procedure can be a standalone treatment, or your surgeon may combine it with cataract surgery. This procedure involves placing a stent made of surgical grade titanium inside your eye. The stent helps fluid drain properly.
Ahmed Glaucoma Valve
The Ahmed Glaucoma Valve is another type of drainage device that consists of a small plate and tube. Your surgeon implants the device on the outside of your eye but beneath the skin so you can’t see it. The valve allows fluid to drain from your eye.
Other approaches
Other types of glaucoma surgery include laser surgery, trabeculectomy, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. The skilled team at Pennsylvania Surgery and Laser Center explains all your options for glaucoma surgery so you can make an informed decision.
If you need glaucoma surgery, call Pennsylvania Surgery and Laser Center today.
