Glaucoma is one of the most common eye conditions. Without regular visits to your eye doctor, it can quietly take your sight without you even noticing.
Your eye doctor can detect glaucoma during a routine eye exam, which is why it is so important that you visit your eye doctor annually. Although there is no cure, there are treatment options for glaucoma.
Keep reading to learn what treatment options are available for glaucoma!
Glaucoma Eye Drops
The most common glaucoma treatments are prescription eye drops. This particular medication is aims to lower eye pressure and stop the condition from progressing.
Glaucoma damages your vision due to increased internal eye pressure. As the pressure increases, it begins to damage the sensitive optic nerve.
Once the fibers die, there is a permanent loss of vision. Eye pressure increases when fluid is unable to cycle out of the eye.
Typically, the fluid leaves through a drain system, which can become partially clogged. In those with glaucoma, the outflow of the fluid halts while the fluid is still being produced.
Glaucoma drops relieve the internal eye pressure. The work two ways:
- Relaxing the drainage system, allowing the fluid to flow freely again.
- Slowing the production of fluid
In some cases, eye doctors will prescribe both types. You must take glaucoma drops daily, on time, or the treatment will not work.
Have You Heard Of Durysta?
Westlake Eye Specialists in Austin, Texas, is at the forefront of glaucoma treatment in Central Texas. Durysta is a brand new glaucoma therapy that is easier and less expensive.
It works by utilizing one of the most common eye drop glaucoma medications, Bimatoprost. Instead of relying on drops, though, a tiny implant is placed in the eye.
Less than 1mm big, the microscopic implant slowly releases the chemical. The implant itself can last up to six months, but its effects may last longer. Some people have had reduced eye pressure for almost two years!
Durysta only works for open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of the condition. By decreasing the need for topical drops, Durysta helps people who might forget to apply their eye drops regularly.
It is also effective for people prone to dry eye as a side effect of normal glaucoma drops.
Surgical Options
In some cases, surgery may be required. Several options are available if surgical intervention is needed.
MIGS stands for “minimally-invasive glaucoma surgery.” This method allows surgeons to make a small incision in the eye and insert a tiny device to increase drainage.
The glaucoma specialists at Westlake Eye Specialists also offer the OMNI glaucoma treatment system. This is a MIGS device that your eye doctor can implant at the same time as cataract surgery.
The Hydrus Microstent is also minimally invasive. After making a small incision, the surgeon inserts a tiny tube to help drainage.
The XEN® Gel Stent is another stent option. It is usually reserved for glaucoma cases that don’t respond to other treatments.
Trabeculectomy is more invasive compared to a MIGS procedure. It takes longer to recover from, but it is still effective. During a trabeculectomy, your eye surgeon creates a second channel with a slightly larger, but still small, incision.
The best way to avoid vision changes associated with glaucoma is to visit your eye doctor routinely so that it can be diagnosed and treated early.
Do you want to learn more about glaucoma treatments? Schedule a comprehensive exam at Westlake Eye Specialists in Austin, TX, today to stay informed on your eye health!
.png)
