Glaucoma is an eye disease that can cause blindness. It usually begins when pressure builds up in the eye as a result of clogged or blocked eye drainage areas.

The eye is always producing fluid, and if too much of it stays in the eye, it increases eye pressure. This pressure can damage the optic nerve, the nerve in charge of sending messages to the brain so you can see.

If damaged, the optic nerve cannot send the messages to the brain that let you see.

Types of Glaucoma

There are two main kinds of glaucoma: “open-angle” and “closed-angle.” A patient’s kind of glaucoma and the stage of the condition will determine the best type of glaucoma treatment to use to effectively control eye pressure and prevent sight loss.

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Open-angle is the most common kind of glaucoma. It occurs slowly as people age. The drainage area in the eye becomes clogged. Not enough fluid drains from the eye, so pressure slowly builds up.

Symptoms

The built-up pressure in the eye causes gradual loss of side (peripheral) vision. You may not even notice changes until much of your vision is lost. People suffering from open-angle glaucoma can also see patchy blind spots in their peripheral or central vision.

Closed-Angle Glaucoma

Closed-angle glaucoma is less common than open-angle. It usually comes on quickly. The drainage area in the eye suddenly becomes completely blocked. If not treated right away, eye pressure quickly leads to blindness.

Symptoms

You may notice blurred vision and rainbow halos around lights. You may also have headaches, nausea, vomiting, and severe pain.

Treating Glaucoma

Treatment can prevent or limit vision loss from glaucoma. The goal of treatment is to control glaucoma by lowering eye pressure. Your doctor can suggest what treatment is best for you. You may just need more frequent exams. Medicines and procedures may also help. People who suffer from this condition generally need glaucoma treatment for the rest of their lives.

Medicines to Lower Eye Pressure

Eyedrops and pills may be used to lower eye pressure. Some medicines reduce the amount of fluid your eyes make. Others increase drainage in the eyes. Use your medicines every day as directed. Don’t stop taking them-even if you have no symptoms. If you do, eye pressure can rise rapidly and damage your vision. If the medicines cause side effects, talk to your doctor.

Procedures to Improve Eye Drainage

In some cases of glaucoma, other procedures are used to improve eye drainage.

• Lasers can be used to increase drainage.
• If other treatments don’t work, glaucoma surgery may be suggested.

Glaucoma Treatment at Eye Care Professionals

At Eye Care Professionals, we offer the highest standard of glaucoma treatment in Northern Nevada. Providing eye care services for over 60 years, we offer a wide array of procedures for preserving the vision of our patients suffering from glaucoma.

Laser Glaucoma Surgery

Laser surgery has become one of the most common procedures to treat different eye problems and diseases. At Eye Care Professionals, we offer laser glaucoma surgery to effectively lower and control eye pressure using a focused beam of light.

The laser surgery used to treat the patient will depend on the kind of glaucoma they suffer. Based on the type of surgery used, the procedure can involve the targeting of specific cells in the eye, opening the eye’s fluid channels, or focusing on the iris to improve fluid drainage.

At Eye Care Professionals we have built a reputation for having outstanding treatment outcomes, and the results from our laser glaucoma surgeries are no exception.

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)

MIGS surgery has been developed as a safer and more innovative glaucoma treatment alternative. As its name suggests, Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery utilizes less invasive instruments and devices than conventional surgery.

The ophthalmologists at Eye Care Professionals specialize in preserving our patients’ vision and have years of experience executing MIGS procedures for glaucoma treatment.

The MIGS procedures available at Eye Care Professionals include OMNI, iStent, and Hydrus implants, designed to effectively lower eye pressure.