Glaucoma Treatment New Jersey

Glaucoma refers to a variety of eye diseases that affect the optic nerve and can potentially lead to vision loss. Glaucoma causes the pressure inside the eyes to become elevated, which can lead to vision loss, in some cases very quickly. The two most common forms of glaucoma are:

• Narrow-Angle / Angle Closure Glaucoma   In this form of glaucoma, the drainage canals within the eye become blocked. This causes a buildup in pressure inside the eye, which in some cases can lead to blindness in a matter of hours if not treated.
• Open-Angle Glaucoma   This is the most common form of glaucoma, affecting over 70% of people that suffer from the disease. Open-Angle Glaucoma is usually caused by a slow buildup of blockage in the eyes drainage canals. Because this happens slowly over time, an undiagnosed case can slowly rob a patient of their vision with no noticeable symptoms.

How is Glaucoma Surgery Performed?

Although glaucoma can sometimes be treated using medicated eye drops, many times it requires surgery as a longer term solution.

There are two mains types of glaucoma surgery:

• In a trabeculectomy, a flap is made in the wall of the eye, in which a window is cut. The flap is they loosely re-attached, allowing fluid to flow out through it. Over time, scar tissue may build up on this flap, requiring the surgery to be performed multiple times.
• Small tubes can be inserted into the drainage canals in the eyes, allowing the fluid to pass through the eye in a normal manner.

Although both of these surgeries can be very effective at relieving increased pressure in the eye, they are both considered to be a temporary solution, as no permanent cure from glaucoma has been discovered. It may be necessary to have both surgeries multiple times in order to reduce the symptoms of glaucoma and to prevent blindness.

Is Complex Surgical Procedure Always Necessary?

A diagnosis of glaucoma does not always mean that a complex surgical glaucoma treatment is necessary. After a full exam and consultation with your Marano Eye Care glaucoma specialist, he or she may determine that a less invasive, in-office treatment such as the Yag Laser Peripheral Iridectomy or ALT (Argon Laser Trabeculectomy) procedures both can be done in our offices.

Am I At Risk For Glaucoma?

Testing for open-angle glaucoma is a very simple and painless procedure that checks for increased pressure within the eye. If pressure levels are detected that a higher than normal, then other tests including examination of the optic nerve will be performed.

Certain ethnic groups including African Americans, Asians and Inuits are far more likely to develop glaucoma. Diabetics and people with a family history of glaucoma are also more likely to develop the disease. If you have noticed any form of vision loss, or belong to one of these risk groups, you should have regular glaucoma tests to catch problems before they progress. Schedule an appointment today, and let our doctors determine if your vision loss may be related to glaucoma, or what your risks of developing the disease in the future are.